I have been overweight most of my life.  I began putting on a lot of weight in my high school days.  I lost some of it in my mid-twenties but then started gaining it back in my late-twenties/early-thirties.  When I was younger I heard, "You have to count calories" but no one ever explained that losing weight is a matter of math.  About a year ago I was watching a fitness sales presentation and the saleswoman said, "You must burn 3,500 calories to lose 1 pound."  I decided then to do more research.  At the same time I began having knee pain and saw a specialist.  The doctor was very kind and mentioned to me that if I lost the excess weight I would not have the pain.  He gave me information about the Gastric Bypass surgery.  I attended an informational session at the Gastric Bypass Surgery center.  The experience was not positive a one.  When the doctor said to the room full of people, "You cannot lose the weight by yourself" I responded in my head, "Watch me" and made up my mind to do this on my own without the surgery.  From that date on I began researching nutrition further and how I could lose 1-2 pounds per week.  I made one change to my life at a time.

First I eliminated fast food from my daily breakfast routine (which dramatically reduced the number of calories I was taking in).  Next I added a small 100 calorie snack mid-morning (typically almonds).  On May 20, 2009 I began using EA SPORTS Active: Personal Trainer.  I liked the calorie counter and the variety of exercises.  I looked forward to working out with my trainer every day.  In addition, I began taking 15 minute walks during work 3-4 days each week.  I set a goal to lose 25 pounds every 4 months until I reach my goal weight.  I weigh myself once a week and keep track in a journal.  I also bought a computer program that allows me to track my food intake for total calories as well as sodium, fat, protein, etc.  On September 20, 2009 I met my goal of 25 pounds lost.

During September and October my weight loss slowed down and at times went up by a pound or two.  I was in the process of reviewing my calorie in/out take when the More Workouts game came out.  I immediately completed the first day workout but found that the exercises were not as challenging and the calorie burn was not as high (150 compared to 350 with the original).  I realized I would need to add more workouts to my routine.  I found the 30 minute step aerobics program on the game and have done that workout (fast program) 6 days a week ever since.  The challenge workouts have increased in their intensity and calorie burn but the step class is what I have stuck to every day.  I have found that working out first thing in the morning assures I get my exercise in no matter how my day goes.  I also have much more energy throughout the day. 

Since doing the step class 6 days a week I have lost another 19 pounds and am ahead of my schedule to lose the next 25 pounds by January 20, 2010.  My friends have all began noticing my loss and commenting on how good I look.  Some friends have begun making changes in their daily life to be healthier as well, even if they don’t have weight to lose they are taking better care of themselves.  That pushes me on to keep up my progress and remain a good example.

There is no doubt in my mind that EA SPORTS Active Personal Trainer has catapulted my weight loss efforts and that without it I would be where I have always been:  starting a routine but growing bored of it and returning to my old habits.

Now instead of thinking, "By now I could have lost x amount of pounds if I had only stuck with that routine I started so long ago" I say "Look how far I’ve come and on this schedule I will be even better in a month".  I have changed the way I think about weight loss and my personal health and now think in the future rather than regret the past.


Rachel Wiley
Age:  34
Goal Weight: 155
Weight to lose:  more than 100 pounds
Incremental Goal:  25 pounds every 4 months (average of 2 pounds per week)
Goals achieved thus far:  44 pounds lost since May 20, 2009