How I Lost the Weight and Kept It Off
By Nick Bloom
friend. When the opportunity came up to contribute to this January issue dedicated to diet and stress management for weight loss, I was compelled to introduce readers to his story; a real life, inspirational story of sig- nificant weight loss and profound personal growth. Moreover, his ability to maintain a healthy weight over a long period of time is highly unique and what may set his journey apart from others.
I
NB: From the time you started your health journey, how much weight have you lost?
Jeff: I have lost 53 lbs. My highest weight was 198 lbs. I am now 145 lbs. It took me 3 months to lose that weight.
NB: And how long have you kept the weight off?
Jeff: It was back in 2003 that I started this journey and have stayed the same weight for the past 16 years.
NB: From a diet perspective, how did you first lose the weight?
Jeff: My plan was pretty simple. I only ate whole foods including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and protein. I cut out all added sugar, flour products, alcohol, and processed food. Very importantly,
first met Jeff in 2011 when I first started my own weight loss journey. He became an inspiration, a support, and a close
I weighed and measured all my meals consisting of breakfast, lunch, and din- ner. No snacks in between. The plan really helped me to be clear about my choices when my eating had gotten out of control.
NB: Did you face challenges during the initial weight loss stage?
Jeff: Oh yes, indeed. At the very begin- ning, I found it to be so exciting and fun to start losing weight. It almost felt easy. I discovered, though, that it was more challenging a few weeks and months in; boredom set in. But even so, I have a good story to tell you.
I started my journey back in 2003 only six days before my birthday. From the onset, I was intent on taking a break from my eating routine and celebrate my birthday with cake and ice cream. To do so meant that I would have to veer off my plan which could have had long-term, negative consequences for my goals. (I am reminded of the many prior attempts at losing weight that ended quickly.) On the morning of my birthday, I was contemplating this deci- sion with a trusted friend on the phone. She asked me some poignant questions. First, she said, “Do I want what I have?” referring to the significant success I had experienced even in the first days of my
journey. And then she asked me, “Is eat- ing cake and ice cream really the only way to celebrate a birthday?” Wow, that second question really got me thinking. Was it possible to not “entertain” myself with food? I took pause and asked my- self whether I could truly enjoy (and tol- erate) my birthday without the ‘obliga- tory’ cake and ice cream? By lunchtime, I was completely at peace with the idea of no dessert. I was ready to celebrate something more magical. Namely, my newfound weight loss success and the freedom from being overly dependent on sugar. That was the beginning of how my journey with food and weight got me to challenge old beliefs about who I was, what I needed, what I could do, and what I was capable of.
NB: Did your diet change after you lost the weight? In other words, how did you maintain a steady weight?
Jeff: There were no real changes to my routine except that, through some trial and experimentation, I did add food in finite quantities. Maybe an extra por- tion of whole grains at lunch or dinner. I added only whole food items (fruits, vegetables, protein, or whole grains). I continued to weigh and measure my meals every day. And I continue to leave sugar, flour, and processed foods out of my diet.
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