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'I didn't want to wait for something bad to happen'

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Published: June 22, 2011

Updated: 06/22/2011 02:15 pm

Rita McCarty, 54, Plant City

HEIGHT: 5-foot-5

STARTING WEIGHT: 236

CURRENT WEIGHT: 135

WHY I DID IT: I hadn't always been heavy -- maybe 15 or 20 pounds overweight -- but in January 2009 on the doctor's scale, I hit an all time low, or I should say, high: 236 pounds. What had I done to myself?

I knew. I'd gradually put on 70-plus pounds over the five years that my grandson had been living with me. Hurried school nights led to hurried dinners of corn dogs and French fries or tater tots – with ketchup, of course (can you say "spoonful of sugar"?). Not so balanced. I didn't want him to develop the same sweet tooth I had, so no dessert. So I waited until he was in bed and had my dessert, curled up in my corner of the couch. I filled my mouth with countless calories, carbs and fat.

I could barely bend over to tie my shoes without cutting off my own oxygen supply. There was not even a thought of walking up, or down, the stairs. I was exhausted at the end of a day.

I knew I was lucky so far in having no health issues, but I didn't want to wait for something bad to happen. There was a smaller person inside begging to get out.

HOW I DID IT: I saw Dr. Oz on TV talking about diet and exercise, and he said, "Name three foods you'll give up and three good foods to replace them." I did that. And over several shows I made notes of the amount of what he said you should have and the no-nos you should eliminate. I started reading every label. And then the easiest thing ... I just didn't put bad foods in my shopping cart.

That wasn't hard at all! It was so freeing! Why had no one said that before?

But I needed to do more. I kept a food list of everything I ate and the nutritional info that I cared about: carbs, sugar, fat, etc.

I'm a terrible water drinker. The doctor suggested Crystal Light and it worked. Eventually I weaned myself off that and didn't even realize it! I was drinking plain water!

I was too embarrassed to even go to the fitness center at work. I lost 50 pounds before I joined, and then I started going every morning. Last June, my high school held a '70's-decade class reunion, and I needed to step it up. So I started going to the gym before and after work. Things were moving then, and I was feeling more energetic and happy with myself.

The weight never just fell off. My body loved those pounds and fought to keep them. So I felt discouragement, but I wondered if I stopped this time, what would happen to me then?

A year ago in December, I discovered the best secret for me: sweet mini peppers.

I'd never heard of them, but after my very healthy sister added them to a salad, that was it. I was addicted!! I started having a handful during the day at work, then more, then more each day ... eating them in place of everything else I shouldn't eat. They are sweet like apples fresh out of the fridge and took away my sugar cravings. I am a grazer and could have easily eaten a bag of Hershey's Kisses without any thought, but instead I grazed on peppers all day long. It was great!

They call me the pepper lady at work and at my doctor's office, and many people eat them now. I eat a bag a day and have never tired of them. I have grilled salmon or chicken every night. I still try to eat this way since hitting my goal in November, so I can eat whatever I want when the opportunity comes up.

I hit my goal weight of 150 in November 2010, but I wanted to give myself a little space. I decided to shoot for 135. I dropped from a size 20 to a 4. I'm still in shock! (But loving every minute!)

HURDLES: Sometimes it was like pulling teeth. I'd just stop losing ... so I'd get back in the gym twice a day and push myself to get going again. There were tears. Many tears. But I had to do this for me. I had to really check myself and see where carbs were coming from, was I drinking all of my water, and what did I need to change to get moving again. Sometimes there were no answers, which was very frustrating and made it really hard to stay on track. I definitely had my cheating times. I really wish someone had stopped me and said, "Do you want to spend over a year to get this weight off, or do you want to see the smaller, happy you waiting on the other side, NOW?"

One of my favorite, well-used sayings is, "Nothing taste as good as being thin feels." This kept my hand from picking up many a candy bar in the checkout line or ice cream from the store freezer. Now I say, "Nothing tastes as good as being a size 4 feels," and I walk by the distraction without any problems.

GOING THE DISTANCE: It has been six months, and I just have to look in the mirror to see what I've done. I know I don't ever want to go back.

BEST ADVICE: It won't get any easier and you aren't getting any younger. Do it now, whatever it is, just start something. The change in attitude, happiness and confidence are all just overwhelming. I wish I could have felt that sooner. And I wish that for anyone thinking about losing weight.

I Lost It is a regular feature highlighting individual weight loss success stories and does not reflect the opinions of 4you, which encourages you to work with a physician or a nutritionist before embarking on a diet. To share your story, visit TBO.com,

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