Meet Jill! Weight Loss Super Star! 100 Pounds Gone!

Posted by Jennifer on March 30, 2010 in News, weight loss superstars!! | 11 comments

I am happy to introduce another weight loss success story! I was particularly impressed by Jill because she found out she was diabetic and had to lose weight and rethink about how she ate. My twin sister is diabetic and our Dad was as well, so its something I always have in the back of my head as keeping on top of. So far so good for me, but like Jill told me, according to the American Diabetes Association, 5.7 million people are undiagnosed! My sister didn’t even know she had it until she went to a free health fair at her job and they called her back to say her blood sugar was in the 400′s! It should be below 125! All it takes is a simple pin prick of your finger at your Dr.’s office, or health clinic, so it’s good to get checked at least once a year, or more if you are at greater risk.

Thanks for being so candid in answering my questions Jill! Please visit her site here for more inspiration and words of wisdom!

What was your AHA moment when you needed to make a change? Was it a certain event?

Unfortunately I heard the words from my Dr. You have type 2 diabetes. You are never ready to hear those words. It was about 24 hrs of depression and then the light came on. My child was only 8 mo old and I also had 2 other children and a husband. I was not going to let diabetes beat me and win. I started eating right. 6 small meals a day. Logged my food. and the weight started coming off. I also worked out 5 days a week. Jan 2008 I slipped on black ice and broke both sides of my ankle. A surgery and six screws later I never gave up. I could not work out for 9 months. I still ate right and got the rest of my weight off.

2. Did you ever want to quit? What kept you motivated?

Oh yes, At times it would have been so much easier to quit. I was an emotional eater and with many trials in life I turned to food so I did not have to deal with the pain. Eating was my blanket. When I was losing the weight I had to deal with emotional wounds and pain but I did not quit I walked though the pain and am stronger for it now. My family kept me motivated along with the desire to change my lifestyle.

3. Were you overweight as a child, or just as an adult?

I was a dancer into my early 20′s. I was always active with shows and was in a dance company for years. Weight was never a problem growing up. It was not until I got married that I started using food for comfort. A few weeks before I got married my mother passed away. I also lost my uncle just 2 days before I got married. It was a hard first year. With miscarriages and then kids I just seem to put on the wight and did not deal with stress well.

5. Had you tried other weight loss programs before?

I did try to lose weight through years. My efforts never lasted long. It was not until I decided it had to be a lifestyle change that I was able to get it off and keep it off.

6. What kind of program did you follow to lose the weight? Did you count calories, or watch portions, do Weight Watchers?

I did weight watchers many years ago that did not work. Developing my own program is what worked best for me. Eating 6 small meals a day getting my water in is what did it. I did log my food. I did watch calories but I just started on my journey to change my life and my relationship with food and my refrigerator.

7. What is a typical day’s eating for you now that you are at goal?

Still the same. 6 small meals a day. I mix it up but it is pretty basic and easy to follow.

8. What weight loss tips do you have that have helped you along the way?

• Eat six small meals a day vs. 3 big one.
• Never starve yourself. You won’t lose eight that way.
• Be consistent
• Gather support as you are losing the weight from friends and family to help be there for you through your journey.
• Journal your food intake!
• Be patient with yourself. It did not take you a few weeks to put on the weight and it’s going to take much longer then a few weeks to take off the weight.

9. What tips do you have for those who are diabetic or at risk for diabetes?

If you even think you might have it get checked. There are Undiagnosed: 5.7 million people according to the American diabetes association.

And here are her before and after pictures:

Jill's before picture

Jill looks awesome at a pageant she was in!

What a difference from her before picture

Jill was on the Dr. Oz show recently!

Jill's beautiful family

Jill, I think your story is so inspirational!

Thank you again for being part of my weight loss success series!

If you haven’t read my other stories:

Meet Keith
Meet Diane
Meet Jen
Meet Shelley
Meet Annika
Meet Tricia