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Laurie Lost Big to Ward Off Diabetes
Posted on Sep 7th 2009 11:00AM by Jacki DonaldsonFiled Under: Diet & Weight Loss, Success Stories
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Name: Laurie Warren
Age: 43
Height: 5'5"
Before weight: 260
How I gained it: Just eating everything without conscience, and not being active. I would eat when I wasn't hungry, I would eat when I was cooking, I would lie to myself that I didn't eat all day. I always felt that I was OK-looking, and I could lose the weight when I wanted to. While going through a low period in my life, I also had a terrible shopping addiction, so it just went hand in hand. Whenever I was out shopping, I always felt the need to go and have lunch, then find a pasty shop and eat everything in sight. I have tried so many diets, and I've lost the weight, but I gained it back, plus even more. My husband left me five years ago, and I had been married for 23 years. I have two children, and when he left, I lost weight. When I started to date, I gained it back. At times, I felt so depressed, and I would just eat all the wrong things -- my favorites were cheesecake, pasta and bread.
Breaking point: When my doctor told me she wanted to test me for diabetes. I was like, "No wait, I will lose the weight." All I kept thinking about was my foot getting cut off, and I couldn't paint my toes. My doctor said, "I still need to do blood work," so I agreed. Everything came back positive, and I knew I had to lose weight.
I work at a transitional shelter, and I have to pass through the gym to get to my job. I'd never even thought about working out. Then I just made up my mind, because either I'd end up dying of a heart attack or taking insulin every day.
How I lost it: I was in the gym, and a trainer approached me and asked if I needed some help. I told her I did. She worked with me four days a week, and whenever I wanted to stop, she said, "No, you are doing a good job."
I started working out on June 30, 2008. I went to the doctor in September, and the nurse weighed me and said, "Oh my God, what have you done?" I told her I'd started to really take my health seriously. Then I went back in November, and I'd lost another 16 pounds. At about that time, my co-worker said, "Why do you wear such big clothes?" and I asked her, "Well, what do you want me to wear?" She told me to go buy some new clothes. I did, and I was a size 16. I couldn't believe it. As the months went by, my clothes got so big they made me look silly -- but it was hard for me to come to grips with the fact that I really had lost the weight. The largest size I wore was 3X and 22 pants. Now I wear a size 10.
In February, I was in Target, and I saw a friend I hadn't seen in about a year. I greeted Angela, and hugged her -- and she didn't know me. The same thing happened at a funeral -- a friend noticed my son but didn't recognize me.
Every day I strive to keep myself fit, and there are some days when I don't feel like working out, so I walk or just do something to keep moving. I continue to work out every morning -- I start at 5 a.m. and finish at 6:30 a.m. -- and I feel good. I just love looking at my face. It makes me feel good about everything, and I no longer need food to make me happy. And one more thing: My husband, with whom I'm separated, told my daughter: "I like how your mother looks."
After weight: 180
Laurie has maintained her weight loss for one year.
Scott is doing great at maintaining his weight loss, too. Small steps and rewards for accomplished goals are key for him.
 |
| Laurie Warren (left): Before |
Age: 43
Height: 5'5"
Before weight: 260
How I gained it: Just eating everything without conscience, and not being active. I would eat when I wasn't hungry, I would eat when I was cooking, I would lie to myself that I didn't eat all day. I always felt that I was OK-looking, and I could lose the weight when I wanted to. While going through a low period in my life, I also had a terrible shopping addiction, so it just went hand in hand. Whenever I was out shopping, I always felt the need to go and have lunch, then find a pasty shop and eat everything in sight. I have tried so many diets, and I've lost the weight, but I gained it back, plus even more. My husband left me five years ago, and I had been married for 23 years. I have two children, and when he left, I lost weight. When I started to date, I gained it back. At times, I felt so depressed, and I would just eat all the wrong things -- my favorites were cheesecake, pasta and bread.
Breaking point: When my doctor told me she wanted to test me for diabetes. I was like, "No wait, I will lose the weight." All I kept thinking about was my foot getting cut off, and I couldn't paint my toes. My doctor said, "I still need to do blood work," so I agreed. Everything came back positive, and I knew I had to lose weight.
I work at a transitional shelter, and I have to pass through the gym to get to my job. I'd never even thought about working out. Then I just made up my mind, because either I'd end up dying of a heart attack or taking insulin every day.
 |
| Laurie Warren: After |
I started working out on June 30, 2008. I went to the doctor in September, and the nurse weighed me and said, "Oh my God, what have you done?" I told her I'd started to really take my health seriously. Then I went back in November, and I'd lost another 16 pounds. At about that time, my co-worker said, "Why do you wear such big clothes?" and I asked her, "Well, what do you want me to wear?" She told me to go buy some new clothes. I did, and I was a size 16. I couldn't believe it. As the months went by, my clothes got so big they made me look silly -- but it was hard for me to come to grips with the fact that I really had lost the weight. The largest size I wore was 3X and 22 pants. Now I wear a size 10.
In February, I was in Target, and I saw a friend I hadn't seen in about a year. I greeted Angela, and hugged her -- and she didn't know me. The same thing happened at a funeral -- a friend noticed my son but didn't recognize me.
Every day I strive to keep myself fit, and there are some days when I don't feel like working out, so I walk or just do something to keep moving. I continue to work out every morning -- I start at 5 a.m. and finish at 6:30 a.m. -- and I feel good. I just love looking at my face. It makes me feel good about everything, and I no longer need food to make me happy. And one more thing: My husband, with whom I'm separated, told my daughter: "I like how your mother looks."
After weight: 180
Laurie has maintained her weight loss for one year.
Scott is doing great at maintaining his weight loss, too. Small steps and rewards for accomplished goals are key for him.
