Malynda Lightsey
Hutchinson, Kansas
My children, Allexis (13), Joshua (11) and Johncie (9) and I get up every morning at 5am to walk around the track at the high school (we drive 5 miles to get there). We debated walking in a neighborhood, but the track affords us the flexibility to walk at our own pace (and I can keep a watchful eye). I´ve had mornings that I wanted to stay in bed, but knowing that the kid´s look forward to it makes it easier for me. Suprisingly, our mornings are a lot easier and we get more done before we head out the door to school. We say that we are preparing my son for a 50 mile hike that he will take this summer in California with his Boy Scout Troop, but I know that we are creating a life-long habit. Not to mention the memories of being each others supporters in cheering each other on to make one more lap!
Patricia Hubbard
Holly Hill, FL
I´m 42 year old and never had a problem with my weight until a few years ago. I was having some medical problems and the medications I was on made me gain weight. I probably can´t blame it all on the meds but it sounds good and made me feel better than saying my eating habits may have gotten out of control some due to being depressed about the pain I was experiencing and all the medical problems I was having. I started walking 3 years ago after I had major surgery to finally alleviate my medical problems. My weight had ballooned to 176 lbs.!! Since I couldn´t get anyone of my friends to join me to walk, I would put my headphone radio on and go to the park and walk alone. The view was beautiful (the trail went around a lake)and the surroundings peaceful. In less than a month I had built up to doing a 15 minute mile. I also began to do yearly charity walks for the American Heart Society, the breast cancer walks and muscular dystrophy. I also started using light weights!
With my walks with the Leslie Sancone weight balls as well as doing the "Walk Away the Pounds", her video workouts when it was too cold or rainy outside. I admit sometimes I would get lax and go a week or 2 at a time without exercising. I eventually got down to 150 lbs, but fluctuated between 150 and 160 lbs for months. I am currently at 155 lbs, size 10-12, but have rededicated myself to walking at least 30 minutes at least 5 days a week and changing my diet, eating more fruits and vegetables to get to my goal weight of 140 lbs. I am well on my way and am dedicated to doing it.
Rosemary Schmidt
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
I am a 63 year old working women. About two years ago, I started using the walkaway the pounds program tapes. I started with the one mile, and could hardly get through it. I did not give up. It took me 1 month of doing the exercises every day to graduate to the 2 mile one, and to my surprise I actually did it without much difficulty. Now I am up to the 3 mile tape. I try and do it everyday. I love being able to fit the exercises in my own family room any time I want to. I have so much energy now. I have lost about 30 lbs. It took me about 8 month, I now am 126 lbs. and trim. I love to buy younger looking clothes, because of a smaller size. Age is inmaterial, when you feel this good, and can continue to remain active. I love your tapes.
Jenna Frankel
Medford, New Jersey
I´m not what you would consider an average college senior. My junior year, I looked at myself and thought it would be really nice to fit into some of my "skinny jeans" that were buried in my closet. There were two major problems: I developed the habit of smoking and I loved snacking with my hallmates. So, I took baby steps. I knew I wasn´t going to lose 20 pounds immediately. I began going to the gym and doing the elliptical for a half hour. Then, it would increase to 45 minutes or an hour. It was whatever I could push myself to do, but not go overboard. I was happy with losing a pound or half a pound a week. One day, I had decided to try the treadmill. Even though I had always been a three sport athlete, straight running was never my thing. So, I was able to run for 10 mintues. Then, I would do the elliptical. Each day, I would try to run a little further than the day before. Now, I run for 30 minutes and do the elliptical for 30 minutes at least each day. Along with losing over 15 pounds and toning my entire body, dedicating myself to the gym has enabled me to beat smoking. I couldn´t smoke the night before and go work out the next day. Also, I stopped joining the binge parties because I didn´t want to nullify the calories I had burned at the gym. Being happy about losing minimal weight paid off because, in the long run, it all added up. I don´t go out and party because I have to wake up early and work out. I aim to go all 7 days each week. This way, if I miss a day here or there, I´m okay with it. Another helpful thing I have done is catered my own workout, something that is suitable for me. I tore out about 50 pages from various magazines that showed different workouts and tips. I then grouped them by area of concentration. When I´m working out, I do the ones that feel the best and fit into my schedule. I have really seen a tremendous improvement in my whole body and attitude towards life; all thanks to the gym.
Adrianne Lee
Bowling Green, Ohio
I have never really had a problem with weight at 5´9" 130 pounds, however one thing always bothered me, my pear shape figure! My waist was 24" but my hips were 38"! To try to solve the problem I did high intesity interval training on the treamill. One minute at 10 mph, 1 at 3mph and repeat for 20 minutes. I got a very low body fat %, however my hips were still the same size! Finally I moved to New York City and started walking everywhere! I couldn´t afford a gym and walking was the only thing I did. My hips shrunk 2" and I got down to about 110lbs for the first time in my adult life. Walking is amazing!! Especially for pear shapes ladies!!
Joe Parks
Loomis, California
For most of my life I was considered very overweight. By the time I was a senior in High School and began college, I was 5´10´ and weighed over 270 lbs. I began to start running and exercising more. By doing this I lost about 35 lbs. Then a friend of mine told me I could loose a lot of weight by lowering my carbs. At first I was very skeptical. He told me to set a goal for myself. I was at a waist size of 40 (I had been at a size 42). I decided to set my goal at wearing a pant size of 34 and weighing 180 lbs. I started doing the diet but didn´t think it would work out. I kept doing it though and the weight honestly was flying off. I cut out almost all carbs out of my diet. I ate lots of fresh salads, meats, and dairy. I increased my exercise. In six months I lost a total of 70 lbs. In total from when I was at my heaviest, I lost 105 lbs in less than one year. I now wear a waist size of 31 and I feel better than ever. I have more energy and feel so much better about myself! People ask me all the time what I did and are shocked at how different I now look. I would reccomend this diet to anyone who desperately needs to loose a lot of weight.
Kate Young
Spring, Texas
Getting a dog was a great way to make sure I got out and walked every day…2 to 3 times a day! It´s a great stress reliever after having JUST moved for the third summer in a row too! When I can´t walk outside due to bad weather, I love the walking tapes by Teresa Tapp. Teresa´s way of walking gets rid of the butt and gut fat! I lost 18.5" this summer using her tapes and walking! Fabulous!
