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I Lost It: 'There Is No Time Like The Present'

Photos courtesy of JANET NELSON

Weight Watchers was a way for Janet Nelson to learn portion control, and have the accountability to weigh in each week.

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 4, 2009

Janet Nelson, 47, Riverview

Height: 5-foot-3

Starting weight: 242

Current weight: 113

Why I did it: It seemed I always was the "chunky" girl. I never wanted to play sports or join any clubs because I was worried about being teased. I thought that would all go away when I got out of school and away from the teasing and taunting. I was wrong.

I continued to gain weight through my pregnancies and never lost the "baby weight." I finally realized it was out of control. I was tired of being the "fat" girl with the good personality.

I was tired of being the third wheel when my friends and I would go out. I was tired of not wanting to take my kids to the park or for a walk. I was tired of wearing dresses my grandmother liked and wanted to borrow.

How I did it: I decided to join Weight Watchers, because my mother had been a member and had been very successful at it. Weight Watchers was a way for me to learn portion control, and have the accountability to weigh in each week.

I knew if someone was going to watch me get on a scale and write down my weight, I would be able to stick to it. I knew my "school" mentality would kick in. In school I always wanted my papers to be an "A." I knew it would be the same at Weight Watchers. I needed to know someone was going to know my progress.

It took me about 14 months to lose the weight. Weight Watchers taught me portion control, how to say "no" to food, and gave me the courage to start exercising, which began with a Jane Fonda VHS exercise tape in my living room.

Hurdles: My biggest hurdle was learning that it was OK to weigh in and not beat myself up if I didn't lose weight. I was extremely hard on myself.

One of my other hurdles was portion control. I was either over-indulging or cheating myself. I finally purchased a scale and a set of measuring cups. Those tools became my best friends.

I learned a lot by attending my regular meetings. I learned I could speak up in the meeting. There was no one in the back who was going to moo or oink at me like in high school. The people there were interested in what I had to say. Weight Watchers helped me regain my self-confidence.

Going the distance: I was so excited when I finally met my "lifetime" goal. It seemed the last five pounds would never come off.

I have managed my weight since 1991. That doesn't mean I have always been at my lowest weight. I have had my ups and downs, but I never let the ups get out of control. My measuring cups and scale are still my best friends. I exercise three to five days a week, and I just finished running my first half-marathon in December.

Best advice: Get started. There is no time like the present. Don't beat yourself up. You are worth it and it is OK not to lose weight every week.

It didn't take a few months to put the weight on, so it will take time to lose it. If you do gain at the scale, remember you gained something else (knowledge) that week. If you are honest with yourself, you know why the scale moved in the other direction.

You learn from it and move on.

"I Lost It" is a regular feature highlighting individual weight loss success stories and does not reflect the opinions of 4you, which encourages you to work with a physician or nutritionist before embarking on a diet. To share your story, visit TBO.com, K

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