This was written to post on Richard's website as a success story in 2005. Some of it has been edited out and revised from orginal copy.
I was in school working on a degree in Special Education. I needed to lose about 10 pounds, so on February 25, 1994, I bought Richard's Deal-a-Meal. That was Richard's program before the FoodMover. I remembered watching Richard on TV when I was a kid, and I liked that he didn't seem to just be interested in seeing someone lose weight; he seemed to care about the whole person.
Needless to say, I did not stick with the program. By 1996, when I had finished college and started a career, I had 16 pounds to lose. I pulled out Richard's program again, and on February 15, 1996, I signed that promise page once more. I started trying to incorporate a healthy routine into my daily life as a mother, wife, and teacher, but again, I lost focus and set it aside. When I packed up my Deal-a-Meal to move in May of that year, it didn't come out of that box for 4 or 5 years after we were settled in our new home.
I had my second child in 1999, and that's when I really got into some bad habits. I hated to cook, so we ate out a lot. I would eat fast food and run to soccer practice. Those Big Macs, super size fries, and super size cokes were really good! My attitude was that we knew we were going to have more kids, so I thought, "Why bother losing weight when you're just going to gain it back again?"
When I was pregnant, I ate whatever I wanted, and I didn't exercise at all. After my third son, who is now 3, was born, my weight was up to 190, and I was wearing a size 20 or a 2XL. I was very disappointed with myself for letting it get so out of control. I still looked pregnant! I wasn't sick or anything, but I had gotten very tired and lazy.
In May of 2002, Richard was on QVC with the Blast Off the Pounds program, and I thought, "Okay, it's time get healthy. You can't eat Big Macs the rest of your life! You have to learn to like veggies!" I needed an update from Deal-a-Meal, so I ordered the program. I decided while I was waiting for it to arrive I would dig my old Deal-a-Meal out of the moving box it had been packed in and start using it!
My FoodMover was delivered after only a few days! I was anxious to jump on board and start eating healthy and exercising. I found it so difficult to find time to exercise. It seemed like the kids were always clinging to me while I tried to work out! I'd say, "Move it! I'm falling over you," but they would hang onto my legs like heavy weights as I tried to do knee lifts! I got frustrated and quit. "Why bother? It's too much trouble!" My family was still very active, and it seemed like we were always eating on the run, but I continued struggling to incorporate the program into my daily life.
On November 6, 2002, I joined Richard's Clubhouse. I really enjoyed reading his Message of the Day and using the chat rooms and the bulletin boards, plus it was somewhere to go daily. I'm still addicted to it! The people there understand where you've been and where you're going and how hard it is. Talking with others really helped me get more motivated, and it helped me start figuring some things out. For instance, I asked how you find the time to exercise with the kids around, and they said, "Well, you get up an hour before they do!" "Oh, yeah!" I thought. That had never occurred to me, especially since I loved to sleep! I expected to miss that hour of rest, but I found that using it to exercise actually gave me more energy and left me ready to tackle the day's activities. It was, after all, time for "me"!
Still, I had not fully incorporated the program into my life. I would use it on and off, depending on how stressful the day or week was, but after several months of that, I did manage to lose about 20 pounds! Then soccer season kicked in. I got away from the Clubhouse for a few months, but I did maintain my 20-pound loss! Since I had become more aware of what I was eating, because I continued to watch my portions I was able to keep the 20 pounds off.
At the beginning of the summer of 2003, I started getting more serious about the program. I got up early and did the Blast Off videos. I got more involved at the YMCA, and 2 evenings a week I took the abs class and the Pilates class. "I'm going! See ya'!" I'd shout to my family as I was leaving. I got back into the Clubhouse and the chat rooms then, too!
In July of 2003, Richard was on HSN with the SlimAway Everyday program. I liked the binder and the way it was laid out. It looked very organized, and it seemed to have so much information in it! It also came with a 30-day meal plan and recipes that looked easy to cook. Once again I said, "Time for an upgrade!" I ordered the program. I also called the testimonial line on HSN, and I got to talk to Richard! That was so exciting!
By August, I had lost a total of 32 pounds, and I had gone from a size 20 to a size 14! I started doing the DVDs that came with the SlimAway in the mornings before the kids got up. I still had a few pounds to go, but even though I was exercising and eating healthier, I seemed to be maintaining at 158.After talking to some of my Webbie friends, I decided to start a file with Richard and begin sending him my food sheets. That really helped me be more accountable, and I learned so much. I thought I was making some good fast food choices, but Richard gave me feedback that some of those things were loaded with fat! He also gave me other great tips, like I had never thought of using veggies and fruits for snacks!
I had always wanted to meet Richard, so when I discovered that he would be at Caesar's Casino in Indiana at the end of August 2003, I made plans to go. He taught 2 classes there, and I took both of them. It was so exciting! As I waited in line that day, I also met some other Webbies! When we introduced ourselves, I said, "Oh! I talk to you all the time!"
I left Indiana feeling very inspired and very motivated, and that's when it all clicked! When I got back home, I started exercising every day. I went to the Y and started running - not walking - RUNNING on the treadmill! I even learned that it is just as fast to go home and cook a healthy meal as it is to go to a fast food restaurant!
On November 10, 2003, I made it to my goal weight of 135! I'm now at 133, and I'm wearing a size 8 petite! That's down from a size 20! I think I lost about 16 inches. I used to look about 9 months pregnant! I still have a little pooch, but at least I don't look pregnant!
The biggest change I've conquered has been the exercise. I didn't do anything before. I used to nap with the kids in the afternoon, but not anymore! I have so much energy, and if I get any more, my friends will shoot me! I drag them to exercise class with me, and they say, "You've already worked out today! Why are we going to the Y?" I could never make it around the track before, but now I run a mile to a mile-and-a-half every day, and that's on top of doing a video!
I like to set challenges with other friends. Like how many crunches did you do today. How far did you run? It's just another way to keep us motivated. Some people would say I'm addicted to
and obsessed with the exercise, but I tell them, "You just haven't gotten here yet!"
I have watched myself become happier and more confident. I've gotten more involved with groups outside my circle of friends. I'm participating in more activities at our church and I'm less stressed. Maybe it's a psychological thing, or maybe it's just because I don't feel the weight of the 57 pounds I used to carry around! I'm in better shape and I have more energy now
.
I have started a fitness program called Mission To Health. I started Mission To Health after losing 57 pounds using Richard Simmons’ foodmover and exercise videos. I fell in love with exercise and eating healthy. I changed my lifestyle to accomplish new goals and dreams. One of which was to start low-cost, fun, energetic and unique fitness classes for ALL people with ALL different ability levels. In April of 2004, I attend Richard Simmons’ first Hoot Camp. I spent a weekend studying, and learning from Richard Simmons and The Simmons Method Team. There I complete the first part of being certified to teach the Simmons’ Method. In July of 2004, I received my Primary Group Exercise Certification through Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). In October 2004, I held her fist fitness class at the County Community and Recreation Center.
My goal now is to stay "a healthier me"! That was my motto. I even have it written with stickers on my FoodMover! Shortly after making goal of 135, I fell off the wagon and put 10 pounds back on. I am actually comfortable at the weight of 145. I find it to be easy to maintain. Losing it was easy, but it's hard trying to keep it off. I hardly ever eat fast food anymore. If I do, it's a little garden side salad to hold me over until I get home and can fix a healthy meal. I'm still working on eating healthier snacks. Snack time is my biggest struggle. I have a cookie at least once a week, but I don't do it every day, and I always account for it! I try not to overeat, but if I do, I add a little more exercise. Sometimes I go into the Clubhouse and confess, "I did terrible
today!" People will say, "That's okay! Just pick yourself up and keep going!" That really helps.
I'm so happy that my story has helped inspire other people. I have friends who have ordered the SlimAway Everyday program, and they are beginning their own journeys toward a healthier lifestyle! My husband isn't real heavy, but he needed to take a few pounds off, and he's started using the FoodMover. So far, he's lost 13 pounds! I can tell that the changes in my lifestyle have made my kids more aware of healthy eating. The other night, my 4-year-old took his Batman belt off and strapped it around the refrigerator.
He said, "Well, Mommy, now you can't cook, and now you can't overeat!"
I would have to say one of the biggest changes in my life I have made is that I have truly grown more spiritually. I have learned not only to pray but have learned to be quiet and listen. I am not afraid to talk about God and enjoy sharing stories and experiences with others. I lead a women’s group called FAMILIA (Family Life in America). I have joined the health ministry where I have input on how to get the people of our parish more physically active, healthy, and fit. I started two programs under this ministry called Walking to Bethlehem and Walking To Jerusalem. People of the Parish were asked to pray as the walked or exercised. To my surprise this was a great program and many have told me that they have continued to do this even after advent and lent.
I have just recently been diagnosed with Parkinson Disease. For several months, I have a had tremor in my right side including arm and leg. I also experience them in my jaw. I find that my right side (which is my dominant side) is weaker than the left. At times I lose balance or find that my right leg does not move as fast as my left. (This makes doing grapevines a little tricky at times.) I have found that my shoulders have grown weaker. I use to use 8 pounds weight while doing toning. At times now I can hardly use 2 pounds weights. I also experience fatigue, forgetfulness and loss of concentration as well.
I have been researching, reading and learning more about Parkinson Disease. I am amazed at how much Richard’s program fits into the healthy lifestyle that the “experts” suggest. They recommend eating six small, healthy, balance meals throughout days, exercise regularly and have positive attitude about life and yourself. WOW!! I am sure glad I invested my time, money and talents into learning Richard’s program and truly incorporating them into my daily life. As I don’t see their recommendations being any different then what I already strive to do eat day.
If you're trying to lose weight, be patient. Make a meal and exercise plan and follow it. Take it one day at a time. Stay focused, and you can do it!
SARAH'S TOP 3 TIPS FOR SUCCESS!
1. Be patient.
2. Remember where you've been and where you're headed.
3. Remember that slow and steady wins a healthier YOU!
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