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Weight Watchers Weight Loss Success Story: Barbara G.
I am honored to be sharing Barbara G’s weight loss success story with you today. I love her sage advice: “Get a weight loss buddy, try new recipes and notice older people—you will be one of them eventually. Why not enjoy the journey smaller and possibly avoid the perils of age and weight related problems.” And I can’t wait to try her recipe for a lighter healthier crustless pumpkin pie made with Greek yogurt…
Tell Us A Little Bit About Your Weight Struggle
Hi my name is Barb. I grew up on a farm. I was a typical farmer’s daughter. We worked hard, we played hard and we ate well. The table was always full of food and lots of it.
When you live on a farm you have lots of company… at least we did. All the relatives know you are always home at dinner time. The cows don’t like it if you skip milking!
So as you can imagine I was always overweight. All my life, I ate my emotions and it was a never ending cycle. The more I was teased, the more I ate.
Finally I did get a boyfriend and, since I figured I’d never find another man who would want me, I married him. Not a great reason for marriage!
I lost a ton of weight just before the wedding… but gained it all back and more with my first child.
I actually enjoyed being pregnant—all 3 times—it was a good excuse to eat and be fat!
I tried so many diets—including Weight Watchers. Remember when you had to mix tuna fish with mustard?? And make your own catsup? That’s how far back I go.
Oh the program worked—til I stopped working it.
I always gained the weight back after I went off the ‘diet’. Being on a DIET was such a sad word—such a sad way to live life!
The thing is, when you’re young you want to lose weight to look good, to be attractive, to be sexy. Oh we say it’s for health, bla bla bla—but it’s all about looks.
No sense in trying to kid yourself. When you’re young, health is an issue for old people—people who are like 35 or something!
Well 35 came and went and the weight issue was still there. The diets were still circulating.
Life went on—divorce, teenagers, work, dating, remarriage, divorce, work, teenagers, dating…
What Was Your Wake-Up Call Or “A-Ha Moment” That Caused You To Really Commit Yourself To Succeeding?
Suddenly you get to retirement. Life really changes then. All of a sudden your health becomes a reality that needs to be addressed.
So here I am 69 and I’m still fat and new questions come to light.
OK, Barb, do you want to eat or do you want to walk?
Do you want to eat or do you want to slide into being a full blown diabetic?
Do you want to eat or do you want to dance like you always did?
Now it’s a big smack in the face. I have no fear of growing old—I have a fear of growing sedentary.
I have a fear of losing energy to enjoy life.
It’s TIME—time to get off the stick and DO something about the weight.
I move to Florida (isn’t that what you’re supposed to do????) and I join Weight Watchers.
WOW has that plan changed! What an eye opener that was!
Thanks to Weight Watchers, I’m now within 8 lbs of goal. Weight Watchers has been a lifesaver.
It’s easy, it’s doable, it’s sustainable and it’s all about me now and how I want to leave this earth—with a walker or with a bang!
How Have Your Eating Habits Changed Since Beginning Your Journey? What Did You Eat Before And What Are You Eating Now?
Sometimes in the past, I’d just drink wine with cheese and crackers or with popcorn for dinner—I had no plan.
If I forgot to thaw something, I always would head for junk food and of course sweets were a staple!
Now I try new recipes and glory in their success. I invite people over and shock them when I tell them they are eating a WW meal!!
I still want dessert, but I find that when I do have it, it’s not as appealing as it once was. THAT I attribute to the WW APP—it’s a reality hit when you see how many points some things are that you previously ate with abandon!
I don’t deprive myself—but I do control myself. New Concept!!! LOL
What Is The Difference In Your Fitness Before You Started And Now?
I do walk more and look for ways to get in more steps and activities.
I belong to an active singles group, so we go on hikes and that’s always a plus.
What Has Been The Biggest Change/Payoff For You So Far?
Self satisfaction and joy in my journey. How lucky I am to be where I am—but then again, I always say I had to go where I went to get where I am.
My Favorite Recipe Is…
My most favorite pumpkin recipe…it’s a lifesaver for me!
Who likes Pumpkin Pie?
Barbara's Easy WW Pumpkin Pie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 can (15 ounces) pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1-1/2 cups plain, non-fat Greek yogurt
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup Splenda
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine all ingredients with an electric mixer (affiliate link) until smooth.
- Pour into a 9-inch (or 10-inch) pie plate (affiliate link) sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
- Bake at 400F degrees for 15 minutes, then lower temperature to 325F degrees for 45 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes our clean.
- Serve warm or chilled.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How Much Weight Have You Lost? How Long Did It Take You To Lose It?
I have lost 28.4 pounds in 4 months.
Any Advice and/or Words of Wisdom for Others Who Are Struggling?
Get a weight loss buddy, try new recipes and notice older people—you will be one of them eventually. Why not enjoy the journey smaller and possibly avoid the perils of age and weight related problems.
I AM SO VERY PROUD OF MY SISTER BARBARA AND ALL SHE HAS ACCOMPLISHED SHE HAS BEEN A GREAT ROLE MODEL AND I ALSO JOINED WEIGHT WATCHERS 6 MONTHS AGO AND HAVE LOST 40 LBS. AND HAVE ANOTHER 10 TO GO!
Your sister is amazing? Iโve done WW sense the 80s quit and go back like she said thought you could do it on your own. No that donโt ever work, Iโm still at WW joined a few years back Iโm at goal and have been maintaining almost a year now, it does get hard but I look back and think I donโt want to be that person again, she is amazing Iโm 76 and feel great about my weight. Stories like hers make me Happy ,