49 yr. old, mother of two grown children. I am a “work-a-holic” nurse that has worked in the medical field for 18 years and love every minute of it. I enjoy vacations that include water sports ie: swimming, wave-runners. I love going to the river and local lakes. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and getting to know new people.
The Gain:
I have struggled with my weight every since I was 5 yrs old and was struck by a car. My mouth was wired shut for 6 weeks, after that I just began gaining weight. Yo Yo ‘d up and down all of my life, stress, abusive marriage, bad divorce, and finally another car accident that left me with a back injury with limited exercise abilities, finally reaching my top weight of 322 lbs.
Moment of Change:
When I reached my top weight and tested pre-diabetic, that scared me since there is a family history of diabetes. It also became very difficult to do my job as a nurse, lifting, pushing, pulling and just simply walking any distance at all became difficult. But probably the most “ah-ha”moment was when I realized I really didn’t have the will or want to live any more, I found myself praying to die, rather than wanting to see another day of struggles.
A New Life:
My life is wonderful now, I’m able to do my job easily. I’m able to walk a flight of stairs and still be able to breath when I reach the top. Finding it a little easier to accept compliments, enjoy going shopping with my daughter and actually having a choice of clothes to buy instead of just buying what fits. I actually look forward to each and every day now, how I can impact others lives, not only as a nurse, but someone who has overcome a lot of difficult times in her own life.
The Reward:
Self respect, self worth, confidence, knowing I’m am worth “it”!
My Workout:
I enjoy a lot of different exercises. I enjoy walking outside or on a tread mill. I also have a Gazelle (simulates cross country skiing). I do weight lifting and ab crunches. In the summer time, I like to swim. I usually workout for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, 4-6 days a week.
My Diet:
My diet much healthier now. I don’t eat fast foods, fatty, greasy or sugared foods. Since my favorite food is chicken, I eat a lot of chicken fixed a wide variety of ways, I enjoy salads and fresh vegetables. I also like to make homemade soups quite often, especially chicken & veggie or vegetable.)
My Favorite Recipe:
I enjoy fresh vegetables from our garden. I like to take different squashes and onions and saute them with seasonings – salt, pepper, garlic powder, then I melt a small amount of grated Monterrey Jack Cheese over it and top it off with Parmesan Cheese . . .Yum! This with a nice salad and is my favorite dinner through the summer.

I am married with 2 kids and have coached for 24 years. I am now a trainer at a high school.
The Gain:
Over the years I was getting less active and I would put on five to ten pounds a year.
Moment of Change:
The moment I realized I needed a change was when my son wanted me to work with him on playing baseball. I was in no condition to help him out.
A New Life:
I feel great and I am getting around much better. I am coaching my son.
The Reward:
I get a lot of positive comments and I feel a lot better about myself.
My Workout:
A lot of walking. I try to go walking five days a week.
My Diet:
I still eat what I want, just not as much.

Mom of 7 and a schedule that goes with a large family as a child extending into childhood. I would always be embarrassed of being so heavy. My sisters were always naturally thin. I felt like the failure of my family.
The Gain:
Raising kids not focusing on my needs. Lack of exercise, no self discipline when it came to food. Dieting just stressed me out. Measuring, weighting food, counting calories, who had time for that with raising kids especially 7 of them.
Moment of Change:
Was at the docs office & in walks a lady that was well over 500 lbs. I am sure, you could see everyone gasp, stare, when she tried to sit down in a chair. To my surprise we were wearing the same outfit. I was horrified. When the nurse called me & I hard a hard time getting out of my chair, eyes were in us like we had two elephants in the room.
A New Life:
I was huge, fat & old looking at 40 . Now 50 I make being 50 look good! Now when I am out with my daughters they ask me “is this your sister?” not mom. I work out & just living life with the kids and grand kids.
The Reward:
Diabetes is gone. I feel good. I have amazing energy!
My Workout:
6 days a week, 2 to 4 hours a day. I work hard to lose weight, was not easy, but worth it!
My Diet:
Small 4 oz meals, well balanced diet just smaller portions.

I have been married to a wonderful man for 14 years. I have three beautiful daughters. I was a travel agent for 15 years and decided to go back to school in 2005 for ultrasound. Been doing ultra sound since 2007 and am loving it.
The Gain:
I have struggled with weight since about 11th grade in High School. I would lose some and then put it right back on. Too many yummy food choices out there.
Moment of Change:
I knew that I had to do something. I have never been heavier then 230 lbs. ever. When I stepped on the scale and saw pictures of me, I was disgusted. I knew I had to do something about it soon!
A New Life:
Fantastic! I am not self conscious anymore. I don’t feel that people are looking at me like some cow in the pasture. I was very worried about what people thought of me when they looked at me. Now I feel good in my clothes, have more energy, and do more things.
The Reward:
More energy, more confidence, better appearance. Happy with the results.
My Workout:
I walk 16 miles per week and go to the gym 3 days per week.
My Diet:
Small amounts, salads, chicken etc. and the occasional sweet.
My Favorite Recipe:
Chili.

I served in the Armed Forces (1970-1972), just had my 30th anniversary with my wife, I have three children, two girls and one boy. I have six grand children, five boys and one girl. I love fishing, outdoors, sports, and spending time with my family.
The Gain:
I was one of those guy’s who would eat the biggest burrito, hamburger, steak, breakfast, etc. Just to see if I could eat it. Chips & dip on Sunday (football). When I was at work, I’d get so busy that I would not eat lunch or take a break. I would then eat at night in front of the TV, or just before going to bed. I tried all kinda diets with no success.
Moment of Change:
The moment of change came for me when – 1. My doctor told me “I was a perfect candidate for stroke or a heat-attack! I had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high triglycerides. Six months later I lost my younger brother to a stroke. I needed a life change.
A New Life:
My life is great! I’m off my medication for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high triglycerides. My chances of having a heart attack or stroke are down. I can breath again, and have plenty of energy, and motivation. I feel alive again.
The Reward:
Off my medication, heart-attack or stroke are down. I feel good about myself again. I eat better choice foods and because of my LAP-BAND my youngest daughter is going to do it & my wife.
My Workout:
I have not yet started to workout at this point, But getting ready to tone-up.
My Diet:
After the LAP-BAND surgery my diet has changed quite a bit. I eat more fish, chicken, salads, soups, and taco’s. Just better quality foods. I try to stay away from junk foods as much as possible.