Why did you join Shape Up RI?

I joined shape up RI because a friend needed another “team member”. I never thought I would lose 55 pounds in 8 months. I am amazed at what I did with my life.

What did you change in your daily routine to achieve success in Shape Up RI?

I started out walking 12,000 steps a day. I would get home from my night walk and look at my pedometer and if i did not make the 12,000, I would not come into my house until I did. I walked in the morning before work, then at lunch, and then again after dinner. It took me 3 times a day to walk about 4 miles. I walked in the rain, snow, sleet or hail. I did not miss a day at all during the months I was in Shape Up RI.

I started eating much healthier; more fruits and veggies, lean cuts of meat, and lots of fish. I also CUT hydrogenated oils from anything I ate. I went through my cupboards and threw everything out. Imagine to my surprise breadcrumbs were bad for me. I had to either make my own or buy all natural. I had the idea eating “fresh” and natural was more expensive, and maybe it was a little, but it is worth it. I am never hungry. I eat all day but good food like nuts, plain greek yogurt, fruit, natural peanut butter and red meat, (I can’t give up everything). Before I joined Shape Up RI, my doctor wanted to put me on high cholesterol meds, but now I do not need them! I decided to bump it up, so I began walking 4 miles before work, worked out an hour at the gym usually doing 2 miles on the treadmill, then 4 miles after dinner. That was 70 miles a week!!!

How do you plan to continue the healthy habits you have started?

I turned 50 last year and it felt great to hear people tell me how wonderful I look and how great I feel. My kids bought me a great road bike for my 50^th birthday so that is part of my life. I need to mix things up, so I did get a friend of mine to walk with me every morning and she is happy for it.

I have personal training once a week at The Way HPI. I no longer walk ten miles a day, but I walk at least four, and I go to the gym every day, unless the skies are sunny and I go for a bike ride. I was a size 16 and now I can wear size 8!!!! Although to be honest not in everything, but Eddie Bauer, my favorite store, size 8, and no more XL tops, they are all medium.

Who do you participate in Shape Up RI with?

I participate in Shape Up RI with my co-workers at Roger Williams University.

How many times have you joined Shape Up RI?

I have joined Shape up RI two or three times before, and on one of those times I lost 50 some pounds and felt good. Unfortunately, it didn’t last and I was scared to try again. My friends at work asked me last year but I just couldn’t commit. I was afraid to fail again, so I told them no. So I went on with my life thinking I would always be this weight and never really live my life. It’s really not living if you don’t go out, you don’t see friends, you hate to see people, or try to do anything.

What did you change in your daily routine to achieve success this past year?

This year came again and my friends wanted me to join their team, and I said I would because I am good at the step count part and I just couldn’t take it anymore. So after the horrible super bowl and eating everything and feeling awful, I went into the Shape Up RI challenge at the bottom. I started again trying hard not to let my team down, and then I started trying not to let me down. I know I had to do more so this year so I added the Livestrong app on my smart phone that helped me keep track of all the food I ate and how much. This app gave me a limit and I used it every time I would eat. This made a huge difference! As the weight came off I got out more. This summer I had lost enough weight that I tried kayaking and some snorkeling! This would have never happened without the weight change. I think now that I look at food differently I can live differently. The world is trying to get you to eat everywhere you look and it’s hard to not get sucked in and think you can have some. But for people like me, some is always way too much and too often. I have to say that I suffered for years and I don’t want to any more I want to start living and stop waiting to live.

Do you have and advice for others wanting to lead a healthier lifestyle?

The best quote I heard that helped me was, “the longer the shelf life, the shorter yours.” This made me chose fresh fruits and vegetables as much as I could and limit all the boxed and processed food.

What is your favorite part about Shape Up RI?

My favorite part of Shape Up RI is the team! I liked being with a group that were trying right there with me. My group of co-workers and I would see each other five out of seven days a week so it made me want to hold up my end of the deal.

What is your goal for the next Shape Up RI challenge?

I have lost 76 pounds since the last challenge and I would still like to lose 20 more.