Written by Erin
At the age of 31, Diana’s life was in a rut. Wife and mother of two children (ages 13 and 5), she was working full-time, financially strained and enveloped in a comfortable yet toxic relationship–a relationship with food. Her affair with food began in her teens and persisted over the years. When life was chaotic, food offered solace and familiarity. It was a constant in a world of uncertainty.
Yet, in spite of its comforts, the relationship was not without dysfunction. The more Diana turned to food, the more her waist size expanded. She found herself weighing 282.4 lbs and torn between her need for security and her desire to feel good about herself. She made multiple attempts to sever the unhealthy relationship with food but it always seemed to creep back into her life. Diana was on the verge of giving up and surrendering to a life of obesity .
It was at the prodding of her mother that she reluctantly joined Weight Watchers in April of 2009, during a weight loss competition that the organization sponsors called “Battle of the Badges.” A discounted registration is given to Philadelphia police, firefighters, and their families as a way to encourage fitness and healthy lifestyles in the emergency professions. Since Diana’s mother works for the Philadelphia police department, she was eligible to join and compete.
“I said ‘I’ll go, but I’m going to do it. I’m not going to start until Monday’ [though I joined on a Saturday].” She recounts eating several fattening meals that first weekend but then “I begrudgingly dragged myself to the [grocery store] to fill my cart with all of the things I needed to survive.” Diana did more than ‘survive’ that week and though she described that first week as “hard” the work paid off. She lost a total of 10.6 lbs initially and so began her weight loss journey.
Since starting, Diana remains faithful to the Weight Watcher’s program. She stays within her points, exercises for 45 minutes daily,and drinks 120 ounces of water per day. As a result of her hard work, she was named a top individual loser for the Battle of the Badges competition in the state of Pennsylvania and has lost 86.4 lbs so far. Her determination has spread to those around her. Family members have watched her succeed and have become motivated to lose weight and become healthy. Fellow Weight Watchers members are inspired and Diana is beginning to find solace in something other than food–being true to herself and helping other people. When she reaches her goal weight, she would like to become a Weight Watchers leader. She sees this not only as a way to give back but to keep herself accountable to continue the hard work, even after the weight is lost.
Diana’s advice to others looking to lose weight is “Don’t give up.” She recommends eating 30 grams of fiber a day, suggests choosing filling foods and always journal what you eat. “If you bite, you write” Diana says. She says that you have to “make a conscious decision to move.” Don’t allow yourself to be sedentary and find people who will support you. Breaking up with food is hard to do, but Diana’s story proves that you, too, can do it!
Erin you did a beautiful job!!!!!!!!!!
Diana,
I am so proud of you! I am going back to weight watchers on Thursday! You are my inspiration I went two years ago and lost 60 lbs and recently put over 15 back on. You look great! I am hanging your pictures on my fridge! Thank you for sharing.
Aww Thanks Di! But, it’s your story. YOU did great and are so inspiring!
Good job Diana I’m so glad for you. Mother’s advise do pay off doesn’t it?
Congrats Diana- you’ve come a long way baby! My husband and I just joined a gym- I’ll think of your success tonight when my muscles are burning and I want to quit!
Congratulations Diana on your success. That is amazing. And quite a bit of hard work and determination. You are an inspiration and I will remember this post when I am struggling. I hope you come back from time to time with updates.
I would love to hear more about your exercise routine and some hints for healthy snacking.
Diana,
I read your story, and it really is inspirational. You have actually proven that you can do it, and you won’t die. And you’ve also shown that it’s not shameful to get overweight, as long as you can work to get out of it. Thank you for sharing this, and thank you for being there for me when I go through it. In January.
WOW! You’re a model of perserverence.
Congtaulations. Do you eat the zer0 points soups? I think they are the best thing WW ever came up with!
What are zero point soups?
Congratulations, Diana, on a great accomplishment. I really do think Weight Watchers is a great plan. I’ve done it in the past, and had success, but I kind of *hate* having to write down everything I eat. Still, it’s the most sensible diet plan out there, as your success will attest to. Again, congratulations!
There’s a great little website
It has every restaurant you can think of and their meals point values. Also has some great ideas for lunch menus that are simple.
I LOVE DWLZ! I am joining again on Saturday.
Diana, congratulations! What a wonderful story. I admire your determination and the accomplishment. You should be very proud.
I always remember the sweetest story from one ww member back in the 80’s. Her husband was away serving in the Gulf and she had joined while he was over there. She was determined and lost 80 something lbs. When he returned and she was there to meet him, he walked right by her because he didn’t recognize her. Maybe, you had to be there, but the way she told it brought to tears to my eyes. She was so happy and pleased.
I’d rather poke my eye out, thanks for the link. That’s handy.
Diana,
Your Mother told me how well you were doing often when we talked on the phone. She was amazed at your progress. I can see now what she meant! Wowza girl! My hat is off to you. Indeed you are amazing!!
Hugs
Pam
Pam, WW works on a point system. You get a certain number of points/day and some extra/week to “spend” on your food choices. Zer0 point soups cost nothing and are very delicious! They are pretty much fat-free mixed vegetable soups. There is one basic recipe that you change veggies and seasonings to get an Italian or Mexican or Asian style. Adding beans adds a a point, which is still a satisfying meal.
Diana, thanks for sharing your journey with us. I echo others who think you have done an amazing job and are an inspiration to all of us who would like to have better control of our food choices and overall health.
Hope you will come back with more tips for us!
Congratulations Diana! Thank you Erin for writing about Diana’s story. Diana, you are indeed an inspiration. Thanks for sharing your weight loss struggle and triumph with us.
And, poke thanks for the link. Very cool.
Wow what a great job Diana ! Thank you for the inspiration, Keep on going till you reach your goal.
Well, I joined with you, Erin, on Saturday, but I have exceeded my points limit every day…pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, peanutbutter ice cream. I have to pick myself up and try again tomorrow!