Coldstream

Member Since March 2008

My Story
I am 46 years old, and have always been a 'large' person. My whole family is on the large side. We were never taught how to eat properly and to stay away from the calorie laden snacks and keep an active lifestyle. I was 150 lbs in grade 7. That was the first time I realized that I had a weight problem.

I got married in 1986 and decided..'That was it!' Time to get serious about losing weight. I joined a 'very expensive' weight loss program and I got my weight down to 160 lbs. But it never taught me the proper eating habits. I was restricted to 700 calories a day, which I realize now that I was literally starving myself. Yes, I lost the weight, but in the wrong way. After gaining it all back plus some, my husband and I were blessed with two beautiful daughters, and I was blessed with yet more weight. I hit the scales at 225 lbs, and vowed to never get any heavier. I was an emotional eater, a bored eater and just plain liked to eat...and all the wrong foods. I was at my absolute heaviest at 263 lbs in March, 2008. I would bravely get on the scale and give myself the 'talk' about getting my life back in order. All talk and no action. No one ever knew how much I weighed. Not even my Doctor. I was much too embarrassed.

My sister from out of town came for a visit and she belonged to Curves. She had a travel pass, and I watched as she did the circuit. I though "Good for her!" but Curves wasn't for me. I had belonged to gyms before with the same lack of results. After a couple of weeks, I decided that I needed to do SOMETHING...ok....yes, I'll give Curves a try. I joined when they had the food bank promotion and no sign up fees. I hated to part with my money on a program that wouldn't work again.

My Coach, Ruth, was wonderful, welcoming and encouraging. After my initial weigh-in, she showed me how to do the circuit. I was sweating (or should I say 'glowing..)when I finished and thought "Hey, this might work!" I started going 3 times a week, and noticed an improvment in my muscle tone. I had read about the 6 Week Solution and asked when the next session would be held. They did not have enough poeple and I was told that my name was on the list, and once they had more people signed up, they would run the program. I lost 10 lbs in the first 6 months, but still had not changed my eating habits. I loved fast food and hated cooking....a terrible combination. I enquired about the 6 Week Solution on an regular basis. September arrived and I was busy getting my family back into the school routine, and I changed my focus on them, and not myself. Then the announcement came in late September...Yes, my Curves will be starting the 6 Week Solution at the beginning of October. Except I didn't want to do the program then...my mind was not focused and I was unmotivated about weight loss, but I signed on anyway. Each participating member put in $10.00 for our own 'Biggest Looser' contest, and the winner after 6 weeks, would take home the pot!

I took the program book home and went through the entire 6 week food plan, and made all the necessary substitutions. I loved the ease of the daily menus. I would look at the day's menu and plan acccordingly. No guessing...'Gee...what am I going to cook for dinner tonight?' My family was very supportive and ate what I ate, so there were no special meals to be made. After the 1st week, I weighed in and lost 7 lbs!! Wow ....7 lbs..I couldn't believe it!! I know it was mostly water weight, but, hey...it's still weight!! I set a goal for myself. My oldest daughter is graduating this June and I wanted to lose 50 lbs! I knew it was certainly attainable. There were 6 other memebers participating in the 6 Week Solution with me. I continued week after week to lose the most weight, and my enthusiasm continued to encourage the other ladies, who were also doing really well! Once the 6 Week Solution ended, (which I won the $60.00 and treated myself to a pedicure!) I continued the program on my own. By February of this year, I had attained my 50 lb goal loss and now weigh 210 lbs, and lost a total of 35 inches!! I am currently maintaining my weight. I had to finally tell my husband my weight this winter...only because he was setting the bindings on my skis....I was going downhill skiing for the first time in 20 years! I forgot how much fun it was and how easy it was without that extra 50 lbs tagging along!!

My journey is not over, I know I have more weight to lose. I realize that I will never weigh the 'model' 120 lbs, but I am thrilled to be where I am right now, and in the fall, I will re-focus and get back on track to lose another 20-25 lbs. Before I started at Curves, I was in a size 24 pant. I recently bought a new pair of dress pants in a size 14!! I am now off of my blood pressure medication that I had been on for over 12 years! That was a huge milestone for me and my Doctor!!

After having changed my eating habits (of course I have a little spluge now and then) and life does get in the way sometimes with travel, special occasions etc, I know I can wake up the next morning and get back on track, adjust my eating and do a little more excercise! I play volleyball on a regular basis, and I am playing beach volleyball for the first time in my life and I LOVE it!! ( and no...I am not wearing one fo those skimpy little swimsuits....YET!!)