Jamie's Success Story - Wow!

Below is an interview with I was lucky enough to do with Jamie, who recently dropped twenty pounds of fat. First, congratulations to Jamie on sticking with her new lifestyle.

Gregg:Jamie, you've managed to lose 20 pounds of fat and completely change your body. This is awesome and I congratulate you once again. You should be very proud of what you have accomplished. Many people are unhappy with their weight, their job, etc. What was it that finally motivated you to make these positive changes in your life? Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you are like most people, you must've been unhappy with how you looked for some time before making the committment to do something about it..

Jamie:I became motivated after seeing myself at my cousin's wedding, in a dress, in January 2005. Looking at the pictures really disappointed me, and that's when I said, "I Have to do something!"

Gregg:If this is accurate, what do you think kept you from taking action in the past?

JamieI never realized how "chubby" i looked, I always thought I was ok with my body, but seeing it in pictures really woke me up!

Gregg: How did you get started with your new liftestyle? In other words, what changes did you make, or planning did you do, to give yourself the best chance at success? So many people get overwhelmed with making a lot of changes at the same time that they never get started.

Jamie:I started out with changing my diet first. I decided NOT to get overwhelmed with exercise right off the bat. Losing the fat was #1. I planned mostly to cut down on just about everything I ate. I cut out tons of sugar, and eat a lot less, especially junk food! I eat right 6 days a week, all healthy foods, then 1 day a week I let myself indulge. I truly believe this one free day a week really helps...it kicks your metabolism into high speed, since your body has become accustomed to the 6 days of healthy foods!

Gregg:What problems did you have to overcome in order to stay on track with your new program? You obviously must have been living a dramatically different lifestyle than you had lived previously. Some of the popular excuses I've heard from people I've trained include "not enough time"(both for exercising and eating right), "eating healthy is too expensive", "don't see results fast enough", "weights will make me big and bulky", "have trouble sticking with an exercise routine". What were the obstacles you had to overcome?

Jamie:The first 4 weeks of my diet was very hard...I would crave things, I would get headaches, etc, but I was motivated! Again, I did not exercise while I was losing the weight. I focused on weight loss first. Once I acheived my goal weight, I turned to exercise to tone up! Eating healthy is NOT expensive, in fact it gets cheaper as time goes on...the more you diet, and the less you eat, the more your stomach shrinks, and in time, the less you will eat! My day consists of lots of yogurt, oatmeal, cheese, and fruits & veggies! And to be honest, I love it!

Gregg:How did you overcome those problems? What specific techniques did you use to make your dreams a reality?

Jamie:I just stayed focused. I knew this was something I wanted, and needed to do for myself. I feel better, I look better, and I am healthy! If you want something bad enough, you can do it!

Gregg:Moving forward and knowing what you know now, what would you have done differently?

Jamie:Nothing! I think I did everything I needed to do.

Gregg: What would you have done the same way, and will continue to do, going forward?

Jamie:I am just going to keep on this diet regimen, 6 days healthy, 1 day off. I think it is great, it works, and you are not deprived of the foods you love!

Gregg:Do you feel that ongoing feedback and motivational tools would help in maintaining a fitness program? For example, appearing on the AOL Welcome Screen must be very motivational. This won't be a motivational tool most people can use. Before achieving that type of success, what types of motivational tools did you lose to keep going? It must've taken some time before you could see the positive changes in the mirror.

Jamie:Aol was an amazing experience and very overwhelming! It really made me proud of myself and my success. I was proud of myself before getting compliments from friends and family, but to have complete strangers email me felt great! I am privelaged to be able to help others out there reach their goals! My motivation was me! I would keep a picture of myself when I was heavier, On the fridge, as well as pics of thin women! That motivated me to STOP, and not go for that cake, or ice cream!

Gregg:If you were to advise a close friend or family member how to follow in your fitness footsteps, what would you tell them?

Jamie:Definitely try the warm lemon water regimen every morning. iI think this really works. Definatly eat healthy 6 days a week and give yourself a day of freedom. Take one step at a time and believe in yourself. I tell everyone to cut back on sugar, since sugar turns into bad fats, hard to get rid of. A slow weight loss will last longer than a quick weight loss!