KEYWORDS: diet success story nutri-system weight loss system
I finally did it. I lost weight and found life.
If I could lose 125+ pounds in one year, anyone can! I'm not any different than anyone else...I guess I just reached that point in my life when I said, "THIS IS IT. It's time to finally LOSE the weight." Here's my story.
On August 9, 2002, I received the sad news that my father had passed away suddenly of a massive coronary. At that time, I avoided weighing myself, but I know I weighed well over 300 pounds. I also knew that if I didn't make some serious lifestyle changes, I'd be joining my Dad sooner than later.
On the drive to Florida from our home in New Jersey (I don't fly), we stopped at a rest area in Florida to use the facilities. There was a Cub Scout troop sitting at a picnic table. As I waddled past them toward the ladies room, one of the scouts "mooed" at me. The entire troop started to laugh, INCLUDING the Scout Master. I was mortified. Usually, I'd let insults roll off my back, however, I was at an emotional low due to the death of my Dad, and I was exhausted from being on the road in excess of 20 hours straight, so I lost my cool. I don't know where I found the courage, but I walked up to the Scout Master, put my finger right up to his nose, and I said to him, "You should be ashamed of yourself! You are supposed to be setting an example for these boys, teaching them right from wrong. Go on and laugh at me for being fat, but you know something? I will lose this weight, but you'll still be a jerk!"
| Barbara-Ann's New Outlook On Life |
| Losing weight makes you appreciate the small things in life. |
| I have ANKLES again, and it feels great to put on high heels and not have them crying out in pain under my weight! |
| I can pick clothes off the rack – in ANY store. |
| Men look at me ... and not with disgust. I even got a wolf-whistle the other day on my walk! |
| Whenever I do chores, I get them done quicker, with more energy, and I don't feel the need to go lie down after doing them. |
| I can bend over to tie my own sneaker laces without breaking a sweat or losing my breath. |
| I feel sexy again. I bought a slinky nightie and actually had the nerve to wear it! |
| I don't dread exercising and have actually learned to enjoy my walks alone every morning before the sun rises. It's so peaceful and pretty outside—just me, and nature. |
| When women see me standing next to my husband, they no longer wonder, "What the heck does he see in HER?" They just see how happy we are to be together. |
| I've gained self-confidence I've never known; I don't avoid situations anymore because of my insecurities due to being overweight. |
| I like myself. |
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I broke down in the ladies room and sobbed for a long time. I knew the time had come. I couldn't put off losing this weight much longer, but I was actually frightened that I had to start and inevitably fail at yet another diet. I found solace and comfort in food, but although I really hated the idea of dieting, I knew it was time to DO something about my weight.
Of course, I wanted a quick way out, so I decided to look into having Gastric Bypass surgery. However, my husband, Joey, was dead set against me having the surgery, so we made a bet: I would start a diet program and stick with it for three full months. By January 1, 2003, if I had not yet lost 30 pounds, he'd reluctantly give me his blessing to have the surgery. I was thrilled. I could try a diet for three months, and then I'd have the surgery and lose the weight.
So, on September 23rd, 2002, I began the NutriSystem program. I stuck to it faithfully. I drank so much water I sloshed! I ate lots of huge, leafy green salads, and ate all of the delicious NutriSystem entrees and found the plan extremely easy. Long story short: by January 1st, I was already down nearly 50 pounds!
Since then, I'm thrilled to announce that I've lost 125 pounds! I started the program at 300+ pounds, wearing a size 4x (30/32) and now I weigh 175 pounds and I'm wearing a size 14, and still working my way down! I've reached my goal, but I still plan to lose an additional 25 pounds, which will then mean that I will have lost HALF of me!
| "NutriSystem has been a wonderful, positive influence on my life. Not only has it improved my health, drastically lowered my weight, and really helped to improve my attitude and boost my self-confidence level, it has also helped to give me an inner strength and courage I've never had before. I'm not afraid to attempt new things, or to experience things I was always hesitant to try before. The only regret I have is that I waited so long to start NutriSystem in the first place!" |
| – Barbara-Ann, NutriSystem Success Story |
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NutriSystem changed my life. I can't say "THANK YOU" enough to NutriSystem, the bulletin boards and all of my NutriBuddies I've met since joining. I never, ever could have done it without all of your support, guidance and encouragement. You made me feel like I wasn't fighting this battle alone.
Above: Barbara-Ann before, and now, enjoying life with her niece, Alyssa. Since losing 125 lbs.* with NutriSystem, Barbara-Ann also writes an online column about her experiences called "Cellulite Queen's Corner" on TheSeedsOfWellness.com. |
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God bless each and every one of you for every email, every reply to my postings, and every compliment on my CelluliteQueen stories! Without all of you, I'd still be unhealthy, over 300 pounds, and miserable. Thanks for making it bearable, and for hanging in here with me week after week, month after month.
I still have some more weight to lose, but now I know I can do anything!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Love,
Barbara (a.k.a. CelluliteQueen)
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