Mom and Daughter Lose 221 Pounds Together

Posted on Dec 30th 2009 4:00PM by Deborah Dunham

Thirty-eight-year-old Sherrie Harris once weighed 293 pounds and said she used to feel like an outcast. "I wasn't very outgoing. I preferred to be, or appear to be, invisible," the secretary and mother of three from Virginia Beach told the Today Show. "If people weren't paying attention to me -- that was fine by me." With a weight struggle that began at age 10, Sherrie spent most of her life watching the numbers on the scale go up. The self-professed snacker said her days revolved around eating. Countless failed diets put her into years of yo-yo dieting, not to mention low self-esteem, depression and social phobias. "I wanted to be a singer, as I have a beautiful voice, but because of my weight, I didn't think it would be possible," Sherrie said.

Sherrie's daily intake consisted of three bowls of sugary cereal along with bacon, sausage, toast, pancakes and eggs for breakfast; cheeseburgers, pizza and fries for lunch; macaroni and cheese and pork chops for dinner; and ice cream or popcorn for snacks. Not surprising, all of this took a heavy toll on her health. By the time she reached her 30's, she was borderline diabetic, could barely walk up a flight of stairs and was diagnosed with cancer. Instead of serving as a wake-up call though, Sherrie got even heavier.
It wasn't until she saw the words "morbidly obese" that a doctor wrote on her chart that she was motivated to do something about her weight. She admitted wanting to have gastric bypass surgery, but her doctor encouraged her to try dieting for six months first.

So Sherrie joined Weight Watchers, and that was the beginning of a total life change. But change did not come easy. Sherrie struggled to lose the first 60 pounds, and it wasn't until her 16-year-old daughter, Courtney, who also battled with weight problems, asked her for help that things finally took a turn for the better. "At that point, the journey switched gears and it wasn't just about me; it was about setting a good example for my family."

Sherrie's main focus turned to learning how to eat better, measuring foods and writing down everything she ate. Her daughter learned how to cook and made healthy meals for both of them. Along with regular exercise at the gym and walking, Sherrie ditched the fatty carbohydrates and sugary snacks, and instead, loaded up on Cheerios with fruit for breakfast; salads with cheese and baked chips for lunch; baked chicken with sauteed broccoli for dinner; and fat-free popcorn as a snack.

Today, at a svelte 137 pounds, Sherrie has never felt more confident or energetic. What's more, her daughter lost 65 pounds and they are both finally at a healthy weight. "Had it not been for my daughter asking me to help her, I am not sure I would be where I am today," Sherrie said. "It's truly a new life for both of us."

Click on the video below to watch Sherrie share her story.

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Want more inspirational weight loss stories? Ann lost 238 pounds and got her life back!

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Tags: joy fit club, mother and daughter weight loss, sherrie harris, weight watchers, WeightWatchers

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

ohann101 1-03-2010 @ 2:33PM

I saw her on that morning show. They stated she wanted to get the gastric bi-pass but was told she had to loose 60 pounds FIRST. Did she loose the 60 THEN get the bi-pass? I hate when things like this get in the news without ALL the facts.

Also hate all the ads that follow as comments when they indeed are NOT comments. Hello? Where's the moderator?

goeze 1-03-2010 @ 4:24PM

I thought the same thing, did she do it with the help of surgery? Sheesh, that is a glaring omission!! Happy for her though, just hope she keeps it off

Sherrie Harris 1-03-2010 @ 8:29PM

I lost the weight strictly using weight watchers and exercise.....My doctor would not refer me for gastric until I had tried a reputable diet/exercise routine for 6 months as insurance would not pay for it before that. So that's when I signed up for Weight Watchers and this time I worked the plan!! :o) I looked at it totally different than any other time! It was a Lifestyle at this point and not a diet. I could have whatever I wanted......It was my choice to make. I am so happy now and have so much more energy! I am now a leader for weight watchers and am loving every minute of it! If I can just give my members an ounce of what Weight Watchers gave me then I have done my job!! :o)

I welcome you to visit my website freewebs.com/sherrie1971

Sherrie

Sherrie Harris 1-03-2010 @ 8:34PM

HI Ohann.... I did not have gastric bipass...I asked the dr to refer me for it and she said I had to try a diet plan for 6 months or insurance wouldn't pay for it. I was successful after 6 months and didn't need the referral. I have had no surgery during this journey strictly diet and exercise. I am now a leader and only hope I give my members an ounce of what weight watchers has given me back and taught me along my journey! Please feel free to visit my website at freewebs.com/sherrie1971

Sherrie

frank 1-03-2010 @ 2:52PM

the author is deborah dunham, is she related to jeff dunham????? that would be funny if she was

Chris 1-03-2010 @ 4:26PM

Good for them!! Did they have to buy new wardrobes, bras and panties?

Barreti 1-03-2010 @ 4:44PM

Very funny , chris

Barreti 1-03-2010 @ 4:34PM

I am happy for both of them . There is lesson to be learned. It is never too late to begin. Goodluck to both of them.

carl maier 1-03-2010 @ 5:43PM

thats funny ....

Jackie Butler 1-03-2010 @ 6:14PM

I should have know most of the comments would be ads but here's a real person with advice that works; shop the outer isles only! Think about the super market layout; the outer isles are produce, meats and dairy. No need to go up and down the inner isles because all you need to survive is on the walls! Fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, low fat dairy. That and drink water more than anything else. Excercise as much as you can-you don't have to cram it all into one 30 minute event! Do some stretches while on the phone-put it on speaker, walk instead of parking at the door, when watching tv do leg lifts, sit ups, whatever strikes your fancy! Eat lean and eat less and you'll lose the weight without spending any extra money AND, in fact, you'll save money if you shop the walls only! Happy New Year!

Victoria 1-08-2010 @ 9:58AM

If you can't be truly concerned or interested in either exchanging information or learning from these two then don't bother to leave your lame excuses. America has a real problem with obesity. Whatever the problem may be that has lead that person to become slightly or morbidly obese, there needs to be networks for these people to connect with, get support from and ultimately get their asses in gear with people like the coaches from Biggest Looser. Own it, go for it and get it handled. I speak for myself as well. There are RARELY any excuses not to.

newmom 1-03-2010 @ 7:04PM

Some of you are really quite ugly with your comments. Everyone from time to time needs some help regardless of what the subject matter is. She reached out to Weight Watchers and succeeded. That is what the focus of the article is all about, and she she be praised for her accomplishments.

pootnaspotty 1-11-2010 @ 12:17AM

One should eat to live and not the other way round. Both my parents lived to their mid-eighties and had disease-free lives because they ate and lived by obeying their stomachs and not their tongues. I myself am nearing 80 and have lived and eaten as Nature intended - no overeating, lots of walking, bicycling and breathing clean air. It pays to obey Nature.

Sherrie Harris 1-03-2010 @ 7:59PM

First of all I am the woman and it happened but now it's gone all by weight watchers no surgeries watch the video At todayshow.com!W
People like you are haters and can't be happy for others! Clearly your parents didn't teach you if you can't say something nice about someone don't say anything at all! So stop hating &
do something about yourself!!!! Sherrie Harris

cruzannabel 1-03-2010 @ 6:50PM

wow..i cant believe we have idiots making comments on this women that has made a great accomplishment..I figure that the people like carl maier and Big D were bullies in school..I wonder how you two really look?..could it be jealousy?..are you two jealous of the accomplishment of this two women who are able to lose all the weight that you two have gained?..next time you decided to critize or talk about how other people look..take a look at the mirror...

NB114 1-03-2010 @ 7:00PM

Wow some of you people are really cruel. Have no respect what so ever grow the hell up, they did something you probably could NEVER do ! Ignorant ass people!

beverly c 1-03-2010 @ 7:10PM

A big congradulations on the weight lose; i know how hard it is when there is not motivation. I have that same problem. I have no family, no friends;hubby and kids eat anything and gain nothing. I am disabled and it is hard: there are not groups that are cheap enough for folks who dont have a lot of money. There is a free site that you can log stuff; it breaks down your daily intake, exercise and such; its is called sparkpeople.com

beverly c 1-03-2010 @ 7:09PM

you and others think that fat people as you call it are lazy; well sweetie; i have lost over 200 lbs and need to lose another 80 put with me being disabled all i can do is starve.. walking is not a option and there are no support groups that poor ppl can afford unless people like you want to pay for it.. So before you go juding someone walk in their shoes..

beverly c 1-03-2010 @ 6:57PM

does that include ppl who are disabled taking medicine that are over weight; so my husband should of left be because i became disabled and gained some weight.. wow that is what makes idiots in this world..

jo 1-03-2010 @ 8:05PM

Stop showing your ignorance BigD, be happy for others who have accomplished their goals. Sherrie worked hard to lose her weight and she did it without surgery. I hope her accomplishment inspires more people to get started on their goals. Good for you Sherrie, keep on motivating us!

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