Name: Kim
Age: 51
Starting Weight: 191
Weight now: 145
Total pounds lost: 46

What was the turning point that motivated your lifestyle change?

I had a gastric bypass about 25 years ago, and I lost 120 lbs. Over the years I started putting the weight back on. Last year, when I saw my twin sister (she also struggles with her weight), I knew I was headed right back to being obese. I had to put the break on. I had tried other programs, but I was not successful.

How did MyFoodDiary.com help in your weight loss journey?

I knew I needed to be accountable and keep track of my food intake. It made it so much easier tracking my food and weight. Since I lost the weight, I still keep track of what I eat, and my husband and I step on the scale every week to keep tabs on where we are and what we need to do.

Describe your new, healthy lifestyle?

I exercise more (walking and stretching), and I lead an active lifestyle. We go to Florida in the winter months and there I am able to swim an hour a day. I am able to do more, and I want to do more since I have lost the weight.

At the grocery store a few months ago, my husband asked me to hold 3 bags of dog food and I wondered why. He said, "That is what you lost. Now you know what you have been carrying around!"

What has been your biggest challenge, and how have you overcome it?

Finding lower calorie foods that also taste good, and staying within my calorie budget. I know for success I have to watch my serving sizes. I love fresh fruits and vegetables, but I would eat a whole watermelon and not think it was bad, never looking at the calories I was consuming.

What is one new healthy habit you didn’t expect to like, but you now love?

Keeping track of the foods I eat, and staying within the 1200 calories allotted. My new food habit I find easy to do is measuring out the food I am allowed. I don't graze, and once I eat what is allowed, I am done.

What has been the greatest reward of your weight loss success?

The ability to wear all the new (old) clothes! That fact that I want to go for a walk, and that I don’t just think about it.

What is your best advice for others?

• It is never too late to start again. If you get off the plan one day, get right back on the next day.
• Don't deprive yourself of something you love to eat. Just make sure you count the calories and watch the portion size.
• Revise recipes. If you have a favorite food, remake it with lower calorie ingredients. Use the MyFoodDiary Recipe Builder to enter the recipe and it will calculate your calories. You may be surprised by the difference.
• Enjoy your activity. Try to find new activities that burn calories (swimming, gym classes, walking). I even do chair exercises just to keep moving.
• Get enough sleep. Get 7-9 hours of sleep nightly, and don't snack before bed time.
• Be honest. Lying to yourself does not help, but being honest will get you to the goal faster.
• It’s a lifestyle. Remember, you are not DIETING. You are making a lifestyle change.

Lori Rice, M.S., is a nutritional scientist and author with a passion for healthy cooking, exercise physiology, and food photography.