Success Spotlight

Cheer, Connect, Celebrate

Losing the baby weight

picture of Leah
Leah Klinger, Los Altos, California
Goal: Lose 10 pounds
Reward: $150 for new jeans
Team: 15 friends & family

When I had my first child last year, I was overjoyed.

About a year later, I still hadn’t lost the baby weight. I’d just finished nursing my daughter and still had some extra pounds to shed. There were no more excuses: it was time to get back to my pre-baby body (what I call my "fighting weight").

So I started a HealthRally goal: to lose 10 pounds in three months.

Initially, I joined several workout classes and started to lose weight. Then, I suffered a setback, straining a muscle in my back. I didn’t think I could achieve my goal. But I couldn’t give up; I didn’t want to let everyone down, especially myself.

My HealthRally supporters rallied together, giving me tips on everything from diet to low-impact exercise. Women from my playgroup offered to go walking with me. I started counting calories and became more vigilant about what I was eating.

All these little things paid off. The extra pressure really motivated me to continue; with my friends and family behind me, losing the weight was easier than I thought it would be. When my three months ended, I had achieved my goal! I bought some new clothes with the reward money to celebrate my new size.

Now, I’m trying to lose another five pounds. Once you know you can reach a goal, you know that you can reach another one.