Photos courtesy of Pamela Jackson
Name: Pamela Jackson
Age: 45
Location: Los Angeles
Height: 5’4”
Before: 260 lbs.
After: 147 lbs.
What was the turning point that prompted you to lose weight?
One day, at the age of 41, I walked past a mirror and thought, “I do not recognize myself anymore.” My healthy and happy self was trapped inside of a body that I wanted out of.
When did you start trying to lose weight?
The first time I remember trying to lose weight was in junior high. I was able to slim down by drinking weight-loss shakes or skipping meals. However, I soon gained the weight back plus more – by my mid-twenties, I was up to 260 pounds. I would try to lose 10 pounds for an event by using fad diets (lemonade cleanse, cabbage soup, or no-carb diets), but I would always gain the weight back right after the event. In August 2011, I decided to try again and not give up this time. I realized that losing and maintaining weight is a lifestyle change, not just a temporary diet.
How did you get started?
I decided to not go on another fad diet and instead educated myself on proper nutrition. I also decided that instead of staying in the office on my lunch break, I would get up and take a nice walk. At first, I could only walk for a block or two before feeling out of breath. By April 2013, I completed a 5k walk for autism!
Related: The 10 Foods You Need to Lose Weight in 2015
What was your biggest challenge?
Portion control. In the past I would eat until I was really full and didn’t pay attention to how many calories I was consuming. Learning proper portion control and keeping a list of how many calories I was eating each day played a big part in my weight loss.
Were there any times when you wanted to quit or give up? How did you stay motivated?
I wanted to give up almost every day for the first month or two! My sugar cravings were pretty hard to overcome at the beginning. Every day I would have sugar withdrawals. At first I didn’t know what to do; I would have a piece of hard candy to help. But I quickly learned that a healthy snack like an apple with a small amount of peanut butter worked perfect. When I wanted to give up, I thought about how many times I had given up in the past and knew that I did not want to give up again.
Related: 46 Pounds Lost: A Picture on Facebook Motivated Erica to Get in Shape
If you reached a weight loss plateau, how did you break out of the rut?
I would take longer walks or change my calorie intake. If I adjusted my calorie intake, I would make sure I did not go below the amount recommended for my height and current weight.
What’s your current exercise routine?
I enjoy walking and jogging. I continue to walk on my lunch break or after work. On weekends I walk and jog. I would love to start taking Zumba classes.
What’s your daily diet look like?
I love a high-protein breakfast (egg whites and lean meat) and a granola bar for my morning snack. For lunch I usually have a salad or a hearty soup. Greek yogurt and fruit is my favorite afternoon snack. Lean meat and veggies with a small amount of steamed rice or a baked potato is always a nice and easy dinner. I also make over my favorite recipes into healthier ones that I can cook at home.
https://www.yahoo.com/health/113-pounds-lost-pamela-kicked-the-extra-pounds-108739742613.html
