Success Story Stars

Meet Nancy and Ron from Kentucky!

August 5, 2011 8:50 AM

I bet you've never heard this reason to motivate you to lose weight, "You'll weigh too much to take any luggage on this flight!" That is exactly what was said to my husband, Ron and I on January 5, 2003.

Let me begin "my story" by telling you a little about myself. I will be 71-years-old next month. I guess of all those years, most of them I have battled being overweight and wished I could magically be thin. I developed a love affair with food at a very young age. One of my earliest childhood memories is a friend's mother telling me "I was as broad as I was long." Those were very painful words for a child to hear and they certainly lacked the ability to motivate me to stop eating!

Back in those days walking was most peoples only mode of transportation. I walked everywhere I went: to school, stores and movies. So I imagine all of that walking only managed to stimulate my enthusiastic appetite. Then came the teenage years, I finally realized that there was more to life than eating. I managed to lose weight and have a wonderful time. The summer after my freshman year of college, I met the love of my life and soulmate at the place where I worked. We were married the next year and that was 51 years ago.

When we began our marriage June 17, 1960, Ron and I both looked great. Ron had recently returned from a two year Army tour of duty in Hawaii and I had gotten toned and fit and was actually at a normal weight. We had a beautiful wedding, but I do believe that the minister must have said at the conclusion of our wedding ceremony, "Let the eating begin!" And that is just what we did!

We were definitely in "expand mode." When our only child, a daughter, was born, we did not set a good example. Unfortunately because of us, she had a weight problem through most of her childhood. As the years passed, we began to travel a great deal. We ate our way across the country many times. We had favorite places to eat in most remote cities from the Atlantic to the Pacific and I don't think any of the places were healthy.

Occasionally, after harsh words from our doctors, we would diet and lose weight. We went to Weight Watchers in the 80's and I got to goal. Ron was only a few pounds from his goal. I kept the 42 pounds off for 5 years. Sadly, I went back to my old eating habits and so did Ron.

We resumed our old life style of over indulging in food, and unfortunately, I gained back all of the weight I had lost plus MORE. We neglected to listen to our doctors and were oblivious to the health issues we had disastrously allowed to develop. This leads me to that opening sentence of our story.

We were visiting our daughter in Montana for Christmas in 2002. We had tickets to fly back home to KY on the morning of January 6, 2003. We, however, did not make that flight. Ron began having chest pains on January 5, and my son-in-law rushed us to the hospital. The physician in the E.R. told us that the hospital was unable to provide the procedure that Ron needed.

The doctor explained that we would have to be taken by helicopter to a larger hospital 150 miles away. Being in Montana in January, something happened very common for that location--a blizzard blew in. The helicopter was unable to navigate in the blizzard and we were told that a small private airplane would have to be used. When the pilot arrived, he explained to me that because of the strong elements of the blizzard, a de-icing process would have to be done. As if we weren't stressed enough, he said he needed to know our exact weight in order to correctly perform the de-icing process. After I gave our exact weight (which was the only time in my life that I did not lie about my weight), I was told that I couldn't take my overnight case because we weighed too much.

So on January 6, 2003, instead of flying back to KY, my husband was having open heart surgery in Billings, MT and I was prayerfully sitting in the waiting room in the same clothes I had worn the day before. The story has a very happy ending. Ron's surgery was successful! After a month of recuperating in MT, we returned home. We joined TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) and began a serious weight-loss journey. In June 2005, I reached my goal weight. I lost 35 pounds at TOPS but my total weight loss was 45 pounds, since I really began my diet the night of that life-changing flight. Ron met his weight loss goal at TOPS of 80 pounds in November 2005. Ron was also diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2007. He came through the surgery for the removal of his kidney with flying colors. He did not even have to have chemo or any other treatment. I really don't think the outcome would have been this wonderful if he hadn't turned around his poor eating and physical activity level. How thankful we are for the blessing that resulted from our lifestyle change!

About six months ago, I started losing my focus and motivation and was very afraid I would revert back to my old eating habits. Then I miraculously found Kim Bensen's book Finally Thin! This book and Kim's weight loss support group and meetings were exactly what I needed to reenergize my enthusiasm to continue a healthy life style and to maintain the weight which my doctor recommended. Ron is also happy with all of the help that I have received at KimBensen.com because neither one of us ever want to go through the fear and terror we experienced on that snowy flight in Montana. We have kept off the weight and are looking forward to joining the maintenance group at KimBensen.com.

Nancy (aka New-Nan)

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Meet Jackie from Kim's Trumbull Meetings ...

July 26, 2011 8:12 AM

For as long as I can remember, every January I promised myself I would lose weight. Diet Center, Nutri System, and Weight Watchers are just a few of my many failed attempts. I would lose at first, only to regain what I lost and then some. I love sports and the added weight made it more difficult on my body. June of 2009 is when I stopped trying to diet. The scale kept going up and my hopes of ever getting to goal went down. Clothes were getting tighter and I was approaching my all time heaviest.

Back in 2007 is when Kim Bensen entered into the picture. I was in our church lobby looking at different motivational tracts when I saw Kim's story "The Miraculous Loser". I grabbed 2 copies. One I kept in my Bible, the other in the glove compartment of my car. I must have read them over 100 times wondering if I could ever be successful and overcome my addiction to food.

My prayer was answered in God's timing: In October 2008 Kim was speaking one afternoon at my church. I got out of work early to go listen. She was funny, sincere, encouraging, and most of all compassionate to those of us who were struggling with weight. I talked to her afterwords, and I left with a feeling of hope.

In 2009, I signed up for her weekly eNews. Then, by God's design, I saw Kim was having an open house on Jan. 6, 2010. I wrote the date, time, and place on my calendar. I even did a practice run to make sure I knew how to get there. I prayed and ate a lot leading up to that date. I was still asking "God is this where you want me to be?"

On January 6, I sat in the parking lot and before going into the meeting I made 2 promises to myself and God.
1) Never miss a meeting-no matter how bad I did the week before!
2) Be an active participant in the program.

When I walked through those doors for the first time, I could hear God say, "YES, this is where I want you to be." I didn't show a loss every week, but that was ok. I needed to know I could make mistakes, but those mistakes can be erased with more planning and daily activity.

The LOVE, SUPPORT, and ENCOURAGEMENT from Kim, her staff, and ALL the KIMMIES has made the DREAM JOURNEY of getting to goal a reality for me! I have kept my promise and have not missed a meeting since January 6, 2010 and now being at goal, I will still come every week. Being an active member in the meetings has blessed me more than I could have ever imagined.

In all I lost 61.2 pounds. I feel more energetic and self confident and look forward to clothes shopping. I can chase my nieces around a softball field or tennis court without losing my breath and having 911 on speed dial, haha.

The key to my success was watching the Thursday night meetings. There is so much info and inspiration in the archived meeting videos. After watching them I always felt less of a struggle and it kept me from binging. Having a buddy to lose weight with was perfect when I needed to talk about the struggles I was facing, but also in celebrating the victories I had overcome. Kim and Penny are GREAT CHEERLEADERS for all those weekly weight loss victories that helped keep me going.

Kim says it, and I believe it (and am proof of it) "Come on, Now it's your turn!"

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Meet Leighan from our Wednesday Night Meetings ...

March 7, 2011 8:28 AM

I have been on many diets from high school on – Weight Watchers, Diet Center, the Baked Potato and Atkins, to name a few. Though I have always been active with sports - swimming, soccer and working out, my weight fluctuated and I have never been slim. The last time I got to my highest weight it was a very stressful time in my life, I was not working out and I was just eating to suppress my feelings.

My weight loss journey for the last time started in 2006 about a year before my 20-year high school reunion. At 260 lbs, I was at my highest weight ever. I looked and felt awful and there was no way I was going to my high school reunion looking like that! By cutting out all junk food and working with a trainer, I managed to lose 65 pounds. I felt good enough to go to my reunion, but knew I wanted to lose more. So for the next year and a half I fluctuated between the same 20 pounds.

Then in August 2009, I started going to Kim’s meetings and learned how many calories I should be eating. It was amazing how much less I really needed. I counted Weight Watcher Points, but stayed with Kim as my motivation and support. I was determined to lose weight and committed to coming every week to get weighed in, whether I wanted to or not. Seeing the scale go down was my motivation to keep on going, however, sometimes it was the gains that helped get me back on program to remind me to stay focused. I watched everything I was eating and tried new recipes and started cooking/baking light. I continued working out a lot and the rest of the weight came off, but not without trying.

I found out that I really loved running. My first 5k race was the Commodore Hull Thanksgiving Day Race in 2009 – I finished in 32 minutes 30 seconds and I was so excited. I got to my goal weight of 150 lbs. in June of 2010 and ran my first ½ marathon 2 weeks later. I ran in the Thanksgiving Day race again in 2010 and cut my time by 7 minutes (running it in 25 minutes 17 seconds). I am currently training for another ½ marathon and a Triathon. I just wanted to say “Thank You” to my friends and family - they were a great support in getting me to my goals! The support I was given was a huge part of my success.

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Meet Gilda from Florida ...

January 6, 2011 9:40 AM

We all want to have that ultimate lifestyle change. But do we really believe it's possible? When I heard about Gilda, I knew I HAD to share her story. I want to be a Gilda ... don't YOU?! Thanks for sharing Gilda, Kim :)

I am a young 83-year-old and have been a member of Weight Watchers since 1967 – a Lifetime Member since 1968.

I struggled with my weight since the age of 15. My weight always yo-yoed up and down, and then started going up because I used to indulge in all the family favorites: homemade pasta and pastries. I tried everything to lose the 80 lbs I had put on, everything from the latest fad diets to diet pills.

When I was 39, I was engaged to be married and really wanted to lose the weight once and for all. I knew I was only hurting myself by not changing my life. Some of my friends started going to Weight Watchers and were having success, so I tried it. I lost about 40 pounds by the time I got married. The seamstress at the bridal boutique had to adjust my wedding gown numerous times!

I weighed and measured everything, which significantly reduced my portion sizes. It wasn't easy for me all the time. Some weeks, I only lost ¼ lb and would be so disappointed. My leader once suggested that I walk around with a ¼ lb weight all day long. That little bit did add up and I realized that it was significant ... a ¼ lb DID really matter. After I got married, I lost the last 42 pounds and got to my goal of 121 pounds. I had lost a total of 82 pounds and have kept if off ever since.

I knew it needed to become a lifestyle change for me. Since then I've done everything in my power to keep myself there ... since 1968. I still call ahead before going to family parties and ask what they are serving so I can figure out my points for the day. Once I moved to Florida, I immediately found a WW center and I continue to go once a month to get weighed in. I have since had both hips replaced, and walk whenever I can for exercise. I do have to stop and rest frequently, but I still do it.

I was very lucky because everyone in my life was very supportive in my weight loss journey. I am proof that getting to your goal is attainable and staying there at any age is possible. You just have to work at it if you really want it. I enjoy my lifestyle everyday and I don't ever feel like I am depriving myself.

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Meet Wendy from our Wednesday Night Meetings...

July 29, 2010 7:58 AM

I look back through my journal and I read time after time, month after month, year after year. I’m so psyched I lost, I stayed OP, I’m doing it, I will get to goal. I always started with great expectations and hope BUT it never lasted and I didn’t know why. I was always very confident that I would be able to lose the amount of weight that I wanted, I knew exactly what to do, but I never totally made it. Even though I never totally gave up, however each time I started over it was a larger amount that I needed to lose.

In my most desperate times I wrote contracts to my sister Pat (my weight loss buddy) attaching to it a monetary reward that she would receive if she ever had to go shopping with me for another special occasion outfit and I was a size 12 or more. I am 5’ ½” so that was a large size for me. (I didn’t write contracts anymore when I was size 16 and maybe higher) It was Pat who would bring me dress after dress to help me find an appropriate outfit for that wedding, christening, funeral or what ever. I was always looking for something that didn’t make me look fat. Poor Pat had the job of telling me it looked good, even when it really didn’t. She always found something for me that hid what it could.

I knew what to do, I have helped others lose weight by weighing them in and counseling them, I worked for Weight Watcher’s, but I couldn’t do it myself. I did reach goal at Weight Watcher’s in the 80’s, but I know now that I set a goal too low for me to maintain and then felt like a failure that I couldn’t stay there.

One day I read a magazine article about a local woman that lost weight. She had a Weight Watcher meeting in the area and I tried for about 1½ years to connect with her but it never happened. Then I heard she was having a book signing to launch the release of her book. I called to reserve a spot and was told there was only standing room, maybe even outside. (I never told Pat that, who of course I signed up too) That was December 30th 2008 a day I will never forget. That local lady was Kim Bensen.

As I listened to Kim, I started to be honest with myself. I am a slow loser, but I had to deal with it, so week after week when I lost .2 or gained .4 I dealt with it. I knew I was following program, my body just needed to catch up and it did. I wrote down the reasons I wanted to lose weight. I read them daily, I e-mailed those reasons to myself and they would automatically come up on my computer daily. I plan my meals, weigh and measure and I write down what I eat.

About 9 years ago I joined a message board and developed a friendship with 13 amazing women from around the world. We chat daily and continue to support each other in our weight loss efforts. Now it feels great that I can inspire them after all the support and inspiration they have given me.

I suspect with my continued honesty to myself, maintenance will be not be a problem.

Thanks to Kim, Penny, Peter, Mark and Matt and my Wednesday night meeting friends. Your support has meant the difference. And of course Pat. And thanks to my biggest supporter and cheerleader of all, my husband, Ken. Thanks everyone! I feel awesome!!! ((Hugs to all of you)) PS When I go shopping now Pat says the 6 is too big, you need a 4.

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Meet Phyllis from New York...

July 8, 2010 8:26 AM

It continues to amaze me how much 'dieters' have in common. Each story is totally unique, yet we share so many struggles! As you read Phyllis' story you may see bits and pieces of your own emotions and experiences. One thing I relate to the most is the extremity of her gains and losses and how MANY times she's tried again. And, as a WW leader I've seen so many colleagues leave as old habits continue to haunt them. It's not easy. It's life. BUT it CAN have a happy ending! Read Phyllis' story and let it encourage you as you write your own. Yes, you can begin one last time ... Kim


PHYLLIS' JOURNEY
I was a happy new mother of a little girl born December 1964. But I developed toxemia during my pregnancy and I gained 91 pounds! When I got home from the hospital it was a rude awakening because none of my clothing fit. I tried Weight Watchers, diet pills, Atkins and Slim-Fast – all to no avail. The next time I joined Weight Watchers, I had to leave as I was expecting my second child, a little boy.

I finally had a light bulb go off and I joined Weight Watchers ... and reached goal. I had lost 89 pounds and joined Weight Watchers as a lecturer. But my struggles continued. I started playing the yo-yo games and was gaining the weight back and had to resign.

This time, my 16th attempt at losing weight, I finally reached goal on March 20, 2010! I started at 249 and lost 89.8 pounds. I want to thank my wonderful husband, my family, Kim and her staff and all the kimmies for all their support and motivation.

I worked for Curves as a Manager and trainer for 9½ years. I've retired, but I still go to Curves 5 days a week. I also walk with my pedometer at least 10,000 steps a day.

For me, success is working out, tracking everything I eat, planning ahead, going to meetings and watching all Kim's meetings.

It's all about commitment. If you really want to do this you have to admit that it's not going to be easy. I felt if I said it was going to be easy I'd set myself up for failure. This is definitely a lifestyle change, not a diet.

Phyllis' motto: "Inch by inch it's a cinch. Yard by yard it can be hard."

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Meet Andy from West Virginia...

June 20, 2010 8:21 AM

We're always thrilled when someone gets to goal. It's one of life's mountaintop experiences! But when we see a couple working as a team, well, it's doubly thrilling! We're so happy for you, Andy. Renee...you're next! Whoo hoo!

I had tried joining a weight-loss program created by my insurance company at work back in early 2008. I started at 295 pounds, got down to 267, but was eventually dropped from the program due to lack of attendance. I had little idea about what to do and even less motivation to do it.

Then, in October of 2009, I joined Weight Watchers with my wonderful wife, Renee (who was re-joining). I was back up to 286 pounds.

The biggest environment challenge for me has been my workplace. IT guys aren’t necessarily known for stellar eating habits – and we live in one of the most unhealthy states in the country. There were constant food temptations from potluck buffet luncheons, coworkers bring-in donuts and biscuits & jelly, pizza parties, “tailgate” luncheons, you name it. And I was frequently invited out with “the gang” to *insert nutritional nightmare here*! It was difficult saying “no” at first to the sweets, and even harder to pick-out something resembling “on-program” at the buffets. But a couple of months in, when people got used to me turning-down donuts or eating a Lean Cuisine in my office, it became easier – especially when they (and I) started to notice the results.

The biggest mental challenge to me was getting it into my head that it’s ok to throw food away. I was part of the "starving kids in Africa" and “clean plate club” mentality. The thought of throwing food in the trash was akin to blasphemy! I really wish I was joking, but I’m not.

Thankfully, Renee and I started doing things together to help overcome the dinnertime challenges. Here are some of our tips:

• fixing smaller-portion dinners
• eating our salads first
• planning meals in advance
• saving leftovers for meals the next day
• tracking, tracking, tracking
• drinking at least 64 oz of water daily
• finding nutritionals for a few meals at local restaurants

It finally “clicked” for me in the form of a motto I heard from another WW: “Better in the waste than on the waist”.

The past seven months have not been without their daily tests, trials, and challenges, but being a guy on a really structured program, I was extremely fortunate and blessed to see consistent losses almost every week. Seven months after joining I reached my goal ... 209 lbs. All in all I lost 77 pounds and have gone from loose-fit, elastic-band size 42’s (and some 44 shorts) down to normal size-38 jeans.

I wouldn’t have lost a single pound if it hadn’t been for self-control (which I definitely don’t have in and of myself). It is the gracious providence of God that’s allowed me to stop, take stock of my eating habits, and make the necessary changes. God has surrounded me with great helpers and supporters: my family, a great WW group, you & all the “Kimmies” online, and (above all) my very own “head cheerleader” – Renee (user name: BettyNayNay) my darling wifey.

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Meet Kim's daughter Aleeta

May 3, 2010 3:45 PM

In my blogs, on TV and in my book, Finally Thin, I've never hidden the fact that my poor eating habits influenced my children. I think many overweight moms have similar experiences ... and feel the same guilt.

Statistically 70% of obese adolescents become obese adults. But it doesn't HAVE to be that way. I asked Aleeta if she wouldn't mind sharing her story to encourage those of you who are afraid for your children. Who feel guilty and concerned when you see them following in your footsteps. If you think that MY weight loss influenced my daughter's weight loss, you're wrong. She went first. Here's Aleeta's story ...

I was never tiny – just average – until my parents decided to homeschool my brother and me. Suddenly we were at home all day. Lunch was either a box of macaroni and cheese or an entire frozen Mystic pizza, followed by a bag or two of butter lover's popcorn (and of course I would lick the inside of the bag). We went through popsicles and cartons of ice cream on a weekly basis.

It actually took me longer than you'd think to realize I was a big girl. At 12 years old I was 5'2", 140 pounds, and still the smallest person living in my house. It started to hit me when I began going to our church youth group and started to realize the ease with which other girls moved - they could curl up on the couches, stand up to hug a late-arriving friend, then perch delicately on the arm of the couch to make room for more girls. They looked comfortable. Meanwhile I felt best when sitting slightly slouched in a folding chair (I felt I could move more gracefully without the plushy couch surrounding me), shirt carefully arranged in wrinkles down my front so the folds looked like they were more shirt than fat rolls.

I remember crying to my mom after a sleepover - my friends were all starting to get some sense of fashion and were all exchanging clothes. Everyone except for me. I cried to her that I was the largest of all my friends; no one else even came close to my size. Now I think back on that conversation and realize just how much hearing it must have hurt her as well.

The week of my 13th birthday, I had my first full physical with my new female pediatrician. It was an experience I'd rather forget. The doctor pulled out a chart of my weight history and had a great time pointing out the sharp upward turn the graph had taken that first year of homeschooling. She told me I was beyond chubby - that at 145 pounds I was fat - and because of it no one in life would love me. I was told my friends would say they liked me, and maybe someday I would have a boyfriend that would lie about loving me, but that unless I got healthy, true love and acceptance would be beyond my grasp. She said I would have a hard life, that even strangers wouldn't be nice to me - all because I was overweight. My mom did her best to console me after that traumatizing experience, but what can you really say to a young girl in that situation?

When I was 14 (and at my peak of 165 pounds), after purchasing my very first size 16 dress, something inside me clicked. I wanted to do something about this. I tried to do what I could - order one less taco, get a kids' meal instead of a value meal, have a water instead of a soda, try to squeeze in a short walk around my school schedule. For months I kept track of my daily weight in dry erase marker around the border of my vanity mirror: Day 1 - 165, Day 2 - 165, Day 3 - 164.5.... But being my age, in my family, that's about all I could do.

Until my first summer job.

My best friend and I had been riding horses since elementary school. The summer I was 14, we started working as counselors at the summer camps held at the barn. It was brutal - we were running around after hyperactive ten year olds, hoisting them up into their saddles, jogging around for hours each day leading the campers' horses around and around the outdoor ring in the blazing heat. Since neither my friend nor I could drive, anything we wanted to eat for the day had to be brown-bagged. Given my lack of great culinary history, I just started packing fruits, veggies, pretzels, and tuna sandwiches for lunch. My resolve was strongest in the mornings - I knew that by the time the afternoon rolled around I would be craving the stack of Spaghettio's hanging out in my cupboard at home. But once I was dropped off at the barn, I was stuck with whatever I had packed. It was being away from the house that enabled me to follow through with my new motivation.

By the end of the second summer, I was running next to the horses with one hand on the reins and the other holding up my already-taken-in jeans. Being away from the influence of home gave me the head start I needed to change some of the habits that had been ingrained in me. Today, at 24, I'm careful with my weight, but I don't have the draw for food that my mom has.

That was my turning point. And as soon as I had hit my goal weight, my mom had a turning point of her own.

Watch Aleeta doing a "scale demo" for her mom. Thanks Aleeta!

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Meet Holly from Oklahoma

April 5, 2010 2:52 PM

Holly and Max live on a small farm in the mid-west with their five children. She goes by the username armywife516 ... because that's just what she is. Her husband is a Major in the Army National Guard and is coming up on this FIFTH deployment! Here's Holly's story ...

In 2004 I found myself alone with 4 small children while my husband was deployed. I was carrying around 250 lbs on my 5'4" frame. It was such a hard time emotionally – and physically as well. I felt horrible and knew I had to do something!

I joined Weight Watchers® and lost 128 pounds over the next 15 months. Reaching Lifetime was such a huge achievement for me! I felt like if I could do it anyone could do it!

Over the next several years I had another baby (our fifth) and went through another deployment (our third), and gained about 30 pounds back after he got home. Even though it was no where near what I had to lose the first time, it still felt like a huge challenge. It was around this time I found Kim's site.

Her blogs and all the wonderful people I have met have made such a big difference in my life! Her live meetings always give me that extra push each week! I am 2.8 lbs away from being at my goal weight and I feel so happy and confident in myself again. As we prepare for yet another deployment I will continue to take care of myself so that I have the energy I need to get through it all!

SNACKS HOLLY LOVES:

• Kim's Light Bagels® with WW cream cheese sprinkled with a tiny bit of cinnamon sugar
• Fiber One® 90 calorie bars
• Pretzels w/ WW cream cheese
• Fresh fruit (especially strawberries, pears and apples)
• Lite cheese sticks wrapped with some low fat deli meat
• Fiber One® Yogurt
• Sun Chips®
• Sugar-free Cinnamon Roll Jello® (a new found treat!)

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Meet Shelley from Ontario, Canada

October 11, 2009 5:03 PM

Last June I received an email from a young woman named Shelley. I hope that her story of struggle and success encourages you as much as it has me ...

Hi Kim,
My name is Shelley. I read your book in January and loved it. I found it to be extremely encouraging, inspirational, spiritual, funny, sad and filled with hope all at the same time. One of the most insightful sayings you had in there for me was "Nothing tastes as good as thin feels." I repeat that one to myself alot. My children now have a mother who is more patient, more self-controlled, kinder, gentler and more loving.

In February 2008 I was 256 pounds and very unhappy. I was shocked into action by a photograph of myself. I was flabbergasted. Was that really me? Matthew 19:26b says "with God all things are possible". That left no room for excuses. So I prayed hard, worked hard and learned how to eat healthy. It wasn't easy, but it was well worth it. At times I wondered if anything was happening. Other times, the changes were quick and drastic.

On June 19, 2009 I hit my goal weight: 145 pounds! Praise the Lord! My husband, children and family are very proud of me. Since then I have lost another 12 pounds as I'm learning how to maintain. That is going to be a life long battle, but like Kim says, I'd rather struggle at goal than struggle to get to goal. My life is much different now. I now know that God will give me the strength to accomplish anything!

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