Cory has started her journey to a slimmer body and better health with the help of Weight Watchers and a few other weight loss and fitness tools

March 09 2007

Cory Williams

-City & country: Hattiesburg, MS, USA
-Age: 25
-Weight before diet: 237.5 lbs
-Weight now: 225 lbs
-Target weight: 145-ish. I’ll know for sure once I get down there!

Cory has been following several weight loss methods for a couple of months now, Weight Watchers among them, to help her lose weight. Included in her daily regimen are exercise and other fitness activities. But her support community and her positive mindset also play major roles in her journey to better health and improved self-esteem.

-What finally made you decide to start with a weight loss program?
Honestly, I had one pair of pants and a skirt that fit. And very few shirts. I really didn't have a choice as I couldn't afford to go buy more clothes. I was also to the point that I didn't feel comfortable in my own skin. It's kind of embarrassing to admit, but three months after I got married I couldn't fit in my wedding dress anymore!

-What type of weight loss program are you following?
I'm actually doing a couple of different things. Primarily, I'm following Weight Watchers. However, in the beginning I didn't try very hard at all. A blogging buddy decided to set up a challenge for 2007 and opened it to anyone interested.  We pick our own goals each month, and then support each other throughout the month. It's very nice to have that daily re-enforcement. We're there for each other during the good and the bad, whether it be related to our challenge goals or to other aspects of our lives. Lastly, I'm doing a weight loss program at my university. It's team based, and I keep myself going by knowing that I can't let my teammates down.

-Why did you choose this weight loss program?
I lost over thirty pounds on the program a few years ago, and decided that I would do it again. I decided to join the online challenge for the support group that is always at hand. I don’t really know anyone in my area doing Weight Watchers, so I always felt lonely in my weight loss journey. I joined the university program to try and get into a steady work out routine, because I was having a lot of trouble with that.

-How long have you been on your weight loss program? 
I joined Weight Watchers last October 2006, but I’ve only REALLY been trying to lose weight the past two months (January and February 2007).

-What kinds of physical activities do you like doing to help you lose weight and stay fit? 
I’ll try anything at least once, and have tons of activities that I do. I’m a member of the university’s gym, and I love going to the Water Aerobics class. It’s one of the highlights of my week. I also do beginner’s yoga and use the circuit training room at the gym. Outside of the gym, I try to incorporate a lot of walking into my life by walking to work at least three days a week, and I do Belly Dancing and Brazilian Dance videos on the weekends.

-What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome or are still overcoming? 
The most difficult obstacle for me has been myself, and I’m still working on it. I want to have my old lifestyle of sitting on my butt reading and eating whatever, and having the skinny body. I know that it doesn’t work that way, but I can’t help but like the routine. However, I make myself think about everything, and try to make small changes. I’ve already gotten myself exercising almost every day, and I’m making a point this month of getting my eating under control on the weekends. I know that I can’t eat like all of my friends and still lose weight, so I’m having to teach myself how to not eat that way. There’s no telling what I will challenge myself with next in order to lose the weight and get fit!

-How do you keep yourself motivated?
I actually use my support community to keep myself motivated. I don’t want to let my friends down by doing the wrong thing. Also, I write about everything on my blog. There’s nothing in my life that I’m not willing to post there for the world to see. And for me to look back on later. And I hate the thought of putting a failure on there. The only way to not post something “bad” is to not do it at all.

-Do you have any weight loss tips for our readers?
I have all kinds of tips for people. Take it a step at a time. You can’t be a couch potato one day and run a marathon the next. Just pick one little thing to work on, and once you have that down, take it a little further. Also, make a list of why you are trying to lose weight. Post that list where you will see it on a regular basis. It’s easy to forget why you want to do this if you don’t remind yourself.

And pick a buddy. It doesn’t have to be someone losing weight, just someone who loves you. Tell them what you are trying to do, and then tell them HOW you are doing at it. They will cheer you on, and always be there to give you an encouraging word when you need it. And, you may find that having to tell them you didn’t go for that walk after saying you would has you feeling worse than just getting out the door to do it.

-Do you think it will be easy to fall back into your old lifestyle pattern? How do you prevent this from happening? 
I have been falling back into my old lifestyle pattern nearly every weekend. It’s hard not to when it’s the way all my friends live. But I’ve decided that I won’t do that. I have twenty-plus people helping and encouraging me. I can’t let them down, now can I?  :)

-Do you have a favorite Web site or blog that helps or inspires you to lose weight?
I have so many blogs and sites that really encourage me. Reading my old posts on The Dragon’s Loss, is inspiring to me. I see how far I’ve come and what I’ve overcome and it urges me to do more.

Twisted Cinderella at Ever After...My Way is the one blog that I can honestly say really got me into blogging about my journey. I’ve followed her through moving her blog a few times now, and she never fails to inspire me with her life.

The Make Yourself A Priority in 2007, that Michelle put together has been wonderful this year. I’ve made tons of friends, and cheered on more successes than I could have ever imagined. All of the challengers here have great blogs and are always giving out information.

The President’s Challenge is a site I use to keep track of my activity. I update it through the day, then transfer the totals into my Weight Watchers journal at the end of the day. On this site you enter a program, then win an award when you finish that program. So it’s motivating me to keep going and win!

I also use Prevention’s website. They have new articles with tips all the time, and a wonderful library of exercises. If you want to target a specific area (and maybe to get ready for that swimsuit!), then they have routines for you. It can be a great way to find something to mix up your routine when you need it, as well as finding some basic exercises just to get started!