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“I still fall off the wagon sometimes, but that’s part of the journey,” Rosalin Krieger says. “The difference now is that I am kinder to myself.”Moe Doiron/The Globe and Mail

A new weekly series showcases inspirational stories from readers who transformed their sedentary lifestyle and shed excess pounds. Have your own extraordinary weight-loss story to share? Tell us how you lost it: tgam.ca/weightloss.

Rosalin Krieger, 46, Toronto

Pounds dropped: 80

"I still fall off the wagon sometimes but that's part of the journey. The difference now is that I am kinder to myself."

My turning point

The turning point was my father's death on Mother's Day 2009. It freed me to finally take care of myself. After a false start November 2009, I got very serious in September 2010. I was so sedentary, developed sciatica, entered physiotherapy, which made me get in touch with my body. I wanted to change.

My method

Don't get angry, but I didn't exercise. Changing why, what and how much was key to my weight loss. No calorie counting. I stopped eating anything flour-based: bread, pasta. I cut potatoes and rice – except for sushi in restaurants, which made food more enjoyable. If you're not active, you simply have to eat less – eat better – but eat smaller portions. And lots of vegetables, fruit, tofu, sardines, grilled fish and legumes. I eat slowly – really enjoy every bite because I'm not stuffing it down my throat.

My kryptonite

Dark chocolate – I eat it once or twice a week.

Tell us how you lost it: tgam.ca/weightloss

This interview has been condensed and edited.

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