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'Eat Less. Do More. Be Happy!'

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Since joining the TBO Weight Loss Challenge, Brenda Wiseman has lost more than 50 pounds.

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 20, 2008

Brenda Wiseman, 59, Sun City Center

Height: 5 foot 4 and 1/2

Starting weight: 213

Current weight: 155

Why I did it: It wasn't until I saw my hips bulging over, under and around the arms of an airplane seat that I finally said, "Hey, you - lose weight!" Sitting there was so uncomfortable, physically and mentally, that I just wanted it to stop. It felt as if I had been moaning and groaning about losing weight forever and that I had tried everything available to lose it. (Remember cabbage soup? I still can't eat cooked cabbage!) Diets worked for the short term, and I do mean short. I just could not keep the weight off.

I knew the weight had to come off for good. I took care of my mom and dad, who both were overweight and suffered with diabetes and high blood pressure. It was apparent it was time to face the music - or the peanut butter cups - and get healthy. Intellectually, I was on board the train; however, my heart and soul were still lounging around back at the station.

How I did it: At just the moment I needed it, I was accepted into the TBO Weight Loss Challenge in January 2007. At first it was a scary proposition trying to lose weight so publicly, but as anybody can tell you, I'm a "hambone" and committing to this program was perfect.

It would involve daily blogging, pictures taken and printed, interviews on the TBO Web site, and folks out there keeping track of what and how I was doing. So I got myself ready by switching my mantra from, "Woe is me!" to "Eat less. Do more." It was simple, concise and much harder to do than to say.

I joined Curves fitness center, and it was another perfect fit. I liked that it was for women only, and had 30-minute workouts. The machines addressed all the body parts I wanted to work on, and, of course, there was support from the staff and other members. I used the information I had gleaned over the many years of trying to get my weight under control: cut out the sugar, watch portion sizes and journal food intake every day. As the exercise at Curves lowered my BMI body mass index and I stopped eating sugar, my brain cleared and the weight started to melt.

My weight fell 21 pounds by the end of the TBO Weight Loss Challenge. I was so happy but worried about what would happen when the daily blogging was over, as I found it to be a huge motivator.

I decided to "blog" daily to a group of friends, which helped a great deal. By Christmas 2007, I was down 43.5 pounds. Instead of eating Christmas cookies, I celebrated and bought an elf costume and wore it to work. What incredible fun that was, to wear a costume with a wide, black belt that showed off my newfound waist.

In September, I reached 50 pounds lost. I bought a new pair of size 14 jeans, down from a size 24W. The last flight I took, there was no fat bulging through the arms of the airplane seat. It was such a wonderful feeling.

Hurdles: The path that got me to this great feeling was always straight, but wasn't always smooth. I would stumble if I forgot that my eating often wasn't about being hungry. I kept moving on if I remembered I ate for a gazillion reasons other than hunger, and that I needed to talk about these reasons with friends. I needed to remember I could and would eat to celebrate, commiserate or obfuscate! I also needed to remember I couldn't lose this weight alone, that I needed support from family and friends.

Going the distance: It will soon be two years since I started this journey. And with my pals' persistence and patience, my body, heart and soul will remain on track. This journey has become a complete lifestyle change. It is not just a short ride to a destination. Without this lifestyle change of healthy eating habits, exercising and being aware of real hunger, I'd still be taking many short rides and moaning, "Woe is me!"

I still want to lose 10 to 15 more pounds. I have no doubt it will happen, for what started as the TBO challenge has become a commitment. The commitment became good habits. And the good habits have become my lifestyle change.

Best advice: Here's to: Eat less. Do more. Be happy!

Keyword: Lost It, to tell us about a weight-loss plan that works for you. Or send your story to mshedden@tampatrib.com or Mary Shedden, The Tampa Tribune, 200 S. Parker St., Tampa FL 33606.

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