Marie Lost 100 Pounds!

From New Album 10/17/08 12:34 AM

From left to right: Marie at 247 at pounds; Marie today at 145 pounds; Marie in new size 6 suit at 145 pounds; Marie with daughter 13 years ago! Compare this photo from 13 years ago to second photo from left. Losing 100 pounds not only made me thinner but younger looking too!

My name is Marie and my story is a big one! I’ve recently lost 100 lbs. At 5’ 8” tall, I went from a size 18 to a 6 in dress clothes and most jeans. I was fit for most of my life with an occasional blip up in weight -- once, after I quit smoking -- many years ago and especially after the birth of my daughter when I gained 75 pounds and lost only 15 or so after the delivery. Both times I was able to get back to a healthy size eventually. However, then I went through very tough times -- we lost my beautiful mother and then my father was in an SUV accident while bicycling. After that I went through a difficult divorce. I gained 80 pounds in just two years! Like, so many people, I went into the “hard times" of my life 20 pounds overweight to begin with and then packed on another 80 in the process! I was drinking lots of high calorie beverages and eating sugary snacks to comfort myself and keep my energy up during those hard times. Unfortunately, like so many people too, I did not know that I grew carb intolerant and rapidly ballooned to 247 pounds. If I needed to lose a few pounds in the past, I would cut calories. Only this time that was not working! Like a prayer answered, Justin Pelletiere a personal trainer called my company. I asked him what he thought he could do for me and we scheduled an appointment. What I would learn from Justin over the course of two years was extraordinary. I began eating 6 healthy small meals a day and stayed away from junk food. Also, I began exercising regularly with Justin -- including weight lifting and strength training. I lost 100 pounds within 17 months and hit several plateaus that Justin helped me get through by designing "plateau buster programs" on the way to my goal weight.

Today, I look and feel younger and healthier then I did 5 years ago. I reached my goal weight back on my birthday and I have been able to maintain it through continued discipline and training sessions. There was a setback in March of this year. I packed on 10 pounds when I added some healthy but high fat foods to my diet. I was able to take off that 10 pounds again over the next two months in April and May -- with Justin's guidance -- and now I’m working on losing another 10 pounds at this writing for good measure ...and some wiggle room too! One thing is for sure, my new diet and exercise regime is going to be a way of life for me. Losing 100 pounds is life transforming and I know that I would not have been able to do it this time without my personal trainer Justin Pelletiere. He taught me the basic principles of diet, weight loss, healthy exercise, core training and strength training. I also learned that when it comes to weight gain and loss we are all a little bit different. Before Justin called, I thought that it might have been too late to turn my weight around and for that matter my health and ultimately my life. Thank you Justin!

My Road to Fitness

1. Like a prayer answered I get a call from Justin Pelletiere, a personal trainer!

2. I keep personal training session appointment (I remember stubbing my toe and thinking that I should not go to my first training session. I laugh at the thought of this today! Now, I can't wait to work out with Justin!)

3. I eat healthy -- and I learn what healthy eating means! As Justin says, "It's very difficult to out train a bad diet".

4. Keep a disciplined schedule for sleep, work, eating and working out -- this makes all of the difference.

5. Learn about how the body works and what is best for various body types (for example, I was muscular under all of that extra weight). A personal trainer will educate you about body types.

6. I did not get discouraged when I hit plateaus. My personal trainer engineered a "plateau busting" exercise routine and diet plan designed just for me!

7. I weigh in at least weekly and make sure that it is the same day each week.

8. I make notes to self, such as "Listen to your personal trainer if you want to lose weight. No french fries means no french fries! "

9. I became grateful for encouragement. I learned how to accept compliments graciously. I have learned to say thank you when people praise my weight loss!

10. I enjoyed changes in my body shape and sizes. My journey took me from sizes 18 to 16 to 14 to 12 to 10 to 8 and ultimately to size 6. I was able to find inexpensive but stylish clothing at discount and value stores until I reached my goal weight. This process is very gratifying! Of course, when you reach your goal weight and your budget permits, buy a special outfit to celebrate your transformation and then try helping someone else in need!

Share your weight loss stories or frustrations with me.

Many thanks for listening!

Marie

cityguidechicago@mac.com