September 08 2006
Philippa
Country: Melbourne, Australia
Age: 25
Weight before diet: 103.5 kg
Weight now: 70.5 kg
Target weight: Originally my goal weight was 76, my personal goal weight was 73, and now I'm comfortable sitting in my healthy weight range which is between 61 and 76 kg.
Philippa struck a few points of her own when she decided to follow the weight loss principles of the Weight Watchers Points system. Combining it with exercise, she reached her target weight within one year. For Philippa, the road to get there was hard, but every bead of sweat has been worth it.
-What finally made you decide to start with a weight loss program?
I had struggled with my weight for a very long time, since I was in my early teens, and for all of my adult life. Food was intrinsically linked to who I was and how I felt about myself, and I used it as a comfort mechanism, for when I was feeling tired, stressed, bored, sad, or lonely. I also didn't exercise very often - I preferred sitting on the couch reading a book or watching TV. Steadily I watched my clothes sizes increase over the years but had very little motivation to do anything about it until I realised that the size 18's were getting tighter and I was struggling to walk up stairs without getting out of breath. I hated not being able to wear young fashion, not being confident enough to go out to parties and social events; I felt like I was half living.
In March 2005, my best friend joined Weight Watchers and I was a bit jealous that she'd taken the plunge and was going to be looking fabulous, and I didn't want to get left behind! I had also had some photos developed from a recent weekend away and I looked hideous in them. It was time to stop pretending. I finally got on the scales, and when they said I was over 100 kg, that was it. From that moment on, I vowed to get this under control once and for all.
-What type of weight loss program are you following?
I followed the Weight Watchers point system at home (I didn't officially join or go to meetings) as a way of controlling my food intake. I also made exercise a major part of my life. After the points system became second nature to me, I eased off it a little and just made my focus healthy eating in reasonable portions and exercising regularly.
-Why did you choose this weight loss program?
I found the WW points system far easier than calorie counting, or carb counting, etc. The points system is excellent because not only is it simple but no food is forbidden or taboo - you learn to work the foods you love into your new healthy lifestyle. I think that is really important - this must be something you are able to sustain for life.
-How long have you been on your weight loss program?
I started on ANZAC Day (25th April) 2005 and I reached my goal weight on ANZAC Day this year, so exactly a year to the day that I started the journey (incredible coincidence!). I intend to do this forever. ANZAC Day last year was the first day of the rest of my life.
-What kinds of physical activities do you like doing to help you lose weight and stay fit?
I love running (I never thought I'd say that!) and power walking, and aim to do a run or a walk nearly every day. I also do yoga, which is excellent for toning and for stress release. I try to walk everywhere possible - to my friends' house, to the supermarket, to the railway station. It all helps!
-What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome or are still overcoming?
This journey was the hardest thing I've ever done, and yet it was also the easiest thing I've ever done. There is a wonderful quote from Jon Sieben, an Olympic gold medalist: "The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender." That kind of sums it up for me. I worked very, very hard to get to where I am, and I found that the closer I got the more fantastic I felt, and so I didn't want to give up, regardless of what obstacles there were in the way. And there were many.
The one I had the most trouble with was emotional eating, or comfort eating. I had to teach myself not to turn to food when I was unhappy, bored, or whatever. I had to learn to deal with my feelings and had to learn distraction techniques. Now it's just second nature. If I feel myself reach for something when I'm upset, I can hear a voice saying "You don't really want to eat that, because you aren't hungry. You just want to eat it because you're upset." And then I deal with the problem or the emotion. It's harder than it sounds, but it truly can be done.
-How do you keep yourself motivated?
Fitting into smaller clothes sizes! Getting into size 10 jeans was one of those incredible Kodak moments - I had consigned myself to life as a size 20 only a year and a half ago and never thought I'd be able to wear size 10. Remembering that exhilarating feeling keeps me motivated, and gets me out of bed at 5.30 for a run! I also keep motivated by hanging out with my friends, who are all very health conscious and determined - their positivity and enthusiasm always rub off on me.
-Do you have any weight loss tips for our readers?
* You have to do it for yourself.
* Back yourself the whole way - believe that you can do it. Because you can, if you want it badly enough.
* Track your food and exercise, and be brutally honest with your tracking - if you cheat, you aren't hurting anyone but yourself.
* Decide from this moment on that this is you, this is the way you live your life - you are a healthy person who deserves happiness and wonderful things from life. Reward yourself when you reach goals, and always tell yourself what a good job you're doing. Be positive, be determined, be happy. Celebrate the small victories.
* If you have a bad day, count it in and move on. Don't dwell on it. There is no "falling off the wagon," there is no all or nothing - there is just life. Live it as healthily and as well as you can. Remember, healthy people eat chocolate too!
* Worry less about what other people think and more about what you think, especially what you think of yourself.
* Never, ever, ever give up.
-Do you think it will be easy to fall back into your old lifestyle pattern? How do you prevent this from happening?
I know that there is a chance that I could fall back into my old habits, but I have such a different attitude and outlook on life now that I honestly don't think it would happen. I feel like I am being myself for the first time in my life - this is who I truly am. I can fit into size 8-10 clothes, I can run non-stop for half an hour, I have confidence and energy, I have a life I love. There's no going back for me!!
-Do you have a favorite Web site or blog that helps or inspires you to lose weight?
I started a blog of my own, after following the adventures of many inspiring people for many months, in September 2005, when I had lost about 15 kg. I had just moved to Melbourne from Tasmania and didn't know anyone, so I thought the blog would be a good way of getting support and remaining accountable. As it turned out, starting that blog was one of the best things I've ever done. I've met some incredible people through it; some of them have become very close friends. It's a real privilege to be involved and included in an online weight loss community - it's an incredibly motivating and supportive environment.
My blog is called Skinny Latte.
