Success Story: Laney Solomon
Laney answers questions from RealAge Facebook followers about how she kicked her old bad habits to the curb and learned to love healthy foods and exercise in order to lose nearly 90 pounds.
Q. Were other members of your family also overweight? Did your lifestyle change affect them so that they, too, now exercise and eat healthier than before?
A. My family has had its ups and downs with weight; my mother has been both very thin and very heavy. She was motivated by me to lose weight again and has lost over 70 pounds. My older sister has also lost about 30 pounds, my older brother lost about 80 pounds, and my younger sister recently began her weight loss journey. My husband has always been thin and doesn't need to lose anything. My daughter has a thyroid condition and has to watch her weight. (Find out how your thyroid can affect your weight.) She has learned a lot from what I am doing now and is learning to make better choices and watch her portions. (Watch this video to learn how to perfectly portion your meals.)
Q. I have a friend who's lost a lot of weight, but her skin didn't conform to her new body. Did you have excess skin as a result of your weight loss, or did your skin shrink back to your new shape?
A. I try to stay moisturized. Sweating while I work out helps a lot, and I really try to remember to lube up at the end of each day. (Find out what type of moisturizer is best for your skin.) When I exercise, I work my whole body and now do some weight training, really trying to tone my muscles so that less jiggles. (Tone up all over in 20 minutes.)
Q. Did you give up caffeine and soda gradually, or go cold turkey?
A. I gave it up cold turkey and felt better almost instantly, experiencing fewer headaches and less gas. (Which is worse for your blood pressure, coffee or soda? Find out here.)
Q. How can you eat chocolate "in moderation"? What does that mean exactly? One candy bar a day?
A. One of my skinny friends turned me on to chocolate squares. I try to have one or two, and I count them in my daily calories. It is often hard to stop there, but if I have some almonds along with the chocolate, I fill up and I am not hungry. I have to say chocolate is my gateway drug, so I need to stay aware. Fiber One bars are also good for a fix because they have fewer calories and give you fiber, too. (Try making these 60-calorie brownies for a guilt-free chocolate snack.)
Q. How long did it take you to get from your starting weight to your current weight, and what was the biggest challenge for you throughout the process?
A. It took about a year, and I am still working at it. Right now I feel like I am "under construction." The process was challenging because I had to keep myself on a path and had to stay very self-motivated. But I had friends and family helping and encouraging me because I allowed myself to own it, which meant that everyone knew what I was doing because I was open about it.
This phase that I am in now is actually harder because people don't think I need to lose anymore. I am not exactly trying to lose, I am trying to "not jiggle" anymore, and that takes just as much work and dedication, and, on top of that, is actually harder for others to see. I try to always have a goal in front of me. This year, besides the no-jiggle goal, I am determined to run 11 10K races. I just completed one for February, and I want to do one a month so that I am constantly in training. (What's your biggest health goal? Find the right RealAge plan to help you lose a little or a lot of weight or to shed belly fat, specifically.)
Q. How do you keep from feeling deprived with your new eating habits?
A. I have found new things I like. Who knew I would like spinach and raspberries? I also allow myself to have a treat every now and again. However, I do not blow a hard workout on a shake and a burger. It makes me feel ill to think about what I used to have for a treat. Now, frozen yogurt, a smoothie, or a good salad sounds better to me. I also treat myself to nonfood indulgences like manicures, pedicures, a magazine, or new pocketbook. Those don't add on pounds!
Q. How do you manage "moderation"? In other words, how do you keep from eating the entire chocolate bar versus being satisfied with one or two pieces? Was that hard at first?
A. Moderation has to come from within. I now have a taste of something as opposed to depleting the whole bag. You have to know your triggers and avoid that which causes you to lose control. I cleared my house of all "bad" food when I first started my weight loss, and still to this day you will find Skinny Cow Ice Cream, not Rocky Road, in my freezer. I will have half of a Skinny Cow, and that is enough. It is hard, but start yourself by changing your perspective on replacement snacks: have a piece of fruit for something sweet, almonds for something crunchy, or a trail mix for a little of each. Be sure to read the portion sizes, too. You will be amazed how small portions really should be! (Use this menu-planning tool to find tons of healthy and delicious meal and snack ideas.)
Q. What type of workout DVDs do you use? I'm having a hard time finding one I enjoy that isn't boring.
A. I bought and used Slim in 6 and also used the Wii Fit and Wii Biggest Loser. All were challenging, and I was able to do them if the weather was not good for walking outside. Now I have graduated to taking kick boxing and Zumba! Who would have ever imagined?! (Check out these two top toning moves for your legs and arms from the beauty and wellness experts at RealBeauty.com.)
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