There are so many people joining in the weight loss group, that I would like to share my personal story. There are a couple of members that I have shared this with (privately).

When I was in my 20's, I weighed OVER 200 lbs.
When I was in my 30's, I weighed OVER 300 lbs.
When I turned 40, I woke up one day and knew if I wanted to see fifty, I better get some help. My body was a time bomb just waiting to go off. High blood pressure, borderline diabetic, back problems and knee problems.

On that day, I called my doctor and said I need help. He gave me a diet to follow and I joined a gym. For the next year I followed that diet (to a tee) and worked out 4 times a week. I LOST 150 pounds.

Before

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i310/charlene05_photos/weightloss2.jpg

After

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i310/charlene05_photos/weightloss.jpg

Since 2004 I have gained 50 pounds back. I let my guard down and started to see a lot of bad habits returning. I had vowed NEVER to let myself get out of control again and here I was returning to a very unhealthy lifestyle.

http://usera.imagecave.com/shilonyx/DSC00073_0019-copy.jpg

So in June 2006, I joined WW. I have lost 27 pounds and hope to (WILL)reach my goal in June of 2007.

I hope that everyone will succeed in reaching their goals and I hope that this will inspire those that think they CANNOT do it. :)

Charlene

Wow Charlene! You have done an amazing job of getting yourself on track! Good for you! I wish you luck in continuing with your with your weight loss and healthy life style.
Cindy
Thank you for sharing and for your Inspiration.

Charlene.

Thank you for sharing your story with us. You are an inspiration to the rest of us!

Great Job!

Julie

That is really great to hear your "success" story! It is hard to "keep" the weight off once it is lost!

I'm doing pretty good so far this week. I am back on track.

Thank you Charlene. That is a great success story. Keep up all your hard good work. Just yesterday I got a mailer for rejoining WW. I have WW material that is a few years old and I'm going to us it again. Does anyone anything about WW turnaround program, if it is better or the same at the points program???

Thank you Charlene. That is a great success story. Keep up all your hard good work. Just yesterday I got a mailer for rejoining WW. I have WW material that is a few years old and I'm going to us it again. Does anyone anything about WW turnaround program, if it is better or the same at the points program???

The turnaround program has changed a little for 2007. If you follow the Flex Plan, the points calulations have changed. You can still follow the Core Plan and that stayed the same. They are both GOOD plans and it really depends on your needs. I follow Flex so that I can keep track of what I am eating.
Feel free to pm me anytime if you need more info.

that's awesome Charlene!! it's not that you got knocked down, it's that you got back up!!! wow, before and after pictures...that's just amazing. :)

Wow Charlene that is amazing.....great job.

I personally like the core plan best I find that it what works best for me. But most people at our meetings follow the flex plan.

Hi girls (guys??), :)

I'm not on weight watchers or any other type of plan. I have a gym membership so my new year's goal is to work out 4 days a week and cut out nearly all of the junk food I eat (exceptions are a once a week outing to our favorite mexican restaurant).

I have used Shaklee's "cinch" weightloss products and they are awesome but it's hard spending $$ every month for that stuff. Once I finish what I have, I am only going to continue on their cinch daily supplements which control my hunger (I'm out of them and waiting for a new supply in the mail, so I'm still hungry all of the time).

Does anyone use vitamin/mineral supplements?

Claudia :)

Charlene, WTG! That is a great story and I hope we each took away something from it. Keep up the hard work and good luck everyone - weekends are always the killer for me because I don't want to cook!

Claudia, do you mean vitamins or supplements to supress hunger or just in general?

Charlene, WTG! That is a great story and I hope we each took away something from it. Keep up the hard work and good luck everyone - weekends are always the killer for me because I don't want to cook!

Claudia, do you mean vitamins or supplements to supress hunger or just in general?

either or.... what I take has all of the vitamins and supplements in it, plus an amino acide called L-Leucine that gives me a natural feeling of energy and it also controls my appetite, I don't know how, but it does (i don't sell the product in case you are wondering! lol).

I've been taking a multi-vitamin for as long as I remember. I've been anemic so I need to take something with iron. I currently take Centrum or the GNC multi-vitamin for the ladies - whatever I can get my hands on when I'm low on it. Recently, I've added Os-Cal with vitamin D as per my doctor's instructions.

I've been taking a multi-vitamin for as long as I remember. I've been anemic so I need to take something with iron. I currently take Centrum or the GNC multi-vitamin for the ladies - whatever I can get my hands on when I'm low on it. Recently, I've added Os-Cal with vitamin D as per my doctor's instructions.

my GYN recommended I start taking calcium, too. I suppose I should look into that, thanks for the reminder. :)

Charlene thanks for sharing your story! How proud you must feel, you did an awesome good thing for yourself.. You are inspiring to us all... :) Keep up the good work!

Jenna~

Charlene, you're my inspiration...but you already knew that. :)

Keep up the good work!

wow! :) thanks for sharing your success! This really shows me that anyone can lose weight, but you have to want to do it.

Thanks! :)

Charlene, you're my inspiration...but you already knew that. :)

Keep up the good work!


Wow Charlene!! I agree, you're also my inpiration, and my friend, and I'm so proud of you, and happy you shared all that with us!! I hope you realize how much you've helped me and others!!!!

Thank you!!!!

Hi girls (guys??), :)


Does anyone use vitamin/mineral supplements?

Claudia :)

I'm using Centrum One a Day, 2 500MG of Calcium and 2 500mg of Vitamin C. Every now and again, I'll add back in Echinecea - usually during the time of year when I'm more prone to colds. I start boosting my system about 2 months out.

I'm considering some others right now too but not finished with my research.

Trisha

Charlene - Great for you!! That's such an inspirational story. I went to my photo album last night to find a picture of me when I was my fittest in 1998. I plan to make that my inspiration as my 30th bday is just around the corner and I'd love to lose 15lbs as close to that time as possible (Feb 21st).

my GYN recommended I start taking calcium, too. I suppose I should look into that, thanks for the reminder. :)

For those looking into ways to get more calcium, I drink Lite Chocolate Soy Milk (1C = 2pts on WW) in the morning or OJ fortified with Calcium. I'm lactose intolerant so it's really important that I get enough calcium.

I also hit up Pria or Luna bars which are really good too - 3pts each for a snack during the day. I'm not one to snack on yucky tasting protein bars but these are pretty good. Another great snack with Calcium is Lite Yogurt (0 fat from Kroger and 2pts WW too - it's really filling!), as well as Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches (2pts WW).

Love the Skinny Cow products! For a vitamin I use One a Day Weight Smart. I'm trying to stay with in my point range, but right now am finding that with my chocolate craving, I'm having a hard time at night when my husband goes to work and I put the kids to bed. Maybe I'll have to see whom makes low fat for fat free in chocolate ice cream or something like that. Good LUck everyone. Charlene, you are an inspiration!

I've heard that the Pria bars are pretty good. I also like some of the Weight Watcher bars. You can only purchase the Weight Watcher bars at the meetings.

I take a multi vitamin daily.

I may try the lite chocolate soy milk! I don't drink milk at all and I know I should. I also get a stomach ache from milk so maybe the soy milk will be better!

I may try the lite chocolate soy milk! I don't drink milk at all and I know I should. I also get a stomach ache from milk so maybe the soy milk will be better!

Hey there! Maybe you are lactose intolerant? Do you have trouble with some cheeses and ice cream too? I did have to adjust to Soy milk but LOVE it now. Plus, that's how I also get a chocolate fix. At least it's good for me :).

Love the Skinny Cow products! For a vitamin I use One a Day Weight Smart. I'm trying to stay with in my point range, but right now am finding that with my chocolate craving, I'm having a hard time at night when my husband goes to work and I put the kids to bed. Maybe I'll have to see whom makes low fat for fat free in chocolate ice cream or something like that. Good LUck everyone. Charlene, you are an inspiration!

Edy's has a great fat free-sugar free ice cream. They have a big selection of flavors too. :D They also have a light ice cream that's pretty good.