Center of attention - Success Stories

Shape, July, 2002

Throughout my high-school years, my weight seemed to be stuck at 190 pounds. Wearing size- 16/18 clothes, I accepted that I was destined to shop in the plus-size section for the rest of my life. In college, I continued to gain weight and although I made some feeble attempts at weight loss with fad diets, such as the cabbage-soup diet, nothing worked. By the time I graduated, I had reached my all-time highest weight of 235 pounds.

I didn't feel the push to get serious about controlling my weight until a year after graduation, when my college roommate asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding. Just the thought of having to walk down the aisle with four other bridesmaids (who were all svelte) was incentive enough to start making changes in my life.

I began with the food I was eating. My diet, which wasn't very nutritious, hardly had any fruits or vegetables and instead was full of high-fat fast food. To remedy this, I started buying more produce and reducing the amount of junk food I ate. I learned to do my own grocery shopping and bought things like nonfat milk and lowfat dairy products. In addition, I realized that if I ate in moderation, I could eat all the foods I wanted and not feel deprived. I also started exercising twice a week -- usually walking on the treadmill or doing exercise videos at home since felt too self-conscious to join a gym. With these small changes, I lost almost 40 pounds in a year and a half. By the time I had the second fitting for my bridesmaid dress, my weight was back at 190 pounds. Of course I had to have the dress altered to fit my slimmer body, but the expense was worth it.

After the wedding, I continued to practice my healthier habits and lost another 10 pounds. Then my weight loss stalled and no matter what I did, I couldn't lose any more. I decided to get over my shyness about the gym and bought a membership. I started going to step-aerobics classes and began weight training to tone my arms and legs, which were flabby because I had lost so much weight. I was surprised to find that weight training helped restart my weight loss. This motivated me to exercise four to five times a week; I couldn't wait to get to the gym.

Now that I weigh a healthy 150 pounds, people don't recognize me and often mistake me for my younger sister. I have lots of energy and self-confidence. I feel healthy, and the possibilities in my life are endless. Now one of my biggest thrills is going clothes shopping -- I can buy almost anything in a size 8 -- in any department of the store.

RELATED ARTICLE: JOAN HOLTZ, 26, Pennsylvania

* Inches lost: bust 6; waist 10; hips 8; thighs 7

* Height: 5'7"

* Pounds lost: 85

WORKOUT SCHEDULE

Kickboxing or step aerobics: 60 minutes/3-4 times a week

Strength training: 45 minutes/2-3 times a week

Biking or walking: 25 minutes/2-3 times a week

MAINTENANCE TIPS

1. Listen to and look at your body for the best indication of your progress -- the scale alone can't give you an accurate measurement.

2. Don't be afraid to try new activities and foods. Find out what works best for you.

3. Eat healthfully, but still enjoy in moderation the high-fat foods you love.