Stacey MacDonald
Seattle, WA
Actually, there are TWO success stories here--my mom and me...In October, my mom was feeling strange so I took her into the doctor--thankfully it wasn't anything too serious, but when we got home my mom asked what she could do to start feeling better. So, I told her that we'd work together to become more healthy and active. So, we started out by writing down in journals what we ate and started to walk every evening. At first, one mile was tough for my mom, but with each walk we took it became easier, and we are up to 2 miles every evening...when we aren't able to go on our walk the day just doesn't seem complete. It is our time to unwind from the day and chat about important things or non-important things--but the important thing is we get to spend time together while reaping the benefits of exercising. It hardly seems like exercising when you get to talk to your best friend the whole time! As of today, I've lost 21 pounds and my mom has lost 30 pounds. I was going to just call us "works in progress", but then after writing and realizing how far we've come, I think I'll call us "SUCCESSES IN PROGRESS"!
Linda Colucci
Rochester, NY
My name is Linda Colucci and I'm 53 years old. About 2 years ago, I knew I Had put on a lot of weight, but hadn't stepped on a scale in a long time – I Just didn't want to see the numbers. I was at my doctor's office for my annual checkup and the scale read 181 lbs. -- my all time high for my 5'4"medium built frame. My blood pressure was high and I could barely walk up 2 flights of stairs. I went home that evening and cried -- really cried. Right then and there I decided to do something about the way I looked and felt. Using many of the tips I learned from Prevention Magazine, I devised a plan for myself. Always averse to exercise, I started walking. 30 minutes at lunchtime around the building where I work, and 30 minutes on my home treadmill at night. Until now, the treadmill had been a dust collector and clothes rack in my bedroom -- but I really started to use it every day. I made it a point to walk up the stairs whenever possible, no more elevators for me. And I started parking at the far end of the lot wherever I went, instead of circling. Around trying to find the closest parking space. I began paying more attention to portion control at meals -- and I started slowing down -- I had always been a fast eater, barely tasting my food before I swallowed it. I found that things tasted much better, and I savored each and every bite. I substituted sugary, fatty snacks with fresh fruit, veggies and granola bars. Bought a George Foreman grill and used that to grill my chicken, fish, and veggies with no added fat. All in all, I simply adopted a healthy lifestyle, one that I could maintain for the rest of my life. And it certainly paid off -- in 18 months I had lost 57 lbs. and 5 dress sizes -- down from size 16 to size 6 and weighing 124 lbs. My blood pressure dropped 20 points and I’m no longer constantly out of breath after a short walk flight of stairs. I feel 20 years younger! The changes I made were simple and the payoff was enormous. I plan to stick with my plan for life. Thank you for providing me with inspiration and encouragement!
Deb Adams
I was 42 years old and My husband asked me to come out and go
for a snow mobile ride. I hadn't been riding snowmobile
very long and I was going slow and I went to go around a
pole and I dumped the snowmobile over on right side. I tried
to prevent it from going all the way over on it's side and
I tore something in my right knee. I thought I had just
sprained something in knee and it would be better in morning.
Wrong! The next morning I couldn't even walk. So I went
to my Doctor to have it checked out. He then sent me to
a Knee Specialist to have it looked at. I ended up tearing
the ACL in half. I ended up having 3 knee surgeriesbefore
I finally got the ACL fixed right. I knew I was over weight
and huge to say the least because for almost two years I
couldn't get any exercise due to my injury. So I did what
everyone does when they are bored, I started to eat .My
Cholesterol was 299. I was 130 pounds over weight for my
size .I was diabetic Type 2. My Blood Pressure was very
high.
So I started to go walking, I started going for short walks.
then I built up to walking with a fanny pack with my tape
player and extra tape and batteries in pockets .Then I decided
to get on internet to see if I could find any information
on walking or joining a walkers web site.
On 9-16-02 of this week. I went to Dr. for monthly weigh in and blood
pressure check. I have went from 190 in weight to 187. My
cholesterol is now below 200 it is 190. My knees are better
for this weight loss. And so is my back.
So I say to every one trying to loss weight and watching what
you eat. There is a saying you are what you eat is very
true. I know this now by looking at old pictures of me before
I started walking and watching what I eat. Just take one
day at a time And Hang in there. you can do it!
Ardy White
I had been steadily gaining weight since I hit 40. A few over
the hill maladies made my usual daily walks impossible ,
the most serious being a bunion operation on one foot that
did not heal properly. As I gained weight I became more
and more inactive. At 5'2" , I weighted 153 lbs. I
became depressed and ate more.
When I was 50 I got in contact with an old high school girlfriend
who was instrumental in organizing our High School Reunion.
She made it clear it was essential I be there, although
I was too embarrassed to think about going.
The reunion was a year away, so I began walking to try to
get the weight off. I walked regularly before work waking
at 4am so I could be outside by 5 am. I did not miss a walk
that first year. I walked in the rain and snow, determined
that I would get some much needed discipline in my life.
When the reunion came, I was a size 6! I must say I looked
great. It's now two years later, I still walk and have added
biking and cross training
Melanie Andrews
Denham Springs, Louisiana
Starting the year 2002, I felt as though I was looking down
the barrel of a gun! Turning 40 in early September, I carried
nearly 200 pounds on my 5' frame. I'd been overweight for
many years. I'd tried every fad diet known to man and had
only succeeded in taking off some weight and then adding back
on what I had worked so hard to lose. My husband feared that,
being a exact duplicate of my grandmother who died of a heart
attack at the age of 52 and suffered from severe diabetes,
I would succumb to the same fate.
My family physician suggested that I drop 70 pounds which
seemed like an impossible feat! He gave me a business card
for a local Registered Dietician who specialized in helping
people to lose weight and control diabetes through proper
nutrition. I made an appointment with her late February, 2002,
and what a difference it has made in my life!! I began a diet
which is fashioned from the American Diabetes Association
plan. I adopted the goal ... "40 by 40" with the
hope of losing at least 40 pounds by my 40th birthday come
early September.
It was simply amazing! It was hard for the first few weeks,
but once I got the hang of it...the pounds melted off! I was
never hungry and never felt deprived. I made my 40 lb. goal
before my 40th birthday. Now, I'm down 44 pounds with only
6 pounds to go to reach my overall goal of 50 pounds. I've
gone from a size 16 to a size 8 and the difference is astounding.
I run into people that I haven't seen in a while and many
of them don't even recognize me. I haven't been this small
in over 20 years and couldn't be happier.
Every aspect of my life has improved. I sleep much better,
can hike with my family on vacations without having to rest
every 10 minutes and truly enjoy shopping for clothes. The
biggest victory is that my health is much better and I may
have added years to my life by accomplishing this goal. I've
found bones and muscles that I never knew I had!! And best
of all, I've done it in a healthy manner, not with some fad
diet.
My husband has dropped over 35 pounds himself and my ten year
old daughter is now eating much healthier. If I can do it...anyone
can. Life's a lot different now and I'm so glad that I've
been able to accomplish this goal!!!
Beth Packer
Virden, Illinois
My name is Beth Packer and I am 39 years old, married
for 21 years and have 2 daughters. About 5 years ago, I
finally realized that I needed to do something about my
weight. I just happen to be at my mothers house this one
afternoon and was in the bathroom. I thought I would get
on the scales there because at the time I didn't have one
at home. Well, was that a shock of a lifetime!!!! Looking
at those scales making sure I was seeing what I thought
it said.. Yup, 252 pounds!!!!!!!!! I thought to myself that
there was no way that I weighed that much. I had to do something
about it, so I did. I started the very next day changing
my whole life style. I had to, or I was in for some BIG
problems down the road. I just made myself walk. I started
out very slow, and then added each week.
It about killed me to exercise because I hadn't done it
for so long. So I only did 1 mile a day to start. And cutting
out fried food and also fast foods.. What a change. Although
it has been coming up on 5 years this November, I has had
much success. I have lost 104 pounds and have kept it off.
I am so proud of myself and I don't mind getting on the
scales now.. I now walk 2 times a day 4 miles each time.
I also do 2 hours of aerobics and weight train too. I really
enjoy my life, and my family does too. They have been much
help in my dieting success.
I still have people stop me and tell me that I look great.I
thank Walker's Warehouse and also Prevention Magazine. I
also thank Bob Greene and Oprah Winfrey for getting my rear
end in gear. Walking has just become a big part of my life
today. Thanks for helping!
Allyson Beers
Bowmanstown, PA
Two years ago, on my 27th birthday, I looked at myself in
front of the mirror and was mortified at what I was seeing.
Here I was, 27 years old, mother of two, and I weighed 197
pounds. I knew something had to be done! I started walking.
I'd do 30 minutes each night. This led to me walking in fitness
walks, benefit walks, and even more walking around my town!
From only walking 30 minutes, I then started to challenge
myself with each walk I'd take. I'd push myself to go 5 minutes
longer or to step up the pace a little. Before I knew it,
my 30 minutes led to 45 minutes which in turn led to 1 hour.
Throughout the past two years, I have lost 50 pounds and I
have gained so much confidence in myself! I recently participated
in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, which is
a 24 hour walk. I might not have walked the entire 24 hours,
but I did keep track of mileage! I walked 30 miles during
the event! Thanks to Walker's Warehouse and Prevention Magazine,
I plan on walking wherever, whenever I can!!! Thanks guys!!!
