How a Roller Coaster Led Erin to Lose 117 Pounds

Meet Erin. She's 30 and lives in Florida. Happily engaged and recently promoted at work, she loves her life. She wakes up feeling great, rarely stops moving throughout her waking hours, and goes to sleep each night with a smile on her face. Life isn't perfect, but every day feels better than the last, she says.
 
Erin is so committed to this life that it's hard for her to remember what it was like before, when she weighed almost twice what she does now. When she had little energy to stay awake after work and all she wanted to do on her days off was sleep. When she was in excruciating pain from even the smallest physical efforts and walking around the block seemed like torture. When she looked in the mirror and didn't recognize the woman she'd become and didn't know how to change her life.
 
She wanted to marry the love of her life, raise babies together, and do all the fun things she could only watch from afar. When she moved to Florida from New Jersey, she was excited about the year-round sun, access to the beach, and all the theme parks and outdoor festivals. But most of the time, she stayed inside or came home early because she was tired and in pain. Life was passing her by, and she felt helpless. Looking back now on the day she decided to change everything, it feels like a dream—a nightmare—but she's grateful for it. Looking back, the worst day of her life was also among the best, because it was the first day of the rest of her life.
 
The harness was stuck. No matter what she did, Erin couldn't fasten the safety belt around her middle. She held her breath, sucked in her stomach, and tried wiggling in her seat. Her fiancé, JT, then tried, but to no avail. People were laughing and pointing, and the line was backing up. The roller-coaster operator came over to see what was wrong.
 
It was the day after Erin's longtime boyfriend had proposed to her, and they were at a Florida theme park to celebrate. The joy that hadn't left her face since he got down on one knee was replaced by fear and panic. Finally, it clasped.
 
Her humiliation turned to relief and then terror as the ride began. Was the harness secure? Would it hold her weight, or would she plummet to her death on what should have been a day of celebration? The ride lasted a mere three minutes, but every moment felt like an eternity. She held her breath, gripped her fiancé's hand, and prayed for it to be over. It soon was, and her giddiness returned, until they picked up the photos taken on the ride. Her stomach dropped as she looked at the woman in the photo. She knew she had gained weight, but really? That was what she looked like?
 
I look like a pillow stuffed into a wastebasket, she thought. Right then and there, she knew something had to change. She and JT wanted to start a family, but Erin asked herself, How can I take care of kids if I can't take care of myself?
 

At Sea World, the site of the fateful roller-coaster ride
After years of trying maple-syrup cleanses, all-meat fad diets, and every diet pill in the pharmacy, she was ready to lose the weight for good. No more quick fixes or searches for an instant cure.
 
This is it, she told herself. It has to be the right way. Nothing ever worked before because I didn't do it the right way.
 
"How to live a healthy life," she typed into her browser; she was not going to look into diets. SparkPeople.com popped up in her search results and she joined immediately. She got started on her new life and never looked back.

How Tina Lost the Weight--and How She's Keeping It Off

In 2010, Kristina (Tina) Davis (TINAJANE76) topped 210 pounds. Only in her early 30s, she felt much older--aches and pains were a fact of life. She decided to stop the yo-yo diet cycle once and for all. Today she's 90+ pounds lighter and an active member on the At Goal & Maintaining Team here on SparkPeople (some of her best tips are also shared in The Spark Solution, the new book from the experts and members at SparkPeople.com).

Read more of Tina's story at Huffington Post Healthy Living! Way to go Tina, and thanks for helping others along the way.

In the News: Are Baby Carrots Soaked in Chlorine?

A round-up of the most interesting and thought-provoking stories of the week.

Are Baby Carrots Soaked in Chlorine?
Have you seen the stories that say baby carrots are doused in chlorine? Turns out that's not exactly true. Watch/read this before you crunch.

Study: Fish oil's work against heart attacks limited
Bye-bye fish burps! A large study in Italy found that when it comes to heart health, fish is more effective than fish oil capsules, at least for those already on medications to prevent heart problems.

Bike Share Program Bars Overweight Riders In New York?
Should a bike share program be open to everyone--regardless of weight?  The NY community bike program bans riders over a certain weight because they say the bikes can only handle a certain amount. Do you think that's fair?

'The Spark Solution' Challenge Starts May 13

The Spark Solution, the new book from the experts and members at SparkPeople.com, is now available! To celebrate the launch, we are hosting an exclusive one-time "Spark Solution Challenge" on the site!

From May 13-27, everyone who has purchased The Spark Solution is invited to go through the comprehensive two-week program TOGETHER for added motivation and enthusiasm. The book's authors and contributors will be offering additional support and tips ONLY in the exclusive, official Spark Solution team during the challenge. Don’t have your copy yet? It’s now available in stores and online – hurry to get your copy before May 13!

Each day will have its own thread in the team, with additional motivational resources, more tips to make meal planning and workouts a breeze, and--the best part--support from those who are going through the program right alongside you. We will also send "reminder" SparkMails throughout the two weeks to help you stay motivated. 

Who's ready to get started?

SparkPeople on HuffPo Live Tonight at 5 EST

UPDATE: If you missed Stepfanie, you can watch the interview here.

Hi, SparkPeople! I wanted to give you a heads-up that I will be on Huffington Post Live today at 5 p.m. EST.

Tune in to watch me talk about how to break the bad habit of complaining--and why unleashing your negativity is actually bad for your brain.

I will speak with three other panelists for approximately 25-30 minutes.  Click here to listen/watch.


 

Poll: What's the Worst Diet Advice You Ever Heard?

We subscribe to a half-dozen health and fitness magazines, and most of the editors here receive daily and weekly email newsletters from dozens of healthy living sites. We walk the walk and talk the talk when it comes to health.

Whether it's celebrity interviews and workout secrets or the latest health news, we love finding stories to share with you.

Sometimes though, we're surprised by what we read. There's some plain old bad advice out there! Some of what we read really makes us want to scream!

The worst I've seen lately: Eat frozen peas and corn for a tasty, fiber-filled snack. I won't name names, but a popular magazine suggested that eating frozen veggies was a way to satisfy a craving. For what? Who craves frozen vegetables--still frozen?

They said: "The high-fiber and low-calorie-density combination means they're filling and satisfying, and the frozen part makes them interesting. They're firm, but not rock hard, and they melt in your mouth. "

Seems a little odd to me. Now I want to know: What's the worst diet advice you've ever heard?

How Shellie Lost 101 Pounds

About 101 pounds lighter, Shellie Austin (SHELLSBROOD) is now a Zumba teacher--and her story is featured  in the April 29 issue of FIRST for Women magazine. The magazine is on newsstands now.

We aren't going to give away the "good parts," but Shellie did share some behind-the-scenes pictures on her SparkPage blog.

Be sure to pick up a copy of FIRST for Women to read Shellie's story!
WooHoo, Shellie!

Read the First Reviews of 'The Spark Solution'--and Enter to Win a Copy

As you've likely seen and heard by now, SparkPeople wrote another book--and it comes out next week, May 7! We are pretty excited about it, but don’t take our word for it – read what some long-time SparkPeople members who received advance copies are saying about The Spark Solution. Plus, enter below for your chance to win a free copy!

"This isn't a diet like other diets. It doesn't promise to shed pounds with little effort, or 'burn fat' more than others. It's about teaching you to make healthy choices for life. Teaching you to think about what you're putting in your body, and eat for energy. It's about mindfulness. This is a handholding introduction to healthy living, and after you finish the (two week) plan, it arms you with the tools and resources to keep moving forward."  --DRAGONCHILDE, My new secret weapon!

"After reading the material my first initial reaction was two thumbs up. Bravo! I would consider this new book to be more of a survival guide rather than 'just another diet book.' If you are just starting out or trying to get your Spark back after a downturn in your journey, this book is for you! I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking to build or rebuild a solid foundation for their journey that will carry them through." --ON2VICTORY, My Review of The Spark Solution

"I love this book. It's life changing. It should be shouted from the mountaintops! In the first 2 weeks I lost 4 pounds! I love how the book talks in language we can relate to. It is like the authors are sitting right there with you, speaking directly to YOU.” –NIGHTSKYSTAR, Review of The Spark Solution!

"I would recommend this book to anyone trying to lose weight. I'm a big fan of baby steps and changing your lifestyle. After all, that's what helped me lose over 200 pounds.
My very favorite aspect of this book is its ability to list real simple changes, recipes, and workouts that a real person can do. It isn't about having that one last big meal, becoming perfect and getting on the wagon to cook and workout for hours on end. It's about taking healthy choices and making them a part of your life." ~INDYGIRL, "The Spark Solution..." Book Review

"This is very good stuff to know, whether you need to lose weight or not. Living healthy is for everyone! It is a book that anyone can follow and get results with, but especially if you are just beginning the program, or if you need a shake-up because you are on a plateau." –CASSIOEPIA, THE SPARK SOLUTION

Read more member reviews of The Spark Solution--and enter to win a copy.

In the News: Is the Western Diet Going to Kill Us?

The week's top healthy living stories, gathered by our editors.

Following a Western Style Diet May Lead to Greater Risk of Premature Death
Step away from the doughnut (and the steak, the white bread, and the whole milk)… they might be killing us, according to a new study. From Science Daily

10 Ways To Be Healthier In 10 Minutes Or Less
Who has time to spend hours figuring out how to get healthy? SparkPeople loves quick tips for healthy living--don't miss these. From Huffington Post Healthy Living

Don’t Fear the Fish: 7 Easy Ways to Cook Stuff With Fins
Even seasoned home cooks can feel like a fish out of water when cooking seafood. Dive right in and overcome your fear! From Fit Bottomed Girls

F.D.A. Issues Warning on Workout Supplement
If you take dietary supplements for weight loss or fat burning, read the labels (and reconsider!). The FDA is warning that some ingredients in certain products carry serious health hazards. From NYT.com

Study finds Americans sacrifice exercise time for food-prep time
The good news: We're spending more time cooking and prepping food. The bad news: We're using the time we should be spending on exercise in the kitchen. From HealthDay News

What Does 300 Calories Look Like?

Quality and quantity often face off in the battle of the bulge.

Do you choose the smaller, more calorie-dense meal or the larger, less calorie-dense meal?

Do you splurge on a cupcake or stick with your snack of yogurt, granola and berries?

What if we told you that you didn't have to choose? You can have it all--a filling, healthy meal--for only 300 calories! Read on to find out how choosing healthier, more nutritious foods--at home and away--means you can eat much more food and still lose weight.

10 Tips to Stay Safe and Comfortable in a Hot Yoga Class

Last month I subbed a couple of hot yoga classes. Confession: I am not a fan of hot yoga, as a teacher or a student. In addition to being hard on the environment (think of how much energy we use to artificially heat a room--thanks to one of my favorite teachers, Wendy Green, for instilling that in me!), hot yoga can be downright dangerous if you're not prepared. Some studios crank the heat above 100 degrees--and increase the humidity, too. (You want hot yoga, just come to Cincinnati!)

At the studio where I practice, the temperature frequently tops 85 degrees in summertime--that's with minimal air conditioning. If you pack a room full of people who are moving, sweating, and breathing, you'll create heat.

By the end of a practice, the windows are foggy, we're all soaked through, and our mats are dripping with sweat. That's my kind of hot yoga!

Hot yoga is a hot trend in the practice these days. Almost every studio offers a hot class of some variety, from Bikram to Moksha, vinyasa to yin. (One of the studio owners I work for confessed to me that she doesn't like or believe in hot yoga, but it's what students have requested.) And in summertime, almost every yoga practice can feel like a hot one.

Why hot yoga? Advocates say hot yoga facilitates stretching, increases range of motion, removes toxins, and promotes weight loss. It's true that it is easier to stretch warm muscles (and you should never stretch "cold" muscles), but whether hot yoga will lead to greater weight loss depends on the type of yoga you're practicing.

According to the American Council on Exercise, Hatha yoga (in the West, this has come to refer to slower-paced classes) burns about 150 calories an hour (and does not raise your heart rate enough to be considered a form of cardio), while vinyasa (faster-paced, flowing yoga) burns about twice that much. If you're losing pounds after each hot yoga class, it's likely water weight. (More on that later.)

Whether you practice naturally hot yoga as I do or practice at a studio that cranks up the heat, you'll want to be safe. (You might also want to read: "I Tried Hot Yoga" before you take a class.) Here are some tips to help:  

Survey: Tell Us What You Think about SparkPeople Radio

About six months ago, SparkPeople.com launched SparkPeople Radio, a premium on-demand radio show that lets you listen to our latest and greatest content anytime! This show is unlike anything we have done before, and we designed it with you in mind. Now, we'd like to know what you think about SparkPeople Radio so we can continue to provide you with the best, most motivating content possible.

Click here to take the survey.

$20 Food Showdown: Fast Food vs. Healthy Food

Budget constraints prevent many people from eating right.

"I can't afford to buy healthy food."
"Fruits and vegetables are too expensive."
"Grocery store prices are astronomical."
"It's cheaper to eat fast food."

We hear these "excuses" every day--and they're good ones. But we don't give up that easily and believe any excuse can be overcome. Today we're setting out to prove that healthy eating is possible on any budget.

We compared the cost of unhealthy foods from the drive-thru, freezer section and snack foods aisle to the cost of healthy foods. By making even one of these swaps, you can make room in your grocery budget for a few new healthy foods.

The photos below aim to show the diversity in healthy foods available. Prices may vary in your area (some items were on sale when we shopped), but we think you'll be shocked at how far you can stretch a buck at the supermarket when you buy healthy foods!

7 Hiking Essentials for Beginners

About six months ago, I moved from downtown Cincinnati to the rural mountains of Western North Carolina. I went from going out my front door and hitting the hot new restaurants to going out my front door and hitting the hiking trails. I've always liked hiking, but with so many trails, mountains, and places to explore surrounding my new home, I'm using the great outdoors as my personal grown-up playground far more often.

My hikes have all been a half day or shorter, so I haven't needed too much specialized equipment. However, I have accumulated a few items that have made hiking much more enjoyable for me. Today I'm sharing some of my favorites with you.


Camelbak
Water backpacks are a great way to haul your food and supplies on a hike while staying hydrated. This 50-ounce size is great for longer hikes, and there's a pocket to hold energy bars and your keys.


ExOfficio Women's Nomad Roll-Up Pant
Even if the day starts off sunny, you likely will need an extra layer or more coverage when you start your return trip. Roll-up pants are convenient and versatile--and more practical than the kind that zip off. (Who wants to risk losing a pants leg in the woods?)


Dakine Hip Pack
For shorter hikes, opt for a lumbar pack to stash a water bottle and all your necessities. These from Dakine are fashionable as well as functional.