Halfway To A Goal Of Losing 150 Pounds, Through Journaling And PEER Support

We just started a new PEERtrainer Spotlight, and one participant had said she had lost 50 pounds while on PT and 83 pounds overall. So I asked her to please share her story with others. 

For those of you in the Tip Of The Day coaching program, one of the core organizing themes is the importance of daily journaling and group support. 

This is an excellent illustration of exactly why we hammer in on this idea over and over. Please take a moment to read this story and you can also click on a link at the end of the article and see her logs for today. Maybe even send her a note of encouragement!

"Let's see. I started intentionally losing weight in May, the day after my college graduation. I gained about 30 lbs. in my senior year alone (topped the scales at 310 lbs.) and really started to notice the negative effects of my weight gain (out of breath walking up a small hill, for instance).  

I joined PT in July 2008 (after already losing 30 lbs.) very quickly because of my dramatic lifestyle change) after searching for online food journals because I read how beneficial logging your daily food intake was for successful weight loss. I never imagined I would find anything like PT. 

I loved how it was way more than just a food log. I loved the community lounge and the calorie wiki and the interaction with group/team members.

It took a couple weeks before I found a group that was right for me but I finally found it (Mid 20s with 100+ to lose). We all had the same goals and offered each other support along the way.  We were fairly active loggers and praised each other when we made good food choices and followed our exercise plans. 

After I ate very healthy food for a meal or after I finished a great workout, I couldn't wait to log it so my group members could see it and tell me what a great job I was doing - that is what has proven to be the most effective part of PT for me. 

And even after I logged a particularly bad food day or binge and felt horrible, my group members were there to tell me I could push past it and get back on track the next day. 

Without their support, I don't think I could have gotten back on track any of the many times I have fallen off throughout this journey. To date, I have lost 83 lbs. total and 53 lbs as a PT member. I am more than half way to my goal of losing 150 lbs. total and I have no doubt in my mind I will get there and I have PT to thank."  

For the members of the Tip Of The Day daily coaching newsletter I am going to start a new team with the intention of getting like minded people together. And I can start a couple depending on what you are looking for. If you think that is a good idea, please let me know. 

I think it is also important to point how proud this person was of their accomplishment, so when you are in your groups and teams, try and find the one great thing they did that day. And if you did one great thing, don't be shy about telling others. It will probably motivate all of you! 

Comments

[h]

I read this because Jackie send out an email indicating the importance of logging and being active on PT.

I loooovvee Success Stories. I am glad Nicole was able to lose a great amount of weight.

However, Jackie, if you click on her now, she has regained (which is forgivable) but she is not active on PT (she has not logged since August 25). Does not make PT seem so effective. I would really like to see a Success Stories section broken down by how much weight people lost using PT.

[Lottie McCaw-Daniels]

I've been receiving your e-mails for well over a month a pretty much read hen did nothing.

I must admit that a discovery that our freezer was full of meats, I decided to do a modified Adkins/SouthBeach diet. Wow, I have a plan. I haven't lost much but the big thing is not to gain since I am unemployed.

I've made it through my husband's Halloween candy push and think the holidays will be a bit easier to cope with.

I'll keep reading and other items may soak in slowly too.