Hard Work pays off! - November 2009

Tersia Conradie
Weight Watchers Member

I am 49 years old, married with 2 adult sons. I started on the WW plan in October 2007 after returning from a holiday. I've haven't weighed myself for 15 years. I felt self conscious, shy and moody most of the time. I loathed my body, especially my large tummy. It constantly looked as if I was 11 months pregnant. I could not clip or paint my toenails anymore as I could not reach them. I could not even walk 200 m without getting short of breath. My back ached most mornings and I had stiff joints. As I already had Hypertension I realised that becoming a diabetic was next. One morning I realised "this is it". I found the British WW booklet that a friend gave me years ago and I thought that it looked easy enough and I decided to give it a try. I also started walking with a friend. I've lost 19 kg over 6 months on my own, but stopped for a few months and picked up 6 kg again. I lost 3 kg again, but lost my motivation. In March 2009 I decided to join the WW group in Worcester. Since then I've lost 20 kg, thus 36 kg in total. I've reached goal weight in September 2009 and I am now a proud WW life member. It is important to be part of a group and not to try dieting on your own.
 
It took me nearly 2 years to really change my eating habits and not to fall back on old habits. My secrets are to use as little fat as possible when preparing food and never to eat anything that I do not like. I also eat regularly during the day and believe in never going hungry. I make interesting combinations of veg or fruit salads to take to work. I take a little cooler bag with lots of healthy snacks and cold water to work. During the diet I still enjoyed my red wine and sometimes had a steak or pizza without feeling guilty, but always went back to the healthy stuff the next day. Even now that I've stopped dieting, I still follow the plan and still exercise. I can truely say that I've changed my lifestyle. I love eating and I will always do, but don't feel guilty about eating anymore. It realy depends on "what" you eat. Not on "how much". Even if you are at a party or in a restaurant there are allways healthier choices to make.

 

The 5 km that I walk most mornings helped me to get fit and also helped to improve my posture and to tone my body. My legs never looked this good. My blood pressure is much better. I feel wonderful, happy, fit and healthy. For the first time in my life I feel pretty and sexy and my self image has improved 500%. Even before I got so fat, I've never felt this good. All my friends notice the difference in me. It feel as if I've awakened from a deep sleep. I am a new me! I am just sad about all the years I've lost being locked up in a fat and unhealthy prison. I got rid of all my "fat clothes" as I never want to see them again..(wish I could get rid of the wrinkles though...)
 
Many thanks to my group leader, Gesna Viljoen. She was and still is a great inspiration and roll model and I can contact or mail her anytime I need to.

Tersia Conradie
Lifetime Member
Worcester WWSA