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However, eating healthy is only part of a healthy living style, which is why I don’t call it a diet. It is not a temporary program with the yo-yo cycle effect, but a permanent lifestyle. The other important issue is exercising. At my 40s, I feel great, awesome, terrific, and all the positive adjectives you can add to feeling great.

Furthermore, I always have a motivational word when people ask me for help on how to lose weight. I understand the frustration of being overweight, hiding our bulges –better said—our fat under those big t-shirts or blazers. Sound familiar? Tell me about it, I’ve been there! I tried all kind of diets, miracle pills, diet creams, etc. Sure, I lost weight with those diets, but it was temporarily. After that fake illusion of losing few pounds, which are mostly water, I regained the weight back, until one day I had it.

Now, let me tell you my story … it was right on my daughter’s birthday--3 years ago-- when I took the firm decision to change my lifestyle. I remember it clearly. I was wearing a blue dress with white in the middle and heading to an Italian luncheon with some friends, where I also met Marinella, Michele, and Giuseppe who have seen my entire transformation. Then, I came back home to celebrate my daughter’s birthday and looked at the mirror, and for the very first time I did not like the person who was on the mirror. Wow! What a shocked! For the first time, I accepted I was overweight! Good thing is that I did not get depressed, but challenged myself to bring back the true Anna full of optimism and a healthy figure. I still have my photo with that blue dress, I use it as my before and after, to keep me motivated.

That was the beginning of my way to a healthy lifestyle. I joined the gym, and for the first 3 months, I did cardio at least 5 times a week for 1 hour in the elliptical. I did not deprive myself, but started researching online different methods to lose weight and understanding how the body functions. I also started watching programs on nutrition and the inspirational stories shown by Oprah Winfrey.

Gradually, I adjusted my exercise program to 4 times a week cardio and weight lifting every 2 days to tone my muscles and avoid stretch marks for losing weight excessively. Imagine, at 230 pounds, I could not do fast cardio exercises, so I started with home video exercises from none other than Richard Simmons. Those times were special for me. It was party time, exercising while dancing to the tunes of “I will Survive,” “Shake your Booty,” (this was my favorite part, therefore, thanks Richard!), “Born to be Alive,” or “It's My Party and I'll Cry If I Want To," until I went to Kathy Smith and Denise Austin cardio and fat burning exercises videos.

I wanted to lose weight naturally, enjoy meals, choose healthy options. And guess what? After 8 months, I DID it and have kept the weight off for 3 years without starving but eating every 3 hours healthy foods and exercising. I am still astonished how I deprived myself with crazy diets and not losing weight permanently, but playing the yo-yo diet game. Now, I eat, I enjoy food and still have a healthy figure. Whenever I grab a yogurt, almonds, or a protein bar, I enjoy each bit of it. For example, most diets forbid pasta, pizza, rice, and so on, but I eat those. Uhmmmmm The Secret? Simple, have small portions, not super size portions, and make sure to add protein too. My other secret to speed up my metabolism was discovering GREEN TEA. I prepare a pitcher for each day or have it as hot tea.

Moreover, I learned that when our blood sugar and insulin levels are high, our bodies shift into fat storing mode. All extra carbs or high carb meals influence our blood sugar and insulin levels. The option is to lower our insulin levels and the pancreas releases glucagon, which is a hormone that sets our bodies into fat burning mode by helping to convert body fat into energy. Wow! This was one of the best things I learned.

I also learned about nutritional supplements. For example, how delicious a protein bar is, instead of munching on many chocolate bars. I don’t need the empty calories, so I rather have a chocolate protein bar with less calories and more nutritional value. Don’t get me wrong, I still eat chocolates, but in small portions. As my friend Renato says, “Chocolates are not bad, after all, they are a good source of flavonoids.” Hence, that is my excuse when craving for a chocolate cake … I just need my flavonoids portion. Ha ha.

Currently, I enjoy motivating others to lose weight for their own good, not to please people. However, it is not a matter of forcing anyone to lose weight. That is a personal decision, to make and keep the commitment to lose weight and learn how to eat healthy. Thus, should someone ask you, “why do you eat healthy?” You will know what to reply. Take a look back at your old self and those gone pounds, while padding yourself on the back to congratulate you for having dared to reprogram yourself to lead a healthy lifestyle and said no to junk foods.

Now, you know my story. One of my greatest satisfaction is having the opportunity to motivate others on their resolution to lose weight. My best reward will be if you tell me, "Ok, Anna, if you could do it, so can I. I am ready to make and KEEP my commitment to lose weight for myself, not to please others, but for my own health. I am ready to break with the yo-yo cycle, learn to choose healthy food and exercise." Remember, your commitment is also my commitment, “Official! Overweight? NO MORE!” We can do it!

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Before starting any nutritional program, exercise or diet program, we advise you to consult with your physician.