My name is Kay and I am from the Niagara Region of Ontario, Canada. I am a 31 year old mother of 3 children ages 5,3, and 2 and a stepdaughter who is 17. I founded the Niagara WLC Support Group which now has 40 members.

I started the challenge in November although I did follow along with the Show since September. I was kindly given the book by a sweet and wonderful lady named Diane from Texas in October and I started reading. Key 1 and 2 changed my life. You see, I have my Fitness and Nutrition diploma, but the depth of Right Thinking and Healing Feelings were not a focus of that education.

Six years ago I was raped and gained almost 100 lbs. From emotional eating and stress. I was fortunate enough to have the support of a wonderful man. I discovered soon after the rape, I was pregnant. It was devastating news and my husband, then boyfriend was an amazing support to me through that time.

3 kids later, I found myself still overweight and still needing to lose 90 lbs. Nothing clicked till I started reading Dr. Phil's book and the weight started coming off. This to me was my biggest milestone. Just beginning to finally lose the weight. I have lost 35+lbs so far and have 45 to go. I set my next goal to be 210 which is 5 lbs away. The next will be 199.

My ultimate goal is to lose the weight, keep it off, and pursue my Personal Trainer Certificate. I recently started following my career path of Weight Loss Coaching. I am not waiting till goal to follow through with my dreams and ambitions. I went from a size 22 to a 16 and anything beyond this is a complete bonus to me. I know I will lose the weight and be back to a size 10/12. I am a success already in my own eyes and will continue striving for my personal best.

My advice to those following this program or struggling to keep at it is to get into the book at every opportunity and refresh your mind on the straight talk Dr. Phil shares. When your getting off track or feeling unmotivated, sit and figure out what is keeping you from what you want and then tackle the key which will help you reach beyond that struggle and get you back into the forward momentum you need to lose your weight. Remember that everything you do is a choice. If your not losing weight, your making a choice that is keeping you from your goal. Like Maya Angelou says "When you knew better, you did better." You can do this. You will never need a "diet program" ever again if you embrace and understand the contents of the book and apply them to yourself. All the best and good health to you all!!

Kay
250.0/215.0/170.0

Jill

My name is Jill Worster and I am from Mt. Vernon, Maine. I am a moderator for the Healthy Groovin' Body Movin' Mainers, which is our statewide WLC-support group. I am married to a wonderful man named Darrell, and we have 4 sons; Bradley is 7, Troy is 5, Ryan is 3, and Timmy is 19 months. I am a certified K-8 elementary school teacher, but I have been blessed with the ability to be a stay home mom.

I started the Weight Loss Challenge at the end of January 2004, about a week after my 31st birthday. At 268 pounds, I felt gross. Completing my internal dialogue audit was a real eye opener for me. I have done all kinds of "diets" in the past, and the most that I have ever lost was 35 pounds. I couldn't figure out why I sabotaged myself when I got to that point in a diet. Key #1, Right Thinking, has been integral for me. I am a positive, optimistic person on the outside, but on the inside, in my head, I was a pessimistic, bad friend to myself. My right thinking has improved tremendously and I have now gotten to a loss of 42 pounds. At the beginning of this challenge I wanted to lose a total of 110 pounds, with a get real weight of 158. A mini goal for the end of October is to be at 68 pounds lost, and a weight of 200. (Well, I really want 199, and at this point on my journey I am right on target for achieving that.)

I have always been overweight, no, alright, obese, and yet I was/am an active person. I love group sports and most forms of exercise, but I was a huge overeater! I felt entitled to eat it if I wanted it. Well, that wasn't working for me anymore. I asked myself those key questions from the book..."Is this in my best interest? Does this extra weight protect my health? Does it help me reach my goals?" Of course the answers were no, and so here I am!

I loved watching Dr. Phil on tv and also loved watching every episode of the Weight Loss Challenge, and I decided that if those people could do it, with such dramatic weight losses and personal life gains, then I, too, could do it! I do not want to live my entire adult life with this much weight on my body. I deserve to run, play, wrestle, and to really LIVE with my boys and husband. They deserve a healthy mom/wife, and I WANT to be that person for them. But, more than anything I want to prove to myself that I am capable of being my own best friend. I want to prove to myself that I have within me, everything I need to lose this weight and keep it off for my lifetime. I am bound and determined to set my life up for success and to become a thinner and healthier person for life! Here's to a thinner and healthier world!

Jill
268.0/229.0/158.0

Tanya

Hello My name is Tanya Watkins and I'm from Charleston, South Carolina. I'm 29 married to a wonderful man in the Air Force and we have 2 children Laura 8 and Calvin 2. I'm a member of a local group here in Charleston and have been for the last 7 months. I've had my ups and downs, however now I'm really ready to lose this weight and keep it off forever! I'm currently going to the gym, right here on base, 3-4 days a week. When I don't go to the gym I take my son and German Sheppard for a nice 2 mile brisk walk. I get quite a work out then with pushing a stroller and having a 90 lb dog pull me everywhere.

In the last month I have lost a total of 13 lbs and put 4 of them back on. I'm working very hard this week to get them 4 lbs off and will NOT be putting anymore lbs back on. We took a short vacation to Six Flags in Atlanta and ate fast food for 2 days straight. So that's my only excuse this time. My husband is leaving on August 4th to go on a 90 day trip overseas, when he comes home I want to have lost 50lbs. I know I can do it. As far as my long term goal I want to weigh in at 150. 135 would be great too, but I'm not going to let myself down so I'm just aiming at 150 for now. This is a wonderful group and we have lots of support and inspiration here so I know we can all meet our goals.

Tanya Watkins
250.0/239.0/150.0

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Laurie

I am very proud to have become a part of the challenge being featured in the WLC newsletter. I am 41, divorced and have a daughter, Rachael, who will be 7 in August. I live in Freeport ME. I work as a medical records technician in a very busy pediatric office in Portland.

I have been overweight for as long as I can remember. My mother says that I started gaining weight when my parents separated and eventually divorced. My weight has been a source of ridicule for a long time! I was picked on in school and as a member of a color guard had a different colored skirt, which had to be made separately from the rest because of my size. One Christmas, my siblings and I went to spend the day with my father and I was so excited to have a handmade sweater from my mom to show my dad. He actually said "I didn't think there was enough yarn in the world to make you a sweater". My father always had nice comments to my mom or to me about the way I was dressed. It was never appropriate enough for him. School was not pleasant for me, kids can be so cruel, and I never had too many friends or a social life. My weight has been a barrier and an esteem lowering issue for years.

My attempts at weightloss have been numerous! I tried Nutrisystem once, in amongst Weight Watchers attempts, the last time being the most successful in 2002-03. I lost 40 lbs., but started going up and down and got tired of paying to go to meetings for support and dropped out to give Dr. Phil and his program a shot. I found the WLC group I am currently a part of by going on the Dr. Phil message boards. I joined it in October 2003. I was making an attempt but, hadn't made a serious commitment to work the program until this past February, after attending a statewide meeting of our group.

The UWS has made a great impact on my life. Dr. Phil has really put the process of getting your weight under control into perspective. He is right in that he hasn't reinvented the wheel but he has made the game plan so comprehensive and manageable. All seven keys have so much to do with life not just weight! Dr. Phil has opened my eyes to so many truths that I knew were there but I was ignoring. Because of reading the book and improving my outlook on my life I have left a dead-end relationship and have realized that I am someone worthy of being honored and respected without having to give every ounce of my self respect away to get it. I hope that makes sense!

I think one of the hardest keys for me to incorporate into my daily life has been intentional exercise. I have since conquered that hurdle. I now have a membership to the YMCA, where I work out 2-3 days a week, doing weight training machines and I also try to get there twice a week to take Rachael swimming. I do an aerobic workout tape several days a week at home before going to work also.

I belong to the WLC-Maine group; our name is the "Healthy groovin, body movin, Mainers". We have grown so much the past few months I am not going to give stats because we have two moderators in the challenge that I am sure will mention all that. I just have to say I love being part of the group we are all very supportive of one another.

Well, to sum it all up. I have a daughter to be a good role model for and I have a healthy life to live and Dr. Phil has given us a program that works! My doctor is very pleased with the road I am on and he is confident that I am not going to be looking at diabetes in my future as so many of my family has. My goal is to be under 200 lbs. by my birthday, 11/26/04. That is a number I haven't seen in 27 years. I welcome contact with anyone wanting to chat and looking for encouragement. I hope to be able to meet a lot of you at the rally in August! Good luck everyone!

Be-Do-Have
Laurie
272.0/248.0/165.0

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Carolyn

I'm Carolyn, one of the challengers. I am from Bucyrus, Ohio and have a wonderful husband who supports me 100%. We have been married for 37 years and I would not know what to do without him. We were blessed with a lovely daughter and a handsome son whom God chose to call home as children. Tina was 23 months old and Robert was 5 yr. old. They were beautiful little angels and they are still within our hearts and our memories have never faded after all these years.
I have been overweight all of my life and have aquired lot of bad eating habits. As of February weighing over 400 lbs, I made a decision to make a lifelong commitment to eat healthy and put Carolyn first for a change. I now can weigh on the scales and this week weighed in at 365. I am now able to do the little things that people take for granted that I had not been able to do for over a year. You don't know how it feels being to get out of the chair without help and to get in the car and drive without being wedged in, unless you have been there.
I love going to church, crocheting and reading. Yes I am active in the church. I have also started a WLC support group { UW~LS }, The Ultimate Weight Solution. I love Dr. Phil's Book and the 7 keys work. I have a friend in Minnesota who calls me "Dr. Phil's little girl".
I am looking forward to this challenge. I have a wedding coming up in May and I plan on being able to walk in a store and pick myself out an outfit to wear. I am on the A team and going to give it all

Carolyn
400.0/373.0/150.0

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Paula

Hello My name is Paula Richards, I live in Windsor, Maine, am 56, married to a wonderful supportive man for almost 4 years, have 2 grown children (son 35, daughter 38), 5 grand children, ages 6-19, have a grandson due in Oct and our first great grandchild ( girl) due in Dec.

I was born and raised in Illinois, where we lived until 2 years ago when we decided to move to Maine to be closer to husbands family for a few years, before retiring back in Illinois. Our eldest granddaughter moved up with us and she is the one having the great granddaughter, so we are excited about being there for her birth and we are planning on a trip back to Illinois to see our new grandson in Oct.

I have been suffering with a bad back and have had numerous surgeries. I now have a spinal stimulator installed in my back to try and help control some of the pain. I am also looking at having knee replacement surgery soon. The knee surgeon had asked me to have lap band surgery to lose weight quickly so that he could do it, but I was not too sure about that and my prayers had been answered when he sent the Dr PHil show, the challengers, and his UWS book.

I am the owner/moderator of our WLC_MAINE support group. The group was started by another in Sept, and I became a member in Oct. and started the weight loss journey the end of November. In just a short time I had been asked to become a co-moderator and then in another few weeks the owner/moderator. Originally we were just an online support group, but I knew I needed more then that and if I did, was sure more needed the same. So I set out to get weekly meetings going throughout the state. We now have 6 different areas for weekly meetings and more to come. Our group continues to grow and all members are Awesome . We have both female and male members.

As you can see I have plenty of reason to get myself healthy and get this weight off. I had first started riding a recumbent bike that my dear husband got me for Christmas, and was only able to ride for 10 minutes. I am now able to ride with no problems for 45 minutes to an hour, and going to a gym for a great workout 3-4 times a week, using the nautilus equipment, the tread mill, and lifting some weights. I also have a couple of great exercise video's that I use on the days that I do not go to the gym.

My 1st short term goal was to lose 25 lb. by end of January. I lost this weight by the middle of January and gave myself a reward for it. I had met my 1st milestone (short term goal) with the weight gone and able to workout for 1-2 hours 3-4 times a week. I then set another short term goal of losing 50lb. by mid May and succeeded in that one too. Another milestone achieved. I have never been able to lose and keep it off like I am now or ever workout with a gym or videos. This new way of life will really work for you, but you have to work it to succeed. IT IS A NEW LIFE CHANGE!!

Since I have reached a total loss of 71 lbs to date, I have set my next short term goal at 100lbs lost by end of Oct. just before we take vacation back to Illinois. My family has not even seen a picture of me since I started this journey and I am looking forward to their expressions when they see me!!

My ULTIMATE GOAL is to lose down to 160 lbs., to keep it off, to be in a size 12 or 14. I do not remember ever being down to that size,and to get myself healthy so that I can reduce, if not completely stop, taking all medications. I would like to add that my husband is on the WLC with me and has been able to reduce the amount of high blood pressure medicine he has taken for many years. His blood pressure is the best it has ever been.

I would hope that all of you would be able to change your lifestyle and "GET REAL" about your weight. YOU CAN DO THIS!! SURROUND YOURSELF WITH A GREAT SUPPORT SYSTEM.. WITH THIS YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH YOUR ULTIMATE GOAL!!

Paula
300.0/235.0/160.0

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WESLEY

Hi, my name is Wesley Cowperthwaite. I am 33 years old, and I live on the coast of Maine with my wife of 10 years, and my 8 year old daughter. Like so many other people out there, I had tried to lose weight a dozen times in a dozen different ways. Then one day when I was watching a weight loss challenge show on the Dr.Phil program, I realized that every challenger had lost at least fifty pounds! I wasn't sure if I could do that too, but I decided to give it a try. I never told anyone, but deep inside I thought this was my last chance. I had given up and accepted the idea that I would always be fat and unable to do many of the things I used to love, and there was nothing I could do about it.

When I first took the challenge, I was determined to give it my all, and either make it work, or fail with no excuses. I started reading the book, and set my goal of losing one hundred pounds. Then I first hit upon one of many parts of the book that seriously got my attention.

On pages 72-73 Dr.Phil talks about right thinking, and challenging what you believe about yourself. It says "Is this just something that you believe now because your mother and father told you that you'd always be fat?" ; "Maybe you've never really thought about it." I started testing what I was telling myself, and a lot of it was lies! I had even set my goal too low because I thought I would fail! It was at this point that I had some hope, for the first time in a long time.

Since then I have been using the seven keys, and following the plan. Sure, I've had some setbacks, but I realize that I can lose weight and that I am worth the effort, so why should I stop? Since January there has only been one week I didn't lose weight. When I started I weighed in at 355, and now I am down to 310, well on my way to my new goal of 230. Here are some important dates from my journey so far.

1/15 Began reading the Ultimate Weight Solution
1/23 I joined the online support group, WLC-Maine
3/31 I commited to post my weight every week, good or bad, at my group website.
4/21 I met my first goal, having lost 25 pounds.
5/24 I commited to post a message every day at my group website.
5/30 Officially changed my goal from 100 pounds to 125 pounds.
7/6 First weekly meeting of our local support group in Bangor, Maine.

The next important date will be when I reach 50 pounds lost, followed soon after by dropping below 300 pounds.
Some more facts about me:

I work at a group home, KidsPeace of New England, with a great group of teenage girls.
I went to military language school to learn to speak Korean.
My favorite exercise is swimming, because I can do it well, and it's a good time to think with no distractions. Sometimes I feel like Forrest Gump. "I just felt like running" My best distance so far is 100 lengths of the pool without stopping. (about 1 mile)

On each of my posts on the challenge website, I finish with the phrase "There is no finish line". I have a t-shirt with this phrase on it, and it reminds me that I am not just on a diet, but I have started a completely new way of life. I also post my name with my starting weight/current weight/goal weight.

OK, I've probably taken up more than my share of space, but I want to leave you with the words to a song I recently heard for the first time. I don't think they wrote this song about losing weight, but it still inspired me. The song is "Dare you to move" by Switchfoot.

Welcome to the planet
Welcome to existence
Everyone's here
Everyone's watching
Everybody waits for you now
What happens next?
 
I dare you to move, 
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift 
yourself up off the floor
I dare you to move, 
I dare you to move
Like today never happened
Today never happened before
 
Welcome to the fallout
Welcome to resistance
The tension is here,
 tension is here
Between who you are 
and who you could be
Between how it is
 and how it should be
 
(chorus)
 
Maybe redemption 
has stories to tell
Maybe forgiveness 
is right where you fell
Where can you run 
to escape from yourself?
Where you gonna go?
  Where you gonna go?
Salvation is here
 

(chorus)

I would love to hear from all of you. Please come to the meet the challenger website, and ask questions, and check on our progress. I'll be checking in there daily...we can use your support too! Give it your best and you will succeed! There is no finish line! Your challenger buddy,

Wes
355/310/230

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Lanaya

Lanaya : MN, age 48, married, 2 biological and 2 step children, adult online college student, started WLC unofficially Oct 2003 and officially Feb 2004, start weight 365, current weight 346, goal weight 156 or size 10/12, member of online/live "MinnesotaWLC" support group.

Free At Last, II

As I wrote in the June Newsletter, Key one and two have been unbelievably difficult for me. However, this challenge is giving me the opportunity I need to put those keys into action and to believe in my own success and myself! I know that I am healing and dealing with life now and that is more exciting each day! The other keys are relatively easy for me.

One of the things I have learned is that I cannot fail if I don't quit! I just need to keep at it. I have either done intentional exercise OR eaten according to the plan most of the time. When I did both simultaneously, I lost weight quickly! That scared me. I was not ready, feeling that my body had betrayed me and that I was at fault for the sexual assaults in my life. I had MORE work to do on key 2! I did that work, and am still doing it, and now I am not afraid to regain my shape. I know that I am not at fault and that I can be strong and safe in my body. I am now doing intentional exercise AND eating according to the diabetic diet, which is very similar to that in the book.

Also, my two middle children each died in infancy from a very rare muscle disorder. That grief has had a tremendous impact in my life. MORE key 2 work!

I finally summoned my courage and went to the doctor and found out that I am very close to having diabetes. I have been killing myself quite literally! Again, this challenge is like a lifeline for me. I am so ready and so excited about the level of commitment and motivation of my teammates.

Reading the book repeatedly, staying in contact with my circle of support, exercising, eating in a healthy way, and creating new habits for myself, in short being willing to do whatever it takes, are all the things I do to reach my goals. I know that I am changing from the inside out and that my weight loss will stick. I know I will not gain it back!

Reaching 350 was a huge accomplishment for me. I remember how impossible it felt. My next milestone is 340. I write out my goals. I have ultimate goals, interim goals and weekly goals. I am even into giving myself rewards! I write my food down so I can keep track of my portions. I write down how I feel when eating so I can see the relationship between emotions and my desire to overeat if it comes. I write a lot! I do whatever it takes.

Ultimately, I want to address the things that caused me to turn to food to cope in the first place. I am determined to heal and to be and stay free. I want to run again, play ball with my husband, sit in the seat at the concert theater, travel and fit in the airplane seat, walk with my head high and feel pride, confidence and no shame! I want to be really fit. I love to life weights and have been an athlete. I plan to be a master swimmer!

I am never going on another "diet". I have never felt freer! I do not have to punish myself anymore! I am standing on the mountaintop and I can see the Promised Land. It was not long ago I asked, "What's the use?", and now with the UWS, in the great words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I can say, "I am free at last. Thank God Almighty, I am free at last!"

~Lanaya B.
365.0/346.0/156.0

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Teresa L

(no pics at this time)

Teresa L is from the Niagara Area. She started this journey in January 2004 and has lost over 60lbs so far. More from Teresa in upcoming newsletters............

339.0/281.2/160.0

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Elizabeth

(no pics at this time)

Elizabeth Moore is 24 and lives in South Carolina. She is part of DrPhilWLCinCharlestone yahoo group.

She started the challenge in late May, though not fully committed to it until the week of June 19th and her results prove it.

Elizabeth has already lost 5 lbs! She is excited to be progressing towards her goals.

Her next milestone will be to drop below 180. Once she does she will kiss that 80 goodbye forever! Her ultimate goal is to be 135 lbs, in size 8 pants, and to do so by Christmas(This Year). She wants to be healthy and fit so she can play with her daughters non-stop, as now they wear her out and she wants to be a better mommy for them. She wants to be a better wife to her husband as well. However, most importantly,take care of herself, so she CAN take care of them.

Liz recommends making small goals so you don't get overwhelmed. She says a daily triumph for her is to keep busy with other things instead of eating. When she feels like she is hungry, and really shouldn't be, she drinks a full cup of water and waits 10 min. If she is still hungry after 10 minutes, she eats a banana or kiwi to tide her over to her next meal.

186.0/185.0/135.0

Hi my name is Teresa S. I am almost 37 years old and I live in Minnesota. I am married with 3 children ages 14, 12 & 8. I am not part of a support group which is why being a part of this challenge is so exciting for me. I need to start practicing key 7, building my circle of support and I can't think of a better way to do it. I am eager to get to know my teammates and the other challengers.

I formally started the weight loss challenge when it was announced that I would be a part of the 20 selected participants for this challenge although I have been reading the book and making a half-hearted effort for months. It's time for me to "Get Real". I have many health problems related to my obesity.

The biggest milestone I have reached so far is making the commitment to this challenge. Commitment to my health has always been a low priority for me. Everyone and everything has always come before me, now I am making my health come first and I am committing to this challenge and to my overall heath. I am working on improving my health for the duration.

My next milestone I am working towards is consistent exercise. When I am exercising at least 3 times per week consistently, I will consider that my next milestone reached. I have a 'weight loss' milestone I would like to reach as well, to get below 200 pounds. I believe if I am working towards the first two milestones then the third will just follow naturally. Weight loss will just be a bonus!

My ultimate goal is to LIVE, live a healthy and energetic life full of activity. Of course I would like to be at a lower weight but, I want to feel different about the way I feel about food and exercise. I want to deal with my emotions without food. I plan to use the UWLS to reprogram my life for success in every possible way! I am committed to using the 7 keys in all areas of my life, not just food issues. Weight loss will be my reward!

If I had any suggestions for anyone reading they would be 2 things that are working for me right now, 1) Don't give up, no matter what anyone tells you! You can and will be successful if you just keep trying. If you fall, just pick yourself up and start again. Only those who do not try, do not succeed; 2) Program your life for success, successful weight loss is not only about willpower; "When your will power is nowhere to be found, you need to have your emotions, logic, environment, behavior, food plan, exercise and social support system in place to keep you moving in the right direction." Quote from Dr. Phil.

God Bless,
Teresa S.
232.0/223.0/145.0

Jan

I'm 56 and I started WLC Sept 12 at 425 but, I actually began my weight loss journey in Jan. 1999 at 550 after being hospitalized for congestive heart failure and finding out I was diabetic. I could hardly get out of bed at all and never left my home except to go to the hospital. My exercise began then with a physical therapist coming to my home to just help me move my legs and arms. I got down to around 400 but could not seem to get below until I started with Dr. Phil. I had a lot of issues in my past that made it difficult to give up walls of fat that started out to protect me I thought, unconsciously of course but, were now killing me. So in Sept 03, at 425 lbs I started the UWLC and it has changed my whole life, not just the losing weight. I am no longer a shut in living in my room. I stepped out of my comfort zone and started the live group and made lasting friendships on the weight loss boards.

My weight loss has been slow partly because I couldn't walk but I started doing sitting exercise, chair dancing LOL and adding a couple steps with a walker now I can go around 100'. I have a stationary bike I ride for 5 min each day now and go to physical therapy three times a week to help build upper and lower body strength. I have Fibromyalgia, and degenerative arthritis in all my joints but knees are the worst. I need 2 knee replacements and have torn ligaments and muscles in both knees. I still have to use a walker because my knees are so bad that I could fall very easy and don't want to go back to step one again. If it wasn't for the knees I could be walking further but have to stop and rest. Before though, it was also because I could not breath and had to use oxygen, now I use none and can breath just fine. Isn't it amazing what getting weight off us can do. I just keep thanking the Lord everyday. I have made up my mind I can and will do this no matter how long it takes. I will ride my bike my son bought me, walk miles and hopefully run a 5K one day. I will let nothing hold me back. Starting this program was the best thing I have ever done for myself because the Keys have given me back my life. Not only is it helping me to lose weight but, it has made me a much more out going confident person who is no longer waiting until they are thin to live and have fun.

I also have Diabetes, but medication has been dropped from 3 pills twice a day to one pill once a day, Sleep Apnea, but have been able to drop pressure level, Fibromyalgia, High Blood pressure, down to only one pill a day.

I live with my youngest son David 28 who has also lost 35 lbs doing this program and our fur baby Angel a cat. My oldest son is a police officer for Detroit he is married and I have two beautiful grandchildren a boy 4 and girl 2. I am very blessed.

I can't wait to be able to get out side and ride my real bike that is my ultimate goal. I will feel like a free bird. This is why when new people starting say they can't do anything, I say just start slow even just moving your legs up and down little by little you can add more and then one day your doing it. I could not even get my leg up to even get on the bike but, finally I could sit on it then I could not peddle it my knees would not go around, they would lock, so I would go back to sitting exercise and walking with my walker in the house and a week later try again and one day I could do it. Now it is just building up my stamina because after 10 min, and that is pushing it, I'm sweating and totally beat. I will stay at 10 until end of July then try to go longer.

Other milestones besides losing weight are going from a 6x to a 4 and some 3xs now. My next milestone is to get below 350 I had hoped to do it before the rally but, hit a plateau for a while and have just really started losing again. My ultimate goal is to get down to 175, I'm 5'10" and then I will see if I need to go further. I want to be able to walk again without a walker, to ride my bike and feel free like a bird, to run a 5k fun run. To live each day I have left on this earth to the fullest.

Jan
550-425/369/175
"No one can go back and make a brand new start. Anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending"

Alice

Alice Clough - Age 57
New Hampshire

I belong to 7keyring7 support group and have also gotten a lot of encouragement and support from Dr Phil's WLC person Monika Barkley and her support board. I started this program the end of last Oct. I have lost abut 35 pounds. The best thing has been my health. I have had a blood pressure problem for many years and have been on medication. Last summer I had some major problems with it and my doctor was getting worried (so was I).

My blood pressure could get to about 145 over 90 or higher even on meds. Since going on the program, I have had my blood pressure pills cut in half 2 times and hopefully will be off them completely at the end of August. My blood pressure is running about 106 over 66 now on an average!!!! This is with my meds being cut several times in half!!!! I can also buy clothes in size medium now instead of XL!! I would like to get down to 145.

My next milestone would be to get in the 150's by the end of September and completely off blood pressure pills by this time too. I have had so many people tell me how great I look and how I did it. I love to share my new lifestyle. I have, as so many, tried so many weight loss plans and been so disappointed. Until I started working on a new lifestyle instead of a diet, I was not going to succeed.

Exercise is a part of my life now. We all have to find out what works for each of us and this takes a little experimentation when it comes to exercise. It's so important to find an exercise you really enjoy and works for you. I find walking is the exercise I enjoy the most (especially outside). You also need to start slow and take breaks from time to time, if your body needs it.

I have worked up to walking 7 miles, 5 to 6 times a week. I also enjoy doing aerobic tapes and have recently started a little weight training. Not beating myself up if I goof up one or two days, is probably the most important thing I do that has created success. I use to goof off a little on a diet, I would feel so bad that it would make me eat worse and exercise less (if at all). I would just give up and figure I would never succeed. Now I treat it differently. I realize I am not perfect and I will make mistakes but, I can pick myself up, dust myself off, and continue on the right road. I treat my body as a temple now and not a Pizza Hut. I don't compare myself to someone else. We are all individuals and each of us will progress at our own pace. I have learned to compete with myself only. I get up each day now and look forward to doing the best I can for that day. If I am not perfect for the day I work on the rest of the day and tomorrow. This new thinking has taken me some tme and work but it has been so worth it.

I have even put an elastic band on my wrist because of my negative thinking at the beginning and would snap it if I started with the wrong thinking. Of course I still have those negative thoughts (I am human) but they are so decreased and my positive thinking has so increased. I love this new thinking because I can always have the next minute, hour, day and year to look forward to no matter what this moment is like. I find that the longer I work on thinking like this the easier it is getting. I still have a lot of work to do, but I now know I can do it. It may not happen tomorrow or even next month, but, I am going to get to where I want to be and I am enjoying the ride!!!

Alice
205.0/165.0/140.0

Kathy

My goal with this challenge is to lose 100 pounds. I want to do this for many reasons, but the most important one is to be healthy and watch my children grow up! I have 3 children, Ashleigh 16, Kirk II 13 and Amanda 11 and I have been married to Kirk I for almost 13 years.

My weight gain began when my last child was born and I just kept joking about it being baby weight! Well now that baby is 11 and it is time for the weight to be gone! I have tried many different diets and pills. But I have realized that I have to change more then what I eat, I have to change how I think about what I eat. This challenge is going to change my life, not only by changing my eating habits, but my whole lifestyle. I hope to be a role model to my children so that they will be able to make healthy choices in all aspects of their lives! I also hope to help my sister who also struggles with her weight and is borderline diabetic.

I have a great support system! My husband and my kids all support me and let me know when I start to slip, my mom is a great supporter, and my best friend Teresa! She always tells me how beautiful I am and never judges me by my weight or how many times I have said "THIS IS THE TIME". I know with their support and the support from everyone here that I will be a loser!

Kathy
230.0/230.0/130.0

Laura

Laura is 31 yrs old and lives in Kalamazoo,Michigan. She is part of a couple of groups,WLCMichigan and Moveittoburnit DrPhil.

She started the challenge on May 14th,2004.

She has also reached an important milestone by conquring intentional exercise. She has always hated it, but now she loves it and can't wait to do more! Her next milestone will be to get under the 300 mark.

Her ultimate goal is to be fit and healthy. She suggests that once you get started, it gets easier as you go and you don't need as much motivation.

Laura
350.0/329.0/150.0

Sonya

Sonya Weiss comes from South Carolina and is 38 yrs old. She started the challenge in late April early May.She joined her local group online and was there a few weeks before she made it to a meeting.

She has lost five lbs so far. It doesn't sound like much she admitts, but in the past she has joined other types of weight loss groups and shed pounds rapidly only to put them back on. So she is okay with the turtle loss. In fact she has a small turtle figurine she bought to remind her that it was the turtle who won the race against the rabbit. She set a goal to beign an exercise routine at least 3 days a week and actually has been able to exercise 5-6 days a week.

Her next milestone is to reach that first twenty pound loss. Her ultimate goal is to lose 114 pounds and improve her health.

She suggests "Don't give up and don't take your eyes off the goal. You can do it."
Sonya
266.0/262.5/150.0

Tammy

My name is Tammy Fisher. I'm 35 and am a true Mainer! I'm a proud moderator for the Maine WLC support group called The Healthy Groovin' - Body Movin' Mainers! I knew about the challenge because I was a Dr. Phil fan from the very beginning. I joined the group in October 2003 but did not really participate until November. I have gone from having to look at what the next size is after 30/32 to buying and wearing a short set in size 22/24! I am about to hit two very key milestones for me: 50 lbs lost (I'm currently at 46) and being under 300 which is about 12 pounds away! My ultimate goal is be so healthy and in shape that I am able to do anything! I can't wait to shop for sizes like 14 and run if I want to! I want to get to 180 in order to do this and many other things.

Anyone needing motivation? I have never, ever stuck with any type of diet or "lifestyle" until Dr. Phil's plan. For me the key has been my dedication to the support group. They have carried me through any dark times and cheered with me during victories. They inspire me each and every day!

Read Dr. Phil's book and connect with someone else to do the same. The results are amazing because Dr. Phil really does get what this weight gain is all about. If you have already read it, read it again. You will find so many things you missed the first read around. The seven keys will bring you more than weight loss because they will have a positive ripple effect on your entire life! I have cut my hair short (it's always been long) to save time and do something daring! I love it! It sure saves me lots of time in the morning! It was a decision about me for me! I had the courage to change jobs. The ability to focus on your needs and not on what everyone else will think is just amazing! I go to the gym nearly every day! This from a girl who started at 358 and is now at 312! I do water aerobics, the treadmill, and weight lifting. I go with my weight loss buddy, Barbara, and together we hold each other accountable. Just months ago I was scared to go into the gym out of fear of what people would think. Now I'm proud to go! You CAN do this! The weight will come off and your life will change! Don't give up!

Our group has some key phrases coined by Darlene who says in every post "Life is good!" and Wes who reminds us to "Eat water!"

You CAN do this! What's the alternative?

Tammy
358.0/318.0/180.0

Linda

It is so hard to know where to start in telling about me. I know I can start with name and age so lets go from there. First of all I am so glad to be a part of this challenge. I feel like I have been given a gift, a priceless treasure. I want to be deserving of this gift, this chance. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this.

My name is Linda. I go by Butterfly112057 in yahoo groups. Butterfly because it signifies change and that is what this is all about, a lifestyle change. I live in Alabama with my hubby of 30 years and 2 boys still at home. I can't leave out that I have 2 daughters and a total of 5 grandchildren. I am 47 years old. I have been a member of the SHRINKING VIOLETS since October I think. They are a wonderful group of women who are so supportive of each other. It is awsome.
I saw the 2nd Dr. Phil Challenge show where he was trying to decide on who to choose and right then I knew I needed the book. A dear sweet lady online who I have never met sent me the book and it has been a life changing experience. I believe this was in October of 2003. While to begin with I really struggled with many issues and did not lose much or would lose only to regain I kept reading and rereading. I even took the book to work with me and still do for break times.
As I said, I did not do so well to begin with except, that I was beginning to understand the keys but the food thing was still a biggie for me. When to stop. I was not binging as I had done in the past but, still was consuming too much food. After several months of watching the shows and reading and rereading, I began to see how I was using food for comfort. I would eat to ease my pain, my anger, my hurts and whatever emotion I was feeling I was using food. It was my drug of choice.
It was a real milestone when I realized, it does not matter what problems I am facing, I do not have to be comforted by food. I have always had a strong faith in God so I began praying for comfort rather that eating for comfort. He really does answer if we ask in faith!
I began this journey at 305 and was so thrilled to get below 300 and then below 290 and 280 and finally in the 270's. I was just estatic when that happened. My ultimate goal is to get to 150-160. I am still not sure what is a realistic goal since I began gaining at 16, when I got married, so I only remember being at 145-150 as a teen. I am not sure if at 47 that is realistic so, I decided to put those numbers down and see where this journey leads me, a place where I am most healthy and energetic and feel good.
I have had many struggles with my weight. I suffer from knee, back and joint problems ans well as fallen arches, tendonitis, heel spurs and other feet problems. At first I told my self exercise is out of the question but realized that was a excuse.
There are many forms of exercise for the obese with whatever problems may seem to be stopping us. I chose the recumbant bike and as I began to lose I found I was able to do more. The knee problems got better as did the back and joints. I still feel a lot of pain at times but know I can still do this...it is doable if we are willing. I guess if I could make one suggestion it would be as a friend told me who has lost 188 pounds, never stop starting. If you start and fall get up and go again. Never give up. She also told me one day that we do not have to be perfect just better. So if we are not perfect one day look and see the changes we have made in our lifestyle are we better than we used to be? Just always keep going and never ever give up!

Linda
305.0/287.0/150.0

Article Submissions

Breaking the Barriers

Hello, My name is Valerie and i would like to share with you all of how i broke through the barriers i had put up on key 6 (intentional exercise) My barriers were laziness, unwillingness, negative thinking, poor excuses, and age (i will be 65 on july 17) I have eliminated those cushions i had for myself along with rationalization.
This is my second week of doing 1,000 minutes per week of intentional exercise. This was a hard goal for me to do but, well worth it. I used a variety of exercises, tapes, gazelle glider, tubing and toning with weights.
I would not allow myself NOT to do this, as difficult as the first week was for me. this week was much much better! I feel absolutely fantastic, I have lost 40 of the 100 pounds that i need to lose and have also lost 3 dress sizes. yippeeee!!!
My group likes to go on virtual tours to help us master key 6 and the other keys are used to obtain bonuses on the tour. We have just finished a wonderful tour of Oceania that was sponsored by the WLCPeddlers group.
If anybody would like to go on the next tour I would like to invite you to join our group and go. The tours usually last 10-12 weeks. It is a committment and it will help with accountability and to incorporate daily exercise in your life. I hope you all have a wonderful healthy and happy summer.
love, valerie
7keyring7@yahoogroups.com

Getting Together

When our little group of six started to meet, drawn together by a post on Dr. Phil's website to start a real time WLC group, we did not know each other at all. The only thing we had in common was a desire to read and follow Dr. Phil's book and we all said we wanted to lose weight.

We have been through a lot getting to know each other and finding a format to follow that works for all of us. We have different learning styles, different levels of awareness and different levels of urgency. Each of us has had our day at wanting to quit! But we have lost only one member and we gained another in the online forum. Even though she cannot meet with us in person she is still very much a part of our group. So, we still have six.

One idea that we have repeated over and over that has helped us stick to it, is the idea that no matter what, we have to keep at it; that the only way to fail is to quit. We just keep getting back on track when we get off. And I am not just talking about getting off track with food but also with using the keys.

I am really proud of the work our group is doing and what we have gone through to get here!
Lanaya

Click to join talk2challengers

WLC Rally 2004 August 20-22, 2004 Fonthill, Ontario, Canada (minutes from Niagara Falls) For All the information and the Weekend Event Line Up, please visit the Rally Website for all the details of this great weekend for all Weight Loss Challengers like you, your friends, family and anyone interested in losing weight. With Special Guest from the Dr. Phil Show and Some of our own Challenger from the Newsletter Series! See you there!! Already coming? Don't forget to send in your registration fee to get your event pass to enter. Only 1 month away from event!!!