How Cathy Took Off 102 Pounds

By Carolina Diaz-Bordon
eDiets Staff Writer
Desire led Cathy C. to get healthier. Determination and commitment continue pushing her toward her goal.

It's been five months since eDiets last spoke with this stunning slimming sensation, who's been maintaining her incredible 102-pound weight-loss following the Glycemic Impact Diet

In this eDiets exclusive, Cathy sheds light on the ups, downs and all-arounds of what it truly takes to attain lasting success in weight loss.

"I had to work really hard," she says. "Sometimes, it's still hard but the alternative is much harder to live with. So I just keep going and keep doing what I need to do to stay healthy and maintain this healthy level. There's just no going back for me!

"I continue to use all the support that I can get from eDiets support boards and the experts that are available to me and it makes all the difference in the world."

Out of more than 20 different meal plans Cathy had to choose from on eDiets.com, the one that she felt fit her lifestyle best was the eDiets the Glycemic Impact Diet

, also known as the the Glycemic Impact Diet Plan. The plan proved to be her perfect fit. The delicious array of balanced foods in the plan kept her from feeling deprived or bored.

"I can eat food from all major food groups," Cathy raves. "I really like that part. It's very realistic and flexible. You can make a good meal wherever you are. It is also very easy to follow once you get the hang of it. It's a way of eating that you can stick with for the rest of your life."

While Cathy has already gone through a major transformation after shedding almost half her body weight, she is still working hard to reach her ultimate goal weight of 130 pounds.

"Probably the biggest challenge in maintaining has been the way other people treat my weight loss," she tells eDiets . "All along in my weight loss, it was OK that I was eating smaller portions and following a healthy diet plan because I was doing it for myself and for my health.

"At this point, now that I've gotten to a healthy weight and a healthy size, people think I should loosen up and 'live a little'... that kind of thing. I think it's just a lack of understanding; it's not a temporary diet plan. I think people that have never been in a situation like that don't necessarily understand it."

There's no doubt that this determined 30-year-old does understand what it takes to succeed. She has come a long way from her terribly overweight days and horribly low self-esteem.

Cathy works out at the gym five to six days a week, plays softball two nights a week, joined the Remarkable Runners support board and started running more. She's also ready to get back to one of her favorite pastimes: rock climbing.

"Out of all the support boards, the one that really got my fitness level going was the Fitness for You board," she notes. "I have been with them for a long time, and they have helped me through some very hard times. I just feel like they are kind of like my extended family and Raphael (eDiets' chief fitness pro) has been really vital to my success so far."

Going from a stagnant size 24 to an energized size 8 has had a tremendous impact in all areas of Cathy's life.

"I don't eat for comfort or for stress anymore," she says. "I used to treat myself to something when I had a really good day or a really bad day. What it really comes down to is 'that's life.' There is always going to be something going on, good or bad. I still enjoy food but it doesn't have the same meaning to me."

Instead of food controlling her life, this Maryland resident has taken the reins in many areas of her life.

"I am willing to try new things," she says. "I am constantly surprising myself and I love that feeling. I just have more confidence in my relationships with other people, and more confidence on the job. I feel like a new person inside and out."

No matter if you're starting off, continuing, maintaining or have already reached your desired goal weight, there is one piece of advice Cathy says will work to keep you at the top of success for the rest of your life.

"Everybody makes mistakes. You have to just learn from that and move on. But if you give up, you're not learning anything, you're just giving up on yourself, and you can't do that because you'll never get to where you want to be."

The health and fitness pros at eDiets can show you how to combine exercise and nutrition to get the best results. This is what you've been looking for. You will need to make the commitment, but isn't it time to finally take care of you? Visit eDiets to get started.

Carolina Diaz-Bordon is a writer specializing in diet success, beauty and relationships.