Still, she’s up at 6:30 every morning to fit in some leg squats and gentle stretches before a day at the office, and if she and her husband can sneak in a walk on the beach before or after dinner, they will. When her weight hit 270lbs., Leveille considered getting weight loss surgery, but first wanted to try her hand at losing it naturally. “My wife kept telling me she was worried about my health and that she wanted me to lose weight so I could stay alive until my 90s,” he recalls. Since Underwood travels the world as a motivational speaker and hosts the PBS television series America’s Generations With Chuck Underwood, losing weight was important for professional reasons. related to AARP volunteering. Lighten up meals: I make low-cal versions of my fave gourmet foods, like stuffed portobello mushrooms. “I especially noticed that days when I skipped my midafternoon snack, I was starving in the evening and much more likely to overeat.”. Arlene Howard lost 15 pounds (and fit into her skinny jeans) by saying no to sugar and becoming a weekend warrior at the gym. After that point, I almost always feel more energized and want to keep going. “A couple weeks after starting Nutrisystem, I hopped on the treadmill and noticed that since my two legs were now running with 10 pounds less above them, I had more energy and could run even farther — two and a half miles, instead of two,” he recalls. This way, I have the entire day to burn it off. “I find that if I treat myself to a couple drinks, I’m much less likely to slip up and order dessert,” she observes, laughing. “It’s the one meal older people tend to skip, but if I don’t eat it, I backslide,” he notes. www.aarp.org/volunteer. I’m done, and I can go home and start my day.”, Motivational tip: Seek out social support. That way, I'm less likely to scavenge. | How she did it: “I just decided to give up sugar,” Howard reveals. This lets me keep tabs on what's working for me and what's not. “I try to plan as much as possible, but if I can’t, I make sure I have something portable with me, like a protein bar, so I can eat that instead of having to resort to the drive-through,” she says. Stay-in-shape tip: Squeeze exercise in, however you can. They're amazing for tightening my abs! Get inspired by real people living the lives they want—free to feel their best, every single day. “For me it was about convenience — I didn’t have to grocery shop; I didn’t have to cook — it was all dropped at my door once a month in microwave-ready containers,” he says. To keep from consuming calorie bombs in the moment, I choose a healthy option from the menu ahead of time. © Copyright 2020 Meredith Corporation. Hit the floor: My go-to: plank-based moves. It really revs up my heart rate. One Japanese study found that gulping down a tablespoon of this liquid twice daily caused obese subjects to shed four pounds after 12 weeks. In the next 24 hours, you will receive an email to confirm your subscription to receive emails Find a unique reward: Instead of celebrating with food when I hit a goal, I treat myself to something healthy, such as a hike with my husband or a massage. The first week he lost nine pounds; after that he stabilized at about a pound a week. Yum! When I joined the challenge, I told everyone about my plan to win. Mackey stocks up on plenty of staples, like packages of four-ounce chicken breasts, which she can easily sauté or throw onto the grill with some veggies and then pack with salad as a lunch the next day. Weight Watchers seemed to focus on in-person meetings, which I didn’t think I’d have time to commit to, as I’m very busy with work and travel constantly. Find a better indulgence: I top berries, nectarines and cherries with homemade whipped cream, nuts and dark chocolate. Get grilling: I love grilled shrimp tacos on corn tortillas. Find sweet swaps: I love peanut butter. “It was a real wake-up call that I needed to start a healthy eating regimen … not a diet but definitely a lifestyle.”. The fear of losing and having to admit to all my friends that I failed kept me going. Kassidy Linde was inspired to lose 100 pounds after having her daughter. Schedule sweat sessions: Raising two girls keeps me pretty busy, so I have to be really creative about fitting in exercise. May 29, 2019 11:00am. Hannah Did 30-Minute Workouts at Home and Lost 117 Pounds in Less Than 12 Months Laura Barisonzi, Credit: Pete Springer, Credit: Instead of depriving myself all week and bingeing on the weekend, I choose sweets that fuel my body, like Trader Joe's Coconut Cashews. Matt Godfrey, Credit: Howard credits her husband of 15 years for providing the emotional support and stability that help her succeed. She adopted a … “I prioritize my exercise time as nearly as important to my life as getting my job done,” says Mackey, who enlists her husband to take on dad duty after school so she can hit the gym. Justin Clemons, Credit: “I still ate healthy foods, just too much; emotional exhaustion stripped me of my energy to work out,” he explains. See their inspiring before-and-after photos. Nutrisystem worked for them, and it can work for you too! “A couple months ago, I decided to give up wheat, too, since it made me feel bloated, and although I haven’t lost any more weight, I feel like I have much more energy,” she adds. What spurred her to lose weight: her health. Watch this video for all five tricks to help you stay on track. Mazzella's physician also switched him from metformin to another diabetes medication, Victoza, that can promote weight loss (it mimics hormones in your brain that help you feel full). This lets me take my healthy eats anywhere while keeping my serving sizes in check. Motivational tip: Make it easy for yourself. Javascript must be enabled to use this site. “I’m proud of that because I don’t like the gym and it’s always such a struggle to get there,” she says. Pack DIY snacks: My go-to pumpkin-spice cream cheese muffins are protein-filled to keep me satisfied longer. Due to Greenwald’s work, she’s dining out most nights, something she thankfully hasn’t had to scale back on. Members save up to 10% on premiums when enrolling online. At the same time, his physician died and Mazzella switched to a new doctor, one who also encouraged him to lose weight. But two years ago, he was forced into a one-year caregiving situation to help his sister recover from brain surgery. Julia Holloman, 61, has lost and kept off 164 pounds since her weight-loss surgery almost 12 years ago. HOW DID HE … Get good grains: My power pick: quinoa. The UCLA Center for Obesity and Metabolic Health Program in Los Angeles, CA. Mazzella walks at least a mile with his wife every weekday, and on the weekend tries to walk two to three miles. Doctors explain how to tell if you have a head cold or something more serious that requires medical attention, such as the flu, strep throat, meningitis, or mono. Here's What to Do, 9 Signs It's More Serious Than the Common Cold, How Your Period Changes During Your 20s, 30s, and 40s, 12 Anxiety Symptoms That Might Point to a Disorder, Shannen Doherty Reveals Stage 4 Breast Cancer Diagnosis—Here's What It Means, The Best (and Worst) Diets of 2020, According to Experts, 10 Moves for a Cardio Workout at Home—No Equipment Required, These 13 Women Prove Every Body Is a Bikini Body, 20 Things You Should Throw Away for Better Health. Write it out: When I'm dreading the gym, I grab a pen and paper and map out my workout; having a game plan prevents me from wasting time or slacking off during my session. Eat yogurt for a flat belly: When I have more Greek yogurt (I like Yoplait's tropical flavors), even for just a week, my tummy is instantly flatter. It gives me that nutty, creamy taste without the guilt. However, phentermine before and after pictures and stories of real phentermine results from actual users are another source of vital information and motivation as you embark on a weight loss journey of your own. Scott Bell. Greenwald’s weakness is alcohol, which she indulges in with either a glass or two of red or white wine or a club soda and vodka. It sets my workout tone. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. Mikah Hulan. See more ideas about weight loss success, weight loss, weight loss stories. To avoid temptation, I'll go upstairs to watch my shows instead of sitting in the living room, which is attached to the kitchen. Pump the beats: I'm a music writer, so I'm always adding to my workout playlists. provides advanced surgical and nonsurgical options for sustained weight loss and a better quality of life for you and your family. : As an Italian-American, I find it tough to cut out pasta, but I use zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash instead. When it comes to most weight loss programs, people often re-bound and re-gain the weight. “The local YMCA was only about five minutes away, but that drive was long enough to be a deal breaker on days when I just didn’t feel like I had the energy.”. To avoid some of the fat that comes with it, I mix the powdered kind, PB2, into Greek yogurt. Just make sure you're engaging your core, keeping your glutes tight and tucking your pelvis under to protect your lower back. AARP members can take the Staying Sharp brain health assessment for free! As you have helped me so much with my back. Aim for 15: When I'm dreading a workout, I tell myself to try to make it through the first 15 minutes. “I’m slim elsewhere, so I looked eight months pregnant, which is a hideous look for a man,” he notes. “I actually think I’m eating more than I was before, but now I’m eating the right things,” which include four ounces of protein at every meal. But the biggest satisfaction was when he attended his 50-year high school reunion, a few months ago. I still send her selfies occasionally! Bring your gym anywhere: I love the Cardio Sculpt and Black Fire videos on DailyBurn. By Now to Love Staff. I especially like Walmart's Clear American in key lime flavor. Throughout my journey, I posted before and after weigh-loss photos on Facebook—and I got so many supportive comments from friends!” (See exactly what you should post on social media if you want to lose weight.) Matt Andrews, Credit: Whenever there's something listed that I can't grow or make myself, I put the item back. Carry a Mary Poppins purse: My bag is always packed with healthy snacks like nuts, apples and hard-boiled eggs. It Only Took Just … Try a training plan: After doing Jamie Eason's free 12-week LiveFit strength-training program at bodybuilding.com, I wore a bikini for the first time since I was 5! Mind the menu: I love eating out, but restaurants offer too many temptations. Motivational tip: Keep living your life. Get inspired by these weight loss success stories—complete with before-and-after photos. When Mazzella was first trying to lose weight, his wife bought him ‘9’ and ‘7’ birthday candles — a goal to healthily reach at least his 97th birthday. Now she eats three meals a day with two snacks, which could be simply a protein bar or a handful of high-fiber crackers topped with peanut butter or chicken. With any weight loss surgery there are going to be stalls. “My career, my livelihood, was at stake.”. “I just looked so aged and so tired,” she observes. Invest in a slow cooker: It's the ultimate time-saver. Weight lost: 10 pounds, but her body fat dropped from 31 percent to 17 percent. Chris Pratt weight loss success story. Her passion is to help others on their own weight-loss journeys. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. We're cheering these ladies on on their journey to optimum health. South Beach Diet Before & After: Dawn Lost 16 Pounds. Before and after weight loss photos are often a problem. The material in this site is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical advice, probable diagnosis, or recommended treatments. “Every time I slip up and eat something I shouldn’t, she reminds me that healthy living isn’t a dash but a long-term race.” Thanks in large part to his wife’s encouragement, Mazzella’s A1C, a measure of blood sugar, has gone from 8.2 to 6.4 — a sign that he's in good control of his diabetes. Pick a power playlist: Starting off my workouts with pump-me-up songs like "Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift keeps me motivated throughout the session. I add it to salads with sliced grapes. Eat sweets early: I like to have dessert (cookies, cake) at breakfast. Greenwald had always been active and healthy, but as she got older and put on weight, she developed high cholesterol and prediabetes. “I’d never thought of myself as being overweight, but I looked heavy and aged.”, How she did it: Greenwald worked with New York City dietitian Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD, author of The F-Factor Diet and The Miracle Carb Diet. My Weight-Loss Secret: "I was too embarrassed to go to the gym, so I committed to walking three times a day for 10 minutes before breakfast, lunch and … There are tons of others that have lost even … On Saturdays and Sundays she hits the gym for an hour. Over 45 Years of Weight Loss Success Stories. These pictures include past patients, both men and women, who have transformed their lives through gastric sleeve surgery.. We hope these success stories give you the motivation you need to take the first step to a new you. “But I go there, do 35-45 minutes on the elliptical, some weights and 15 tummy crunches, and that’s it. Maintaining the “after” state. Broadcast your goals: I decided to register for a 12-week body transformation contest at my gym. AARP members can take the Staying Sharp brain health assessment for free! “All my friends were celebrating this milestone by throwing big parties, but I decided to focus my efforts toward not feeling older,” she recalls. The big bonus is you. The first two weeks were tough, and Howard found herself constantly craving ice cream and sugar-sweetened yogurts. Mackey reactivated her gym membership and spent the next couple of years immersed in kickboxing and cardio barre classes. How to handle a physician who doubts or dismisses your symptoms. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. All 22 pounds settled around his waist. Find delicious swaps: Instead of giving up my favorite comfort foods completely, I make them healthier. How she did it: Mackey hired a fitness trainer, who advised her to switch from an hour of daily cardio to a routine with more weight training. Weight Loss Success Stories with Before and After Photos Get inspired by these amazing weight loss success stories shared by our visitors. You must be logged in to leave a comment. What spurred her to lose weight: her health. “I definitely noticed that as the weight initially came off — and it fell off gradually, only a pound or two a month — and my blood sugar got under better control that I had more energy,” he says. But what really galvanized her efforts was seeing a photo: “I went to a wedding in the south of France, and when I looked at the picture of myself, I was mortified,” Greenwald recalls. But when she didn’t see the numbers on the scale go down, she became frustrated: “I looked around at all the other women my age at the gym and realized none of our bodies were really changing.”. Health.com may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Lunch is the biggest meal of the day and usually consists of a large salad topped with a protein, like chicken or fish. It makes weeding out unhealthy processed foods much easier. They're great for shaping your abs and upper body. Now his wife, JoAnn, shoots for meals with at least three colors: white for lean protein such as shrimp, chicken or pork, as well as reds, yellows, purples and greens from various veggies. It's like lemon-lime soda—without all the calories. One of my faves: Blogilates by Cassey Ho. The symptoms of anxiety can be hard to detect. Greenwald went from doing five hours of cardio a week to simply doing a mix of cardio and weight training twice a week with a trainer. And he never leaves the house without eating breakfast, either two eggs with a piece of toast, or half a bagel with cream cheese and lox. Track with an app: MyFitnessPal helped me become more aware of what I was putting into my body. See how they did it and be inspired. But within a few weeks, “the desire to eat these types of foods just disappeared, and I was fine.” Other than that, Howard didn’t restrict calories at all. Most of the weight-loss warriors here tried multiple avenues, from going vegan to intermittent fasting to at-home Pilates workouts, before finding … If Mazzella wants spaghetti, he eats it as a very small side dish, sprinkled with garlic, clams and a drizzle of olive oil. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Stay-in-shape tip: Scale back a bit. Results not typical. “A lot of people eat because it’s soothing to them, but I find that being in a wonderful relationship provides that same level of comfort,” she says. Cheat with chocolate: Cheat times are an everyday necessity for me. “I did not have the knowledge of nutrition to guess on a diet, and I didn’t have the patience to do a lot of trial and error,” he admits. Indulge wisely: A lot of people have weekend cheat days, but that adds up to 104 a year! Nail down your emotion: I created my own mood emojis to help monitor how I feel after every workout and meal. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. — dialing back a bit on her workouts. Hang out far from the kitchen: I always crave sweets after dinner while watching TV. Cliffside Park, N.J. Breakfast is typically oatmeal sprinkled with raisins and walnuts, paired with either an egg or chicken sausage. How he did it: Underwood went on Nutrisystem, a commercial weight-loss program that offers prepackaged foods. “I gave up my beloved cakes, candies and chocolate and replaced them with very sweet fruits, like pineapple or berries,” she says. “I still exercise six days a week, but only about 35 percent of my time at the gym focuses on cardio,” she explains. From eating less to trying new workout routines like HIIT, these 8 men lost a ton of weigh in 2019. She also occasionally hires a sitter so she doesn’t have to miss a workout. “Some people might find the same routine boring, but I thrive on consistency.”, Stay-in-shape tip: Underwood set up a simple home gym with a treadmill, a weight bench and dumbbells, so he wouldn’t have to drive to a fitness center whenever he wanted to work out. Dec 12, 2020 - Weight Loss Success Stories from African American Women. “I’m very specific when ordering at restaurants — a piece of grilled salmon or steak with no butter or oil on it, steamed veggies on the side and a house salad with balsamic vinaigrette,” she says. Snap your progress: I'd take photos of myself and send them to my mom as a record of how well I was doing. Nutrisystem just seemed simple — they’d send me the food in the proper proportions, I’d eat it, and I’d lose weight.” The eating program's structure worked for Underwood, who is single and believed that he wouldn’t be motivated to cook healthfully on his own. Now I say I "don't" engage in an unhealthy habit. Bag it up: I portion out all my snacks, like almonds or sliced apples, ahead of time in ziplock bags. For example, for my good-for-you hash browns, I cook one shredded sweet potato in a tablespoon of coconut oil until it's soft and crispy, then I top it with cinnamon and sea salt. It's versatile and filling. I have lost 41 with Macroholics Nutrition! What spurred him to lose weight: Seven years ago, Mazzella was having trouble controlling his type two diabetes, a condition he’d suffered from since his 40s. From easier cramps to a heavier flow, here's a guide on what to expect decade by decade. “It’s my Achilles' heel. “I mix it with mineral water and it gives me a sense of sweetness to enjoy with my meal, as well as a feeling of sophistication and elegance,” she says. Stories, lose weight: turning 50 the urge to snack, Howard on... And veggies as well as lean protein like turkey meatballs, accompanied by veggies and half a glass of.. My back enable Javascript in your browser and try again I 'll eat an,. Goals: I portion out all my friends that I never feel deprived remember I had 2 slipped and. More aware of what I was probably the only male in the meantime, feel... & affect social change and kept off 164 pounds since her weight-loss almost... 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