Weight Loss Success Story

By Cyndi Schoenhals
"I HATE DIETS!" Weight Loss Program

This is my personal weight loss success story. It begins almost two decades ago...shortly after the birth of my fourth child.

During my first three pregnancies, my weight gain was minimal. After each of those childbirths, I reached my pre-pregnancy weight rather quickly. Things were different during my fourth pregnancy, however. I gained over fifty pounds...quite a lot for my petite, 5'3" frame! As the end of the last trimester approached, I waddled in a very pronounced manner, couldn't see my feet below my protruding belly, and laughed at myself every time I passed a mirror! "I look like a clown or a big punching bag!" I thought. After all, I was larger than I had ever been in my life up to that point! I wondered how I had gotten so huge.

The baby weighed only slightly more than six pounds at birth. I realized, as I gazed upon my tiny newborn son, that there was still a lot of me left from the pregnancy. I began pondering ways that I could shed the excess weight that I had put on over the past nine months. During those recovery days immediately following delivery, I merely engaged in light walking. I didn't cut down drastically on my caloric intake, because I was nursing and needed more calories than usual to nourish myself and my baby.

As I grew stronger, I began adding to my daily exercise routine. I continued to walk everyday. But, I also threw in a little aerobic dance and some strength training exercises. In a matter of weeks, I had increased my workouts to a couple of hours each day! Now, if you add all that to caring for four children (one of whom was a nursing infant), a husband, and a household, you know that I was burning some calories!

When the baby was several months old, I returned to work, in addition to continuing all the exercising, caring for the kids, spouse, and household. My appetite had also decreased, so I was eating smaller meals and snacking less. I also became more aware of the kinds of foods that I consumed. I discovered that I no longer ate out of boredom. I cooked healthier meals for the family. My waistline and hips became lean and toned. My derriere looked nice and firm. I was more energetic, and I could finally fit into my pre-pregnancy wardrobe again!

Since I lost those fifty-plus pounds all those years ago, I have managed to stay slim and trim through regular exercise and eating right. My kids, who are now grown, often tell me that I am in better shape than they are in! I take that as a compliment! All it took was a few lifestyle changes! If I can do it, you can, too!