Weight Loss
I love food and I love eating. But, I don’t love dieting. Although I have always been a mostly healthy eater, I’m not one to turn down a piece of birthday cake or a glass of wine during cocktail hour. But indulging a little too much and a little too often resulted in a slow gain of 25 pounds by my early 20s.
When I was younger, I’d managed to maintain my weight of 130 pounds by being active. I belonged to the dance team and played intramural sports, so it wasn’t difficult for me to motivate myself to exercise. After college, I started a desk job, and with that came long hours, pizza lunches, and plenty of happy hours. I continued to exercise almost every day, but it wasn’t enough—and my weight climbed to 153 pounds, which was too much for my 5-foot-4-inch frame.
My Tipping Point
I wasn’t happy at my heaviest, but I wasn’t really motivated to do anything about it until a ski trip with friends in 2004 put things in perspective. The vacation was a blast, but I quickly lost my getaway glow when I saw photos from our trip. Looking at the physical proof, I was embarrassed by how much weight I had gained. Every photo was a “bad” photo of me. I was so depressed that I threw most of them away.
Soon after the ski trip, I left my desk job to pursue graduate school and took a part-time job working at the front desk of an upscale health club. One of the perks was a free membership, which was the motivation I needed to take control of my weight. I started exercising at the health club most mornings, taking Body Pump and spinning classes on a regular basis. Finding workout buddies helped too. I made some new friends who were avid runners and I began training for and participating in road races with them.
Even though I was burning plenty of calories through exercise, I knew my eating habits were preventing me from losing weight. I wasn’t eating unhealthy foods—I stuck with salads, turkey sandwiches, and stir-fry dishes—I was just eating too much of everything. I started tracking my daily calories online at fitday.com. Counting calories really helped me understand my overblown portion sizes and just how many calories I was consuming.
A New Life
Almost a year and a half later, in the summer of 2006, I finally reached my goal weight of 130 pounds. My weight loss didn’t happen overnight—in fact it took a pretty long time—but that was because I wasn’t “dieting.” Through trial and error and figuring out what worked best for me, I made lifestyle changes, which have stuck with me to today. For example, I almost always have oatmeal with nut butter and a piece of fruit for breakfast. It helps set a healthy tone for my whole day, plus it keeps me full until lunchtime.
Now I’m committed to maintaining my weight without missing out on any fun, like birthday celebrations or nights out with friends, which is the main philosophy behind Carrots ‘N’ Cake. Hopefully, my tips and tricks are helpful to you and you’ll share some of your own secrets and successes with me too.
BEFORE
December 2003
August 2003
AFTER
July 2008
July 2010
April 2011
June 2012
October 2012
What Worked for Me: My Weight Loss Tips
Make an appointment to exercise
Every Sunday I jot down my exercise goals on my Google calendar. Sometimes last-minute plans get in the way, but I generally stick to my schedule once I’ve put it in ink.
Count calories—at least in the beginning
I didn’t realize just how many calories I was consuming, so tracking what I ate helped keep me aware of what I was putting in my mouth. I don’t count calories anymore, but I track what I eat (and when I exercise) on my blog, which keeps me accountable.
Eat fresh fruit with breakfast
It’s such a small thing to do, but it sets a healthy tone for my whole day. Plus, fruit is low in calories and good for you!
Reduce portion sizes
This might seem like a “duh” tip, but just eating less of my usual servings helped me lose weight.
Read a lot of health and fitness magazines
These types of magazines are constant motivation and keep healthy eating and fitness interesting, especially when I really don’t want to get on the elliptical! Plus, I get tons of a great ideas for meals and workouts from them.
Meal plan
Every Sunday I sit down and plan a week’s worth of meals. I almost always make my own lunch, which means I have more control over how many calories are in my meal. I’m also able to save money by making sure I use up all of my fresh produce.
Keep truckin’
Maintaining my weight is all about balance. If I overindulge at a weekend barbecue or mindlessly munch throughout the afternoon, I don’t throw in the towel. I make sure my next meal is healthy and move on.
Want Even More Motivation?
Check out these posts!
How I Get Myself Back on Track
Tricks to Avoid Emotional Eating
How to Lose Weight with a Busy Schedule
Sunday Style: How I Set Myself Up for a Healthy Week
Q & A: Starting a New Diet and Cravings
Healthy, Travel-friendly Snack and Lunch Ideas
Tips to Curb Late Night Snacking
How to Gain Support While Losing Weight
5 Tips for Goal-Setting Success
I also write a weekly column for the weight loss blog on Health.com, so be sure to check out more of my posts there!
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You made a quite a transformation! Great job on the weight loss tip. Check out my website on how you can start losing weight right now!
hi Tina, I’ve been reading your blog for a while now and always look forward to your posts
I do have one question: I’m currently under the impression that the “only” difference between your 2011 photo and the 2012 one is crossfit? If so, wow! I sometimes have a hard time understanding that your body shape can change through exercice even though your weight can stay the same. It’s seems contradictory to me but I will not despair – one day it’ll sink in!
Oh, a second question while I’m hear, I was wondering if you’d found body pump effective to tone up your body and have clothes fit better?
I think it was a combo of CrossFit and cleaning up my diet. I used to eat a lot of sugar, but as soon as I cut back, I slimmed down and toned up (from CrossFit).
Hi Tina! I just wanted to let you know how much of an inspiration you are to me! I stumbled upon your blog when I was looking for inspiration after suffering from binge eating/emotional eating after a significant weight loss and the depression that ensued after gaining it all back. Your book was so inspiring to me and I read it in one night! I use your recipes all the time and am actively using your tips to listen to my body and find my way to a happy, healthy, me. Your blog also inspired me to start my own blog documenting my recovery and journey towards health and happiness. So, basically, I just wanted to say, THANK YOU!!
Hi Tina! I was just wondering how often you do Crossfit during the week. I LOVE Crossfit, but because of my schedule and what my body can take-I usually can only push myself to go three times a week. Is this something you experience? If so, what do you like to do on your off days so that you still feel like you’re getting an incredible workout like you always feel leaving Crossfit?
I go CrossFit 2-4 times a week with some yoga or running mixed in. I take 2-4 days of rest per week, which works for me!
Congratulations on your success. Your lifestyle changes and approach have you looking great. I love the series of pictures that show you have kept your fitness level high! To your ongoing success.
Great tips and an inspirational read.
“Even though I was burning plenty of calories through exercise, I knew my eating habits were preventing me from losing weight.”
This was the same for me and many others I think.
Even after working out consistently I found that I did not lose a lot of weight. When I started monitoring what I was eating I was surprised to discover that I was eating more. The food was healthy – but I was eating lots more of it. This is a common thing when you start working out as you say to yourself you deserve this because you’ve had a run today. Once I started eating smaller portions the weight came off and stayed off.
Personally I don’t like calculating calories but you are right, in the beginning it is important to know how many goes “in” and “out”. The constant exercise, even only 30min a day can be a life changer, though! Great tips.
looking great. Hard work pays off.
Just hurt my back and found out I can’t do my usual running and other exercise for six weeks – argh! Any tips on how to avoid gaining weight during this time?
Perfect timing on posting about the Reebok leggings! I had some major schaffing issues with a pair of mine this morning. I am on the market for a quality pair that stays put and these look like winners I can’t wait to get a pair!
Hi Tina
I only recently found your blog and love it. Great tips, thanks!
I didn’t have to watch my weight when I was younger but I am middle aged now and I need to stay on top of it. I have been making similar lifestyle changes over the past year and am near my ideal weight now. Even more importantly is that my blood pressure, which was very high, is now totally normal and my doctor has taken me off all meds.
Hi Tina,
I have been reading blogs for a while now, but I am VERY impressed with how healthy you really are, with out using “short cuts” or fad diets. I recently started weight watchers, and I have GAINED weight, but I found counting calories I eat a lot of fat and my weight kinda halts too. Do you have any advise? Do you think I am doomed to just low carb and high protein diet? Thanks Tina, you are very inspirational.
I love this and completely concur with your philosophy about food and moderation and balancing everything. Thanks for sharing!
WOW You look absolutely stunning there. Big congrats on the success in getting fit! You’re now officially my weight loss idol!
You look amazing! I just started my weight loss journey almost two months ago. I’m feeling great and can’t wait to get to the weight I want to be.
You look great!
Great tips there also – proves really that the best way to get in shape is to have a plan, move more and eat less, don’t beat yourself up if you have an off day and to commit to the end result.
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