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Name: Lindsay Spaulding
Age: 31
Height: 5'7"'
Before Weight: 215 pounds
How I Gained It: I never cared about eating healthy or being active. My mom would beg me to do sports or work out, and I would say I was happy the way I am, and I had plenty of friends. I would eat anything I wanted: tons of bagels, pasta, pizza, candy -- carbs and more carbs!
Breaking Point: When I went to college, and realized that I still had never even kissed a boy. I was tired of the way I looked. A friend suggested I join the gym with her and said she would help me eat healthy.
How I Lost It: My friend cooked us dinner every night, like fresh meats, vegetables and salads. I still ate a few bagels here and there. I worked out five times a week. I pretty much only used the elliptical. I went to an all-women's gym, so they played female-friendly TV shows and movies. I would get on an elliptical and stay for as long as possible, sometimes up to two hours if I was into the movie. The most I could run until three years ago was 3.2 miles at one time, and I had never lifted a weight at all.
I managed to run a marathon in 2010. I had gained back about 35 pounds and was up to 187, after dropping to nearly 150. I was sick of it. I came too far to see it all slip away again, so I started running. That led to my marathon training. I lost 30 pounds in the process.
Today, I try to run whenever possible. I aim to run at least 15 miles a week. I also do Jillian Michaels' 30-minute DVD because it really helps me gain muscle. I'll also rotate in the elliptical or an interval workout on the treadmill. Sometimes I'll read a tabloid walking at 10 percent incline at about 3.2 on the treadmill. It's crazy how much you sweat doing that! Now, I try to always make my own food. I eat fruit, vegetables, chicken, turkey, salmon, eggs and Greek yogurt, pretty much on repeat. I barely ever eat out anymore because I know it means consuming excessive calories, even if I try to order healthy.
Every day is still a struggle to keep the weight off and to try to lose more weight. But, I constantly get to walk around with the feeling of being proud and accomplished. I've realized that it is so much better to eat healthy and strive to be the best you can be.
After Weight: 150 pounds. I am still trying to lose 20 more pounds. I am happy with how much progress I've made, but I'm still not completely satisfied.
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