On Jan. 2, 2010, Brandy Alles made herself a promise she intended to keep, a vow to get healthy. At 25 years old, her weight had soared to 241 pounds, a considerable amount for her 5’4” frame. Her dress size teetered between an 18 and a 20 and many of her meals were consumed at the Chick-fil-A drive through after a hard day’s work. Snacks to curb her hunger often came from a vending machine. The athletic soccer player and Marietta native had no idea how she got to that place so quickly.
“Since all my friends told me I have a pretty face and I didn’t own a scale, I honestly didn’t think I was that overweight,” said Alles, a 27-year-old marketing coordinator at Kimley-Horn in Midtown.
It wasn’t until she had a frank heart-to-heart with her doctor that she realized it was time to take control. So she made a New Year’s resolution to shed the pounds. Her roommate had lost 30 pounds for her wedding by joining Weight Watchers, so Alles decided to join, too.
Complementing her new lifestyle with exercise, Alles now tips the scale at 140 pounds and boasts a size 4/6, but it wasn’t an easy journey.
It’s common knowledge that the way to lose weight is to burn more calories than you consume, but it’s sticking to a weight loss program that is the challenge, Alles discovered.
Personal trainer Thomas Mitchell of Iron City Fitness has been working with clients in the metro area for 17 years and he says that losing weight is “often as much of a mental challenge as it is physical.” He recommends setting long-term goals and making a pledge to get fit to make a successful lifestyle change.
“Everyone has their own reasons for getting into shape; maybe it’s to look good for a certain function or perhaps it’s for more serious health concerns,” said Mitchell, who lives in Conyers. “But you’ve got to get off that couch and start moving; that’s the only way.”
Mitchell’s clients include a 26-year-old yoga instructor, a famous hip hop artist and a 92-year-old grandmother.
“Though they’re all so different, they share the common goal of wanting to take care of their bodies for life,” said Mitchell. “And everyone falters every once in a while; we’re only human. One of my clients loves cookies and ice cream, so she just knows that she has to work that much harder but accepts that sacrifice.”
Alles agrees and says that allowing for the occasional luxury and not depriving herself of foods she loves was vital to her success.
“If I want a cheeseburger, I have it. I just can’t have the fries and the shake, too,” she said.
Dietician Susan Nicholson, a syndicated columnist and author of “7 Day Meal Planner for Dummies,” said one of the biggest mistakes people trying to lose weight make is expecting to lose too much too soon.
“It’s very important not to call it a diet but rather a lifestyle change,” said Nicholson of Atlanta. “Make the mental commitment to yourself that this is what you’re going to do and set realistic goals.”
Alles admits that she was tempted to quit numerous times and was frustrated if she went a week and didn’t see much change in the scale.
“What kept me motivated is my health. Every time I want to give up and just eat an entire box of cookies, I remind myself that I’m doing all of this so I can be healthier and live longer,” said Alles. “It’s not just a number on a scale, it’s my life and I only get one body so I need to start taking better care of it.”
Alles used motivational quotes as a tool to keep her on track, posting them on her refrigerator, dresser, bathroom mirror, desk at work, and even as the background on her cell phone screen.
Holly Iftner, manager of wellness and work life at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, helps the organization’s 7,800 employees maintain healthy lifestyles. She recommends sharing weight loss goals with others.
“We help our employees create an overall wellness vision for life,” said Iftner. “We’ve found that making your goals public and looking for inspiration in others can often result in long-term success.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a third of the adult population is obese. So those on a weight loss journey are in no way alone.
“Don’t think of climbing the mountain; think of making it to the first rest stop,” said Nicholson. “Have faith in yourself and treat yourself with a non-food reward when you reach the goal.”
Later this month Alles will celebrate her 100-pound milestone and will become a Weight Watchers lifetime member. She said she’ll celebrate with some new clothes and a massage, not a huge meal. Slow and steady, once again, wins the race.
SIDEBAR: Mental strategies for losing weight
Set realistic goals
Look for inspiration in others
Celebrate successes with non-food rewards
Keep a food journal
Don’t get into a mental battle with food; if you want something, eat it – just be prepared for the consequences
Remove unhealthy foods from your cupboards
Prepare healthy meals for the entire week ahead of time
At a party, order club soda and don’t hover around the food table
Buy a scale
If you have a bad week, don’t beat yourself up; tomorrow is another day
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