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Woman Loses 105 Pounds After Receiving High School Reunion Invitation
Diet & Exercise

Woman Loses 105 Pounds After Receiving High School Reunion Invitation

For many of us, the very idea of returning to high school can elicit strong emotions. Most of us oscillate between nostalgia and dread while reflecting on that youthful time in our lives. But for one woman, the idea of seeing all of her high school friends again was so overwhelming, it launched her on a transformation journey.Lawyer Liz Ash’s weight gain was subtle and steady over the years but by the time she was in her late 30’s, Liz weighed 260 lbs."I was always the big kid," Liz tells POPSUGAR.She said, "I was about a size 16 and a shade under 200 pounds when I graduated high school.”While she played soccer and was a competitive swimmer as well growing up, she still didn’t lose the weight.Then, when she grew up, poor nutritional choices led the weight gain to progress. "I was so controlled in my professional life that food became something I just felt like I could let loose and enjoy.”Liz used food as a coping mechanism Like many of us, we often use food as a comfort however, there is a slippery slope in doing that. As Liz says, “But moderation didn't seem to have much of a role in that pattern, and before I knew it, I had put on almost 75 pounds, heading into a size 20 jeans and a size 22/24 jacket."While Liz had gained weight, she had also been experiencing pain in her hip, heel, sciatica nerve, and low energy overall.Then, Liz’s 20th high school reunion invitation arrived in the mail in the fall of 2015. "As I scrolled through the list of names on Facebook — people I hadn't seen or thought much about for a couple of decades — I remember feeling a hot wave of anxiety rising through my chest.""As I saw all those familiar names from the past, it all felt as if none of my achievements would be noticed or acknowledged, despite everything I'd done to become the woman I am. I was afraid all anyone would see was how big I was, because I felt like that's all anyone had ever seen."I ultimately decided that my insecurity over the whole reunion was less about them and more about me, and it wasn't in my nature to back down or slink away in shame and hide.That was the turning point. It was that moment that sparked the change that Liz would need to transform her life.She says moderation is the keyLiz lost 105 lbs after she recognized that losing the weight would require an authentic lifestyle change, beginning with her diet.She explains her approach to nutrition saying, "I pretty much stick to the outside aisles of the supermarket, and my cart is usually three quarters full of veggies and lean proteins like ground turkey, chicken breasts, and fresh fish. I try to keep processed foods to a minimum, although I'm definitely not above getting a cauliflower-crust frozen pizza on occasion."Liz's mantra is, "Don't exclude; choose." Liz uses the Lose It! app to help her with her nutritional choices. "Lose It! helps by putting each item in the context of my daily budget, because it keeps me honest without having to add or multiply the nutritional value on my own.""For me, modifying my diet has never been about portion control. Instead, it's been about making better choices about ingredients and proportions so that I can still eat real food and feel full at a fraction of the calorie load."Liz taught herself how to cook healthier meals, explaining that for a given meal, "My 2019 version would come in somewhere around 450 calories instead of the 1,800-calorie bomb from 2014 — not to mention that it would still be delicious and filling!"I used to walk into a room full of people I'd never met before, and I'd feel like I was being judged. I would have a running dialogue of negativity in my head of the things I'd imagine people were thinking, and it played on a constant loop for the better part of 40 years.Liz AshAccording to Liz, changing her diet has accounted for about 85% of her success. Exercise is another important element. She says, "I like having the ability to do a lot of different physical activities that I never imagined I'd be able to do."Variety was crucial to keep Liz actively engaged in exercise. Liz knows herself and what works saying, "If I try to stick to a routine, I'll just get bored and stop."Liz shares, "I find it hard to schedule work and life around fitness classes, so I find videos on YouTube that I can try in my home gym." She enjoys walking, the elliptical, yoga, step aerobics, running among other activities and swimming is her favorite type of workout.Liz is doing more than she ever thought imaginable. She shares, “I recently signed up to run my first 5K in June and my first sprint triathlon in August. Even though they both intimidate me.”“I'm really enjoying having fitness-related goals to look forward to.”Liz Ash has both her Lawyer at Lunch blog chronicling her weight loss journey. Then on Instagram, Liz has an account called lightened_up_recipes where she shares her love of cooking healthy meals."I figure if I'm as honest and authentic as I can possibly be about my journey, it will help keep me accountable over the long-term."Liz admits that she has gained a lot of confidence One major difference Liz Ash has experienced since embarking upon her transformation journey is the way she feels around other people. She explains, "I used to walk into a room full of people I'd never met before, and I'd feel like I was being judged. I would have a running dialogue of negativity in my head of the things I'd imagine people were thinking, and it played on a constant loop for the better part of 40 years.""Now, when I walk into a room, I don't feel that anymore," Liz continues proudly saying, "I hold my head a little higher. I'm more genuine and authentic because I don't feel like I have to have a guard up. The burden of that negativity is something I never realized I was carrying until it was gone — and it's wonderfully freeing."Liz wants for those embarking upon a transformation journey to know that is is a marathon and not a sprint. Liz says that, "sometimes it’s okay to say yes — balance has always been important to me."I'm working hard to be patient with myself as I learn and grow, and it's not always easy...At the end of the day, I have to keep reminding myself that I've invested a lot of work in this body, and I'm not giving it up without a fight!Liz Ash"Sometimes I make healthier choices like ordering a salad, but sometimes I approach a good meal at a fun new restaurant as though calories aren't a thing, and it's heaven. I enjoy my friends and go with the flow for an evening, and I appreciate and value every second of it.""Then I get back on track the next day."While the physical aspects of a weight loss journey are clear to the human eye, there are certain internal factors still to be sorted out with time. Liz says, "There are physical, emotional, psychological, behavioral, and identity-related by-products of being overweight that you still have to sort out even once the number on the scale tells you that's not who you are anymore,"She describes the mental side of the journey saying, "I'm working hard to be patient with myself as I learn and grow, and it's not always easy." "At the end of the day, I have to keep reminding myself that I've invested a lot of work in this body, and I'm not giving it up without a fight!”Don't forget: prioritizing mental health is also important Liz Ash was catalyzed by the very thought of walking into her high school reunion, with all of the eyes of her peers on her, focusing on her weight. While this launched her onto an incredible weight loss journey, it also allowed her to recognize the journey she still had to take with her mind.When we experience that moment where we say ‘enough is enough’ with bad habits, we are often looking for physical results stemming from mental changes. And when we experience success and see those results come to life, we often still have to allow our minds to catch up.No matter what your health goals, prioritize what your body and mind needs in order to achieve them. Be kind to yourself along the way and exercise patience above all else. Success doesn’t happen overnight but embarking upon the path towards success can. You can wake up one morning and decide to change your life for the better any day of the week.No matter what your reason, or what your turning point, if you're walking on a path towards better health that also makes you happy, continue walking. And make sure to pause and enjoy the journey along the way.More inspiring stories:At 311 Lbs, She Decided to Put Her Son First And Changed Her LifeAt 300 Lbs, She Completely Transformed Herself By Sticking to One VisionWoman Went from “Morbidly Obese” to Losing 100 Lbs against All OddsHer Husband Cheated on Her – So She Lost a 100 Lbs and Turned Her Life Around

This Woman Lost 108 Pounds After Surviving a Heart Attack
Diet & Exercise

This Woman Lost 108 Pounds After Surviving a Heart Attack

After Kate Adams survived a heart attack and began cardiac rehabilitation, she quickly realized it was time to make lasting change."It kind of dawned on me that pretty much all I was doing was working and then coming home and lying down. I was just sore and tired, and it wasn't the life I wanted for myself," Kate told POPSUGAR."I wanted to be the healthiest, happiest version of me for myself and my family. So that's what got me started, focusing on what I can do to feel good instead of on fear and what I can't do."Kate was only 27 years old when she experienced two transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). Coloquially referred to as “mini-strokes”, TIAs are often the early warning signs of a potential full-blown stroke.Nearly 10 years later, she suffered a spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) heart attack. She was 36 at the time and had just given birth to her fourth childKate later found out that the heart attack she had was caused by fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD), a previously undetected disease that she’d actually been living with for years.At her heaviest, Kate weighed 289 pounds and it was during her recovery that she found the motivation to begin her weight loss journey.Initially, Kate experimented with a plant-based diet and was able to lose 40 pounds but it didn’t take long for her to realize it wasn’t the right fit. "I couldn't get the balance right, and I was tired all the time and hungry all the time," she said.Kate then started using an app to track her meals and she credits it for helping her become a "conscious eater" "If the kids are going to have pizza, then I'll make myself fish in the air fryer and some steamed veggies instead of eating what they're eating," Kate said. Once she felt comfortable with her new dietary choices, Kate was ready to incorporate exercise into her daily routine.As at a heart attack survivor, she had to be careful not to sharply increase her heart rate, so she started by going on short walks. When she began feeling confident getting her heart rate up, she began to increase her walking speed. Kate then graduated to jogging and eventually turned to YouTube for strength training workouts. She was able to lose an extra 68 pounds. Throughout her transformation, she’s learned to be in tune with her body and not push herself too hard. In total, she lost 108 pounds in less than two yearsAlthough she hit a 6-month plateau, Kate recently started working on losing weight again."I've kept going because I do it for more reasons than just losing weight," she said. "I sleep better, I have more energy, and my mood is better." The biggest motivator for the now 38-year-old mother of four is that she can keep up with her children with more ease and "to be the kind of mom that my parents were. I can go outside and play in the pool and play soccer. I rollerblade with my girls. I can do so much more than when I was overweight and not physically fit."Today, her goals are to lose an extra 20 pounds and to keep challenging herself She’s signed up to run a 5K this Fall and is determined to help other women with similar heart conditions rebuild their confidence.Kate started a Facebook group — Healthy Hens, with the intention of bringing heart attack survivors together, to help and support each other during their recoveries. "I want them to move beyond that and focus on just feeling good and doing what they can do for themselves," she said.Having experienced it herself, she knows how hard it can be to move forward after a life-changing event. Kate's mission is to try and help women gain new perspectives. "The only thing that I've kind of figured out for myself is how to learn to live with the fear," Kate said."It's impossible to survive something traumatic, whether that's cancer or heart disease or whatever, and to be 'fearless.' So I try to focus on fearing less instead of being fearless."More transformation stories:Jeremiah Peterson Lost 92 Pounds to Be a Better Dad and Take His Life BackPaul Eulette Lost 70 Pounds By Stepping Out Of His Comfort ZoneRandi Vasquez Lost 80 Pounds by Creating New Habits, One Step at a TimeHow Tony Williams Lost 121 Pounds — and Kept It Off

This Man Lost 92 Pounds to Be a Better Dad and Take His Life Back
Diet & Exercise

This Man Lost 92 Pounds to Be a Better Dad and Take His Life Back

When a family hiking excursion left Jeremiah Peterson out of breath, he realized it was time to focus on his health.“I remember being bent over heaving just trying to catch my breath,” Peterson, of Missoula, Montana, told People. “When I looked up, I saw my wife and three kids [10, 8 and 7] easily hiking, talking and laughing with each other — without me. It was a hard-hitting moment.”“I felt sadness and shame in that moment thinking how I had let myself get to this, but so much deeper than that. If I continued to live like this, I would not live,” he continued.Growing up, Peterson was an active kid and spent a lot of time outdoors, but at school he was bullied."In junior high, I made the decision to not get knocked around anymore," he told Men’s Health. "I practically lived at the local Y lifting and shooting hoops. I chose then, at the age of 15, to get stronger and gain confidence within myself."Peterson loved sports so much that he got a degree in coaching and after graduating, he opened a personal training business in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he met his wife.After they got married and had they first child, they decided to move back to Montana, where they opened an antiques shop. His passion for fitness fell to the waysidePeterson became absorbed with running the family business. On a typical workday, Peterson often didn’t eat anything until he closed the store and it wasn’t until he got home that he had a few beers and his only meal of the day.He stopped working out and the pounds crept on slowly until he reached his heaviest weight at 290 pounds. "My desire to hike and fish, the very habits that I had created so many years ago, slowly disappeared into the process of building a life and a business," said Peterson.Everything changed after he couldn’t keep up with his kids on that one hiking tripAs soon as he got back home, Peterson started looking into weight loss options when he stumbled upon a video advertisement for a transformation challenge. “[It] sealed the deal for me. I signed up knowing I was going to give this challenge every single thing I had,” he said.After he found out he had a gluten intolerance, he decided to try the popular keto diet. Between his new nutrition plan and daily hour-long hikes, Peterson remembered feeling and seeing changes almost immediately.He slowly started going back to the gym and began a weight lifting routine.In total, Peterson lost 92 pounds during the 150-day transformation challenge and actually won the $50,000 grand prize.He continues to document his weight loss journey on Instagram and hopes to inspire others who want to make a change."I have so much more energy and I feel like I am always in a great mood. I feel like I have become the dad and husband that I really wanted to be," says Peterson. "I feel like I have drive and ambition like I have never had before in my life — and I’m almost 40!"More transformation stories:Kristen McLaughlin Loses 133 Pounds by Turning Her Breakup Into a BreakthroughPaul Eulette Lost 70 Pounds By Stepping Out Of His Comfort ZoneRandi Vasquez Lost 80 Pounds by Creating New Habits, One Step at a TimeHow Tony Williams Lost 121 Pounds — and Kept It Off

This Woman Lost 178 Pounds by Prioritizing Self-Care
Diet & Exercise

This Woman Lost 178 Pounds by Prioritizing Self-Care

After fainting while helping a patient at work, Katrina Rigden, a physician’s assistant, knew it was time to do something about her weight once and for all.“I was just checking someone’s pulses in their feet, and I remember that day feeling really sweaty, and just kind of huffing and puffing,” Rigden told People. “I went to stand back up and I felt like I was hoisting so many bricks on my back, and then I just fell over. That was a big turning point for me. I became the patient.”The 29 year old knew her weight was a problem but it was never at the top of her priority list. Instead of addressing her health issues, she focused all of her energy on completing her studies. After Rigden finished two bachelor degrees as an undergraduate, she went on to pursue a master’s degree to become a physician's assistant.“I was the one who just studied, studied, studied,” said Rigden. “I kept saying that I’ll deal with my health later.”Growing up, she’d always been “the chubby kid” She’d maintained her poor eating habits after graduation. “When I first started out I worked so much, because I just wanted to pay off my student loan debt,” said Rigden. “I had 16 hour days, so I didn’t want to meal prep and I didn’t want to even go to the gym just because I was so tired when I got home. All I could do was eat and maybe watch TV and then go to bed.”At the time, most of her meals came from the drive-thru. Breakfast usually consisted of a croissant with fried chicken, then she’d have fried chicken with fries for lunch, and for dinner her go-to meal was a sub sandwich with fried chicken tenders, bacon, and cheese.“I started by ordering the 6-inch one,” she said. “Then it got to the point where I would order the 12-inch one because it was more economical, and I would say that I would eat the other half later. But I totally didn’t. I literally ate the entire thing.”At her heaviest, Rigden weighed 345 pounds and was struggling to do her job“You’ve got to be on your feet and ready to go,” she said. “If someone starts coding or if they stop breathing, you have to be able to briskly get to them, and your cardiovascular health has to be up. And you have to be able to fit into small places. When you’re 345 lbs. and you’re sweating, you’re not able to do it.”She couldn’t help but feel like she had no credibility as a healthcare provider.“It’s hard to be in that position and tell people what they should do, and you’re not doing it yourself,” said Rigden. “You’re telling people that they’re having a heart attack because of bad cholesterol and weight issues, while I myself was not healthy.”Her mom had been encouraging her to start a weight loss program when all of a sudden one day, Rigden lost consciousness at work.Following the incident, she ran to the bathroom and right away ordered a starter kit from Jenny Craig. “That was basically the moment that changed everything,” she says. It turned out the program fit her schedule perfectly: meals were sent to her front door, and she could easily bring everything with her to work.Rigden remembers noticing a difference almost immediately: “The weight started pouring off because I went from eating something like 5000 calories a day to half that."In total, she’s been able to lose 178 poundsNot only did she overhaul her diet, but she also discovered and fell in love with exercise.“My whole mindset switched from being lazy to wanting to be active all the time,” said Rigden.Today, she feels like she has better authority as a healthcare provider and her transformation journey has even inspired one of her patients to start dieting. Rigden has patients coming up to her all the time, remarking about her weight loss, and one was even inspired to start dieting too. During a recent patient evaluation, Rigden realized she was down on her knees and moving around without a second thought.“I really came full circle from the beginning where I literally passed out and fell over,” she says.More transformation stories:Kristen McLaughlin Loses 133 Pounds by Turning Her Breakup Into a BreakthroughPaul Eulette Lost 70 Pounds By Stepping Out Of His Comfort ZoneRandi Vasquez Lost 80 Pounds by Creating New Habits, One Step at a TimeHow Tony Williams Lost 121 Pounds — and Kept It Off

How This Determined Man Lost 121 Pounds -- and Kept It Off
Diet & Exercise

How This Determined Man Lost 121 Pounds -- and Kept It Off

When Tony Williams’ doctor told him he wouldn’t live to see his 50th birthday, he knew it was time to transform his life.“I’d never thought about my own mortality and the fact that I was digging my own grave with a knife and fork,” Williams told Men’s Health. “That stark prediction led me to make drastic changes to improve and extend my life.” At his heaviest, Williams weighed 294 pounds. He struggled with being overweight since childhood and by the time he reached his 20s, his weight was out of control.“My habits were a huge contributor to my weight gain,” said the 46-year-old from Chicago. “The reason was that none of them were healthy. I had tons of disposable income and that allowed to buy any fast food my heart desired.”Around the same time, Williams landed a job with the railroad. For the next thirteen years, he worked long and odd hours, with little to no sleep, and began to notice his weight creep up.“I began the habit of what I called ‘preemptive eating,’ which basically was eating while I had the opportunity because I never knew when the next chance would be,” Williams says.At 294 pounds, he was always in pain and drained from performing simple everyday chores. After his doctor warned him that he was jeapordizing his life-expectancy, Williams was determined to get his health back on track and embarked on a weight loss journey that changed his life.Knowing he had better chances at reaching his goals, Williams reached out for extra support and joined WW, formerly known as Weight Watchers.“My journey began by joining WW where I learned practical skills that not only lead to weight loss but improved my health,” he said. ”The changes started with the commitments to never lie to myself and to always do my best. I established structure in my topsy-turvy life by scheduling meals for my awake hours. I learned what the serving size of foods are and what healthy plate should look like. I stepped out of the box I lived and tried fruits and veggies that I previously ignored.”At the same time, he began incorporating more and more physical activity into his new routine. He started off by working out in front of the TV with the blinds shut. Then, he started going out for walks at his local park, which grew into power walking, which turned into miles-long excursions, and he eventually graduated to cycling.“I grew physically stronger, and more importantly, I established lifelong healthy habits,” said Williams. “This growth gave me the confidence to sign up for my first gym membership.”In the span of 13 months, he was able to lose 121 pounds and has kept the weight off for nine years.“I’ve definitely become more confident, because now I want to be seen. That openness has taken me to incredible places and experiences I would have never dreamt possible,” said Williams. “I’m now described by many as a social butterfly and I will make a friend every place I go. I face the world with an open heart and smile on my face.”Today, Williams is a WW coach and hopes to become a certified wellness coach down the road.“I want to help people become the healthiest version of themselves," he says.According to Williams, the key to sustainable success is patience and consistency.“Don’t put a time frame or limits on what you’re seeking to achieve. We’re in this all fired rush to achieve our goals. But if this is a lifestyle we should take our time and be deliberate in pursuit of our dreams,” he says. “With that time comes knowledge, self-reflection and confidence. I suggest you set mini goals and celebrate accomplishing each and every one. The sky’s the limit on what you’re capable of achieving.”More transformation stories:Kristen McLaughlin Loses 133 Pounds by Turning Her Breakup Into a BreakthroughPaul Eulette Lost 70 Pounds By Stepping Out Of His Comfort ZoneRandi Vasquez Lost 80 Pounds by Creating New Habits, One Step at a TimeMike Castadena Loses 331 Pounds to Save His Heart After Health Scare

Try These Mood-Lifting Foods to Improve Your Attitude Deliciously
Diet & Exercise

Try These Mood-Lifting Foods to Improve Your Attitude Deliciously

Food is more than a delicious way to be energized and satisfied, it's also full of healthy benefits for our whole body. In fact, some of our favorite snacks can also put us in a way better mood.Next time you are feeling kind of run down and looking for a quick snack, don't go for what's easy and fast, or simply what tastes good (though that's a plus). Choose food that will make you feel good, from the inside out.The right ingredients can make a world of difference in our body, including our mood and mind. "Nutrients provide the biological building blocks for neurotransmitters — the chemicals in your brain that deeply affect how you think and feel," says Florencia Tagliavini, in-house nutritionist for The NutraMilk.Here are some foods to lift your mood:1. Pumpkin seedsToast some pumpkin seeds and toss them on top of a salad, or throw them in a trail mix. They are delicious and so good for us. "These are a source of the amino acid, tryptophan which is used to produce serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate sleep and appetite, mediate moods, and inhibit pain," said Tagliavini.2. Dark chocolate Chocolate is everyone’s favorite treat, so it make come as no surprise that it can lift your mood, but chocolate is also good for you in so many ways. “Cacao is high in magnesium and releases serotonin in our body making us feel excited and happy,” says Liana Werner-Gray, author of Cancer Free with Food.3. AvocadoDon't feel guilty about paying extra for guac! Load up on avocado -- it has lots of benefits. "Avocado contain trytophan, an essential amino acid used by the brain to produce serotonin, which makes the central nervous system feel really good,” said Werner-Gray.4. Lemon If you want to boost your mood, now’s the time to make that lemon vinaigrette for your salad or mix up some lemonade. “Lemon is a nutritional powerhouse, loaded with vitamin C. It’s a wise way to start each day with lemon water to help flush the liver. A fresh liver equals a clear positive mind. A toxic liver leads to brain fog,” said Werner-Gray. 5. Green tea Drinking tea is a great, comforting habit for everyone, and green tea takes things to the next level. “Green tea is full of theanine, which is known to lower stress and increase energy,” said Werner-Gray.6. Broccoli sprouts Whether broccoli slaw or in a salad, broccoli spouts are packed with mood-lifting nutrients. “Broccoli sprouts have the highest amount of sulforaphane than any other green vegetable on the planet! Broccoli sprouts help release tension and irritability,” said Werner-Gray.7. Kale Kale caesar, did you say? “Packed full of chlorophyll which helps the brain function properly and wards off depression. I’ve made sure to chlorophyll everyday for the last ten years and is the number 1 compound I recommend everyone get daily,” says Werner-Gray.8. Tigernuts Tigernuts are a root vegetable and naturally sweet. They can boost your feelings of strength and happiness.“They have the same amount of iron as red meat! The iron in tigernuts makes us feel strong and adapt to get through the day, staying happy and not being affected,” says Werner-Gray. 9. WalnutsNo, we’re not nuts. Nuts are where it’s at -- and walnuts especially. “Walnuts are rich in B vitamins and omega 3’s which are key for brain positivity. Walnuts help fight fatigue and anxiety,” says Werner-Gray.10. Blueberries Blueberry waffles, blueberry yogurt, blueberry pie. This fruit is essential in summer and so good for you. “A superfruit with the highest amount of antioxidants than any other commercially farmed fruit on earth! When we eat Nature’s candy like this we don’t have any guilt,” says Werner-Gray. Who can say no to guilt-free sweets?!

Inspiring Woman Loses 133 Pounds by Turning Her Breakup Into a Breakthrough
Diet & Exercise

Inspiring Woman Loses 133 Pounds by Turning Her Breakup Into a Breakthrough

Kristen McLaughlin lost 133 pounds when the end of her 5-year-relationship gave her the “clean slate” she needed to jumpstart her weight loss journey.She’d always been active as a kid and played sports throughout high school, but that all came to a halt when she met her college boyfriend and settled into a sedentary lifestyle.“I wasn’t mindful at all about what I was eating,” McLaughlin, 31, told PEOPLE.“If I wanted to eat something, I didn’t really think twice about it. And when I got into my relationship, he was a larger guy, and I was eating whatever he’s eating — which does not make logical sense.”The couple often ordered giant pizzas, cheeseburgers, and fries for dinner, whether it was to reward themselves or because they needed a pick-me-up.“I would fall asleep with probably 12,000 calories in me, and then wake up and wonder, ‘Why am I so tired?’ ” she remembered.Looking back, the New York City-based software specialist came to realize she was an emotional eater. “It was easier for me to eat instead of tackling what was going on,” said McLaughlin. “It was easier to say, ‘I’ll feel better for 15 minutes while I’m eating a cheeseburger’ and not think about how bad I would feel afterwards.” On top of that, she’d made a habit of skipping breakfast, or opt for a chocolate croissant, and then, come lunch time, would make up for the missed meal with a large taco bowl. At her heaviest, McLaughlin weighed 270 pounds and felt self-conscious about the way she looked, so in 2016, she decided to try out Jenny Craig. Lucky for her, the nutrition program worked and she was able to lose about 60 pounds.While she was proud of her achievement, she also felt bad watching her boyfriend, who was getting his MBA, “fend for himself” in the kitchen while she ate ready-made meals.“I had some guilt about losing the weight while he had school going on, and I wanted us to spend more time together,” said McLaughlin. “So I lost a bunch of weight but then slid back.”This was also around the time McLaughlin’s boyfriend started to become “distant”, often staying out after work. When she learned that he had feelings for someone else, she called it quits.“At that point I’m like, ‘This is cheating, this is dumb, I can’t do this anymore,’ and I said I was leaving,” said McLaughlin.Her heart was broken and suddenly, she needed to find a new apartment. Things were messy, but in retrospect, the breakup was the “best thing” that could happen to her.“I literally got rid of every excuse that I’ve ever had,” McLaughlin said. “I never had a better opportunity to just focus on myself and build myself back up.”Starting over with a clean slate, she went back to Jenny Craig in February 2017, and made it her goal to lose 100 pounds in a year.She followed the meal plan and started taking evening walks home after work. As she began losing weight again, McLaughlin grew interested in weight training and fitness classes. Fast forward a year later: she had lost lost 100 pounds and celebrated her victory with a vacation to Cancun, Mexico.Today, McLaughlin lost a total of 133 pounds and calls her weight loss life-changing.“I think I’m more myself now, funnily enough, than I ever was the previous 30 years,” said McLaughlin.”I say yes to things now, I’m more outgoing, I’m more likely to be social. I think weight loss isn’t just physical or mental — it’s a whole spectrum of your life.”

Determined Man Loses 331 Pounds to Save His Heart After Health Scare
Diet & Exercise

Determined Man Loses 331 Pounds to Save His Heart After Health Scare

A health scare in 2016 inspired Mike Castadena to not only lose weight, but to get healthy mentally and physically too.During a visit to the doctor’s office after suffering heart palpitations, Mike was diagnosed as prediabetic, and the doctor recommended he start medication right away. He was 25.“I remember being extremely upset, feeling like the doctor had given up on me,” Castadena told Yahoo. “And madder at myself for letting myself get to this point.”At his heaviest, Castadena weighed over 500 pounds. He’d always been overweight and as time went on, he resigned to being big for the rest of his life.“Whether it was issues finding clothing or shoes that would fit, feeling tired, or suffering from sleep apnea, I always just thought that was the way that my life was going to be,” Castadena said.That was until he got the wake up call that kickstarted his weight loss journey. With no real plan or specific goals in my mind, all he knew is that he wanted to lose weight so that he could feel better both mentally and physically.“I didn’t have a real strategy,” he recalled. “I just knew I had to make a change.”Castadena decided to try a few different approaches, giving juicing a shot first. He started by cleaning out his fridge and cupboards of soda and cookies. Then, he bought a juicer, juicing books, a scale and a bunch of fruits and vegetables. “That lasted all of one day,” he said. “By the end of the first day, I was tired, cranky and hungry.”Determined to take control of his health, he didn’t let the setback get in his way. Castadena followed a friend’s suggestion that he try a low-carb diet. After doing some research, he quickly realized that it was the most sustainable option for him and started the following week.As Castadena started to lose weight, he started to feel better and eventually his heart palpitations stopped. “At that point, I knew that I didn’t want to give up what I was doing."Since he started, he’s been having continued success with a low-carb diet for over three years now. “I’m lucky to say that the 99% of the progress I’ve made has been from a change in eating habits,” said Castaneda.His next goal is to start going to the gym more regularly to help maintain his healthy weight and have long-term success. “My ability to get around and just do day-to-day things has been incredible,” said Castadena. “It’s nice to be able to tie my shoes or get ready without it feeling like a chore all on its own."Not only has Castadena lost 331 pounds, but his mental health has improved too.“My confidence has gone through the roof,” he said. "I’ve become more outgoing and interested in trying new things — things that I would have never dreamt of trying or even wanted to attempt to try.”More transformation stories:Amber Neal Loses 190 Pounds by Abandoning Years of Yo-Yo Dieting and Committing to Healthy ChangeJason Phelps Loses 110 Pounds by Overcoming Years of Denial and Shifting His MindsetDanielle Patera Loses 150 Pounds by Creating New Habits and Conquering FearPatrick Eslick Loses 185 Pounds By Shifting His Mindset, Discovering His Passions

Inspiring Woman Loses 150 Pounds by Creating New Habits and Conquering Fear
Diet & Exercise

Inspiring Woman Loses 150 Pounds by Creating New Habits and Conquering Fear

Danielle Patera lost 150 pounds after she realized her weight was preventing her from living the kind of life she envisioned for herself.It was in May of 2017, during a family trip to Kentucky, she decided to spend a day hiking at a local rock formation. Patera weighed 340 pounds at the time but wasn’t too concerned about the idea of trekking around the park-- until the inclines became steeper and she became out of breath. Then, when it came time to pull herself over a boulder, she struggled.“I saw my sister do it. And she jumped back down to help my mom up and my mom got up. And I struggled. It took me 40, 45 minutes,” Patera told TODAY. “That trip made me realize that if my 54-year-old mom could do this with no problem, and I am struggling, I needed to make a change.”Tired of always feeling uncomfortable and realizing just how much her weight was limiting her, Patera decided to take charge of her health and embarked on a two-year long transformation journey.During the two weeks following the trip, Patera researched different exercise programs and nutrition plans, and finally came to the conclusion that a simple approach was in her best interest. Her focus was to consume fewer calories while tracking what she ate, and to exercise more.With her mind made up, there was still something standing in Patera's way of reaching her weight loss goal: her fear of going to the gym alone. So, she reached out for some support.“I asked my brother to go with me,” said the 27 year old from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “I told him ‘I want to make this lifestyle change and I need to lose 150 pounds. I’m going to start and see where I end up.’ And his exact words were ‘Holy crap that’s insane.’”He joined her at the gym for a month and the extra support gave Patera the motivation she needed to keep pushing towards her goal.“I don’t think he realized how much I needed that,” she said.Finding the right nutritional balance was also a challenge at first. During the first few weeks of her weight loss journey, Patera ate nothing but salads for lunch and dinner. “I was so scared that I was going to flop,” she said. “I was really clueless for the first month and I am surprised I lost so much weight.”Within a month, she was able to lose 30 pounds. Patera continued exercising, experimenting with different foods, and discovered how to make healthier versions of the foods she loved.“I learned how to make my own low-calorie pizza dough with fat-free Greek yogurt and self-rising flour. I know that seasonings are better than sauces,” Patera recalled.While she was making consistent progress, she still hit plateaus. Determined not to give up, she switched up her exercise routine whenever she reached a standstill. “I had zero arm strength. I have never been able to do a pushup or a pullup,” she said.Knowing that, she incorporated weight lifting and more intensive cardio into her routine.Since the beginning of her weight loss journey, Patera has lost 153 pounds, bringing her weight down to 187, but she still has some work ahead of her. Her ultimate goal is to weigh between 170 and 180 pounds.Still, at 187 pounds, Patera is happier than she’s ever been and is thoroughly enjoying life. “The ease which I can do things is insane,” she said. “Losing weight has allowed me to be myself and find who I am and speak out and stand up for myself.”More transformation stories:Tabitha Beaseley Loses 100 Pounds So She Can Be A Better MotherAmber Neal Loses 190 Pounds by Abandoning Years of Yo-Yo Dieting and Committing to Healthy ChangeKatie Adams Loses 101 Pounds After Health Scare and Chronic Illness by Taking ChargeJason Phelps Loses 110 Pounds by Overcoming Years of Denial and Shifting His MindsetPatrick Eslick Loses 185 Pounds By Shifting His Mindset, Discovering His Passions

Diet & Exercise

Man Loses 185 Pounds By Shifting His Mindset, Discovering His Passions

Patrick Eslick was able to lose 180 pounds, but it meant adopting a new mindset after years of struggling with his weight.Being overweight was all Eslick had ever really known. He was in the second grade the first time someone made a “comment” about his weight and remembers things only got worse as time went on.Growing up, Eslick was not only struggling with his weight, he was also realizing he was gay.Feeling different from others, he avoided participating in sports with other boys his age and instead spent his time snacking on the couch instead. By the time he was in college, his snacking, eating, and drinking habits were out of control.Come graduation, Eslick weighed 340 pounds and was battling depression and anxiety.He’d convinced himself that even going down to 200 pounds was close to impossible, but just as he finished college, something became clear for Eslick.“It felt like the perfect opportunity to make major changes in my life,” he told Men's Health. “I wasn’t a kid in college anymore; I was an adult with a job, and I wasn’t taking care of myself.”Something told him that if he didn’t start taking care of himself then, he never would. Not only did he decide to take action to gain control of his weight, he also decided it was time to come out to his close friends and family.After opening up to his loves ones, Eslick felt lighter-- and ready to stat his weight loss transformation. Using MyFitnessPal, he began tracking what he ate and cut out fast food from his diet. He also stopped dining out, which pushed him to start cooking. Quickly, he discovered he was really passionate about it and today, he says his love for cooking changed his life.“I think that’s the most important reason I was able to lose weight and not gain it back,” he said.He enjoyed experimenting with recipes and occasionally treated himself to a beer. Instead of completely restricting himself, he taught himself to not make the occasional treat the norm.Having admired runners for years, he’d always wanted to run, so getting into the sport was a no-brainer.“Their bodies looked fit, and their endurance really impressed me,” said Eslick. “It also seemed like an activity that I could do anywhere, anytime without needing any special equipment other than shoes."Eslick started training at the gym, and as he started losing weight, he began to fall in love with running.By the time he lost 100 pounds, running had become a passion and it’s still a huge part of his life today. “Running makes me feel free and vital and healthy,” Eslick said. “When I can’t do it, it feels like something major is missing from my life."When he injured his knee, instead of letting the setback derail him from his goal, Eslick turned to strength training. All of his efforts paid off when his weight dropped below the seemingly-impossible 200 pounds-- and it wouldn’t be long before he started running marathons.Eslick struggled with his body image well into his transformation journey: “Even after I lost 50 pounds or more, when I looked in the mirror I was still seeing myself as fat. I think you can love yourself when you’re fat, but I wasn’t doing it.”In the end, not only was he able to lose weight but he gained confidence in the process. “I’d never been able to see myself as remotely attractive. My body was always something to overcome, rather than something to offer,” he said.Turning down invitations to social outings was a big challenge for Elsick but he knew how easily one drink could turn into another, and how drinking could lead to a meal he might later regret. Instead, he cooked at home and while he suffered from a bit of FOMO here and there, Elsick knew it was for the best. Today, he feels that not only has his social life recovered, but it’s improved as well. “I’m comfortable and confident in my body and I have the energy to do the things I want to do,” he says. “When you have respect for yourself, it’s a lot easier to let others into your life.”More transformation stories:Tabitha Beaseley Loses 100 Pounds So She Can Be A Better MotherAmber Neal Loses 190 Pounds by Abandoning Years of Yo-Yo Dieting and Committing to Healthy ChangeKatie Adams Loses 101 Pounds After Health Scare and Chronic Illness by Taking ChargeJason Phelps Loses 110 Pounds by Overcoming Years of Denial and Shifting His Mindset