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My name is Sherry and I’ll be 39 years old in May 2003. I am a newly-wed (having recently married for the FIRST time in October 2002) and I work as a Director of Human Resources for a major hotel chain. I was born and raised in the city of Edmonton (up here in Alberta, Canada) where I continue to reside. I am so blessed to have a loving family, caring friends, an amazing husband and a job that I love.
My weight loss journey started in January 2001 when I started Weight Watchers at an all-time high of 314 lbs. I’m 5’9” so this put me at 150 lbs overweight by Weight Watchers standards. Yikes!!!
My weight troubles began shortly after high school when many of my physical activities tapered off. I had joined Weight Watchers several times in the past and while I did lose weight, I didn’t learn how to keep it off. I would lose so much and then resign myself to the fact that I could continue losing on my own without the help of Weight Watchers. SILLY ME!!!
My weight became a real problem when I was diagnosed with an under-active thyroid in 2000 and gained considerably more and weighed more than I ever had. Naturally my family and friends discreetly dropped hints that I should lose a few pounds. Late in the year, my boss whom I genuinely respect sat down to give me my performance review. All parts of the review were rated commendable or superior so I was pleased that he felt my work performance was very good. After the review was over, he asked me if he could speak to me about something on a more personal level. He paused and hesitantly told me how concerned he was about my weight. He was afraid that if didn’t try to lose some weight that I’d be in for some serious health problems – which he didn’t want to see. This hit me like a ton of bricks and caught me completely off guard. I had heard my parents and friends kindly tell me to lose weight, but for my boss to do it?? I know now that it was something very hard for him to do. He was sincere and was only thinking about my own well-being, so I couldn’t fault him for that; he even offered whatever help he could give me to make the process easier.
The writing was on the wall from all those that cared for me – but for some reason I just wasn’t interested in reading it! I LOVED food. I’d been for a check-up and the doctor insisted that if I wanted to continue living into my senior years that I had better act now. That was the explanation point at the end of the “writing on the wall”.
It was getting harder and harder to find “nice” clothes that would fit. I was huffing and puffing after short walks, and would break out in hot-flashes after any minimal activity – even shopping was a chore – and I LOVE to shop! I have arthritis in both knees, so the weight also didn’t help that. I had an incredible man who was willing to love me in any form, but I knew in my heart that if I was to enjoy a long life with him – that it was time to look after myself. Slowly – but surely I came to the realization that I wasn’t going to lose weight for my family, my friends, my husband-to-be, my boss, my doctor, but instead for MYSELF. I want to live a long and happy life with my husband and I knew I was stubborn enough and intelligent enough to do it!
My Mom was a lifetime member of Weight Watchers and she had been telling me about the new points program and how much I’d like it – so in the middle of January 2001 I went to my first meeting with her.
I lost a good portion of my weight within 11 months of being on their program. I received my 75 lbs down star in November of 2001. It was at this time that I encountered my first plateau. I was lucky because the majority of that weight loss was done without much activity. Having arthritis makes any type of activity seem painful, so I didn’t give it a chance. Still reluctant to exercise, I maintained my weight loss of 78 lbs into 2002. Unfortunately the year was filled with many stresses and I seemed to “temporarily” lose sight of my goals. My now-husband had a very poor year with his health (I almost lost him) and while you might think this would make me more focused on my own health – I turned to food for comfort. Then there was our wedding – which was INCREDIBLE and our honeymoon, then Thanksgiving and then Christmas. While I’d been through an entire year and endured special holidays before – for some reason – after the wedding I kind of let go.
I know now that although this short period (3 months) was a setback – it was NOT a failure. I prefer to look at it as “feedback”. I “learned” from it and will use that knowledge when faced with stress again. Thankfully – I came to my senses before gaining much weight back and promptly returned to my Weight Watcher meetings the first week in January.
I am now back on track in 2003 and look forward to continuing my weight loss journey! I was fortunate enough to discover Dotti’s incredible site in the spring of 2001 and I can honestly tell you that I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for her. The vast knowledge and information her site provides along with the loving community within her message boards have provided me with the support and encouragement to keep going. While I attend Weight Watcher meetings weekly, it’s Dotti’s site that motivates me on a daily basis. It’s like having a Weight Watcher meeting 24/7 at your fingertips!
I couldn’t write about my success in the making without giving MUCH credit to my adoring husband. Although he loved me in my heavier days – he has been so supportive and encouraging in my weight loss. He is the cook in our household and has made my new lifestyle of eating FUN and easy for me! I love you with all my heart and soul - Randy!!!
I truly believe that this time is different and although my progress is slow – it’s still ongoing. The new Weight Watcher point system has made it much easier to stick with and allows for choices in what I eat. I’m now focused on a ‘lifestyle’ of eating – rather than a ‘diet’.
If you’re just starting out – my advice is to keep with it. There are many stages to weight loss and while we’d all like to lose the weight fast…… we must remember that we didn’t gain the weight quickly – so why should we expect it to come off quickly? I am learning to change life-long eating habits – some that I’ve had for over 30 years, so it’s realistically going to take time. There might be times when you feel like giving up – I’ve been there – so please don’t! Quitting will not get you to your goal! I am going to do it and I’m sure you can too!
When I first discovered Dotti’s – I was
so inspired by the success stories and success’s in the making. I was so
flattered that Dotti would so graciously allow me to share mine at this time.
I hope that perhaps I will help someone else to keep on with their weight loss
journey – just as I am keeping up with mine! I look forward to bringing
you updates as I move forward to reach my goal! Thanks for reading my “Success
in the Making”!! Feel free to email me
with any questions! Sherry
Pics,
Left to Right: This is me PRE Weight Watchers (summer 2000); Lost a Chin;
Taken in December 2001. I had lost
77 lbs at this time; Randy & I taken Jan 5, 2001; my wedding dress; taken
at staff party, Jan 11, 2003