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I never had a weight problem when I was young and I'm
still surprised I ended up a middle-aged overweight woman! No doctor ever told me to lose weight, although medical records
clearly stated I was "moderately obese." I was in excellent health
otherwise, so it wasn't much more than an appearance issue. I accepted that I was fat,
but as I approached my 49th birthday I felt old, tired, achy, and unattractive.
I secretly promised myself I would lose fifty pounds by my fiftieth birthday.
I figured I was an intelligent woman who knew what I should be eating,
and there would be no problem succeeding in a year's time.
Three months later the scale had only inched higher, and I faced
the fact that I did need guidance. I
knew of Weight Watchers'
excellent reputation so although I was embarrassed I needed help, I joined on
June 8th, 2000 at my all-time high weight of 202.4 pounds.
I believed that if Weight Watchers didn't work, nothing would, so I completely dedicated myself to the program.
After not losing a single pound on my own, I fully expected losing fifty
pounds would prove to be the hardest thing I have ever done.
But it truly was not. It took planning and perseverance, but it was not
hard. I never really felt deprived.
I was truly never "starving."
I was full of energy and felt better physically than I had in a decade.
While Weight Watchers gave me the tools I needed to succeed, Dotti's Weight Loss Zone gave me the heart. Within a week of discovering this site, I knew I had found exactly what I needed to keep me focused on my dream of becoming slim again. A poster on this message board once commented that Dotti's is "where we come to lose, maintain and fellowship with each other." Without a doubt, it is the fellowship of this friendly site that made my journey not only a success, but great fun! Thank you so much Dotti, for your labor of love!
I earned my 50 pound star in 8 ½ months, 15 days before my 50th birthday! I am currently on maintenance and am working to achieve a personal goal of 145 pounds during the summer of 2001. How nice to enter my fifties with the tools and the heart to keep myself at a healthy weight the rest of my life!
Barbara
"librarylady" on the Message Boards