How I did it: Losing weight was a quick, on-the-spot decision for me. When I started, I never thought I would lose such a big amount of weight. It only took a shrug and "let's do it". I never thought I had the willpower and the self-control to do it. It was March, 2008 when I started; I weighed 188 pounds back then and I was only 15. I'm 5''6', so that made me o-b-e-s-e. I never had the courage to get on the scale and see how much I weighed back then, but I knew I had to face it so at first I did just that. Face it.
Then I thought, lord, I don't care how much weight I lose, but even if I can only get down to 187 I'd be happy because a pound is a pound and anything is better than 188 pounds.
Then I cut down the fast food. I didn't allow any chocolates or chips into the house. I told myself I could live without them. They are, after all, all about flavor and nothing more. When I wanted something sweet, I went for fruits. Everytime I wanted to have a chocolate, I had an apple. I replaced my urge for glucose with fructose. I made it so that next time I craved for something sweet, I craved for an apple.
I went for the less calorie. If you MUST go for a chocolate, you can always go for 100 calories than 500 calories. I learnt how to compare food to each other and I went for the less calories, less sugar, less carbonhydrate.
I made sure I ate at least 3 times a day. I made sure I was never hungry. I noted that if I kept myself hungry I sure would lose weight quicker but when I ended the diet and went back to my old eating habits, I would only gain all the weight back and maybe more of it.
I made sure my diet contained meat and vegetables. I never liked vegetables back then but I've come to realize that they are actually quite friendly with your body and health. I learnt to like them and enjoy them.
I didn't go to the gym because of my tight schedule but I walked a lot and didn't use public transportation for a long time. I noticed that when I walked I only arrived 5 minutes later than when I used the public transportation. It looks like public transportation is much quicker but waiting in the queue or waiting for the bus/train adds a lot to the time you spend.
When it was cold and I couldn't walk, I used the stairs. We live on the ninth floor so I just went upstairs and downstairs (2 times each). I did sit-ups and cycling, it also helps to tighten your body.
10 months later, now, I weigh 133 lbs, proudly. A year before, today, I would never dream to achieve it but it did. I know it wasn't always a sunny and happy period and I felt so on the edge sometimes but in the end, all was worth it.

Lessons & tips: -Learn how to eat. Eating a lot or not eating at all will never do you good in any period of your life. Have a little bit of everything and make it fun.
-Swap foods. Have a big red apple instead of an unsatisfying piece of chocolate. Have a plateful of lentils instead of half a hamburger. It always makes a difference and you'll notice it.
-Be patient. If the results don't show quick, don't give up. At least you would be keeping your weight stable (which is much better than gaining weight). Keep experimenting with your body. Maybe you're doing something wrong. Start again. Try different methods.
-Get to know your body. Yes, it's yours. If you couldn't live without having sugar in your tea, let's try again and see it for yourself. Drink it without adding sugar. Now drink again. It's not that bad. Note down your eating habits and what your body wants. Keep swapping foods without upsetting your body and appetite.
Track differences. Watch your weight closely. Learn to appreciate even the littlest difference. Yes, 144 is always better than 145. 3 weeks later you'll be doting on the fact that 142 is better than 143. See? You were 145 once upon a time. Now you're 142. 142 is better than 145.
Keep it to yourself. You don't have to tell anybody. If people know that you're on a diet and keep reminding you, you may feel tense. Keep a diary. Take photos. Record tapes about what you weigh at that moment and how you feel. Use little stick notes and put them on your fridge. Make it personal. It's only about you and noone else. Take a full day to go shopping, buy your food carefully.
Don't think about it. Don't get obsessed over it. Try to keep yourself busy with other things until the lunchtime. Always keep something harmless with you. Like an apple, a glass of orange juice, water, your favourite salad. Try to get through the day with as big benefits as possible.
Be happy. It's your body.

Jan 11, 2009, 06:47AM PST | 12 comments | 26 cheers