Six months completed

Today is the six month anniversary of my current diet and I am well pleased.
I've lost nearly 70 pounds and have gone from "obese" (BMI of 33.5) to
"normal" (BMI of 24.8).

In the 26 weeks I've only had 4 weekly gains, and enjoyed one stretch of 11
weeks with a loss each week. I've learned a lot about my body and
nutrition, and have gathered tools to help me keep in control. I've also
learned that I have T2 diabetes, but am currently symptom-free because of my
weight loss and new eating habits.

Looking back over my life I can see that my motivation for prior weight
control was mainly vanity. This time, though, I began because I felt much
older than my age and didn't want to end up incapacitated at a relatively
early age. Last year at this time I remember spending most of my time
sitting in a recliner with my feet up, watching television and eating, not
wanting to get up because I didn't want to deal with the pain in my feet and
knees. Quite a difference today. I bought a pedometer last week and am
making my 10,000 steps almost every day; my heel spurs and arthritis no
longer are a problem; my sciatica hasn't flared up in months; and people
tell me I look 30 years younger! Bless them, I know they exaggerate, but
I'll take the compliment.

I was so bad off before that I was classified as permanently disabled and
have disabled plates on my vehicle. I used to break out into a sweat at
even the slightest exertion, and needed to keep the house cold (not over 68
degrees) year-round. I had to buy all my clothes from online catalogs
because department stores didn't carry my size. Now I can go into any store
and find clothes that fit.

I'm not yet at my ultimate goal of being at the midpoint of my healthy
weight range, I have a little over 23 pounds to go. With the motivation and
resources I have there is no doubt I'll make it, and by my birthday in early
October. I'll be 55 and will treat myself by going around to all my usual
shopping spots and collecting my senior discount cards!

Thank you ALL here at ASD for your encouragement, compassion, and
accountability. I really couldn't have done it without you! You have been
wonderful.

--
Dewolla Stepon
268/198.1/199 - Phase 1
199/198.1/175 - Phase 2
154 at age 28
285 at age 53
Yes, I am very tall

"Dewolla Stepon" wrote in message
news:bQRIc.45014$WX.10865@attbi_s51...
Today is the six month anniversary of my current diet and I am well
pleased.
I've lost nearly 70 pounds and have gone from "obese" (BMI of 33.5) to
"normal" (BMI of 24.8).

In the 26 weeks I've only had 4 weekly gains, and enjoyed one stretch of
11
weeks with a loss each week. I've learned a lot about my body and
nutrition, and have gathered tools to help me keep in control. I've also
learned that I have T2 diabetes, but am currently symptom-free because of
my
weight loss and new eating habits.

Looking back over my life I can see that my motivation for prior weight
control was mainly vanity. This time, though, I began because I felt much
older than my age and didn't want to end up incapacitated at a relatively
early age. Last year at this time I remember spending most of my time
sitting in a recliner with my feet up, watching television and eating, not
wanting to get up because I didn't want to deal with the pain in my feet
and
knees. Quite a difference today. I bought a pedometer last week and am
making my 10,000 steps almost every day; my heel spurs and arthritis no
longer are a problem; my sciatica hasn't flared up in months; and people
tell me I look 30 years younger! Bless them, I know they exaggerate, but
I'll take the compliment.

I was so bad off before that I was classified as permanently disabled and
have disabled plates on my vehicle. I used to break out into a sweat at
even the slightest exertion, and needed to keep the house cold (not over
68
degrees) year-round. I had to buy all my clothes from online catalogs
because department stores didn't carry my size. Now I can go into any
store
and find clothes that fit.

I'm not yet at my ultimate goal of being at the midpoint of my healthy
weight range, I have a little over 23 pounds to go. With the motivation
and
resources I have there is no doubt I'll make it, and by my birthday in
early
October. I'll be 55 and will treat myself by going around to all my usual
shopping spots and collecting my senior discount cards!

Thank you ALL here at ASD for your encouragement, compassion, and
accountability. I really couldn't have done it without you! You have
been
wonderful.

--
Dewolla Stepon
268/198.1/199 - Phase 1
199/198.1/175 - Phase 2
154 at age 28
285 at age 53
Yes, I am very tall


This is one of the most inspiring and encouraging posts I've read. You have
accomplished one amazing transformation in these six months. I hope others
suffering some of the health problems you've overcome are inspired to stick
with their diet and reap the same rewards.

I look forward to following your progress as you lose the remaining weight
toward your final goal.

Enjoy those senior discounts!

Beverly

"Dewolla Stepon" wrote in message
news:bQRIc.45014$WX.10865@attbi_s51...
Today is the six month anniversary of my current diet and I am well
pleased.
I've lost nearly 70 pounds and have gone from "obese" (BMI of 33.5) to
"normal" (BMI of 24.8).

[snip]
I'm not yet at my ultimate goal of being at the midpoint of my healthy
weight range, I have a little over 23 pounds to go. With the motivation
and
resources I have there is no doubt I'll make it, and by my birthday in
early
October. I'll be 55 and will treat myself by going around to all my usual
shopping spots and collecting my senior discount cards!

Thank you ALL here at ASD for your encouragement, compassion, and
accountability. I really couldn't have done it without you! You have
been
wonderful.

--
Dewolla Stepon
268/198.1/199 - Phase 1
199/198.1/175 - Phase 2
154 at age 28
285 at age 53
Yes, I am very tall

Congratulations. You've learned so much and changed so dramatically.... I
find your posts very inspiring.
Teri

"Dewolla Stepon" wrote in message
news:bQRIc.45014$WX.10865@attbi_s51...
Today is the six month anniversary of my current diet and I am well
pleased.
I've lost nearly 70 pounds and have gone from "obese" (BMI of 33.5) to
"normal" (BMI of 24.8).

[snip]
I'm not yet at my ultimate goal of being at the midpoint of my healthy
weight range, I have a little over 23 pounds to go. With the motivation
and
resources I have there is no doubt I'll make it, and by my birthday in
early
October. I'll be 55 and will treat myself by going around to all my usual
shopping spots and collecting my senior discount cards!

Thank you ALL here at ASD for your encouragement, compassion, and
accountability. I really couldn't have done it without you! You have
been
wonderful.

--
Dewolla Stepon
268/198.1/199 - Phase 1
199/198.1/175 - Phase 2
154 at age 28
285 at age 53
Yes, I am very tall

Congratulations. You've learned so much and changed so dramatically.... I
find your posts very inspiring.
Teri

"Ignoramus7328" wrote in message
...
In article bQRIc.45014$WX.10865@attbi_s51, Dewolla Stepon wrote:
Today is the six month anniversary of my current diet and I am well
pleased.
I've lost nearly 70 pounds and have gone from "obese" (BMI of 33.5) to
"normal" (BMI of 24.8).

In the 26 weeks I've only had 4 weekly gains, and enjoyed one stretch of
11
weeks with a loss each week. I've learned a lot about my body and
nutrition, and have gathered tools to help me keep in control. I've
also
learned that I have T2 diabetes, but am currently symptom-free because
of my
weight loss and new eating habits.

Dewolla, this is awesome and you are likely to enjoy quite a few
symptom free years if you stick to your diet and exercise.

Looking back over my life I can see that my motivation for prior weight
control was mainly vanity.

Did it work before?

No. It was not a life-changing motivation.

My impression over a few people is that vanity/wanting to look good on
the beach does not work well, for some reason.

This time, though, I began because I felt much older than my age and
didn't want to end up incapacitated at a relatively early age. Last
year at this time I remember spending most of my time sitting in a
recliner with my feet up, watching television and eating, not
wanting to get up because I didn't want to deal with the pain in my
feet and knees. Quite a difference today. I bought a pedometer
last week and am making my 10,000 steps almost every day; my heel
spurs and arthritis no longer are a problem; my sciatica hasn't
flared up in months; and people tell me I look 30 years younger!
Bless them, I know they exaggerate, but I'll take the compliment.

Dewolla, it is time for pictures, you may indeed look a lot younger!

I was so bad off before that I was classified as permanently
disabled and have disabled plates on my vehicle. I used to break
out into a sweat at even the slightest exertion, and needed to keep
the house cold (not over 68 degrees) year-round. I had to buy all
my clothes from online catalogs because department stores didn't
carry my size. Now I can go into any store and find clothes that
fit.

Hm, I thought that it would be hard to find clothes for such a tall
lady as you.

I'm not yet at my ultimate goal of being at the midpoint of my healthy
weight range, I have a little over 23 pounds to go. With the motivation
and
resources I have there is no doubt I'll make it, and by my birthday in
early
October. I'll be 55 and will treat myself by going around to all my
usual
shopping spots and collecting my senior discount cards!

Dewolla, with all due respect, maybe it is wise to go more slowly than
that, losing 2 lbs per week at normal weight is very radical and I
would be afraid of such a rapid tempo. What if somehow this
jeopardizes your gains that you already achieved. I have no doubt that
you can do it, but it does not make it the right thing. Let it take
longer...

I'll watch it, but for now I don't want to make any changes. My diabetic
nutrition class is in a week and I'll make changes in conjunction with what
I learn there. Also, my progress to date has been 2.7 pounds loss per week,
and to reach my goal by my birthday I'll only need to lose 1.9 pounds per
week. My plan is to begin to slow it down when I get within 10 pounds of
goal.

- Dewolla

Thank you so much for the kind words, Beverly. It means a lot. I still
feel like so much of a beginner that I really hesitate to give anyone else
advice, but I do hope my story can inspire others.

And on my birthday I'll be in a booth at Denny's restaurant, ordering
breakfast off the back page of the menu! I've been looking forward to their
seniors menu for at least five years.

- Dewolla

"Beverly" wrote in message
...

"Dewolla Stepon" wrote in message
news:bQRIc.45014$WX.10865@attbi_s51...
Today is the six month anniversary of my current diet and I am well
pleased.
I've lost nearly 70 pounds and have gone from "obese" (BMI of 33.5) to
"normal" (BMI of 24.8).

In the 26 weeks I've only had 4 weekly gains, and enjoyed one stretch of
11
weeks with a loss each week. I've learned a lot about my body and
nutrition, and have gathered tools to help me keep in control. I've
also
learned that I have T2 diabetes, but am currently symptom-free because
of
my
weight loss and new eating habits.

Looking back over my life I can see that my motivation for prior weight
control was mainly vanity. This time, though, I began because I felt
much
older than my age and didn't want to end up incapacitated at a
relatively
early age. Last year at this time I remember spending most of my time
sitting in a recliner with my feet up, watching television and eating,
not
wanting to get up because I didn't want to deal with the pain in my feet
and
knees. Quite a difference today. I bought a pedometer last week and am
making my 10,000 steps almost every day; my heel spurs and arthritis no
longer are a problem; my sciatica hasn't flared up in months; and people
tell me I look 30 years younger! Bless them, I know they exaggerate,
but
I'll take the compliment.

I was so bad off before that I was classified as permanently disabled
and
have disabled plates on my vehicle. I used to break out into a sweat at
even the slightest exertion, and needed to keep the house cold (not over
68
degrees) year-round. I had to buy all my clothes from online catalogs
because department stores didn't carry my size. Now I can go into any
store
and find clothes that fit.

I'm not yet at my ultimate goal of being at the midpoint of my healthy
weight range, I have a little over 23 pounds to go. With the motivation
and
resources I have there is no doubt I'll make it, and by my birthday in
early
October. I'll be 55 and will treat myself by going around to all my
usual
shopping spots and collecting my senior discount cards!

Thank you ALL here at ASD for your encouragement, compassion, and
accountability. I really couldn't have done it without you! You have
been
wonderful.

--
Dewolla Stepon
268/198.1/199 - Phase 1
199/198.1/175 - Phase 2
154 at age 28
285 at age 53
Yes, I am very tall


This is one of the most inspiring and encouraging posts I've read. You
have
accomplished one amazing transformation in these six months. I hope
others
suffering some of the health problems you've overcome are inspired to
stick
with their diet and reap the same rewards.

I look forward to following your progress as you lose the remaining weight
toward your final goal.

Enjoy those senior discounts!

Beverly

Thank you, Teri. There are a lot of people in this newsgroup who care, and
I find all their stories inspiring. The successes, failures, insights,
frustrations, victories, and just day-to-day getting by all help me clarify
what I'm doing and why I'm doing it.

- Dewolla

"Teri" wrote in message
t...

"Dewolla Stepon" wrote in message
news:bQRIc.45014$WX.10865@attbi_s51...
Today is the six month anniversary of my current diet and I am well
pleased.
I've lost nearly 70 pounds and have gone from "obese" (BMI of 33.5) to
"normal" (BMI of 24.8).

[snip]
I'm not yet at my ultimate goal of being at the midpoint of my healthy
weight range, I have a little over 23 pounds to go. With the motivation
and
resources I have there is no doubt I'll make it, and by my birthday in
early
October. I'll be 55 and will treat myself by going around to all my
usual
shopping spots and collecting my senior discount cards!

Thank you ALL here at ASD for your encouragement, compassion, and
accountability. I really couldn't have done it without you! You have
been
wonderful.

--
Dewolla Stepon
268/198.1/199 - Phase 1
199/198.1/175 - Phase 2
154 at age 28
285 at age 53
Yes, I am very tall

Congratulations. You've learned so much and changed so dramatically.... I
find your posts very inspiring.
Teri

On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 13:54:15 GMT, "Dewolla Stepon"
wrote:

Today is the six month anniversary of my current diet and I am well pleased.
I've lost nearly 70 pounds and have gone from "obese" (BMI of 33.5) to
"normal" (BMI of 24.8).

In the 26 weeks I've only had 4 weekly gains, and enjoyed one stretch of 11
weeks with a loss each week. I've learned a lot about my body and
nutrition, and have gathered tools to help me keep in control. I've also
learned that I have T2 diabetes, but am currently symptom-free because of my
weight loss and new eating habits.

Looking back over my life I can see that my motivation for prior weight
control was mainly vanity. This time, though, I began because I felt much
older than my age and didn't want to end up incapacitated at a relatively
early age. Last year at this time I remember spending most of my time
sitting in a recliner with my feet up, watching television and eating, not
wanting to get up because I didn't want to deal with the pain in my feet and
knees. Quite a difference today. I bought a pedometer last week and am
making my 10,000 steps almost every day; my heel spurs and arthritis no
longer are a problem; my sciatica hasn't flared up in months; and people
tell me I look 30 years younger! Bless them, I know they exaggerate, but
I'll take the compliment.

I was so bad off before that I was classified as permanently disabled and
have disabled plates on my vehicle. I used to break out into a sweat at
even the slightest exertion, and needed to keep the house cold (not over 68
degrees) year-round. I had to buy all my clothes from online catalogs
because department stores didn't carry my size. Now I can go into any store
and find clothes that fit.

I'm not yet at my ultimate goal of being at the midpoint of my healthy
weight range, I have a little over 23 pounds to go. With the motivation and
resources I have there is no doubt I'll make it, and by my birthday in early
October. I'll be 55 and will treat myself by going around to all my usual
shopping spots and collecting my senior discount cards!

Thank you ALL here at ASD for your encouragement, compassion, and
accountability. I really couldn't have done it without you! You have been
wonderful.

Dewolla
What a powerful post - you are my hero

I certainly have found that health is a much stronger incentive to
lose weight than vanity.

Do keep posting your progress - it makes me really happy to see you
doing so well.

janice

On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 13:54:15 GMT, "Dewolla Stepon"
wrote:

Today is the six month anniversary of my current diet and I am well pleased.
I've lost nearly 70 pounds and have gone from "obese" (BMI of 33.5) to
"normal" (BMI of 24.8).

In the 26 weeks I've only had 4 weekly gains, and enjoyed one stretch of 11
weeks with a loss each week. I've learned a lot about my body and
nutrition, and have gathered tools to help me keep in control. I've also
learned that I have T2 diabetes, but am currently symptom-free because of my
weight loss and new eating habits.

Looking back over my life I can see that my motivation for prior weight
control was mainly vanity. This time, though, I began because I felt much
older than my age and didn't want to end up incapacitated at a relatively
early age. Last year at this time I remember spending most of my time
sitting in a recliner with my feet up, watching television and eating, not
wanting to get up because I didn't want to deal with the pain in my feet and
knees. Quite a difference today. I bought a pedometer last week and am
making my 10,000 steps almost every day; my heel spurs and arthritis no
longer are a problem; my sciatica hasn't flared up in months; and people
tell me I look 30 years younger! Bless them, I know they exaggerate, but
I'll take the compliment.

I was so bad off before that I was classified as permanently disabled and
have disabled plates on my vehicle. I used to break out into a sweat at
even the slightest exertion, and needed to keep the house cold (not over 68
degrees) year-round. I had to buy all my clothes from online catalogs
because department stores didn't carry my size. Now I can go into any store
and find clothes that fit.

I'm not yet at my ultimate goal of being at the midpoint of my healthy
weight range, I have a little over 23 pounds to go. With the motivation and
resources I have there is no doubt I'll make it, and by my birthday in early
October. I'll be 55 and will treat myself by going around to all my usual
shopping spots and collecting my senior discount cards!

Thank you ALL here at ASD for your encouragement, compassion, and
accountability. I really couldn't have done it without you! You have been
wonderful.

Dewolla
What a powerful post - you are my hero

I certainly have found that health is a much stronger incentive to
lose weight than vanity.

Do keep posting your progress - it makes me really happy to see you
doing so well.

janice

On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 17:59:20 GMT, "Dewolla Stepon"
wrote:


And on my birthday I'll be in a booth at Denny's restaurant, ordering
breakfast off the back page of the menu! I've been looking forward to their
seniors menu for at least five years.

- Dewolla
Hey, how old do you have to be to be a senior? Over here it's 60.
That's not fair)

janice