Debbie has gone from a size 14 to a size 6 this year. She lost 60 pounds. Now I know that it can actually be done by someone I personally know, I think I'll have more incentive to stay on my own lifestyle change this year. Most weeks she lost about 2 pounds but a few weeks she didn't lose any weight but was diligent and stayed on her 20 points a day which would be equal to about 1,000 to 1,200 calories a day. Debbie also exercised 3 days a week. When she gets stressed out she now exercises instead of binging like I do.
When she emailed me this family photo I had to enlarge it to tell which one she was. She looked like one of her 3 daughters. She's determined to keep up with her new lifestyle and got rid of all her size 14 clothes. Not having anything to wear might be an incentive to stay on course for me once I lose my weight? I haven't ever gotten rid of the size 14 clothes before - just put them downstairs.
Can you tell which person is Debbie in her family photo that was taken on Christmas Eve? You look fabulous Debbie! Doesn't she have a darling family too? I love you all!
"I started my "lifestyle change" January 7, 2010. I lost about 2 pounds a week pretty steadily except for a couple of weeks where I didn't lose anything. I didn't get discouraged though because there was no end to my lifestyle change; different than a diet when you think you can eat as much as you want after the diet is over. I lost 60 pounds...I know...don't faint...I can't believe I was that fat either. It's embarrassing that I let myself go like that. I actually went from a stuffed size 14 pants to a size 6. I agree with you on the stress..nothing feels better than a good eating binge, but now it has to be exercise instead.
If you go on WikiWeightWatchers.com, you can put in a lot of the foods from home or restaurants and it will tell you the points. I tried for 20 points a day (even though I qualified for many more..haha) and then you get an extra 35 points a week to use how you want, but you can't save them from week to week. Roughly, 50 calories is equal to 1 point. You get 1 extra point a day for exercising. So, really, it is about 1000 calories to 1200 calories a day basically that you can have. I like to be able to eat what I want. I think losing my sweet tooth has been the biggest advantage though. I haven't lost anything since about Thanksgiving, but I haven't gained either. I exercise 3 times a week for 50 minutes on the treadmill. I do kind of miss it when I don't do it...I know, hard to believe..."
(taken from Debbie's emails to me)
9 comments:
Kathy is Debbie the one on the left in the purple top? I so agree with her on a "lifestyle" change and not a diet. Diet's don't work. That is why I went on this "No Sugar and No Soda" last year-- because it was the only thing that has ever helped me. I don't see it as a diet, but making a change in my life for the better.
When I lived in Nashville I decided to take up water aerobics. I love water aerobics!!! After every 12th visit they would weigh and measure you. My 13th visit I was very excited to be weighed and measured (imagine that!! Ha ha) and the attendant said, "This can't be right." She weighed and measured me a second time and said, "Okay I am not doing something right." The manager of the center and the one who originally weighed and measured me came to do it a THIRD TIME. All she said was "Yes that is right!" They had not told me what the "problem" was although I had been asking.
It wasn't a problem but more of a shock and they had never seen anyone do it before. But in about 3 weeks time, I had lost 27 1/2 lbs, and lost 67 inches around my body!! They asked me what kind of diet I was on and I told them I was not on a "diet" but a lifestyle change because diets did not work.
Five days of the week I ate meat, fruits and vegetables, and then two days I would add some carbs and occasional sweets. When I hurt my knee, it took me out of the game and have struggled ever since.
But like you I know it can be done!! You are a great example to me and I am sure everyone else because you are our cheerleader and always are cheering us on and helping us back up when we fall. SO thank you!! And a size 14....I would love to be there...I have never been to that size that I can recall!! LOL I will make it though.
Thank you for sharing Debbie's story, for all your support. Sorry for the long comment.
Hugs Laura
I don't have a guess for which one Debbie is, but I do want to say congratulations to her on a job well done. I know she must feel great! :)
I'm guessing that Debbie is the second one from the left, in the purple shirt. Good for her! Way to go, Debbie! I also agree that diets don't work, as I've already tried many of them over the years. I would lose some weight, but it always came back eventually. I agree that it should be a lifestyle change, not a diet. I recently got the book "Eat Right For Your Blood Type," and am in the process of reading it. When I read about my Blood Type's characteristic & sensitivities, etc... it seems to fit me to a tee! For me, it is not just the weight that is an issue....but I also suffer from quite severe chronic pain & fatigue. It can be, at times, completely debilitating! Although I've been tested for food allergies and none were found, I still believe that I have some food sensitivities, as well as sensitivities to various chemicals & preservatives in processed food. According to this book, people with my Blood Type are often particularly sensitive to these things and tend to have a rather weak digestive system that can easily become overwhelmed. So I am going to try making changes to the foods I eat, according to what is best tolerated & utilized by my Blood Type...plus, I'm working on getting away from processed foods & focusing more on whole, organic foods. I am hoping that this will eventually make a positive difference for me...not only in the area of my weight....but also in the area of my chronic pain & fatigue. I'm just starting out here, so it may take a while to notice any differences....but I'll let you know, from time to time, how I'm doing. Maybe it could be helpful for others, as well.
Anyway, thanks for sharing Debbie's story, Kathy! I appreciate all the encouragement I find here on your blog!
HUGS, my Friend!
Wendy :0)
I also joined Weight Watchers last Jan. 20th. I did attend the meetings and they were very helpful. I've now lost 77 lbs. I have more to lose and hope to get to goal this year.
Click on my profile pic above to see the progress.
Your right! Debbie is the 2nd one from the left in the purple.
Hi Aunt Kathy! I have had so much fun catching up on your blog, I love it!! This post about my mom is awesome. She amazes me the way she has stuck with her lifestyle change. What an inspiration!
I wish we could've seen you all over the holidays. Keep posting all the darling pictures, and take care!
Lindsay
A size 6! That is my ultimate goal! I just posted my weight loss story under Laura Leigh story post.....needless to say you've inspired me to get back on my quest to the single digit size!! I have a few 8's but only because I know they run big! Ha! Congratulations! And yes Kathy you can do it!!
Thanks so much for posting this. I am so proud of her! She gave me all of her larger clothes to wear (I should be offended but I'm not! haha!) while I try to follow in her footsteps! This article reminded me of what she said about replacing food with exercise:
http://fitbie.msn.com/lose-weight/i-traded-stress-eating-exercising?gt1=50002
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