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Name: Deb Suman
 DEB BEFORE
DEB AFTER
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Home: Glendale, AZ
Age: 55
Occupation: Legal Secretary
Height: 5' 4"
Downsizing: 140 lbs. Total Weight Loss
Starting Weight: 285 lbs.
Current Weight: 145 lbs.
Clothing Size Before: 28/30
Clothing Size Now: 6/8
Time to Reach Goal: 18 months
Maintained Since: April 2007
Starting Point:
I was constantly disappointed and frustrated with myself. I'd been heavy my whole life and watched my weight go up and down on the scale many times. I have a bad knee that got injured when I was a teenager and my excess weight only made it worse. I didn't exercise and was pretty sedentary.
I was an emotional eater. I ate when I was bored, depressed, angry or sad. When something would happen in my life, the first place I'd turn was to the food for comfort. During those times, I gravitated towards salty and crunchy foods such as chips, crackers, pretzels and lots of bread. Gatherings always revolved around food.
Growing up, I was the heavy one of the family. My siblings were all a normal size. They never said anything to make me feel self-conscious. Everyone, including me, just accepted the fact that I was heavy. That's just the way I was. |
I never ate breakfast so by lunchtime I was starving. I'd have a large sandwich, a salad with lots of toppings so it wasn't even healthy any more, chips and pretzels. For dinner, I'd make a huge pan of macaroni and cheese or an enchilada casserole and would end up eating at least half of it myself. At night, I'd snack on ice cream and chips if I'd had a bad day.
One thing that I really enjoyed was traveling and I made it a point not to let my weight get in the way of that. But, it got more and more difficult because I was so uncomfortable. When I sat down in the airline seat, I was so squished in there that I couldn't move again until we arrived at our destination.
I lacked confidence and was very self-conscious. I didn't want to think my weight kept me from doing things, but now as I look back I can see it did. I just convinced myself that I didn't want to do anything physical. I was in denial over how my weight got in the way of my living a full, active life.
Defining Moment:
Traveling became my instigator to help me get serious about losing weight. The final straw came when I took a trip to Minneapolis which was about a 3 and a half hour flight. I should have asked for a seat belt extender but was too embarrassed. I was so uncomfortable that I could barely breathe. By the end of the flight, I had bruises on my leg from where the headphones connected.
After I got home from that trip I thought to myself, "This has got to stop. If I don't lose weight now, I'm going to have to give up traveling all together." I really didn't want to do that so I promised myself that I would start going to the gym and eating healthier foods and I kept my word. It's been almost three years since I made that promise and I'm still going strong. I get up in the morning between 4 and 5 a.m. and go to the gym. It's just part of my lifestyle now.
"Keeping It Going"
There is a huge difference in the way I look and feel and that's a great motivator for me. Working out and being active is so much a part of my life, that I don't think twice about it. I just get up and get it done. If for some reason I have to miss my morning exercise session, then I make sure I go in the evening. I hardly ever skip because then I can feel it all day long. I just don't have the energy that I have otherwise.
My fitness trainer, family and friends are all great and help me to stay motivated. I would not have been so successful without them. They keep telling me I can do it and they encourage me to try new things. I've already completed two half marathons. I now have the confidence in myself that if I stick to my program, I will continue to be successful.
My inner strength comes from my stubbornness. I'm the type of person that once I seriously make up my mind about something, I do it. I had been on many diets in the past, but I knew this time was going to be different. I wasn't going to give up, no matter what. It took a lot for me to say, enough is enough. I knew it was time to get serious.
If I Can Do It, So Can You: Deb's 3 Motivational Tips
1. Get a food plan you can work with and that works for you. You don't have to struggle all the time. Having a plan makes it easy and takes away the importance you may have placed on the food. You can redefine your relationship with food. It doesn't have to take top priority in your life anymore. Instead of living to eat, you can now eat to live. Food doesn't control you. You are the one in control.
2. Ask for the support and help you need. Surround yourself with people who are living a healthy lifestyle. My support team cheers me on and keeps me believing I can do this.
3. Accept the fact that you have to exercise regularly. There is no getting around it. Just do it.
All The Right Moves:
Monday through Friday I do about a half hour of cardio each day. Then, three days a week I add weight resistance and strength training. On Saturdays, a group of us will meet and go hiking between 6 to 8 miles or climb North Mountain or Pinnacle Peak. Sunday is my rest day.
Eating for Balance:
Breakfast - Non-fat strawberry yogurt and an oatmeal cranberry protein & carb bar.
Mid morning snack - Light string cheese & an apple.
Lunch - 3-4 oz. chicken, 1 cup brown rice, 1 cup mixed veggies & an orange.
Afternoon snack - A protein drink that's made with protein powder and milk or water, depending on my daily calorie count.
Dinner - 3-4 oz. chicken, 3 cups spinach, half cup of brown rice.
Dessert - ½ cup Sugar Free Jell-O®.
Thrill of Victory:
I try new things now, which is something that I never did before. I've been on a snow mobile and horseback riding. I still love to travel and now it is much more enjoyable because I can comfortably sit in the airplane seat. I find it amazing that I've actually lost the weight and kept it off. I had started so many times over the years and gained and lost and gained. Even if I slip up, I am able to stop it. I'm proud to be where I'm at now.
I'm no longer an emotional eater. Now, I'm able to recognize when I'm bored, depressed, sad or angry and I find something to do, other than eat. I take a walk, read a book, or scream. I know the food is not going to solve anything. It only makes things worse.
Losing the weight and keeping it off makes me feel like I could do anything I set my mind to. I feel better and have more energy and self confidence. I'm willing to speak up for myself now. I don't hold things in anymore.
I can't believe I'm a size 6/8. I still don't see myself as I really am. Sometimes, I'll think to myself that I can't fit in a space between two people who are sitting on a couch or bench, but then I sit down and realize, "Oh, I can fit here!" I'm always pleasantly surprised.
I used to use my knee as the excuse as to why I couldn't do anything physical. Now I know it was because of my weight. I'm just living and enjoying my life and doing all the things I want to do, when I want to do them. I always appreciate when people come up to me and congratulate me. That feels really good. I can honestly say I'm proud of my accomplishments. I feel I have been given a whole new lease on life. Watch out world, here I come.
Deb's story was aired on Phoenix Channel 3's
Your Life A to Z Monday, October 6, 2008.
Weight-loss Success Coach, Speaker, and Award-Winning Author, Bronwyn Marmo, is a success story herself. She has maintained a 50-pound weight loss for more than 11 years. Her third book entitled, Spotlite On Success features 101 weight loss success stories. It is Bronwyn's passion to spotlight the success of "everyday" people because it gives us all hope and inspiration. If you would like to share your success story, please contact Bronwyn Marmo. Phone: 480-314-3333, E-mail: Bronwyn@BronwynMarmo.com.
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