There Are 4 Responses So Far. »

1. 

   Comment by Mary Ussery-White on 10 August 2008:

   My family and I returned from a trip to Las Vegas and Utah in June of this year. As I was uploading some of the digital pictures taken there to my computer, I glanced at a few of the shots and wondered who this large woman was that appeared in several of our pictures. Upon further inspection, I discovered that that “large woman” was me! I knew I had gained weight over the years, but I guess I hadn’t realized to what extent until that moment. Plain and simple: I had become lazy and let myself go. After looking at my reflection in those photos I knew I needed to do something about my weight, but I wasn’t sure how or where to begin.
   Soon after my revelation, I received an email from a co-worker (Bruce Bair); inviting me to join an internet teleconference he was starting called “Recipe To Look Better Naked.” I first laughed at the title and then realized maybe this was my answer. I had visited Bruce’s blog, ‘Get The Skinney’ several times and knew he had some great information there, so I sent him back my acceptance and anxiously waited for the class to begin. Bruce posted on the blog the workbook we would be using in class along with other recommended reading and exercise materials. I went to Amazon.com and eBay and began purchasing the items I needed to begin. I spoke to another co-worker who had been doing Weight Watchers and invited her to visit Bruce’s blog to sign up for the class. I was glad someone I knew would be doing this with me. The excitement grew as the first class approached.
   Bruce sends us a PDF file before class outlining that night’s discussion. He also includes links to other downloads and videos that have been extremely helpful and informative. Each of us in the class follow Judith Beck’s Diet Solution Workbook, but were free to choose what diet plan and what exercise routine to follow. I had been a big fan of Richard Simmons when I lost weight after I stopped smoking years ago. I dug out those old exercise videos and starting “Sweatin’ To The Oldies” again. I forgot how much fun they were! I looked into several diet plans but wasn’t sure which one I wanted to try. I knew I didn’t want to get involved with pre-packaged or frozen food deliveries and the costs of those programs. A patient from our office forward me a copy of Richard Simmons’ “Lighten Up” Program and after reading it I decided to go with Richard’s Food Mover program. After discussing these plans with my doctor and getting her approval, I slowly started started my diet plan working with Beck’s Diet Solution Workbook and the information from the Food Mover plan and began my exercise routine, which before now had been pretty non-existent.
   It’s now been four weeks since the teleconference started. On Monday nights, we go over information in the workbook and discuss our success and failures. On Thursday nights Bruce discusses diet and health related issues and has guest speakers who talk to us about a variety of topics. And while I’m sad that the Monday classes with be ending in a couple of weeks, I look forward to the Thursday night classes Bruce will keep going for a while.
   By following Bruce’s lead and the using the Beck Diet Solution Workbook, along with the Food Mover program, I’ve lost 10 pounds in 4 weeks. I’m eating healthier low fat meals, drinking 8 – 10 glasses of water daily and am exercising at least 30 minutes every day. In order to not get bored, I mix up my exercise routine. One day I’ll walk on the treadmill and the next I’ll do one of Richard’s dance exercise tapes. The next day I’ll work with an exercise ball and floor exercises, the next I’ll do one of Richard’s tapes with toning bands and weights, etc. It may sound crazy to those who know me, but I actually look forward to my daily exercise sessions! I have more energy than I had a month ago and feel it increasing daily.
   I know I have a long road ahead of me, as my goal is to lose at least 30 more pounds, but because of this program I now have more strength and confidence and finally feel that I’m in control of my weight and not the foods I had been eating. I’ve committed myself not to return to my old bad food habits and encourage anyone who wants to lose weight to join Bruce to ‘Get Skinney’ and ‘Look Better Naked’!
   Thank you for inviting me to your teleconferences Bruce - I appreciate it more than you’ll ever know.

   Mary
2. 

   Comment by Connie Ragen Green on 22 August 2008:

   Congratulations, Mary, on all of your success. I enjoyed the 6 week program very much. I am generally very competitive, but instead I chose to listen to what Bruce was telling us and to follow his directions. I only lost 3 pounds during this time, but Bruce inspired me and made me think about my health more seriously than I have done in quite awhile. I am now walking every morning, whether I feel like it or not, and I have also changed my eating habits, eliminating sugar completely from my diet. Bruce is so knowledgeable about this topic that it made me stop and think about the quality of life I could have if I would just change a few habits that have caused me to gain weight and not take care of myself during the past few years. I am a cancer survivor and also suffer from degenerative joint disease. I believe that increased exercise and a change in diet will alleviate my pain and give me more energy. I have grandchildren I want to see grow up, so I will make the necessary changes to my lifestyle to make my goals become reality. Thanks so much, Bruce, for giving us such important information, sharing your stories and examples, and answering every one of our questions. I am forever grateful to you for what you have given me.
3. 

   Comment by Bruce Bair on 23 August 2008:

   Mary, congratulations on your consistent effort and the results you got. Steady activity is so important and keeping focused on what you want. You had a mini wake up call. It is better to have the one you got than one about diabetes or heart disease in your doctors office. Keep up the good work.

   Connie, I am so glad you are making these changes. Of course you know it was you who showed me how, encouraged me and got me to take action. Anything I can do for you will not be enough. Keep up your effort consistently. I am excited for you.
4. 

   Comment by Wanda Wllkinson on 4 September 2008:

   Bruce, I want to thank you for the 6 week seminar that you offered. I am a lifetime weight watchers member, received my life time membership in 1982..before 2 kids. Anyway as you can tell I have not followed the program on an ongoing basis. I started going to the meetings again in September 2005. I lost 50 pounds by 7/06. Then I decided that I could do this weight loss thing by myself, quit going to the meeting. This resulted in my gaining back 25 of the pounds I had lost. When I received your invitation to joined this teleseminar, I jumped at the opportunity. I need constant encouragement & feedback. So by having these online meetings on Monday & Thursday nights & then going to weight watchers on Saturday morning, I have been able to stay focused & I have lost 13 pounds. I have a long way to go, but I believe that you gave the “push” I needed. Besides, your office is right beside mine so you will know if I fall off the wagon again. Thanks for all you do the encouragement & the knowledge you share with us.

   I have shared a lot of the things we learned on Monday & Tuesday night at my weight watchers meetings. Last week the quote of the week was from Judith Beck. I have seen articles from her in the weight watchers magazines, the newspaper & lots of other magazines. Just think 8 weeks ago I had never heard of her.

   Again, thank you for all you support & encouragement.

Post a Response