Carmen before and after her 80-pound weight loss.

I’m Carmen, and I’m thrilled to “meet” you!  I’m new to DietsInReview, in the position of Chief Mom.  I’d like to share my story with you, since, right now, you are probably wondering just who in the heck I am and why do I feel qualified to talk diet/exercise/weight loss/raising a family.

For most of my childhood, I was the skinny one.  Now, that doesn’t mean I was thin – just that I was the thinnest one.  It helped that I was very serious about my ballet classes, and training for four hours a day, five days a week doesn’t leave you much time to put on weight. Then I got married.  Then I had six kids.  With each child, I didn’t gain much weight during the pregnancy, but after, I rapidly put on the poundage. Every so often, I’d try to lose weight, and it never worked. I’d end each diet the same – face down in a gallon of ice cream, depressed and disgusted. I just didn’t think I’d ever be able to lose weight and resigned myself to being The Fat Mom.

When my sixth child was two years old, my oldest daughter told me that she’d been teased at school for having a fat mother. Hearing that, coupled with our latest Christmas photos, clued me in to the reality that I really WAS fat. I made a New Year’s Resolution that I was GOING to lose weight, to succeed no matter what.

It was difficult – the hardest thing I ever did – but I was finally successful. All together, I lost 80 pounds. I’ve kept almost all of it off – I was recently sidelined with a major injury and I’ve gained back about 10 pounds, but it’s COMING OFF as soon as I can get back in the gym.  Maintenance is tough, probably harder than losing the weight – but I’m worth it.  You are worth it, too!  It’s been a very interesting journey, and I’ve discovered SO much about myself.  As one example, I’m moving towards my black belt in Muay Thai boxing – me, the former couch potato!

Over the next couple of weeks, I’m going to delve into the hows and whys of how I lost weight without using any fancy plans or purchased meals.  Stick with me – it promises to be a very interesting story! I can’t wait to share it with you!

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

Carmen Staicer’s Weight Loss Success Story