Welcome to JazzyV's Weight Loss Journey

I have been overweight ever since childhood. I wasn't a very athletic kid, preferring to sit and read books or watch TV. I remember what it felt like to be picked last for games in school, because I was heavier than the other kids, and they assumed (correctly) that I couldn't run very fast. Luckily, I was a good student, and while lacking in self-confidence socially, I had a great deal of pride in my academic acheivements.In high school, I was probably close to 200 pounds, but my friends didn't seem to mind. I would go on little diets, and lose 10 or 15 pounds here and there. In college and graduate school, I gained more weight, and again would diet on and off. One time I tried fasting, and lost weight, but remember being so dizzy. Not smart. I do remember doing Stillman's then too. One problem was that I could be very strict for months, and lose, but then I'd go back to the old high carb eating, and gain it back. I even did Atkins for a while back in the late 70's, and it worked, but I didn't think of it as a Way Of Life.

I didn't think of an eating plan as a Way Of Life. I continued to do low fat/low cal type diets, even losing as much as 55-60 pounds, in the early 90's. Then my Mom died, and I used food as comfort, and gradually gained that weight back over about a year's time.

May 2000, 268lbs

People ask me now, what made me start Atkins in 2000. I didn't feel unwell, and my career and life in general was going pretty well. But I knew that the only health risk I had was my weight. Also I wanted to look better! I'd met someone, and had started dating at the advanced age of mid-40's, but HE wasn't the reason I decided to do this. To his credit, he didn't run away, having met me at my highest weight. It annoyed me that people would say that I must be losing because there was a man in my life.

Why did I pick Atkins? I don't know, except that I liked the foods I could have, even though I previously lived on carbs, as they were easy to prepare (or on Lean Cuisine type meals). I was very successful the first 6 months on Atkins, with no cheats. My meals were pretty spartan. I also didn't prepare the way that I do now. I went away with my BF for a weekend, and decided to "relax". At first, I didn't gain anything back. Then after a while, it was only a few pounds, and I thought maybe my metabolism had "changed" I woke up 6 months later and realized I had gained back 25 lbs! I thought to myself, "what are you doing!" I restarted Atkins, found an online BB (LowCarbFriends) with helpful people; and lots of recipes, to keep me from being bored with my eating. I rediscovered that I like to cook. And I haven't looked back since!

July 2001, 207lbs

I've even surprised myself with my steadfastness. I have treats around the house for friends, and they don't appeal to me at all. Sometimes at work, we are drowning in donuts and pastries and other "junk", and I don't want any. I have been lucky that I didn't experience any real stalls during the first year, and I lost most of my weight during that time. And I managed to survive a heart-wrenching breakup and simultaneous closure of the facility I worked for. Somehow, I was able to hold on to the thought that the only thing I had control over was what I put in my mouth! In years gone by, food would have been my comfort.

I haven't lost much in the last year, and haven't met my goal weight, but I'm so used to eating the way that I do, that I know I can do this long-term. It's how I eat! And I like what I see when I look in the mirror (even though there's lots of room for improvement by exercising more). I like the compliments, and being told I look younger. I am the most healthy I've been in my adult life, due to the weight loss and adding exercise into my routine (a hard task with my schedule). And I like knowing that I AM IN CONTROL of food, not that food controls me!



May 2002, 160lbs


Tips I would share:

  1. Make small incremental goals. 100 lbs or more to lose may seem unacheiveable. 10 lbs at a time is definitely do-able.
  2. Preparation is key. Don't get caught without legal food to eat. Make meals ahead of time for the coming week.
  3. Your weight does not define you. I see many who have self-loathing because of their weight. You're special; love yourself!

Below are more photos of my journey! Goal Weight is 143 lbs, and it's a slow process, as you can see.

October 2002, 155lbs.................................................................. June 2003, 154lbs ............................... ............October 2003, 153lbs