105 Search Results for "Health"
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JayCee
- Views: 232
- Since: 4 months ago
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Living my Best Life Living my Best Life
- From: levanduski00
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Description:
I have struggled with weight my entire life. I have done every “fad” diet out there looking for the miracle cure to free me from my fat prison. Like so many others, I was looking for the easy way out. I never understood why this was happening to me and why I couldn’t catch a break. It never occurred to me that I was doing it to myself.
I always thought, “If I could just magically wake up at my goal weight, I could easily maintain it.” With that belief, I seriously researched gastric bypass surgery. In hindsight, it’s the one time in my life that I was grateful to not have the funds to support that whim.
After I passed 265 for the second time in my life, I stopped looking at the scale during my ob/gyn checkups at the doctor’s office. I honestly have no idea where I peaked with my second pregnancy. Frankly, I don’t really want to know. After our son was born, my weight came down into the 240’s. I stayed there for months. My gelatinous body repelled me. I kept saying, “I have to go on a diet” but did not feel the motivation to make a change. I believed that “diet” meant “deprivation” and I just wasn’t about to give up on my sweets just yet.
We moved again to California…land of opportunity. Words have never rung so true. I found an opportunity to answer a casting call from the Discovery Health channel. They were looking for people who need to lose anywhere between 30-100 pounds and take on a lifestyle makeover. That fit me perfectly. I went on the interview and miraculously, got the gig! I was going to be on TV!
That's when fear set in. I was going to share my weight issues with the world, raw and open for everyone to judge. I met Bob Greene as a part of the show and he changed my life. He has really instilled in me the tools I need to truly live my best life. I am not on a diet. I am living a healthy lifestyle.
I never exercised before. Ever. Now I am at the gym 5-6 days a week for at least 90 minutes. I have signed up for my first 5K. Exercise is non-negotiable for me. It’s a part of who I am now.
Nutritionally, I make the best decisions of my life. I used to make what was creamy, fatty, cheesy, etc. Now I long to taste the real flavors of food, without them being disguised. I used to snack all day long rather than eat meals with appropriate snacks. All that has changed. I often ate Weight Watchers Smart Ones with a salad for my lunch! It was a fast, delicious way to satisfy my hunger!
I am proud to say that I am now 165 pounds. I have 20 pounds to go to reach my goal. Since I’m not really sure where my weight was to start, I use the beginning weight of 238 pounds. That’s where I was when I answered the casting call. I have lost 73 pounds and counting! I have gone from a size 20 to a size 10 and lost countless inches!
I am now pursuing a career in motivational speaking. So many friends and family members have asked me for advice and encouragement in their own goals. I feel as though I have something to share and want to help others feel as great as I do!
I documented my weight loss journey with Bob and the Discovery Health channel on my blog, www.jlevanduski.blogspot.com. I am hoping to start web casting to help others and really need the Flip video camera to reach another goal. Thank you for reading my story!!
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
- Views: 4460
- Not yet rated
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Miss S.O.
- Views: 1521
- Since: 10 months ago
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Autumn Lost 40Ibs! Autumn Lost 40Ibs!
- From: autumnleaves
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Description:
After my first born (1999) I had great intentions of getting the weight off, but it just never happened. I kept telling myself that I’m going to have another baby so why work hard to get the weight off I was just going to put it back on… A few years went by before I gave birth to my second child in 2004. By then I had gained an extra 40ibs. I felt beautiful and big and I thought I loved my life. By 2006, I had put on another 10ibs and I noticed my health starting to change. I couldn’t walk around the block without losing my breath, I couldn’t run around with my kids at the park, and I started getting sick more frequently. It was a doctor’s visit and a friend that changed my life…
In 2006, I had another typically cold during the winter months that lead me in an urgent care facility. While there it was brought to my attention that my blood-pressure what so high that if I didn’t do something about it my kids wouldn’t have a mother in a five years. This was heart breaking to hear those words. I asked what I should do and they told me to lose weight and start working out. I knew the years of saying I need to get the weight off would catch up to me, I just didn’t realize it would happen so quickly.
It took a few weeks to sink in and as I started talking about it to a friend of mine at work she asked me to join weight watchers with her. I really toggled over the idea wondering if a program could really change my life. She really encouraged me to just check things out and said she would 100% support me if I joined, she was going to join. That next week I decided to make the change and join the journey.
My journey started in 2007 I call it a journey because it was an adventure of ups and downs. I attended weekly weight watchers meetings and worked out three or more days a week. During our meetings we were able to discuss recipes, the best tasting SmartOnes and ways to conquer hunger. I also owe a lot of my success to my friend, she committed to supporting me 100% and she meant every word of it. We were buddies the entire way, we called, texted and emailed each other during moments of weakness and moments of success. I credit my success to great meals, fun workouts and to a supportive friend.
I joined weight watchers in 2007 and have been a lifetime member since March of 2009. I’m still keeping it off!
Name: Autumn
Age: 28
Height: 5’3”
Was: 189ibs
Lost: 40ibs
Weight: 148ibs
- Blog post
- 11 months ago
- Views: 1196
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my journey my journey
- From: kymberlee
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Description:
Where do I begin? I feel like weight has been an issue in my life since I've been 10 years old. I have always struggled with it and it seems like such a part of me that it's all I have ever thought about. I'm not going to sit here and say I was trying to hide pain with food, I had a wonderful, turmoil filled, average upbringing and will not blame my parents or peer pressure for my weight issues. I simply love food. I love the way it makes me feel, I love the different textures and tastes, and for the way it brings family together. I just have a problem with knowing when enough is enough. I love food so much, and want to be able to eat what I want when I want that parts of me go into denial mode and before I know it, I have 50 or more pounds to lose. I enjoy my way up to a certain point, then realize I need to do something for my health and for myself. To help me on my quest, I have gone to the weight watchers point system. It has been a God send. I am still able to enjoy the foods I love without going overboard or feeling guilty about it. All I can say is I have lost these 50 stubborn pounds and have never felt deprived or like I was on a diet. Thank you so much weight watchers for your point system, and for your food. I will forever be grateful.....
- Blog post
- 11 months ago
- Views: 572
- Not yet rated
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Weight Loss Sucess - You Can D Weight Loss Sucess - You Can Do It
- From: SM21
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Description:
My successful weight loss journey began when I joined Weight Watchers in October 2005. Although I weighed in at 249 lbs my weight had actually peaked at 276 lbs at a previous WW class many years ago. I knew that my health was in jeopardy and if I was going to do it this would be the time. As much as I wanted to look better my ultimate reason for joining was to be healthy. I had recently been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea although I know I had had it for many years. I was on multiple blood pressure medications and had even been hospitalized for severe hypertension. My dad and my grandfather both had adult onset diabetes and I knew I was next in line. I also have degenerative disc disease and have back pain every day. Being a Registered Nurse I knew the complications of these diseases and felt that I had better do something if I wanted to enjoy a long healthy life. I was 52 when I joined this WW class. What led me to this class was someone I had met in a support group meeting for sleep apnea. We began to talk one evening after the meeting and I told her that I knew I needed to lose weight but didn't know how as I had tried everything - even the crazy things. I had been heavy for the majority of my adult life. She told me that she had lost over 200 lbs and that I should come to her WW meeting on Saturday morning. I couldn't imagine getting up so early to go to a WW class on a Saturday! I will forever be indebted to Jane.
That Saturday I walked into the class and I never looked back. My leader had lost a huge amount of weight herself and had kept it off for many years. She was smart, compassionate, caring and funny. As I went each and every Saturday I soon discovered that the room of about 50 regular WW's were caring and supportive and had a large amount of "big" losers and life time members. I never missed a meeting as that became my life line. I learned so much from not only my leader but from all of the other members. We became and still are to this day one big family. In June of 2006 I reached my doctor's and my goal of 165 and had lost 84 lbs. After maintaing my weight for quite a while I decided to continue to try and lose weight (with my doctor's blessing) and reached WW's goal of 146 in May 2008 totaling 103 lbs in this class and 130 lbs from my highest WW weight. I have learned that maintenance is not staying at one exact weight as weight fluctuates but ultimately it is about maintaining your weight. I no longer get upset when I weigh in (which I choose to do weekly even though the requirement for life time members is monthly) and the scale goes up because I know by following program it will go back down.
I now live a healthy lifestyle. I exercise five days a week and actually enjoy it! I think the key to exercise is finding something that you actually like to do. I also find any excuse I can to walk to where I am going and always use the stairs. It's the little things that help me be successful. I always have my points finder with me and always read labels before I purchase anything. Maybe occasionally I miss the way I use to eat but I never miss the way I felt after I ate so much. I find on WW I can eat anything. It's all about moderation and making your points work for you.
Health wise I am very fortunate as my sleep apnea is gone. That is not always the case for other medical reasons but it is in my case. I am off all my blood pressure medications. My blood sugars are completely normal and I no longer am in a high risk category for diabetes. Most of all I don't live with the terrible back pain that I use to on a daily basis.
It has been over four years now that I have kept my weight off and been a life time member of WW. I still go to "my" class every Saturday morning. Being able to walk and move and do things that I couldn't do before is wonderful. I now have two one year old grandsons that I am able to sit on the floor and play with. Being successful is all about moderation. You can eat anything on Weight Watchers and still be successful.
The compliments from people are nice and wearing clothes you like are great but most of all having your health and looking forward to living a long healthy life feels so good.
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
- Views: 564
- Not yet rated
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dianaco
- Views: 419
- Since: 2 years ago
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I'm an Inspiration!? I'm an Inspiration!?
- From: smachiela
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Description:
After hearing from two of my three doctors that I would feel a lot better if I lost some weight, I went to my MD and asked her for help. She recommended Weight Watchers and walking!
I started walking around the block (2 miles) with my husband a few times a week and began researching Weight Watchers. I liked what I saw so I started attending meetings and continued walking. After losing just 25 lbs. I was able to ditch my knee brace and start using a mouth piece, in place of the CPAP machine, for my Sleep Apnea. It took me about a year and half to lose to my goal weight (80 lbs. total) but I had never felt better. I even walked a 60 mile, 3-day walk with my daughter last year! I have very little knee pain, sleep like a rock most nights and have my high blood pressure under control.
Unfortunately, my father passed away about a year ago and my weight crept up as I went through the grieving process and stopped taking time for me. Now I'm back on track and working to lose those stubborn 16 lbs. to get me back to goal. I've now signed up to run/jog a 5K in September and I'm looking forward to being back to goal weight at that time.
Even though I did this for me and my health, I have been blessed with a sister-in-law, daughters, co-workers and friends who have seen the changes I've made and are following in my foot steps, including my oldest daughter who recently became a Lifetime Weight Watchers member. To me there is no bigger reward than to know that I influenced someone to change their life for the better.
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
- Views: 375
- Not yet rated
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Life Life
- From: myladyrenee4
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Description:
We learn everyday and so we become the student to our path of a life of health and weight lost or do we become chain to a certain image we see are self?
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
- Views: 359
- Not yet rated
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Candice Wittie- Big weight Los Candice Wittie- Big weight Loss
- From: candiebee
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Description:
My name is Candice Wittie and i have lost 133 lbs. It all started when i saw myself in a picture from Christmas 2006. I looked awful i felt awful I just wanted to curl up in a ball and die. I didnt want my children to have the fat mom so i did something about it. I started Weight Watchers January 13, 2007. It has been 2 1/2 years and i have lost the weight kept it off. I have learned to eat better and most importantly my health is better and i believe my kids and my husband have also learned to eat healthier. I make it a point to eat vegetables everyday,before I would of never done that. I take my children on walks atleast 3 times a week. I love to walk now. That is my story thank you for giving me the chance to submit this.
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
- Views: 340
- Not yet rated
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Reflection - Defining the mome Reflection - Defining the moment
- From: bridge92
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Description:
Good morning all!
Being a full-time working Mom and wife, I don’t get much “me” time. You know, that time to just sit and think…..no noise, no distractions. So, this morning, before starting my usual busy day, I decided to take that extra time and do just that. I did some reflecting. I thought about my journey and how far I have come. I thought about my “wake-up” call and what it took for me to get started on my journey that has led me to where I am today.
January 3, 2007 was the first day I took those steps. It was tough, but I had a made up mind and was determined to do something about ME. My health was bad and I was taking three different pills daily. I was 35 years old and didn’t want to continue on medication for the rest of my life. I wanted to stop the constant shortness of breath and be able to keep up with my daughter. I wanted to change not just my weight, but my self-esteem, my drive, my passion….the discovery of the real me trapped inside a 215 pound body. This was my wake-up call. What is your wake-up call?
Losing weight is not an easy task. Keeping it off, is even harder, but I am learning each day, that it can be done. Most of you have gotten your own personal wake-up call too. You have decided to take those first steps to a new life. I believe that is why you found this community and joined. We are all looking for inspiration as well as answers.
Here is a checklist that I used when I first started out. It helped me to stay focused and get to my goal. So, now I am reflecting on it.
1. Decide in your mind that this is something you really want to do. This truly has to be a commitment in order for you to succeed.
2. Take it one day at a time. Change takes time. No one gains weight overnight. It may seem like one day you were eating a slice a pizza and the next day it stuck to your thighs. No, it actually took some time to gain the weight. So, as a result, it will be a process to take the weight off. It will not just melt away on its own. It will be a lot of work, but well worth it. Give yourself time. Change one habit a week; take it day by day.
3. As most of us are learning, diets don’t work. Weight Watchers has told us this message many times over and over again. So, prepare your mind to trade in all your old habits and replace them with good habits. As you develop new eating habits, your body will start to fall in line with how you are thinking about food. This journey is a lifestyle change. So, you are in it to win it. You don’t want to lose the weight then gain it back. Ultimately, the goal should be to lose it for good.
4. Be selfish. That’s right….selfish. Take time out for yourself and learn about what you need to do to get yourself on the path to healthy eating and exercise. Carve out some “me” time in your daily schedule to make sure you are getting enough rest, eating the proper foods and exercising your body. It is not only good for you, but also those around you. The people around you need you to be at your best. Taking that much needed time for yourself is important.
5. When choosing to go with a weight loss program, choose a plan or program that works best for you. Research all of your options. There are so many programs and plans to follow these days. So, take your time and find what fits with your plans for your new lifestyle.
6. Lastly, it is always advisable to consult with your doctor or healthcare professional before changing your diet or starting any exercise program.
Whether the decision has been made or the process of making the decision is still underway, define your moment and own it. Freeze that moment in time, then, start using it as a self-motivator to get the ball rolling forward. Once the decision has been made, it will not be easy, but when you remember why you are doing it, it will be at those tough times that you know you have started a journey that has defined your success.
Until tomorrow……take it one step at a time and live in the moment! Enjoy your day!
Bridgette
- Blog post
- 10 months ago
- Views: 334
- Not yet rated
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My Journey My Journey
- From: cdubois
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Description:
I have been significantly overweight all of my life. I spent my childhood being called names and teased daily by kids and adults. I have always been self confident, smart and somewhat popular. Those characteristics got me through the teasing and sadness that I dealt with all of my life. I wanted more than anything to be a cheerleader in junior high, so I tried out. I didn’t make it and later was told by the coach herself that I was more than able to be a cheerleader but she didn’t pick me because I was “too fat”, her words to me. Wow! That was painful but not enough for me to do anything about my weight. Go figure!
For the next 28 years of my life my weight went up and down. I have never tallied up all the pounds I have lost but it surely is in the hundreds by now. I gained them all back and then some. I always dressed nice, worked out and told myself I was healthy and fit. After all, I do teach cycling classes at the gym—how can I be unfit right? But then something began happening to me physically. I started having chest pain, aching knees and a bad mental image of myself. I was simply not happy. To this day—I am not sure what happened that made me walk in the door to Weight Watchers, but I did. (Actually, I think it was Teresa that made me feel like it would be a good thing so I credit her for being the push I needed.) Not only did WW change the way I eat and look at food, it changed the way I look at my life all together. WW made me see that I am worth the effort, the work and the commitment to make a positive change in my health and overall well being. It has been amazing!!! I have never felt better, sexier, and more fit than I do today. I now look in the mirror and like what I see and that is the best thing I have felt in a long, long time. It is my worst fear that I will be overweight again and it is more than I can bear. With WW and people like Rosemarie giving me the support I need, I have surrounded myself with tools that will help me remain successful for the remainder of my life.
I have new goals for the fitness part of my life for 2009 and I am going to get there. I am determined to keep fitness and good health number one in my life now. It is my dream to help other women feel this good about themselves and in some way I will do that.
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
- Views: 333
- Not yet rated
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climberchick014
- Views: 302
- Since: 2 years ago
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myhealth37
- Views: 275
- Since: 1 year ago
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Exercise is Medicine Exercise is Medicine
- From: bridge92
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Description:
I was at this Health and Physical Fitness annual meeting conference these past two days. It was just so exciting to see the motivation and attitudes of professionals in this industry. They all had different methods, but all one common goal.....get people moving. From young to old, it is something that we all benefit from. It is the diamond that most people pass up and don't realize its true value.
The specific phrase that just rang in my head was EXERCISE IS MEDICINE. I even bought a T-shirt with the phrase on it! :) It is a simple concept, but often not spoken of. When I thought about it, I agree, it truly is. It is a prescription that you can't get at a pharmacy. It is something that is free but carries so many benefits to our health and well being. I know before I started my exercise routines, I was sick all the time, tired, no energy and wanted to just sleep and of course eat all the time. I had hypertension and was on prescribed drugs for it. But, when I got moving and exercising, I just felt so much better. Of course, with added weight loss too, the meds are now history. Now, I know there are meds that people willl always need to take, but it is nice to know that studies and research show that with added daily exercise, it can at least reduce the amount or dosage a person may have to take. It will give a person added energy and endurance.
One thing I left with from that conference is that exercise is key to good health for everyone. It is not an option, but a written prescription for a good healthy life. What about you, do you feel better when you exercise? How has exercise changed your health issues?
If you would like to read more about Exercise is Medicine, check out: www.exerciseismedicine.org
- Blog post
- 5 months ago
- Views: 271
- Not yet rated
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Nothing Tastes as Good as Thin Nothing Tastes as Good as Thin Feels
- From: YvonneWright
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Description:
As a child, I was always thin and bony. That all changed when I graduated high school and entered college. I quickly succummbed to the Freshmen fat, and for the first time ever, started to put on some pounds. By the time I was in my mid-20's, I was about 20 pounds overweight. However, when I got pregnant with my daughter, I really packed on the pounds, and apparently my body opted to keep the pounds once I gave birth!
I would look at myself and could see the real me underneath all of the extra weight. In my late 30's, my health began to be a victim of my weight. I had trouble breathing when I went up and down stairs, and I was doing unbelievable harm to my knees with the extra stress I was putting on them.
So in 2002, at age 38, at 236 pounds, I had decided I had had enough. I joined Weight Watchers, and made a commitment to change my life, back to the old me. I had a wonderful leader who kept me on track and never made me feel guilty for weaker moments. I had support from my family and friends, and I had a personal commitment. One year later, I had lost 91 pounds and achieved my goal weight of 145. It literally was the hardest thing I have ever done, but also one of the proudest accomplishments of my life. I credit the Weight Watchers program with guiding my way, but I know I was the one who had to make it happen.
Seven years later, I have never gotten over 15 pounds from my goal weight. To some that may seem like I have slipped too much, but I have learned that you can relax a little and still enjoy life. It's a matter of discipline and self-assurance.
One of the best lessons I learned in gaining control over my diet came from a co-worker, who has diabetes, is insulin-dependent, and has spent a majority of his life having to watch what he eats. When we had food at work, I would often ask him why he didn't treat himself once in a while. He pointedly told me "I can have it, if I truly want it. But if I have that now, I must give up something later because of that choice." That really helped give me the power to say no. If I used all my points up over a doughnut, I would have to have the control to give up something later to stay on track.
Every single day for the past seven years, I continue to follow the Weight Watchers program. I believe in the Weight Watchers products, but also am glad I can chose from other foods and eat as normally as possible. My mantra is that "I will never go back." And I mean it.
In my lowest times of struggle through my weight loss, my favority saying was "Nothing tastes as good as thin feels." And I believe that. That kind of thinking, and the support of Weight Watchers, helped me revive the thinner me inside.
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
- Views: 241
- Not yet rated
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biagireil1
- Views: 228
- Since: 2 years ago
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txplume
- Views: 212
- Since: 2 years ago