Dropping 79 pounds is enough to make anyone smile

Erin L. knows the truth behind what it takes to maintain lasting weight loss. Instead of deciding to just lose weight, she made up her mind to transform her life. The last time eDiets caught up with her, she shed some light on what it took to lose an incredible 79 pounds. In this eDiets exclusive, the 5-foot-8 inspiration explains how she managed to stay commitment to being healthy and keep herself in good physical shape despite moving to the other side of the world.

I Lost 79 lbs, Found a New Life!
Check out our smiling featured success, Erin L... Dropping 79 pounds is enough to make anyone crack a smile, but Erin is overjoyed because she lost the weight, then found a great new life.

Since the day Erin decided to make health a priority in her life, she's gone full force to make it happen. She took advantage of all the tools eDiets offers.

"I've been with eDiets for almost four years now. What's really kept me going is the support," Erin said. "Knowing that if I can't figure out what I want to make for dinner, I can just pull up eDiets and find a recipe that's healthy and good, has made all the difference. It's the same for exercise, I ca

n always go to the fitness part or I can go to Raphael (eDiets' Chief Fitness Pro) and email him.

"eDiets has so many tools that are just really great. I can call nutrition support if I need help with my calories or I can call fitness support or use the online chat meetings."

One thing this super sexy mother-of-two is not afraid of is a good challenge. She not only is an active member of the support boards, but also is involved in a variety of eDiets challenge.

eDiets has great ways for you to eat healthy, lose weight and take control of your health. With our 24/7 online support, we're there whenever you need us for inspiration and support. Get help losing weight with eDiets.com

"I moderate the Close to Goal board. I also moderated and ran a team with the Low Carb challenge, which is now Healthy Carb challenge, and I've gone back to the Ultimate Challenge to help my friend out. I'm also part of the Ladies in Waiting on the creative challenge."

Throughout her journey, she's faced countless obstacles, all of which played a major part in her incredible transformation. Her participation in the challenges reflect her will to stay at the top her game. Currently, she's taking on one of the hardest she's ever had to face, moving to Southeast Asia.

"The lifestyle here is very different from that of the United States. At first, sticking to my plan was difficult because in the states the government, FDA, requires nutrition labels," notes Erin, "whereas here it's not required, which makes it really hard to choose food here.

"One of the first things I did when I moved here is have someone teach me how to read the nutrition labels in the Thai products that do have them so that I could make better choices."

Erin is not afraid to admit that adjusting to her new home has taken some getting used to. The stress of moving and having her routine messed up as well as being disconnected to her friends and family did lead her through some occasional downs, and it temporarily sent her back to her old reliance on food and emotional eating.

Even though her weight has fluctuated a bit, she called on her eDiets comrades for support and continued on, following the same winning formula that had worked in the past. And she never quit. Although, she admits, it's taken some major trial and error.

"A lot of the food is fried or cooked in coconut oil. And when you think you are eating something good for you, you breakdown the ingredients and say 'Holy MOLY Cow OLY' -- like the green chicken curry. You look at it, and it looks pretty decent, but when you realize that the base of the curry is coconut milk. Eeek, talk about hidden calories."

On the other side of the spectrum, Erin has learned a lot of healthy positives from her new-fangled Thai neighbors' cuisine. Thai restaurants in the United States give much larger portions that those in her new home.

"Here you order something and it's about 1/2 to 1/3 less. I have to say, that fresh veggies and fruits here are awesome. So, on that part of dieting and eating healthy, it's pretty easy.

"Also, since eDiets has so many different recipes, it's really helped me stay on track. I've found that I haven't had many problems making most of the recipes in my plan. I can find most of the ingredients or find substitutes for them."

She's also found some major disparities in the fitness lifestyles between the two different parts of the world.

"It's not all about convenience. Only the very wealthy tend to have cars. Most people either drive motorcycles or bicycles or they walk. In the States, there's a gym on every corner, but here they are just now starting to get into fitness."

Getting used to exercise outside a gym can be difficult for anybody who's grown accustomed to working out in a fitness facility, but the adjustment can be particularly challenging for a personal trainer.

"I've had to put my personal training, temporarily, on hold. Since, I can't really work here for money, I actually try and train my friends free of charge here," says Erin.

"I have found many ways to stay in shape. I walk, run and ride my bike everywhere I go. I do resistance training in my house. I have adjustable weights, resistant tubes, and I have my exercise ball."

New country, new foods, new language, new lifestyle and a whole set of new challenges led Erin to find new solutions. This motivated slimming sensation has become a pro at developing the mental and physical muscles it takes to continually overcome life's never-ending adversities.

"It's motivating to be able to do things with my children that I couldn't do when I was 227 pounds. I kick the soccer ball with my 11-year-old and had a water gun fight with my 2-year-old. This is stuff that I could never have done before.

"To see all the positive changes I've done on my body, it's just kept me so positive. I truly have to say that ediets is what has kept me going... I have made so many friends. I tell my teammates, when they are about to give up to hold on, just pick yourself up, brush off and get going again."

The fitness pros at eDiets can show you how to combine exercise and nutrition to get the best results. This is what you've been looking for. You will need to make the commitment, but isn't it time to finally take care of you? Get help losing weight with eDiets.com