Weight-Loss Story:
Julie Planard

Age 52, from Wakefield, TX

When I was little, I was a pretty regular sized girl. I didn't have any
problems with my weight until I was in high school. My diet didn't change
drastically, except I maybe ate a little more because my appetite increased
as I became a teenager. Anyway, the change that I experienced was still
very slight. I was by no means a big girl, but I noticed that I was getting
bigger. I knew that I had a problem when I had to start buying larger
clothing because my old clothes were becoming too small.

After high school, things got a little out of control. My weight was all
over the place. Up and down, all the time. I sort of went in cycles. I
would be lazy and eat a lot and gain a lot of weight, then I would get all
self-conscious and work hard to lose it so that I could look good again.
The trouble is that each time never could get back down to the weight where
I started. The other problem is that it got harder and harder to diet and
exercise over and over again, and it got physically more difficult to lose
the weight as I got older. I just lost the will. Then I had children...
and that was the end of that.

As my children got older, I found I had more time to focus and concentrate
on my own life. But I noticed that I had really gotten fat, and I was so
upset and I didn't know what to do. I started talking to people around me
about what I could do, and most of my friends would tell me about this diet
or that diet... whichever one was working for them at the time. I tried
several, too many to mention. The one common thing was that in every diet I
would lose a little bit of weight, and then gain back a little more later
on. I just couldn't stick with it. And I get the feeling that those wierd
diets wouldn't have worked anyways, even if I had done everything I was
supposed to do.

It was so difficult. I'm not good at restraining myself. I was always used
to being able to have the foods that I wanted, when I wanted them. If I was
feeling depressed, I could have some sweet stuff. If I was craving
something, I would eat it. But now I had to start all over again. Well I
knew that what I was doing wasn't working, and I needed to try something
new. I was totally desperate, and would have tried anything. I got a
little crazy, and thought that if I ate less junk food, and more healthy
foods in proper portions... with a little exercise on the side, that I might
just be able to beat this thing. Wow, that plan was just crazy enough to
work... who would have thought?

Instead of having coffee and a croissant for breakfast, I had a bowl of
cereal and an orange juice. For lunch I would have a light chicken salad or
some pasta. And for dinner I would have light chicken meals or more pasta,
with lots of veggies. Most importantly, instead of junk food snacks
throughout the day, I just brought fruit to work. Wow, it filled me up
great and gave me all kinds of energy, without making me gain weight. Also,
I started walking to work every day - I never thought I'd be able to do
that, but just came down to a matter of forcing myself. It still isn't
easy, but it's easier than walking on a treadmill, because I'm actually
getting somewhere. Also I began biking on weekends, and played squash in
the evenings three nights a week.

Such a simple plan, but it is a lot of hard work. It sounds easy, but it
isn't. It took me several months to build up to this point and get used to
all the work. But the more I do, the more energy I have, and the more I can
take on. It's wonderful! After 7 months of living a healthy lifestyle,
I've lost over 56 pounds.




Based on 19 votes, this diet story has an overall score of: 8.47

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(#1) Diana posted on Mar 21, 2005 (IP: 209.240.205.63)

It is so good to hear that you lost weight the Natural Way! Good for you, you should be very proud of yourself. I plan to listen to what you did, so keep up the Wonderful Work on your Body! We only have one Body. Good Health is more important then that extra Food. Bye, have a great day! Diana.

(#2) Sam posted on Sep 09, 2004 (IP: 68.107.170.107)

I also have noticed all of the "fad" diets that come out every few weeks. I just started my diet, but have already lost more weight than I expected. I thank you for posting your story here. Very Motivational!

(#3) Marcia posted on Jun 23, 2004 (IP: 69.40.172.94)

I am about to begin my own weight loss plan, and after reading so many stories and books on people who have lost weight, it seems to me that your plan is the best--eat less, eat better, and move more. So that will become my plan as I start off on my weight loss effort! Thank you for sharing--and reaffirming what I think I already had decided!

(#4) De posted on Oct 30, 2003 (IP: 67.23.150.67)

Julie, It sounds like you have found a healthy, reasonable solution. Thanks for your inspirational story.