Monday, June 09, 2008

As God as my witness...

I'll never be FAT (or hungry) again!

Today I want to share my weight loss experiences with you. I have lost over 60 pounds twice. The following is an essay my Weight Watcher's leader urged me to write when I hit my goal last February. I won second place! I'd like to lose a few more pounds though. And let me say I did not exercise this whole time. I think that's what it'll take to tone up and get to my personal (not WW) goal.
After 18 years of being overweight and having an obsession with food, I AM CURED! I started putting on weight my junior year of high school in 1989. I had always had bad eating habits, but cheerleading kept the pounds away. The exercise stopped and the pounds came on quickly. By 1995 I weighed 206 pounds at 5’4”. I spent many years depressed and became reclusive. I didn’t want anyone to see how fat I had gotten. I tried Weight Watchers a few times but when I would have a gain I’d get embarrassed and quit.
Finally after yo-yo dieting and trying every fad diet out there I lost 64 pounds and weighed in at 142 the summer of 2004. A few short months later my husband and I found out I was expecting! Ah!! Bring on the food! I’m pregnant, I can eat whatever I want…. And I did! pizza, powdered sugar doughnuts, Nutter Butter cookies, Cheezits and 100 Grand Bars were my staples. I piled on the helpings, especially at potlucks. Oh and cheesecake, I forgot to mention the cheesecake!!
Nine months later my delivery weight was 216+ pounds. I couldn’t wait to lose the weight again, as I had had just a small taste of how it felt! Plus I collect vintage clothing from 1800-1960 and it’s hard to find large sizes! I started right away with fad diet “A”. It just wasn’t working. Luckily a friend told me about the new CORE program from Weight Watchers. I decided to try it because Weight Watchers had always seemed like the most practical and realistic plan. This time I joined with no holds barred. I was going to make goal!
Core is absolutely wonderful! I can eat any time I am hungry, and as much as I need to feel satisfied. Plus I still get points to use for treats. Learning to listen to my body has made all the difference. I no longer gorge myself. I love the Core list and have tried many new recipes. Stomping out sugar and refined foods has done wonders for the way I feel. As long as my kitchen is Core friendly, sticking to plan is a breeze! I don’t feel I’m dieting at all. I love going to meetings and my leader is so fun and supportive. Journaling is key as well as shrugging off a gain.
After averaging about a pound a week I hit my goal plus achieved Lifetime status … and it didn’t take me 10 years to do it! I feel cured and so free from my food addiction. Core has also brought family time back to the table. No more running through the drive-thru in a hurry. We make meals from scratch and sit down at the table to eat. We can still go out for pizza or dessert and I don’t feel guilty. I’ve been maintaining my weight of 138 pounds, I’m dressing vintage and life is good!
To view a slideshow of my yo-yoing over the years, click here. Or use this link to see the photos and descriptions individually. You will also see a list of some of what I normally eat now.
I was a huge Atkins fan for quite some time. But it really only works if you do it correctly as written. And it's just not practical for life. I've got to have some different textured foods! I always said if they could mix Atkins with Weight Watcher's points, that would be the perfect diet. And basically, that's what CORE is. Core doesn't eliminate any food groups. There are certain foods that are not core, but you get so many points a week to eat those. It could be anything you want! If you are struggling with weight issues, I cannot reccomend Weight Watcher's CORE enough. Your pounds will be *Gone With the Wind*.....
And now for some Gone With the Wind trivia~ Did you know that Vivien Leigh refused to do the "wretching" noises in this scene? It's the gagging of Olivia de Havilland (Melanie) you hear!

11 comments:

StitchinByTheLake said...

I am so excited for you! I've been there on the weight loss cycle more times than I like to count and need to be back at WW now. I know how hard it was for you to do this and how wonderful it feels. You're doing a great job and you are so gorgeous, inside and out! Blessings, marlene

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

I enjoyed reading your WW testimony! You are doing great!

Katherine
So - what did you and Becca eat today!?

Life on the Edge said...

Congrats on the weight loss! Glad you found something that works for you. Sounds like you had to change things in your thinking too. Awesome job!

Hey, I have an award for you! Just pop on over to my latest post and you can pick it up! Also, tag, you're it! If you want to answer my tag questions, you can, but I know you have busy life, so you don't have to.

Kady
Life on Bonnie Lane

Robin said...

thank you so much for stopping and visiting me! I'm so inspired by you! You look fabulous and LOVE all those vintage clothes. The flickr pic of you and Scarlett was breathtaking! I've lost 17 and have about 10 more to go!

Anonymous said...

What an inspiration to others who struggle with weight. Thank you for sharing this!

Rue said...

I'm in shock for one thing and for another I am so thrilled for you Nikki! You have done a wonderful job!

I was skinny my whole life until I had two cesareans. the first one I got through, but after I had Annie I put on pounds BIG time. Before I married Rich I lost 40 pounds and I've gained 30 of it back. It's really depressing, but I'll have to check this out and see what happens. You have given me hope. I really would have never known that you were more than 110 lbs by looking at your pics. You are beautiful at any weight, but I know you feel better now, especially since you can wear those beautiful clothes :)

In answer to your question the boys live by Springfield MO in B.F.E. LOL

Thank you for understanding about the house issues. I knew you would understand :)

hugs,
rue

Heather said...

This is an incredible story and I am in awe!! You were beautiful at all weights but I am sure you feel better now after accomplishing such a goal! You my dear have courage to have written this post and you are truly an inspiration! Beautiful inside and out. Thank You for this!
-Heather :)

Maija said...

Your story is wonderful!! You are a beautiful stunning woman! I admire your commitment!

Unknown said...

Nikki! Have you considered sending this to the WW mag? You are an incredible success story! The pictures are killer. I just am not that brave. I currently avoid the front of camaras! LOL

Thank you for sharing!

~Liz

Christie said...

Hey Nikki,
I had never read your weight loss story until today...it's amazing and so are you. I am so proud for you...I think you are so beautiful inside and out...A big hug from me and also a Congratulations on meeting your goals sweet friend. I know it wasn't easy. But you did it! I want to lose about 10 pounds. The mean old metabolism keeps getting slow on me. Your story is such an inspiration...and I am so glad I read it.
xoxo,
Queenie

Unknown said...

Inspiring story.
and you look great !!!