“I Realized I Deserved to Be Happy”

My Story
In June 2007, I realized that I was depressed. I was in therapy, and my depression was taking away my "reasoning" process from me. I made the decision that I deserve to be happy, so I made a pact with myself and promised to be happier and healthier. The weight I had put on was an actual barrier to protect myself from the world. I was a very outgoing and athletic person growing up, so I had not only changed physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.

I started journaling and walking at lunch. I then started a food journal, and boy did that open my eyes! The first real [exercise] push was [when] a co-worker had done a HeartZone marathon training program, loved it and wanted me to join her for the next program. I hated running, but I thought, "If I don't do something, I am going to stay the same overweight person I see in the mirror." So I joined the training program and since it was just the two of us, the trainer and her husband, I had my own personal trainer! She was wonderfully encouraging, and even though I had a hard time, she was the reason I got up at 6:00 a.m. on Saturdays to go run/walk.

In the meantime, I decided to cut out any foods related to deserts and sweets. It was difficult during Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, but my motivation in my head was, "Wow, look at what you have accomplished—you are in a size 18!" (My biggest was a size 26.)

I had a slight downfall towards the middle of December when I started to have bad shin pains, so I backed off of running. I started to get in the water and swim laps. I was a competitive swimmer for over 16 years when I was younger, so I went back to what I knew. I was surprised at how easily it all came back. I started slow; only 20 minutes for the first week, and then added 10 to 15 minutes each week. I am now swimming four times a week from 5:45 to 7:15 a.m. We swim over two miles a day working on various drills.

My diet is pretty flexible since I am on the go, and I do exercise so much. However, the days that I swim I add a protein shake to give me an extra boost. I try to eat as many portions of dairy, protein and vegetables as I can. The key [for me] was to amp up my water intake. I mix in a calorie-free mix for flavor every other time. I drink about 80 to 100 ounces of water every day.

The key to conquering cravings for me was to not think of what I cannot have, but to supplement it with something healthier. I am not perfect, and of course I eat sugary items from time to time. I take it one day at a time, and do not get discouraged because yesterday I "cheated."

Since I have started swimming, I lost another 25 pounds. I am now in a size 16 and they are loose on me. I have started marathon training again because I would like to compete in my first women's triathlon in July 2009. I am down about 50 pounds now from when I started, which was June 2008. This has been a slow road, but I have family and friends who support me and encourage me. Every time I think I should quit because of one excuse or another, I go to particular friends because I know they will put me back on track. They remind me that it did not take me overnight to put on the weight and it will not be overnight that I see results.

My biggest fear was that I could not do it, and surprisingly, the fear of ridicule. In my mind's eye I was too big to be wearing workout clothes or a swimsuit. I constantly worried about what others thought of me. I still have these thoughts and I push them away every morning when I get up and put on my swimsuit. So for me, there is no miracle pill or diet that works, and trust me, I have tried several in the last 12 years! The key to a healthier lifestyle is moderation—everything in moderation.

Editor's note: Do you have a weight-loss success story of your own? If you've lost weight or are in the process of losing weight, email editor.neversaydiet@nbcuni.com with "Weight-Loss Success Story" in the subject line and tell us your story. You may be featured on NeverSayDiet.com!