Success Story

My Story

Almost two years ago, it hit me - I could no longer claim ‘pregnancy weight’ as the reason behind my extra pounds; my daughter is 35.  Truthfully, for over 20 years I carried more weight than I ever thought I could – or would.  It seems I had used every diet in the book and nothing worked.  I just kept eating – and sitting.

I had every reason to change my habits:  I’m a cancer survivor, I was on the edge of diabetes and had high blood pressure.  I had what the doctors called ‘sleep apnea’ and I could snore anyone out of a room.

What turned me around?  I finally wanted desperately to look and feel different.  I wanted to start traveling again. I wanted my daughter to quit worrying about my health and to be proud to be seen with me.  I wanted to live to see my grandchildren.  I wanted to be in control of my life.

In August 2006 I went to Jenny Craig.  I learned to re-establish my relationship with food.  Suddenly I found myself enjoying eating more fruits and veggies and stocking my kitchen with foods that were good for me.  I started exercising – more than my annual four trips to the gym.  I went to the gym 3-4 times a week and as the weight started coming off, I began to bicycle in the neighborhood, walk, and swim. 

The bottom line – I lost 5 pounds the first week and with patience and stick-to-itiveness, in January 2008 I had lost 128 pounds of the ‘former me’ and 67 inches!

If I can do it, anyone can do it.  Some of my best tips:  brush your teeth early in the evening – it signals your body that you’re done eating.  Move.  Move.  Move.  Get up and away from the TV where it’s easy to snack.  Exercise, go to yoga, read, get a dog, or play computer games which keep your hands and mind busy.  Set up a reward – mine was to go on a cruise after I reached my goal.  And, I did it!

What are the best things about losing all that weight?  I’m able to look in the mirror without being ashamed.  My daughter’s proud of me – she tells all her friends about my success.  I feel good – I get out of bed ready to go!  I can participate in family activities again – walk on the beach, bicycle to the park.  I used to dread going out in to the yard; now I love doing yard work.  It’s opened up a whole new world; I even know my neighbors.

Weight loss and getting fit worked for me this time because I was emotionally ready to make it work.  My goal now is to lose 10 more pounds, but most importantly to maintain the loss I have made. 

Valerie Patten
Division of Professional-Technical Education