Sometimes a special birthday will convince you or make you reflect and have you make the changes that you need to take you health more seriously. This seemed to happen to Jill and she lost 167 pounds!
When she turned 30, Jill knew she didn't want to face the health issues that plagued her older, overweight family members. But she didn't know that joining Weight Watchers meetings would lead her to a total life makeover.
On my dad's side, our family is overweight, so I've always blamed genetics (ok, and maybe some bad eating habits) for the fact that I grew up heavy. But after watching members of my family go through heart attacks and battle diabetes, I knew I didn't want to end up that way. I was turning 30, and it was time for a change.
Motivation at Work
As a hairstylist, I had the pleasure of watching one of my clients who joined Weight Watchers go through her journey. Every time she sat in my chair, she looked thinner and healthier. Seeing her transformation, I knew Weight Watchers was the way to go, so I joined meetings and started following the POINTS® Weight-Loss System.
The Learning Curve
I won't sugarcoat it: the first few weeks on the program were hard. I had trouble saying no to foods that I used to eat on a regular basis, but once I figured out how to substitute flavours (fat-filled dressings for mustard or salsa, for example), I was on my way.
Move, Move, Move
In addition to cutting hair, I clean houses. Translation: I'm on my feet all day doing physical jobs. Still, I wanted to add more to my routine, so I set distance goals for myself. Now, I run every day either outside or on the treadmill—and my efforts add up to 100 miles per month!
The Big Picture
I realised that as I was losing the weight, I was finding myself. I grew up a lot, and my whole outlook changed. I used to think I had to entertain my friends and be the funny girl, but now I can just be Jill. The biggest shift? I broke up with a guy who put me down constantly, and now I have a boyfriend who's compassionate and encouraging. Joining Weight Watchers has helped me to feel better in every aspect of my life.
Jill's Tips:
I keep carrots in my car for a crunchy snack.
Find new and exciting recipes on WeightWatchers.ca or in health and fitness magazines.
If there's a restaurant that doesn't offer anything healthy that you'll enjoy, don't eat there. There's always another option!
I love low-fat ice cream bars when I'm craving a sweet treat.
If you're tempted by the bread basket, ask the waiter not to bring it to the table (or sprinkle it with an unappealing spice once it gets there).
If you have a junk-food night, get back on the plan the next day—and don't beat yourself up.
When you go out to eat, don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions—many places will alter dishes to make them healthier, just for you!
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