There are many weight loss success stories out there, but this one is
particularly special. Many people have lost 28 pounds in 6 months; that is
not special or unique. Katie's weight loss success story has very little to
do with the amount of weight lost or the time involved in losing it.
Katie's success was in learning to change the way she thought and
interacted with food allowing her start leaving her weight loss struggle
behind. If you want to lose weight and keep it off for good, read Katie's
story and adopt her approach.

Food is Not a Stress Management Tool

Even though just about everybody uses it as one; food is a very poor
stress management tool. For a short period of time, food does make you feel
better but eventually it takes ever increasing amounts to get the same
feeling. Managing your stress and weight is more successfully accomplished
by adopting new healthy habits such as increasing exercise activity, making
better food choices and creating time to relax. Fortunately Katie decided
to avoid shortcuts and instead make healthy lifestyle changes. She dropped
the excess weight, improved her interaction with food and empower herself
all at the same time.

A Strong Motivator Can Be Important

Katie's September wedding was a strong motivator. Even though her fiancé
Shawn was saying nothing about her physical appearance, Katie didn't want
to get married looking like this. As she put it "My face kind of looked
like one of those South Park kids." It wasn't so much that Katie looked bad
but it was how she felt about herself that really mattered. Deep down Katie
realized that food had control of her life and not the other way around. It
was time to do something; stopping her struggle with food while regaining
some sanity and self-respect.

A Life Long Struggle

When Katie was younger she was troubled by an eating disorder. She was 20
pounds under weight at one point in her life. Her excess weight gain now
was just a rebound from all the years of restrictive eating habits and
anxiety surrounding food. Being out of college and in a less structured
environment gave her the time to indulge in food. The only problem was that
all the indulgence was starting to catch-up to her around the hips and
thighs.

Katie's Insights

This story is unique because Katie has been able to change her thinking
about food. Most people go through the motions of exercising more and
eating less through diets or some other approach. They never really
understand what their true motivation is to overeat. Katie came to realize
that her struggle with food was not new. She learned that there was both a
physical and emotional hunger for food. As a result, her food portions were
in the "way out of control" category. She could finish a meal and then find
herself heading to the refrigerator "for just a little snack" 30 minutes
later. Was it really possible to be hungry in such a short period of time
right after a meal?

Learning to Control the Hunger

Once Katie realized that there were two hunger centers working,
controlling food and losing weight was much easier. Her first hunger
center, controlled by the stomach was easy to understand. The second
was a little more difficult. Her brain was also getting into the act asking for
food in an attempt to help it feel better. Without other healthy habits to
reduce stress, food was the obvious but not the better choice. She also
realized that it was valuable to have a personal trainer and lifestyle
coach. Someone who keep her accountable while helping create a balanced
and structured exercise program; improve her poor eating habits and find
ways to help her reduce her stress levels. It would be a lot easier with
professional guidance.

The Highlights of Katie's Program

Here is the actual plan that Katie followed from March 2010 to September
2010 to achieve her 28 pound weight loss. Try this approach and make your
own success story.

Goal: 20 pound weight loss between March 1 and August 1.

Plan:
1. Keep a detailed food and life journal for review weekly

2. Develop consistent daily eating times: 3 meals and 2 snacks

3. Drink at least 64 oz of water each day

4. Eliminate soda and alcohol in the short term

5. Research/develop menus and recipes

6. 3 hours of exercise per week (2 hours of weights)

7. Participate in hobbies 30 minutes a day

8. Practice stress reduction activities daily