"U" Is My Gift!
I see my entrance into the U Weight Loss Clinics™ (Saskatoon East) as a blessing. I received a flyer in my mailbox at home and threw around the idea of committing to a weight loss program. I had tried other programs in the past, so was a bit hesitant when I drove up and opened the door and walked in. There I found an energetic and positive team of beautiful women that were excited to see me. From that point on they called me by my first name each and every time I walked through their doors.
There were a few factors that got me to eventually respond to the flyer. I had always been an active adolescent in speed skating, basketball and volleyball. When the organized sports ended, so did my fitness and my metabolism. As a 20-year employee as an administrative assistant, much of my day is sitting in front of a computer. I tried things like cutting carbs, exercising and deprivation and I had no lasting success. Thus, the YO-YO began. My heaviest weight was 205 pounds when I was in my early twenties. I lost weight prior to my two pregnancies and gained to a maximum of 212 when I was full term. When I was 30, I managed to get to my ‘fighting weight' of 150 depriving myself of many foods. I had no energy and no idea how to eat in a healthy, satisfying way. Over the 10 years I gained back 27-30 lbs.
In November of 2008 I started the U Weight Loss™ program with the "magic number" of 150 in mind. It seemed like a long road, but the symptoms of being overweight were too much for me to handle on my own. I had acid reflux, ulcers (hospitalized in 2007), hives (for 20 years), lack of energy, aches, low iron, thyroid issues, unexplained weight gain, seasonal depression, mood swings, PMS (I felt good 5-7 days out of a month), low libido, occasional insomnia and obvious frustration. It was difficult to exercise, as I saw no results and continued to lug around the extra weight or, as I liked to put it, "extra sugar coating".
I soon realized that "U" was my gift to myself and I should open it!
The commitment to "me" began. The week of the Kick Start helped me eliminate my coffee with 35% whipping cream (!) for breakfast, and got me on the track of eating 3 healthy, satisfying meals a day. Each visit and coaching session offered me new meal plans (I loved all my food options!!). The coaches gave me new perspective and positive encouragement. I was feeling more empowered as each "U Loss" week went by. The coaches saw so much in me that I didn't recognize myself. I even lost weight at Christmas time, which was a bonus! I was guided through "U" workouts that I could do on my own time at home. I won a gift certificate for a local mall, at the "boot camp" challenge at the clinic, and was able to go on a mini shopping spree! I started walking in the dead of winter 3 times a week and eventually started to run again. I set a goal to run 10K in May to keep my fitness going (Note: I was able to shave 8 minutes off my personal best time). I reached my magic goal of 150 lbs at the end of February. This was so overwhelming to me, but it gave so much joy to the team at "U" that we could celebrate the success together. This journey has been very private thing for me so all my successes were shared with the women at the clinic. I thank each of them for sharing this experience and helping me reach my goals (physical, emotional, mental). They continue to encourage me through my Maintenance phase, all along teaching me how to keep the balance of losing, loving and living. They are now helping me to get to know that gal in the "after" photo!
My husband and I were fortunate to spend four days in Las Vegas in March. We had never had a honeymoon, or taken any sort of trip together, so this was a welcome get-away after 13.5 years of marriage. We were both turning 40 in 2009, so this was another reason to celebrate. It was wonderful to sit by the MGM Grand pool in a bikini for the first time since I was a teenager! I not only lost the weight, but I had gained confidence, achieved health, sparked my energy, attained a great fitness level and - most importantly of all - rekindled a satisfying, loving relationship with my husband. My acid reflux, ulcers, hives, thyroid issues, seasonal depression, mood swings, aches, PMS, sleep issues, and low libido are a thing of the past! I live a life of "zip and zest" for the first time in my adult life. I look forward to turning 40 in October. I continue to run and cross train 5 days a week and have entered in another 10K road race on August 16, 2009.
My husband said to me the other day, "you should be so proud of yourself for taking care of yourself". As a mom of two boys (11 & 13) and a wife, I do have a humble pride in my health and fitness and I am confident that "U" has given me the tools to now "maintain, live and love". Thank you to the women at "U",
Thank you "U" Weight Loss for this gift! I am so blessed to have opened it!