Grandma Lost 168 Lbs to Get Fit for Her Family
Categories: Diet & Weight Loss
Lynn Haraldson-Bering once weighed a whopping 296 pounds. While she always felt like the same person inside, after years of yo-yo weight gain, she admits her body became unrecognizable. "I allowed my weight to dictate how I lived my life," she said on The Today Show.
She confessed to missing out on years of family events as she grew heavier and more ashamed of her appearance. "My daughters were in high school and I avoided many of their band concerts and games. I stopped visiting my family in other parts of the country because I didn't want them to see me so heavy." Her weight also affected her career. "I quit my job as a writer for our local newspaper because I'd grown so uncomfortable with the constant public interaction."
Click on the video below to watch Lynn share her weight loss journey. Story continues below.
Lynn's first step was to take responsibility for eating too much. She joined Weight Watchers, learned how to control her portions, journaled every day and eventually began exercising. The result: She now weighs 128 pounds and wears a svelte size 6 -- a change so drastic that neighbors often fail to recognize her in the supermarket.
Not only has Lynn earned herself a spot as the newest member of the Joy Fit Club, she earned her way back into life. Lynn is now active with her family and friends, writing again and enjoying her two grandchildren. "I am so grateful I made that choice to take back my body and become as healthy as I could. I missed out on so much of life when I was morbidly obese, but I'm making up for it now as a healthy, 46-year-old grandmother."
If you need help losing weight, a nutritionist may be able to help. Enter to win a free one-hour nutrition consultation with Keri Glassman, author of "The Snack Factor Diet."
She confessed to missing out on years of family events as she grew heavier and more ashamed of her appearance. "My daughters were in high school and I avoided many of their band concerts and games. I stopped visiting my family in other parts of the country because I didn't want them to see me so heavy." Her weight also affected her career. "I quit my job as a writer for our local newspaper because I'd grown so uncomfortable with the constant public interaction."
Click on the video below to watch Lynn share her weight loss journey. Story continues below.
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Lynn finally realized it wasn't the public she was running away from though. "It was me." Fed up with the unhealthy lifestyle, medical issues, depression and social isolation, Lynn decided she needed to take control. She realized, "I wasn't being honest with myself about how my weight was affecting my life."
Lynn's first step was to take responsibility for eating too much. She joined Weight Watchers, learned how to control her portions, journaled every day and eventually began exercising. The result: She now weighs 128 pounds and wears a svelte size 6 -- a change so drastic that neighbors often fail to recognize her in the supermarket.
Not only has Lynn earned herself a spot as the newest member of the Joy Fit Club, she earned her way back into life. Lynn is now active with her family and friends, writing again and enjoying her two grandchildren. "I am so grateful I made that choice to take back my body and become as healthy as I could. I missed out on so much of life when I was morbidly obese, but I'm making up for it now as a healthy, 46-year-old grandmother."
If you need help losing weight, a nutritionist may be able to help. Enter to win a free one-hour nutrition consultation with Keri Glassman, author of "The Snack Factor Diet."
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
BJ 11-04-2009 @ 8:31PM
Congratulation Lynn, Thanks for sharing your journey with us.
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Grandma40 11-04-2009 @ 8:24PM
I think it is a shame that all the comments are advertisements. This woman should get all the recognition and praise that is available out there. I have struggled with weight problems all my life and what she did was NOT easy. Someone that doesn't have a weight problem (and a lot of us were born with it) doesn't realize what it is to say no when every one around you can eat it and not gain a pound. I would like to know how many would be willing to cut their calorie count down to 1000 a day. That is not a lot of food. It hurts to watch others eat goodies and know that you can't and see that they don't gain a pound when you know that if you eat the same thing you are going to gain 2. Great going Lynn and congradulations.
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lili 11-04-2009 @ 8:43PM
Okay people, I admit it, I'm a kid thats just 10years old! I'm not weight lost or anything...... but this is a weird and cool story. I would totally be ashamed of myself if this happened to me. Like I said, I'm just a 10year old!
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Pam 11-04-2009 @ 9:15PM
Congrats to Lynn !!!!! I joined Weight Watcehrs in March of this year and just recently reached my goal of losing 60 pounds. Weight Watchers works !!!
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Judith 11-04-2009 @ 9:21PM
I have no idea what lili is talking about. If you are 10 years old, then get a different life and stay off these sites. Period. I hate having to read what 10 year olds say - which makes no sense anyway.
Next, why does this woman get an article about her? She is a 46 year old GRANDMOTHER who lost weight? BFD. I lost 60 lbs two years ago - am a size 6, and weigh 150. Where do these numbers come from? Oh yea, it was like Kirstie at 145. BS. The numbers don't mean that much until you factor in the height and body type. Muscle weighs more than fat, just takes up less space. I am 5'6", good sized girl, but tiny now. Guess what folks? eat the right foods and walk around the lake - 2.5 miles in 38 minutes will do it.
Good grief. This is not rocket science. Quit whining and complaining about your weight. Lose it! jeez
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barb 11-04-2009 @ 9:52PM
its too bad you can't enjoy others accomplishments for some it is hard
Maggie 11-04-2009 @ 10:23PM
Judith....don't knock the lady's accomplishment, what is it they say, walk a mile in her shoes. If you haven't been there you have nothing to say. I think she's an inspiration, she looks great, and I'm about to start a journey like hers...I've lost 45 and have 110 to go! So, like I said, if you haven't been there, you can't imagine what it's like!
Ann 11-04-2009 @ 10:27PM
Judith do you have children? I know it's hard to tell if a child is actally typing a comment. You never know if a child is going to be the one to help you one day. Anyway, congratulations on your weight loss.
Everyone has differet reasons as to why they gain weaight and why they can't take it off. For instance, I know a woman that has been ill for over a year. She can't eat anything but soft foods. Her body is so tired that she can't walk around the lake. She is getting ready to have a plate in her jaw to help support her mandible. Hopefully within 6 weeks she will be well enough to walk that lake.
I will be sure to let you know if I make it all the way around. Ladies stick with it. One pound and a smile at the time.
GML 11-05-2009 @ 2:09AM
Dear Judith,
Just because you have had no trouble losing weight, that does not mean others are as lucky or as strong as you. Losing as much weight as this woman did and KEEPING IT OFF FOR 3 YEARS is an unbelievable story. I was a skinny child and have been battling (yoyo dieter) weight for many years now. It is one of the most difficult things I have ever had to go thru. Depression, sick parents, divorce, loss of loved ones, etc., etc., etc. can cause major weight gains. I am never full and could eat 24/7, and this, in itself, is a major problem. Just because you are the way you are, you should show some compassion for others who do not share your lucky
lifestyle.
Cslandis 11-05-2009 @ 4:44AM
Great job Judith...I heard if you add hemlock to your diet you'll get even better results... keep walkin' around that lake of yours, and let me know how all that goes.
Ragdoll Mom 11-05-2009 @ 4:50AM
Judith, YOU, of all people should understand how hard it is to lose weight. You sit there pontificating about what's the big deal about this woman losing 168 lbs. Yet you make sure you tell us that you lost 60 lbs. and kept it off. Well, good for you. But for most overweight people, it's very, very difficult to lose weight and to keep it off. You should be happy for this woman. I'm sure you were miserable when you were heavier. So, don't be so judgmental...you were in her shoes once. It could be 10 lbs. or 100, the feeling of hopelessness is still the same. Bravo to this woman!!!
Jayne 11-05-2009 @ 10:19AM
Judith, are you mad because you don't get to be on TV like this lady? Be happy for her, what she has done, it's great! This whole country has an obesity problem and she is an inspiration to others. I have started on my own journey of losing weight just recently. I was always a little petite, 5'2" 100 lb young lady then I went to college and was away from home, missed my family and gained 20 lbs my freshman year. Took it off during the summer I went home. Talk about yo-yo, that's me. I gained it back when I returned to school, then I got married, had my first child and gained 45 lbs and 20 of those never came off no matter what I did. Three years went by and I had another child and gained another 35 lbs. This time I got gestational diabetes and had a 9 lb baby. This added another 20 lbs that did not come off and now I am 60 lbs over weight and still trying to "lose it" like you wrote but without success! So be happy for her and be glad you can so easily take it off when you gain it, because for some of us it is not easy.
Angela 11-04-2009 @ 9:35PM
Congratulations Lynn! What an inspiring and encouraging testimony! God bless you always!
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Jane 11-05-2009 @ 4:11PM
Note to the ten-year-old: Don't let the naysayers get you down. I was glad to see your contribution and are glad that you are interested in various subjects. Keep up the good work!
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Julia 11-04-2009 @ 9:47PM
My, aren't you negative Judith. Or maybe you just have PMS today. But geez - what's wrong with being happy for someone who always struggled and has now found her way?
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Nancy 11-04-2009 @ 9:53PM
I too have joined weight watchers. Lost19 pounds so far, and on my way to a heathier life style.
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Lillian 11-04-2009 @ 11:13PM
Anything that has to do with weight loss are for women under fifty years of age. What suggestions do you have for women over age fifty? Until then I am not interested hearing about women who under the age of fifty can find it easy to lose weight.
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Maureen 11-05-2009 @ 2:37PM
Lillian, I too have been overweight for many years. It just kept adding on. A few months ago, at the age of 55 and weighing 200 lbs, I joined Weight Watchers(again). It has taken me 6 months to lose 20lbs. I know it is not as quick as it can be for younger people, but I am also not taking the approach of all or nothing. I have learned how to eat better and still manage to eat the things I love. Just not nearly as much as I did before. It seems extremely slow for me , but I am happy so far. I hope to get to 135, but realize that I may never see that number again. I would be happy at 145. But I still have a long ways to go. The weight did not come on overnight and it will not go away overnight. You CAN do it. Good luck.
Nancy 11-04-2009 @ 10:00PM
Boy Judith, you are really an angry person. Losing weight for some people does not come easy. You may be thin but I bet you are not a real likeable person. I'd rather be heavy and liked, then thin and disliked. Change your attitude, you'll get a lot further in life. There's a name for people like you!
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Marie 11-04-2009 @ 10:00PM
I joined JennyCraig...and I just love it....learning portion control and getting one on one consulting has been an added benefit. Good Luckl to all out there. :o)
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