Lacey Renee Fithian, as told to Emily Shiffer

<p>My weight issues began very early on. As early as elementary school, I struggled with eating disorders. I would hide food in my closet and under my bed. I regularly <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a30781043/keto-bodybuilding-binge-eating-sugar-addiction-weight-loss-success-story/" id="149b59ef-d377-329c-adc2-5c9d39a3068f">  binge ate </a> in secret. I was much heavier than all of my classmates, and I was bullied terribly for being overweight throughout my school years and into my early adult years. I had trouble finding clothing in my size.</p>

<p>My mother tried so hard to help me to lose the weight and get healthy by signing me up for numerous diet plans. Plans worked short term, but I didnt maintain the results. I had the mindset that I would never change and food would always have power over me. Thinking this way pushed me even deeper into my illness. </p>

<h1> As an adult, I built a very unhealthy routine of going through a fast food drive-thru first thing in the morning.  </h1>

<p>Before work, I would go through the drive-thru and order as much food as possible. Then, I would pull over in the parking lot or somewhere unseen and eat it all. This horrible cycle affected my ability to work and live a decent quality of life. I was literally living just to eat. </p>

<p>I began avoiding the doctor because I was always lectured on good food habits and exercise. I was warned that my weight was becoming dangerous for my stature, and I would do some irreversible damage to my body if I didnt make a change. But that didnt stop me. </p>

<p>I had a long list of health issues, many of which I thought stemmed from being overweight. The most notable issues were <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a27090546/how-to-cope-with-depression/" id="c2c5afaf-4895-38b7-a025-1c5d9360a457">  severe depression </a> , <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a23133075/signs-of-anxiety-disorder/" id="a41f8f70-e035-31e3-a6bf-5a86390eb614">  anxiety </a> , chronic hives, fatty liver disease, and endocrine issues. Most of my conditions required strong medications like hormone medications, steroids, and antidepressants. My weight also caused debilitating <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/g18056423/exercises-for-lower-back-pain/" id="49a99afa-4956-3f16-a612-02504e6b1662">  back pain </a> and fluid in my knees. My entire system was overloaded from the level of neglect I had subjected it to. I was constantly in pain and uncomfortable.</p>

<p>Instead of changing my ways, though, I used food to console myself. At 32 years old, I was at my heaviest weight of 285 pounds.</p>

<h1> My turning point came on December 23, 2017. My toddler was tugging at me to get up, and I just couldnt do it.  </h1>

<p>I was 32 years old, and I woke up in the morning groggy and in pain. It hit me like a ton of bricks that I had finally hit rock bottom. I had eaten myself into a black hole over the holidays and felt absolutely run down. Everyone around me was setting <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/a22871960/new-year-resolution-ideas/" id="e11988ea-aedd-3498-ae04-2a7e240acdd6">  New Year's resolutions </a> and talking about the changes they hoped to make in the new year. I hadnt thought twice about my future until that moment.</p>

<p>I depended on a heap of medications to keep myself semi-functional. I couldnt keep up with my kids and had withdrawn from society. I wasnt exercising and I was on my way to a heart attack. Metabolic syndrome was kicking in on top of everything else. To be honest, I'd just had enough.</p>

<h1> I needed to find a diet that would work for the long term.  </h1>

<p>I had tried just about every restrictive diet out there and it never worked. The more I restricted myself, the more I wanted to binge eat. I needed something that wasnt just a diet; I needed a mindset and lifestyle change. </p>

<p>It came down to me becoming my own food detective. I focused on <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a31484574/low-carb-diet-portion-control-sleep-apnea-hiit-weight-loss-success-story/" id="d92ab72a-0f18-325e-a4a9-b7735b7fbe24">  portioning my plate evenly </a> and making sure that all the foods I chose were nutrient-dense and not empty calories. I wanted my calories to be worth it and work for me, not against me.</p>

<p>I also started tracking everything. I used to dread tracking my meals and weighing myself because I didnt want to admit I had a serious problem. But once I began tracking my weight, my water intake, my mood, and everything I ate (down to the condiments, dressings, and seasonings!), I was able to get a clear picture of what was working and what wasnt.</p>

<ul><li> <strong> Breakfast: </strong>  One slice of whole grain toast with 2 tbsp. of avocado on top, along with a quick scramble that consists of one egg, two egg whites and 1/4-cup cottage cheese. </li><li> <strong> Lunch: </strong> I switch back and forth between two favoriteseither an open-faced turkey sandwich with toppings like Dijon mustard, lettuce, tomato, and red onion and a ton of cut veggies on the side; or a large romaine salad with toppings galore, like chicken, red bell pepper, red onion, tomato, cucumber, celery, carrots, finished off with some toasted pumpkin seeds, feta cheese, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kens-Steak-House-Balsamic-Vinaigrette/dp/B00KHA8A2S">Kens Steakhouse Lite Balsamic Vinaigrette</a> . </li><li> <strong> Snacks: </strong>  Nonfat Greek yogurt and berries, along with carrot sticks and cucumbers. </li><li> <strong> Dinner: </strong>  Lean protein with a vegetable side, like chicken sausage and mustard-roasted vegetables. </li><li> <strong> Dessert:  </strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Enlightened-Protein-Low-Sugar-High-Fiber-Low-Vanilla/dp/B079VHRHT3">Enlightened ice cream</a> . </li></ul>

<h1> I made sure to move my body every single day for at least 30 minutes.  </h1>

<p>I began with walking and <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/a28940942/swim-workouts/" id="d799b9ac-ca84-3346-ab6a-9ddf1766bd70">  swimming </a> at my heaviest weight and gradually worked my way up to more strenuous work, like <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/a19921190/hiit-yoga-workout/" id="16955c4f-42ff-3958-a06a-9cda437d3589">  yoga </a> and <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/a28512927/what-is-cross/" id="4818a0a9-bf51-3d38-a2fe-5dc877b60e65">  cross training </a> .</p>

<p>Now I work out at home using an on-demand fitness streaming service, where I can pick and choose a program that works for me. I typically do a structured program that is a certain length, like eight weeks or so, and each day the workouts focus on a different area, with at least one day of <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/a22995307/cardio-exercises/" id="a2a81657-e0cf-3499-a9de-1a5c5a403823">  all cardio </a> . I work out in the mornings at least five days a week, and my workouts range anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour.</p>

<p> I like that there's no guessworkyou just follow the videos. I have lost most of my weight this way, and the convenience of it has helped me stay on track. I dont have to pack up myself and my three kids to go work out. </p>

<h1>  Ive lost 150 pounds total, and it took two years to reach my goal weight of 135 pounds.  </h1>

<p>By committing to myself, Ive been able to reverse the damage that was done to my body and eradicate the illnesses that plagued me for so long. I am virtually pain-free and I no longer depend on a plethora of medications to get me through the day. I take <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/food/g19961434/vitamins-and-nutrients-for-women/" id="2fcca2e2-2f89-38b4-a240-87168dd8cf77">  vitamins </a> and thats it!</p>

<p>Gone are the days of binge eating and trying to fill a void with food. I have learned how to properly eat to fuel my body and exercise to improve my overall health and well-being. Im 34 years old, and I feel better and younger now than I did in my 20s. My journey isnt over, its just beginning. This isnt a short-term goal for weight lossits a lifestyle change.</p>

'Portion Control Helped Me Lose 150 Lbs.'

<strong> My name is Lacey Renee Fithian ( </strong> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lacey.fithian/" id="f9239fbe-61df-39bb-a16e-28cf30801dde">  @lacey.fithian </a> <strong> ), and I'm 34. I live in California and I'm a mother and wellness coach. After struggling with binge eating for years and reaching 285 pounds, I decided to start tracking my food intake and working out with an at-home fitness streaming service. I feel younger now than I did in my 20s.  </strong>

'I Overcame Binge Eating By Practicing Portion Control And At-Home Workouts—And I Lost 150 Lbs.'

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Lacey Renee Fithian, as told to Emily Shiffer

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'I Overcame Binge Eating By Practicing Portion Control And At-Home Workouts—And I Lost 150 Lbs.'