Inspiring Fit Week: JoLynn wants to drop 30 lbs and learns the pitfalls of processed foods

Blog: The Fit Shack
Tracking: JoLynn
Niche: Holistic view of creating a healthy body. Using the 6 Week Body Makeover
Health goal: Drop 30 lbs + increase physical strength and cardio fitness
JoLynn's story:

I can remember thinking I was fat when I was a kid but I wasn't. I was not overweight until my first year of college, and ever since then I've had an issue with food and my weight. At one time, I was obsessed with food and weighing myself until I got to a point where I said I would never diet again.

I decided I would eat what I wanted to, eat only when hungry, and stop when I was full. I worked out on my treadmill an hour each day which felt good, but I didn't lose weight; I maintained a 10 lb range. Then I tried one diet, and lost weight through stress.

In 2004, I had a job that I didn't like where we had regular "food days". I ate often and existed on processed and fast food - plenty of sugar, high sodium content, frozen dinners, cheese, and soda. This got me to my top weight of 171.5, a sizeable amount on my 5'4.5" petite frame. I needed to make a change…

...I learned how to eat healthy, whole foods ...

I decided then to try something that I'd seen advertised on TV for years: The Six Week Body Makeover. They said you would eat real food, not diet food, and it turned out to be true! For the first time in my life I learned how to eat healthy, whole foods, use portion control, and how to exercise productively. I lost 43.5 pounds, kept it off for over a year, but then went back to old habits and processed foods.

Since that time, I've been up and down with my weight and my motivation, however I am recommitted and am off the refined sugar and other addictive, unhealthy ingredients found in processed foods. I'm losing weight, inches, exercising, building muscle tone, and feeling wonderful.

What one thing has helped you the most in working towards your health & fitness goal:
Being involved in an online weight loss support forum.

What one thing you would like more help with:
For anyone else who has experienced getting to within a couple pounds of their (healthy) goal weight but not reached it completely, what did you discover was holding you back from completing your goal and how did you overcome it?

Visit JoLynn's blog: The Fit Shack