(Photo on left - Sherri, "During, 2008")
Biography: I grew up eating fried chicken, fried porkchops, mashed potatoes, fried potatoes and corn – with an occasional green salad. For most of my life I have been considered fat. Life takes its twists and turns and my highest weight was 252 pounds. (Since starting with PnP I have learned that I am a recovering emotional eater ).
Fall of 2006 I was watching Biggest Loser and my thought was, “of course they can lose weight, they have a trainer and go to the gym.” In January 2007 my husband wanted to purchase BowFlex. Knowing my dear sweet husband as I do, I knew that in 6 months it would be a $3500 hanger.
Around this time, there was a new gym opening up. I figured it would be cheaper signing up with them then purchasing the machine. My husband decided to get us a trainer.
Guess what?! I no longer had an excuse not lose weight. I also re-joined Weight Watchers Online, for the third time. I was portioning my food, counting my points and just be-boppin’ along.
One day, the trainer asked how many calories I was eating and I said “28 points?” At that time I was ready to research and see how many calories a day I needed to eat. During that research, I learned about weight lifting and clean eating. Then I needed to know how many calories I was actually burning, so I bought a heart rate monitor.
By this time, I felt that I had out grown Weight Watchers and ventured out on my own. This was also about the time I found Corinne.
Why and When you got involved with PnP: I stumbled onto Corinne on the Weight Watchers Fitness Getting Started site. I stalked her for quite awhile and then decided to apply. She had her fill of clients and I was put on a waiting list. I continued to read and do the best I knew. Then at the beginning of October 2007 she had openings and here I am.
(Photo Above: Sherri, Before - April 2007)
What types of workouts you do? When I started in October 2007 my workout was the Intermediate workout. Then I went to the whole body workout. Now I am doing the January Blast The Fat Challenge workout.
What keeps you motivated? For the last year, I have not had a problem being motivated to lift weights and do cardio. On the other hand, my eating has taken more time. After months of doing research online and reading the posts from the moderators everything just seemed to click. I could no longer deny the information that I had learned. It was time to apply it.
Eating plan: If it wasn’t for my love of Kashi Heart to Heart cereal I would say “clean eating”. For those that are familiar with Tosca Reno’s cooler system, I hang out in Cooler 1 & 2. I also drink lots and lots of water, about 4 ½ to 6 liters a day.
Favorite exercise: All strength training as well as treadmill work. I also love to do what I call “funky walkin’”. I put on my mp3 and just walk and boogie, sometimes on the treadmill at the gym, sometimes walking in the street around the house. I don’t care what I look like, as long as I am having fun and burning calories.
Something you never thought you'd be able to do and either can do or have tried doing: Run/Jog! In the last 40 years the only time I have ran/jogged was in P.E. class – and that is only because the teacher made me. I am currently almost finished with the Couch to 5K training program. I am not fast, but I am consistent.
How has PnP affected your life? I have learned that Fat Girl is very real. And even though I kick her out, she will pound on my door demanding that she is allowed to enter. I do NOT have to open that door, because if I do, she will put her foot in and I will not be able to close it. She will then have the muscle to push her way in. If for some reason she does get in (because she busted down the door) – I know that I have MORE muscle in me and the support of others to back me up so that I to kick her back out.
I have learned that the only person who can make me be successful is ME! Not the moderators. Not my husband or friends. Just ME!
I have learned that I now have a lot of motivation and determination to accomplish the task at hand - - - to lose fat.
I have lots of “aha” moments. Sometimes I share with others. Sometimes I keep them to myself.
I feel I am maturing in my fat loss thought process.
I am thankful for PnP and all those that gives me the kick or the hug that I need. This is an extraordinary community. I feel very privileged to be a part of it.