A-Team’s Week 3 Biggest Loser Julie!!!

Well well well challengers, we have a real serious inspiration and success story among us and her name is JULIE!  YOU HAVE TO READ THIS and check out her blog!!  Julie has lost almost 150 lbs thus far!!!  Here’s are little Q&A Interview with her!

Blog Address: http://dutchbeingme.blogspot.com

 

Do you remember "the moment" when your commitment to weight loss solidified?

After joining WW in November of 2005, I lost about 25-35 pounds during the first year. I wasn't really motivated to do it, I just knew I had to lose the weight. Then on October 4, 2006 my mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and it became all too real that if I didn't change anything in my life, I would be a statistic as well. After learning her prognosis (which very good as it was found in very early stage), I made the decision to get moving and get healthy. Thus far in my weight loss journey I have lost almost 150 pounds and have become a WW lifetime member. Also, my mom – after going through chemo and radiation treatments in early 2007 – has now been cancer free for almost a year and a half.

AATW:  Wow Julie, that’s absolutely incredible!  I am so happy to hear that your mom is doing so well!

 

When there's a long road ahead, how do you keep up your stamina and motivate yourself?

I have set reasonable goals for myself. I don't remember what all of the goals/rewards were along my journey, but I had them at least for every 25 pounds or when I hit a new "decade" for my weight. 

 

What's the hardest part of losing weight?

Getting back on track after having a bad meal, day, week. I've experienced them all, but getting back to the plan for me is always difficult. Sometimes I have the motivation, but there are always things that distract and deter me from the plan that I am trying to follow. The temptations are difficult to overcome…  

AATW: I agree 100%!!

What's the easiest part of losing weight?

Stepping on the scale and seeing that you've had a great loss for the week. It's a rush, a "high" perhaps, that helps motivate me into the next week.  

 

Why did you choose to blog about weight loss?

I decided to start blogging because of 2 reasons. First, I found that it was helpful to me to write out my thoughts, my feelings, and struggles that I was going through. This is something I learned through counseling from years ago. Second, I learned quickly through the Weight Watchers Message Boards (of which I am a regular on) that I am not the only with struggles along this journey and that others are going through the same things… but maybe can't verbalize or share it as well.  Ultimately, I now want my blog to be seen in order to help others achieve their goals and realize that they are not the only ones that struggle… even after reaching their goal weight.

 

Do you share you journey with the "real" world? (friends/family/co-workers)

Yes, I am a very open person when it comes to my losing weight. If I didn't share… after a while, I would hope that they would have caught on. About sharing my blog with my loved ones, this was kind of a difficult decision as I wasn't sure how much I wanted to share with my family on the struggles that I was going through. But in the end I found that their encouragement and celebrating with me along the way was well worth it.  

AATW:  I remember the exact same struggle!

Are you encouraging others around you to get healthy?

I do, or at least I try, in many ways. First is the blog. I hope that through my words I can encourage someone who might be struggling with their journey. Also, I go to a local health club and encourage friends that go there to come to classes with me… I *love* kickboxing.  

What will you do to celebrate once you reach your goal weight?

When I reached my goal weight for WW, I celebrated by going out and getting my nose pierced and a tattoo. I had long wanted to get my nose pierced, but was always afraid of doing it because I was fearful of what others would think of me. I now don't live so much in the moment of what people think, because it is more about what I think of myself – and ultimately how I treat myself – that matters. The tattoo that I got was a butterfly (symbolizing "new life" and kanji symbols that mean "achievement" or "accomplishment".)  The link of the pictures of this reward is on my blog at: http://dutchbeingme.blogspot.com/2008/11/and-reward.html I am now working to get back to my goal weight (the holidays deterred me from maintaining this goal) and ultimately reach my personal goal weight. When I reach that weight, I think a trip is going to be in order – I think to NYC.  :-)

AATW:  What an amazing tattoo!!  How appropriate!

If you are a fan of The Biggest Loser, Bob or Jillian? Why?

I am a fan of "The Biggest Loser" and watch it every week. My favorite trainer is Jillian… although I don't know if I'd be able to handle training with her. While I think they both get to the "heart" of issues surrounding weight loss, I think she can identify through her own experiences. 

What are your favourite 10 tracks on your Ipod playlist.

My favorite workout tracks on my iPod change often (new song monthly… if not weekly). Right now they are:- "Let it Rock" by Kevin Rudolf- "Poker Face" by Lady GaGa- "Yeah!" by Usher- "Paralyzer" by Finger Eleven- "Womanizer" by Britney Spears- "Disturbia" by Rihanna- "Keeps Gettin' Better" by Christina Aguilera- "Hot N Cold" by Katy Perry- "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" by Beyonce- "SexyBack" by Justin Timberlake

Thank you so much Julie for taking the time in sharing your answers with us all.  I hope that all of our challengers will visit you and share in all of your inspiration and success!

~Angie All The Way