I began my journey two (2) years ago at age 50 when I tipped the scale at 200lbs. My doctor put me on medication for high cholesterol. At this point, I realized that I needed to make some positive changes if I wanted to see my grandchildren grow up. I added more fruits and vegetables to my diet, and started moving around to get exercise. When I discovered Shapely Girl DVDs, I fell in love. I began with the Get Moving DVD and moved on to the Weights and Step Aerobics. I've since lost 50 pounds and my doctor took me off my medication. My grandchildren are such a huge part of my life and I want to be able to keep up with them into my 60s and beyond.
Thanks, Deb! ~ Karen DeSchepper
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My daughter, Jean, and I came to the ShapelyGirl Fitness program in February 2010. We joined the weight loss support group which met on Tuesdays. We worked as a team and supported each other in this challenge when we were not able to attend class. Jean and I joined the group because we were battling health issues and needed to get them in check before they spiraled out of control. I have diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and osteoporosis. I have a few weaknesses when it comes to eating. I am not an emotional eater, but I indulge in foods that I really like, which are fried foods and sandwiches on fresh white bread.
With the help of my awesome instructor, Debra, and perseverance, I was able to overcome some obstacles when it came to making food choices for myself. After a while we were unable to attend class due to Jean's hectic schedule so we tried to work with managing things on our own. As with many things in life, we would have some good days and we would have some bad days. The thing that got me through was that I kept in mind that Debra told me that every day was not going to be a good day, but to make sure the good days out weighed the bad.
We all make New Year's resolutions that we are going to lose weight. Jean and I went back and rejoined the fitness center in the personal training capacity. I was fortunate to get Debra as my personal trainer. Before we got started, she asked me what exactly it was I expected to accomplish from the sessions. I told her I was not there to worry about how many pounds I could drop. My primary goals were to: 1) feel better health-wise 2) have more flexibility in body movement and 3) to decrease the amount of medication I am taking.
I just want you to know that what I came to ShapelyGirl Fitness Center to do I have accomplished. With perseverance, motivation and the right attitude nothing is impossible. I am a winner and a star! I want to thank my daughter, Jean, for taking the time from her busy schedule to get me to my sessions every week, my personal trainer, Deb, who works diligently with me, her staff and all the beautiful friendships I have gained since I have joined the center. That's my story as a Shapely Girl! ~ Ivy Jean Evans
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I have always been a proud PLUS SIZE woman. I am very confident in myself and my appearance. In April 2010, I came back from a vacation in Mexico.When I stepped off the plane, I began thinking about the issues I had just experienced with getting my seat belt around me. I realized that I HAD to do something NOW before I developed health issues.
Up to this point, my blood pressure and lab results have always been good, but I knew that would not last if I continued to live the life I was living. I started my dieting process by putting myself on a pretty tough and strict very low calorie diet. I lost 40 lbs, but realized that I could never live my life eating cabbage and baked beans alone. It was just not realistic.
I began to incorporate different foods back into my diet. My weight loss did slow down and I realized that with proper dieting and exercising, I could begin to feel better about myself. I began walking on the weekends and taking Zumba classes 5 days a week. I have always hated exercising but Zumba is more like dancing. Walking on the treadmill could get very boring, but Zumba is fun and it makes me feel like I am getting a great workout since I burn a lot of calories and sweat! I have never been thin and I'm not trying to be thin. I just want to be happy and healthy!
I am a curvy girl and very proud of it. I am not at my final goal yet, but I know with the proper diet and daily exercising, I will make it there! I thank God every day for how far I have come and for how far I am going to go. Thank you for letting me share my story. ~ Natasha Coleman
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Well, I really haven't done any of your videos yet, although I believe my story will win your contest. My story started in May 2010. I ended up in the hospital and was not myself at all. While there, a female doctor made me feel worthless and ashamed of being obese and putting my son through this ordeal. She stated that I was literally killing myself and she was right. I was smoking and had just been diagnosed with diabetes about two weeks before. I was having issues with my breathing the past two months. I was obese and had become very sedentary the past 4 years. After being stuck in the hospital, being poked at and having to go through two surgeries to see if I had clogged arteries and Heart disease, I decided I would do something about it. When I got out of the hospital, I could not walk to the bathroom and back without getting out of breath. I became very depressed and was crying a lot. I didn't want my six year old son sad and think I was going to die. On May 28, 2010, I joined Weight Watchers and began to take charge of my life. At that time, I began to walk. I could not walk half a block without losing my breath and having to take a break, but did not give up. I started going to the YMCA, but I had a lot of difficulty and couldn't do the treadmill, eliptical or bike at that time. I began to strengthen my muscles with weight lifting and swimming. I was losing weight and feeling better. I quit smoking, got off some of my medications for depression and I began to feel better about myself. I then took it upon myself one day to get on the treadmill and for the first time I did 5 minutes. The next day I was able to do ten minutes and before you know it, I was doing 40 minutes and losing a lot of weight. I began to have some pain in my feet and was told by my foot doctor I had developed tendonitis and was restricted from using the eliptical and treadmill. My weight loss stopped for a while and I hit a plataeu. I then was challenged in November 2010 to do the turkey trot for Christmas. I had to do 100 miles by 12/23/2010. I took the challenge and did it. I could not do ten minutes on the bike, but pushed myself to do 15 miles on the bike and completed the turkey trot. I was ecstatic with my determination. I continue to go to the YMCA. I now have a trainer and I am waiting for my restrictions of using the treadmill and eliptical to be lifted, but I do what I can every day. Two women and I began walking the mall for additional exercise. I began this journey as a size 28 and I am now a size 18. I began at 297 pounds at the hospital and I am now 252 as of last Friday at a Weight Watchers meeting. My goal is to become 135 pounds and a size 12. I know this is a long process and that it will take time to adapt to my new lifestyle, but I am motivated to do this and for the first time I want to complete this journey. ~ Demme Matheos
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