Encouragement from the Lean Plate Club

from the Washington Post:

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Success stories

Gain Inspiration From Others Who Have Lost Weight

Successful Loser

Erin J.P. Dybwad

Alexandria, Va.

Pounds Lost

73

Time to Do It:

1.5 years

Job:

Graphic designer

Personal:

29 years old, married

Maintained Weight:

Six months

Size Change:

16-18 to 6

Healthy Habits Added:

Cooking more from scratch; eating plenty of whole grains, especially bulghur wheat in place of rice; packing her own lunch instead of buying it.

Trigger Food:

Sweets, especially cookies and granola bars

Secret Weapons:

Running and signing up for races; sewing, crocheting and knitting at night so as not to eat.

What She Can't Live Without:

Running and ice cream.

Favorite Snacks:

Trader Joe's Fat Free Caramel Corn; buys large bag but measures into single servings to control portions.

Biggest Struggle:

Learning to eat only when hungry, not out of boredom.

Previous Weight Loss Attempts:

Struggled with weight most of life; joined Weight Watchers three times. "Third time was the charm," she says.

What Motivated Her to Succeed This Time:

Better appearance. "I hated how I looked."

Rewards Along the "Weigh":

Flowers for every five pounds lost and no deprivation. "There's no food that I don't eat," she says. But she is very careful about portion sizes.

Benefits of Weight Loss:

Being able to run half marathons, she's run four since October.

What She's Learned From the Lean Plate Club:

More about nutrition, especially the importance of whole grains, calcium and sodium. From the Web chats: food finds, healthy recipes including baked oatmeal and mindful eating.

BEFORE

AFTER