Trish Lewis Lost 215 Pounds

BY KATE SCHWAB

Name: Trish Lewis, 41

Location: Roanoke, VA

Worst of times: 450 pounds

Best of times: 235 pounds

My turning point: When I broke my back and was confined to bed, I gained a tremendous amount of weight. Once I got back on my feet, I knew I had to make a change.

My slim-down techniques: Controlling my food portions and trying to limit calories to 1,300 per day. I also use food and exercise logs to keep track of my daily progress.

Kept the weight off: Two years, so far.

My best motivator: Watching half my body weight come off! I now keep pictures of myself at different weights as a reminder of how far I’ve come.

My greatest temptation: Chocolate cake. Although I still eat it (sometimes), I watch my calories the rest of the day.

My favorite diet food: A strawberry-banana smoothie made with tofu. Just blend a 1/2 cup of strawberries, half of a banana, a 16-ounce package of silken tofu and add until smooth.

My snacking tips: Keep a plate of cut-up carrots, broccoli and cucumbers on the kitchen counter while cooking. That’s when I feel most like nibbling.

My exercise routine: I walk four miles every day and swim for about 45 minutes a few times a week. When the weather’s bad, I’ll also strength-train at home.

Slim-down advice: Be willing to change your eating habits, watch your food portions and get lots of exercise.

The payoff: My health. I have so much more energy now. I feel like I did when I was in my 20s!