150 Pounds Later
I was hooked on quick-fix diets...and embarrassed every time I gained back all the weight. Until I found a long-term solution.
"I’ve got pictures!” my sister Kim sang out, waving a plump packet as she breezed in the front door.
A few weeks earlier she’d gotten married. I had been her matron of honor. It was a beautiful wedding, outdoors with a Hawaiian theme. But, boy, did I dread what I’d see in those pictures—what I did my best to avoid seeing almost every day of my life.
Kim spread the photos out on my dining room table. I oohed and aahed at how beautiful she was in her gorgeous wedding dress—as radiant as a bride can be. “Doesn’t Mom look great?” I said. My husband, George, looked wonderful too in a Hawaiian shirt and orchid lei.
Then there was me. The lady in the tent. No matter how big my smile, no matter how strategically I tried to position myself behind people, no matter how lovely the fabric of my dress, no matter how beautiful my flowers, I was the “heavy” woman.
My arms were huge; I had at least three chins. There I was, all 282 pounds of me, preserved forever in photos that would be handed down for generations.
It would be one thing if I could just go on a quick diet and lose the pounds. But this was how I had been for years. A size 16 in my own wedding gown, 40 pounds added that first year of marriage, more weight gain with each of my two children.
I put on 70 pounds with my second child. The doctor was concerned. I was concerned. I was a registered nurse. I knew the health risks obese people faced: diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease. I saw it all the time on my job.
Other people went on diets, lost weight and kept it off. I’d go down 10 pounds and then balloon right back up. The grapefruit diet, the high-protein diet, liquid diets, nothing worked and I couldn’t stick with anything for more than a few months.
I’d always think about how everyone else was eating things I couldn’t—and how unfair that was. I’d been teased about being fat ever since I was a child—but I managed to be a success in other areas of my life.
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Comments
Jane, My story is very
Jane,
My story is very similar except years of age. I too was a nurse who climbed and achieved much. I excelled in that area of my life.
My husband was ever supporting in spite, of my inability to controll my weight. I tried "everything." Oh how I see myself in your story, Jane. But--
I want everyone reading this to heed their inner voices NOW!! Don't waste years and wait until your 81, like I am. I am widowed for a year and dealing with health issues, many related to my years of disrespect for my body. Please don't wait to make a positive change. Be kind to yourself and do the right thing.Get healthy and eat well. Place your trust in God and His Word.
I am making some changes after much introspection and patient struggling.
May God richly Bless you.
Thank you Jane for telling
Thank you Jane for telling your story and giving me new hope and for the right reasons! I too have tried WW numerous times and lost and then gained it all back. I too look at pictures now with my Grandaughter and want to cut myself out of the picture because of my weight. Thanks for reminding me that the starting point is to ASK God! God Bless you!
Jane, your story touched my
Jane, your story touched my heart! I too have struggled with weight issues since childhood...tried every diet, Weight Watchers several times...but in August of 2009 I turned it over to God to help me each step of the way...and I have since lost 60 pounds! Not only that, but my 2 adult children also joined and as of last week the three of us had lost 122lbs. combined. Praise God! I have learned so much about myself and why I ate as I did. When those feelings creep in I say a short prayer and stop to figure out why I am feeling as I am and what I can do instead. I feel so much better even though I have a long way to go. I believe I will get there pound by pound with the Lord!
Jane, Like others have
Jane,
Like others have posted, I felt that I was reading my own life story as I read yours. I was overweight as a child and continue to be overweight as an adult. I have tried many diet plans, even Weight Watchers 5 or 6 times. What I didn't do was to include prayers for help from God. Thank you for this important "secret" to your success. As the new year is just around the corner, I will begin to make lifestyle changes. I need to lose 100 lbs. to be healthy and I will pray the Lord will guide me in another attempt to lose weight. Thank you for your inspirational story...You have motivated me to try, once again, to reach for a goal of a healthy body. My Dr. and my cardiologist will thank you too if I reach the pinnacle of success as you have. God bless you for sharing your story.
I just read your story, it
I just read your story, it has really inspried me. God is truly in my life. I didn't realize to ask him to help me lose weight. Yhank you so much for your story. God Bless you and your family.
Excellent success story! I'm
Excellent success story! I'm overweight and many years ago attended WW, where I was able to lose 45lbs. I'm inspired by your story to get back on program and get healthy once again.
Jane - Motivating &
Jane - Motivating & Inspirational Journey!
I read your story today as I am just becoming a Guideposts member. Have lost and regained many pounds of weight throughout the years. Over a year ago I lost 27 lbs. with WW but have gained all but 10 back. I truly believe in their program and need the discipline and support as well so I am rejoining WW tomorrow thanks to your article. I was feeling embarrassed to go back "again" and almost felt like a true failure but in reality, wanting to start over and keep trying is not failure but a new start. I can't do this alone and especially when I don't ask the Good Lord's help on a daily basis. I was feeling down because I had a work related injury last July (after 20 years on my job) and the company denied my claim. To add insult to injury, they also "let me go" in September because I was still in therapy and not able to sit at a desk for very long (back injury). No money, no job so I found myself eating emotionally and not reaching out to My Lord. I realy looked good and was down a few dress sizes when I was 27 lbs. lighter. My goal is to start over tomorrow when I attend the first WW meeting and I will succeed this time. I love this website because people seem to share from their hearts and souls. Thank you once again, Jane for your inspiring story and the hope you have given. I am also a recovering alcoholic (24 years now by the grace of God) so I know what struggles are - it also took me awhile to get that concept but it finally worked). Thanks, Marge D
You're an inspiration! Your
You're an inspiration!
Your story was very encouraging. I am on the same pathway as you. I looked in the mirror one day and did not recognize myself and didn't realize when I had turned into this person...I was focusing on everything and everyone but myself. Although I received much advice on what to do and how to do it, but inside I felt there was a right pathway just for me, and even though I had gotten myself into this situation, I could trust myself to unravel and untangle my life and turn it around with God's help.
For three years I thought about walking and how great it would be; then I talked about walking for two years; then wrote about walking for a year, but all the while, never took a step.
One Sunday 11 weeks ago, I said a prayer, researched quotes on walking and was greatly inspired. I decided to actually go for a walk at the nature trail in the park. It was delightful. I went again the next day and the next.
Like you, I asked God to help me return to my divine weight and to lay aside all the things that had burdened me down. So my 45 minute to one hour walk, 5 days a week is my meditation and time with God. I got the "weight" part off of my mind and decided to settle in to the walking and being present in my life and aware of what was going on around me. I walk for inspiration and for my health. I've found that this leads to other small steps that over time and with love and regard for myself will compound my efforts. I've found that "walking is a step in the right direction."
It's so uplifting to hear of other women who have gone ahead and experienced the end result. Blessings for having the courage and tenacity to be who you really are inside. All women want to feel that way.
Thanks so much for sharing!
This article felt like it
This article felt like it could be my story. Thank-you for sharing and affirming what God wants to do through me. Your words affirmes so many things for me, even the method God used to help with the weight loss. (I'd been praying and contemplating rejoining WW). -Debbie Simler-Goff
I know what it feels to be
I know what it feels to be obese. But i am more concerned about my heart and I want to avoid that heart surgery at any cost. I have already started taking efforts but do not really when will i see some results. However, i have already decided that i am just going to stick with my goal and will do my job. One day, i will definitely get that magic number of 60 kg for me.
As I read this story just
As I read this story just now, I felt your pain as I myself am going through this awful weight problem.
Thank you for sharing such a painful experience.
This is giving me hope that there is an answer to my problem.
With God, all things are possible.
I'm dealing with weight
I'm dealing with weight problems right now. Could you maybe say what you ate to give me an idea? I never know what I'm supposed to eat or how much :(
Hi! I have been a fatty too
Hi!
I have been a fatty too most of my life. I have a slow metabolism and a hormone deficiency so I know how it feels to feel either too lazy or tired to get off of the couch. I retired 4 years ago, and finally joined the 24 Hr Gym. I don't go as often as I should, but the last medical visit a week or so ago, the doctor said I'm down to 256 and my blood pressure is pretty good. Thank God! One thing, friends...I quit eating the amounts of bread that I was consuming. Years ago, after suffering from gout, (it's like walking on needles) I cut whole milk out went to 2% milk, dropped hamburger (red meat) by 80-90% and in 1 month the gout went away! Thank God! One thing you folks can try for a little inspiration: Get on the gym bike, (if you don't have a real one) and pretend you are cycling to church, and you are enjoying the ride. (From home to church is a 7 mile ride). On the days when you are ambitious, ride gym bike home. You may not always "bike" it home the same day, but be consistent. With practice, you will "bike" it to church and home. If I can do it and I'm over 65, and still over-weight) you can too!
Cheers!
Wow! At the moment I am
Wow! At the moment I am where you were at the beginning. I have even stopped praying lately. This post is very encouraging and I want to thank you for that.
Thank you so much for your
Thank you so much for your inspiring story. The similarities in our lives are amazing. I saved your story so I could read it when I am tempped to go off my eating plan.
Wow! Jane, your journey has
Wow! Jane, your journey has been tremendous! Thank you for sharing your story. I read it with tears in my eyes and thanking God for leading me to this site. I needed this push and encouragement to pursue my own weight loss goals. I needed that reminder that "with Himm all things are possible". My prayers are with you for continued maintenance and again THANK YOU for sharing your story.
Patty
Thank you! You are truly
Thank you! You are truly inspiring.
I love reading stories like
I love reading stories like this it is so motivational, i've been taking zyflamend to help me lose weight and doing well i'm down 30 pounds.
Oh my goodness, you are
Oh my goodness, you are singing my song! I have done the yo-yo thing with drastic weight gain and loss for at least 20 years now. Your story is inspirational. I too, am asking God for help for I know it is HIM and only HIM who can help me. This is what I need. Thank you for your honest, heart warming and inspiring story of success. Isobella
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