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.
Comments
JBAR said,
February 14, 2012 2:14 PM
I WOULD NEVER BELIEVE YOU ARE THE SAME GIRL IN 2006.
I MET YOU WHEN YOU HAD LOST ABOUT 90 LBS LOST.
YOU ARE STILL DOING GREAT.
YOU ARE A GREAT MOTIVATION FOR ME.
JANE
smilingeyes0 said,
February 13, 2012 5:55 PM
Wow what an amazing accomplishment. You look great. You are such an inspiration when I go to the center Laurie
DonnaK said,
April 6, 2011 5:33 AM
wow. you look great.
Karol (not verified) said,
March 13, 2011 4:32 PM
Leighan,
You are truly an inspiration to all of us who are struggling. You are proof that your perseverance and patience really paid off! And you look great too!
Lorrif said,
March 13, 2011 7:14 AM
Lorraine Faugno
Just want to say you look GREAT and CONGRATULATIONS!!! It's great seeing you very Wednesday and Good Luck in everything you do!!
cam (not verified) said,
March 11, 2011 11:32 AM
Whoops! Meant to say congratulations on your success. You look great!
cam (not verified) said,
March 11, 2011 11:30 AM
I thought it was interesting that the person who took the before photo said she did not remember that Leighan looked like that! I think if we see someone often we don't notice their gradual weight gain.
Phyllis C said,
March 11, 2011 7:12 AM
Wow you look beautiful I am so proud of you. You are a great inspiration to everyone. I wish you were there at the Wednesday night meeting in August when I came to visit. You hit ll the key words and to go to the meetings weekily that is so important for staying at golal or to loose weight. Thanks for sharing your success story so proud of you.
JustBeeMe (not verified) said,
March 11, 2011 4:59 AM
WOW! Nice Job! Thank you for the great sharing story of your success! Absolutely fabulous and how wonderful you look.
Wendy - Cosmogirl said,
March 10, 2011 7:45 PM
Even though I took that picture I can still not remember that you looked like that. You look awesome and your story is amazing. We are doing it together. Love, AW
It's not what happens in the moment,it's what happens in the moments after.
Wendy from CT
DONNER (not verified) said,
March 10, 2011 7:11 PM
Thanks for the wonderful story and inspiration! I am going through some "flucuating" right now too! I have lost a bit over 100 lbs and it's getting hard now that the goal is almost there. Trying to stay motivated is hard, but I know I have it inside me and see it in others like you....Keep up the good work! You look amazing and thanks for sharing!!! "DONNER":}
DONNER (not verified) said,
March 10, 2011 7:10 PM
Thanks for the wonderful story and inspiration! I am going through some "flucuating" right now too! I have lost a bit over 100 lbs and it's getting hard now that the goal is almost there. Trying to stay motivated is hard, but I know I have it inside me and see it in others like you....Keep up the good work! You look amazing and thanks for sharing!!! "DONNER":}
Marycheebs said,
March 10, 2011 6:00 PM
OMG Girl!! You are such an inspiration!!!! Thank you so much for sharing your story. I can't tell you how much it inspired me to want to do the same thing....
You GO Girl!!!!
Mary
StamperGirl Pat said,
March 10, 2011 4:22 PM
Leigh,
You know we are always here for you. Great job on your story.
Love ya,
Pat
"Though you can't go back and make a brand new you start, you can start now and make a brand new ending."
denbev423 said,
March 10, 2011 3:34 PM
Beverly from Forest Lake, MN
that is sure terrific!
We can all do this! But for sure have to be committed & DO it!
denbev423 said,
March 10, 2011 3:31 PM
Beverly from Forest Lake, MN
"Transformed by the power of God"
He who has begun a good work in me, shall complete it!
Sandy Bent (not verified) said,
March 10, 2011 3:19 PM
You look awesome!! I'm so happy for you and I'm glad that you have learned to love to run. You are always a determined person and you deserve all of the success!! Congratulations!!
aemaleski said,
March 10, 2011 2:55 PM
You are a great inspiration for me. When I see people who have lost more than a 100lbs, like you and Kim. It really gives me hope in knowing that I can do this too. Because I need to lose more than a 100 lbs, as well. Seeing the transformation is definitely very motivating. Alison
shara (not verified) said,
March 10, 2011 2:50 PM
Congratulations!!! I totally agree you are a TRUE inspiration!!!! Thank you for sharing!! :)
shara
Tweeti4276 said,
March 10, 2011 2:42 PM
You are an inspiration! Terri
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