BEFORE
AFTER
Carlos Leal lost 62 lbs!
Q&A
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What were your weight-control goals?
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60 lbs.
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What motivated you to lose weight?
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Well, first of all, health was a key issue here. About fourteen months ago I began to feel tired and dizzy. My doctor diagnosed me with high blood pressure, so he recomended that I watch my fat and sodium intakes and try to exercise a little more.
After the first 3 months I began to realize that the last couple of years I have been eating very unhealtily and that, along with my busy way of life, was making me gain not only pounds but years. I looked older that I was, so I said, "No Mas señor!!"
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What was your weight-loss method?
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I don´t really like those fad diets (or magic pills). I don´t believe in those tactics, so I took an old fashioned equation: reduce my calorie intake and increase the amount of daily exercise, simple as that.
I began to eat more fruits and veggies (either fresh or boiled), higher on proteins (eg. broccoli, baked beans and lentils with salsa).
Also, I opted to make chicken and turkey the main sources for animal protein, eating lean beef only a couple of days a week.
On the exercise aspect of my new habits, the first months I walked 20 to 30 minutes a day, and as I got more energy I began to jog for about 20 minutes or walk 45 minutes everyday.
Discipline is essential here. My waist size was 36 and now is 31.
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What were some obstacles you encountered while losing weight?
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To be honest, the hard thing was changing my old habits, both exercising and eating. Everytime I saw a Big Mac, the 'old Carlos' was saying "come on, one more is not that bad...."
My family and girlfriend were very, very supportive.
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What tips do you have for others who are trying to lose weight?
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First of all, know what you´re eating, in terms of calories, fat, carbs and all of the things that you see in those "Nutritional Facts" labels. CalorieKing.com´s Diet Diary is a great tool for that, don´t hesitate to get it.
Then do some exercise everyday (watching baseball on your couch don´t count as exercise...), even sundays, discipline is a good thing. And avoid alcohol in great amounts, not only it is filled with calories, but it motivates you to eat a lot of unhealthy snacks.
Everytime that you are tempted by a greasy unhealthy food, think of how good you´re going to look and feel if you eat in a healthier way; remembering this may help you avoid the urge to eat bad: cheeseburgers are round and heavy, carrots and celery are thin and lightweight...
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How do you feel now that you've lost weight?
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I have a lot more energy and am much much more confident in myself.
I must say that I feel younger...
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How have the products or services offered by CalorieKing assisted you in your weigh-loss journey?
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As I said before, CK´s Diet Diary for my Palm was a great tool. Believe me, it is money well invested.