My Slimming Secrets To 39 Pound Weight Loss

Insomnia was just one of the many discomforts that plagued this 31-year-old Michigan mom. At 5' 8" and 203 pounds, her back ached, she lacked energy and she was constantly exhausted from lack of sleep. Not to mention the emotional effects from the extra weight that left her feeling depressed and overwhelmed.

Even before the birth of twin boys Michael and Jacob three years ago, Julie admits she battled the bulge. After pregnancy had come and gone, her weight settled at an unsettling 220 pounds. It had been more than 10 years since the needle on the scale had gone below 180. But it wasn’t until January that Julie began taking a serious look at the extra weight she was carrying around.

“My health was fine,” she tells eDiets. “But I have children and I became concerned that I might not be able to participate in a lot of things, like their little league games. I want to be there for my kids. I don’t want to be the overweight mom. I realized I wouldn’t be able to participate if I didn’t get control over my weight.”

Although she managed to take off 17 pounds on her own, it took three long years. At 203 pounds, Julie wanted steady weight loss at a reasonable rate. There was nowhere to go but down, and that’s exactly where she went.

Extra weight is no longer an issue for Julie, who has shed 39 pounds since joining eDiets. Today, she's 164 pounds and still on a losing streak. The former size 18 has gone from unhappily perusing the plus-sized racks to enthusiastically slipping into a comfortable size 10. And its all in a days work.

By committing to a regimen of healthy eating, exercising regularly and drinking plenty of water, Julie dropped sizes and pounds. It was her fixation with fat that pushed her into action. Realizing she didn’t know the first thing about healthy eating habits, she turned to the internet and typed in “diet.”

Julie found eDiets and her search was over. Instead of mulling over the program, she joined without a second thought. Looking at the meal plans and grocery lists, the determined dieter decided the leading online weight loss program was just what she needed. It quickly became apparent what she had been doing wrong all along.

“I never ate breakfast. I would snack on whatever throughout the day. I had one meal, which was dinner. I never measured anything or counted calories. I would eat until I was stuffed. As soon as the kids went to bed, I would raid the pantry because I was hungry again. I hadn’t eaten anything all day except for junk.”

Julie was a fast learner and within a matter of weeks, things started to click for the eDieter. She used the meal plan as a guide and mixed up the foods here and there. She didn’t have to stop her snacking, instead she quelled her cravings with healthier choices.

“The kids eat in front of me all day long and it doesn’t bother me. Yeah, I have my bad days like everybody else. But I have good control over myself. I buy snacks I can eat. If I want potato chips, I eat the fat free kind. If I want chocolate, I have fat free chocolate pudding or fudgesicles. Chocolate and salt are my two big cravings and when I want to snack that’s what I have.”

Joining eDiets exposed Julie to a wealth of health knowledge. She learned the importance of water and drinking at least 64 ounces a day. She also discovered the many benefits of exercise early on. Although it was hard getting started, she took it one step at a time, beginning with five to eight minutes on the treadmill several times a day.

She eventually worked her way up to two 30-minute sessions on the treadmill, toning exercises, stair steps, and sit-ups on a daily basis. Julie says it’s the regular physical activity that has changed her life.

I had insomnia for years, but ever since I started exercising its gone. I still have a bad night here or there, but generally I can sleep. I dont have any problems falling asleep or staying asleep. The exercise has improved how much sleep Im getting. Its been the biggest benefit to me. When youre not so tired all of the time, you can do much more with yourself.

Julie doesn’t just limit her activity level to her workout. She’s constantly jumpstarting her metabolism by playing catch, mowing the lawn or running outside with her sons. These are all things that would have worn her down seven months ago.

A big part of what helped Julie pull off the losing process was the endless support. As part of the Pre-School Moms group on the Stay-At-Home-Moms board, Julie surrounded herself with like-minded dieters. More than anything, the bulletin boards kept her from losing interest early on.

“I post with a small group of women who are all in the same boat as me. We encourage each other and give each other challenges. I’ve been with the same four or five people. I talk to them every day. We are all moms going through the same thing. It’s helpful and it keeps me focused and motivated, especially the challenges we throw each other’s way.”

Although she still has 10 to 15 pounds before she reaches her goal, the slimming super woman has no doubt that she’ll get there.

“I didn’t think I would lose this much weight initially, but there is no stopping me now that I know how to do it. I’ve had success this far so there’s no doubt I’m going to reach my goals. Losing 60 pounds total is ultimately where I have to go. It seemed so hard at the start that I never thought it would happen. Now that I’m 39 pounds down, I don’t feel that way anymore.”

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