Fit to the Finish: Diane's Inspirational Weight-loss Journey

One of the most interesting aspects of blogging on Snack Chat is that I get to discover other blogs and bloggers as I read up on the topics that I’m writing about. One of the most inspiring bloggers I've “met” is Diane (pictured below), who blogs at Fit to the Finish, sharing her weight-loss journey. She lost 150 pounds by making changes to her diet and getting into an exercise routine.  Diane recently shared with me some details of her journey, including how she still enjoys Frito-Lay snacks and other favorite foods as part of her healthy diet.  

Although she started her blog just this year, Diane has developed a group of faithful readers because she provides "how-to" advice in a simple, sensible manner.  She's not “preachy,” yet she effectively tells her story, offers encouragement and shares tips in hopes that her example will inspire others.

"After I lost 150 pounds, I started teaching weight-loss classes to help others by sharing my own weight-loss journey,” Diane told me.  “A number of years later, I decided to start blogging to reach a larger audience with my story. I think people relate to me because I'm telling a real story, and as I tell it, they realize I'm not perfect.

 But, through it all, I try to maintain a positive outlook and a positive relationship with food.  “For example, if I eat too much chocolate cake at one meal, I don't think of it as 'cheating.'  Rather, I think of it as one of many food 'choices,' in my day, and for my next meal, I’ll balance my choices by eating more vegetables.  I also remind my family that you can enjoy the foods you love -- you just have to eat them in moderation." 

I was glad to learn that Frito-Lay’s snacks played a role in Diane’s weight-loss success and continue to have a place in her family’s lifestyle today.  When she started dieting, Baked! Lay's became her snack of choice, and today, she buys Frito-Lay's 50-count multipack of single-serve snacks, which helps her teach her children that they can enjoy their favorite foods while being smart about portion-control.  She also gives high marks to the new flavor of SmartFood popcorn clusters, Peanut Butter Apple, which launched this summer.

The advice she offers readers on Fit to the Finish is consistent with Frito-Lay’s (and PepsiCo’s) ongoing commitment to developing better-for-you snack options –- and with a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine (that I blogged about) earlier this year that concluded: The key to weight loss is simple -- calorie reduction; and all foods can be part of a healthy diet, as long as they are consumed in moderation. Fit to the Finish was even selected as one of the top weight loss blogs by the You on a Diet blog community. No wonder she’s been so successful!

I hope you enjoyed “meeting” Diane here on Snack Chat, and because her story is most powerful when told in her own words, I recommend you visit her blog, Fit to the Finish. I asked Diane if she'd guest blog on Snack Chat, and she agreed.  So, stay tuned for the first of her guest blog posts next month, where she’ll share with Snack Chat readers some tips for back-to-school lunches and healthy on-the-go snacks. 

Comments

[Diane, Fit to the Finish]

Thanks so much for the nice interview! I'm looking forward to sharing more ideas next month!

[Weight Loss Guide]

Its nice that you have shared this giving us inspiration to also do it and be motivated and focused by doing it.

[Green Tea]

Look forward to reading more of your advice... Very inspirational.
Green Tea