People always want to know why someone started Weight Watchers. Let me tell you about my life before Weight Watchers.

Christmas of 2001 I weighed over 300lbs. I had gotten to the point I never left my house unless it was absolutely necessary. Work, shopping(mainly food) and a very difficult 1 block walk with Billy the beagle. I hated myself and what my life had become. I was lonely, depressed, and very close to dying either by a heart attack or even worse taking my own life. Billy the beagle and Peko the chocolate lab were the only things that kept me going because I did not think he would get a good home as an older dog. I was 43 years OLD!!! The most exercise I got was a walk around the block with Billy and moving from the sofa to the fridge. Heck, I even drove 1/2 block to Taco Bell for food instead of walking. I would accept invitations from friends and call them at the last minute and cancel.

I started working on losing the weight myself and had done okay for a while. Then I got to the point I was losing and gaining the same 20 lbs over and over. Any little thing would send me into the bottom of a fast food bag or 1 gallon ice cream container. How many servings are there in a gallon of ice cream? 1.... give me a spoon and get out of my way!!!!
I knew this was not working and that the yo-yoing was making me even unhealthier both physically and mentally. I have had a lot of stress and loss in the last few years. I lost my partner, Don in July of 1999. Ten days earlier, one of my best friends died. One year to the date, I was catering another memorial for a good friend who had died. Last March , Peko the chocolate lab had to be released from pain. By this time I was a walking time bomb waiting to explode. I knew I had to do something and I had to do it fast. I did not want my Mom to get a call saying her baby had died and it be for a stupid reason that I could have done something about. I did start counseling for depression. Happy to say I have been released from counseling and given a clean bill of mental health on that part at least. LOL

The company I work for had a huge health fair with different health providers and services with booths. Weight Watchers was one that set up a both and had information about at work groups. I got interested and talked 20 people into signing up for the first group back in June of 2002. I went to the first meeting and weighed in at 266lbs. I have worked the program like a demon since then. I have had small losses of .8., .6, .2, and have even had two gains along the way. This does not mean a thing. These were only steps on the lifetime journey I have begun. I have lost 81lbs so far, but this pales in significance when I think of where I was mentally in 2002 and where I am in 2003.

I have had more losses in my life since I started the program. I lost one of my favorite aunts last summer and also lost Billy the beagle this past week. I have found a different kind of inner strength to deal with losses now. Instead of punishing myself, I take care of myself and move on. Yes, I still feel pain but I handle it in a totally different way. I love life now and have decided ,yes, I am ready to date again. I am at a place where I can let someone in my life and share my life with them. I love myself and love the world again. (well, maybe not all the world LOL)

By sharing this, I hope I can bring some understanding of me and also give some encouragement to those struggling and just starting. As depressing as the first part of this message is, the main thing I hope you take from this is that there is hope and you can do anything!!!!!!! If I can make these changes, then so can you!!!!!!!! Please take the tools that weight watchers has given you and run with it. Lift your head and smile at the sky and scream I can and will do this!!!!!!!!

Weight Watchers is da bomb!!!!! Okay, I might be a little long in the tooth to be talking like a teenager, but Weight Watchers really does work. Since June 10th, 2002, I have lost a total of 81 pounds!!! I have gone from wearing a size xxl shirt and belt to wearing a medium shirt and medium belt. My pants have gone from a size 46 fitting so tight that it took 3 hours for the red marks to disappear after I took them off to a size 32 fitting. This is only a small portion of the entire picture.

I have so much more energy now. I fell like getting up. I enjoy walking, swimming, and other activities. I actually went dancing a few weeks ago and could dance 10 songs in a row again!!! I walk with a new spring in my step and a smile on my face because I am happy with myself and what is happening with my body, but there is even more. I am learning to control portions and eat healthy. trust me when I say that a portion use to be a plate full and the bigger the plate the better. ( I am from the south. LOL) I know eat healthy foods, make wise decisions, and am loving life and food way more than I did than when I just pigged out on anything put in front of me. I have learned new ways to deal with stress instead of just eating. I know go for walks or go to the gym. I may spend more money at the grocery store, but I spend a lot less on junk food or fast food. I am sure Jack in the Box is wondering why their sales have gone down so much since last June.

Health wise, my cholesterol is way under 200, my blood pressure is at a healthy range and I know this will all keep improving. I look at least ten years younger than I did last year and feel like a totally different person. I feel sure that I have added years to my life by doing this.

Weight Watchers gives you the tools, the leader, the group and the message boards give you the support to make a lifestyle change. That is what this is all about. It is not a diet. It is a lifestyle change that can affect not only you but all those you love and come in contact with on a daily basis. When you feel better about yourself and healthier, a certain confidence comes out that others respond to with out knowing they are even doing it. I am so thankful I finally admitted I needed help getting my eating in order and getting the weight off. I have changed in so many ways in the last month. Am I a different person? No, I am the person who was always trapped within. I have released the inner Steve. I have always been caring, thoughtful, and all that. I now have the energy to express it and be there for others in ways I never could have before.

I know this is long and rambling but these were some thoughts I wanted to share with you all. You will never know just how much I appreciate and love the friends I have made on the boards here at weight watchers. You have been my rock in hard times, my cheering section in good, made me laugh, made me cry but most of all, made me feel confident that I can do anything and survive anything. For this I will always be grateful.

Now I want you to take this wonderful energy and make this program work for you.




Lots of Hugs,

Steve

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