She's an organizational expert known the world over, and today she joins your Skinny Scoopers to dish up advice on SPRING CLEANING your way to skinny jeans!
When I hit 30 I put on a lot of weight. It was a combination of emotions, loving to cook, and bad habits. I ballooned up to 220 lbs! When my younger brother developed serious health issues (hypertension, prediabetes, gout, and kidney disease), all directly related to his lifestyle habits, I decided – that won’t be me. I decided to try Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS).
At first I waited, waited, and waited and the weight didn’t melt off. So, I had to work at it. I started following the exchange system, basically the lower end of the servings on the standard food pyramid. I kept a food log, drank my water daily, and started to exercise.
At first, I could walk a whopping half mile! I stuck with it, adding time, distance and exertion level as I progressed. I used a lot of tactics to help myself. On days I didn’t want to exercise, I would visualize myself stepping on the scale and seeing a number a half pound lighter! I would visualize myself choosing clothes in a smaller size or seeing my shape change.
I made sure I kept my workouts fresh. I would try new things, meet with exercise buddies, change routines, use music, try classes, join a gym, and always re-evaluate my efforts. When I saw a slowdown on the scale, I would change something. I changed the way I was eating over time, as well as the amounts.
At first, I just lightened up what I was eating. Then I lowered my fats and later, I progressed to no red meat or white breads. I also decreased the amounts of sugar and chemicals I was eating. Five years into maintenance, I am a vegetarian and working towards being mostly vegan. I doubt I will ever give up yogurt, and I do eat some cheese.
Ten and a half months after I really committed to the program, I reached my goal weight. Seventy pounds lost to goal, and I try to stay five pounds under. I cried and just couldn’t believe what the scale was telling me. The most important parts of the journey were my focus and the support I received from family and friends.
I am continuing to change. At one time, I couldn’t even walk in my neighborhood, I was so anxious about my looks. After reaching goal, I became a field staff member for TOPS. I am a public educator, private coach, and motivational speaker. Those who knew me in school would probably say there’s no way she could do a speech in public.
When I was surprised and floored at being chosen a 2006 International KOPS (Keeping Off Pounds Sensibly) Charm and Beauty winner and spoke on stage in front of 2,000 people, it was powerful for me. The win of the contest was such a surprise, I didn’t tell anyone for a week, in case there was a mistake! As you know, exercise is a big part of my maintenance.
I feel very strongly about being a good example for my TOPS friends. We all have our own stories and challenges, but we can do it. You find what you really, really want - what you want enough to do the work it takes to achieve your goal. You are so worth it. Let the real you out to greet us. We love these TOPS success stories. It just goes to show the value of a program you stick to. We hope you are inspired by Markie's success. Be sure to check out TOPS too. It's a supportive, affordable weight loss program for great results. Go Markie!
Comments
Jo Wood
+1
Congratulation Markie. What a great story! You are living it. Proud of you!
Congratulations Markie,
I am so proud of you. You are an inspiration to me and am trying to follow your example. Since july only one red mark last week of ,50#s and 1o pounds from my original goal but at my new goal and striving for the other 10 pounds I too am an Area Captain of 10 plus yrs and love helping my members to reach their goals.
Jo Tegge`
Way to go Girlfriend. You are an inspiration to yourself and to so many others. You have truely helped me get back into a program to take if off again and I am proud to say you are my friend. Jyl
My name for Markie is Rremarkable Markie! She is a great example of reaching and keeping her goal weight. All of us in TOPS are proud of her and love to have her visit out chapter.
Thank you Markie for sharing your inspirational story with us. I love to see success-it is contagious. I also love to read the wonderful things you and Jyl share on fb. Thanks for being another fine example of what TOPS can do.
Wonderful story. I'm a TOPS leader in AK and am inspired by your tale. I'm going to share this with our members and hopefully it will help us all to keep moving forward. It's a long hard journey and it's always moving and inspiring to "meet" those that have made it to goal. Congratulations on 5 years too! Woo Hoo! You are awesome Markie!
WOWSERS!!! ok This is one amazing lady the title on front doesnt do her justice. this lady has managed to keep the weight off and coninues to shine as a star with the program
Comments
I am so proud of you. You are an inspiration to me and am trying to follow your example. Since july only one red mark last week of ,50#s and 1o pounds from my original goal but at my new goal and striving for the other 10 pounds I too am an Area Captain of 10 plus yrs and love helping my members to reach their goals.
Jo Tegge`
Thank you for sharing your story. . . and continuing to work so hard to inspire others to turn from a TOPS to a KOPS!
Love you!
Gina
Huggs
Dea
GOOD JOB. It is aways GREAT to see our TOPS members in the news. You are an inspriation to many.
Take care, I care,
Gina Brueske
Thanks for sharing your story. You give all of us hope to keep on trying to change our lives