Stacie Brown swears by WW [1]. In a little more than a year and a half, the 30-year-old bride has dropped more than 55 pounds, and she's never been more excited about the way her clothes fit and how confident she feels in her workout classes. Like most fans of WW, Stacie loves that the program isn't a diet, but a healthy way of living [2]. She still enjoys her favorite foods, like Cheez-Its and kettle-cooked potato chips! And at 157 pounds, down from 213, it's safe to say that the plan is working for her. For more on her journey — including her favorite meals [3] — keep reading.
How Stacie's Journey Began
Some people have an "a ha!" moment that makes them want to change their lifestyle [5], while others come to that realization with time. For Stacie, it was the latter. "A few of my friends had been working out and eating healthier. Talking with them about the changes they had made me decide to lose weight," she told POPSUGAR. "One was on WW and explained how it worked, and I thought it sounded like a great place to start. It turned out to be an amazing lifestyle change for me."
One of the driving factors in Stacie's weight-loss journey is a very exciting one: her upcoming wedding [6]! It's more than just that for her, though. "Seeing the loss on the scale and the changes in the way my clothes fit has been a huge motivator," she said.
How Stacie Lost More Than 55 Pounds
Because WW isn't a diet [7] in the traditional sense, Stacie doesn't deprive herself of anything — she just makes healthy choices and eats in moderation. Her favorite meals include:
- Breakfast: a cup of coffee with a splash of creamer and either fruit, oatmeal, or a slice of wheat toast with peanut butter
- Midmorning snack: no-sugar-added peaches or some other fruit
- Lunch: a salad with mixed greens, chicken, apples, feta, and light raspberry walnut vinaigrette
- Dinner: chicken fajitas with light sour cream, fat-free cheese, and avocado
When she first started on WW, Stacie focused exclusively on changing her eating habits. After three months, she added cardio and weight training to her routine. "Recently I started doing the 30-Minute Circuit Express at Planet Fitness, and I really enjoy it," she told POPSUGAR.
Stacie's Advice For Those Just Starting Their Weight-Loss Journey
After months on WW, Stacie is a seasoned pro at navigating the program. Asked what advice she'd give others who want to lose weight, she had these bits of wisdom to share:
- Don't look at it as a diet. Instead view it as a lifestyle change.
- Every day is a new day, and indulging every so often is completely fine. If you have a cheat meal or even a cheat day [8], get back on track the next day.
- Don't eliminate the foods you love. You won't want to stick with it if you can't have the meals and snacks you enjoy.
- Modify your favorite meals to make them healthier.
- Surround yourself with positive and supportive people.