Two years ago, November 6th, 2006 to be exact, Karen and I visited our local Jenny Craig center. Karen had just completed her collegiate track and field eligibility, and after a very successful career (4 time All-American and school record holder at USC), she was ready to transition from her shot put look to her public relations look. Unbeknownst to me, Karen and Mr. F had conspired to sign me up, too. Not only did I need to lose weight, but Karen needed a diet buddy. A month after we joined, Mr. F signed up, and a few months after that, Kristin did, too.
The rest, as they say, is history. By August 2007, I had dropped from 208 (!!) to my goal weight of 131 lbs. (a switch from size 16 to size 4–I’m 5’9″), and I’ve stayed within 3 pounds of that over the last 15 months. I was excited to join the National Weight Control Registry. I’ve also found a lot of inspiration from Mindless Eating, Brian Wansink’s lab at Cornell. They have a new newsletter that is a lot of fun to read.
Karen has lost over 80 pounds, and wants to make it an even 100. Mr. F is down around 70-80 pounds, in spite of his love of food history. Kristin, who had little to lose, seems to have attained a great sense of control over her weight and eating habits that her hectic work responsibilities had made challenging before.
Slow and Steady Is the Best Way to Go
This past week, I was discussing motivation (including hunger, obesity, anorexia, and bulimia) with my Introductory Psychology students, and I could just sense that I didn’t have much credibility when I was talking about how it IS possible to lose weight and keep it off. So many people are saying that weight is a function of your genes, and there’s really nothing you can do about it, so embrace the inevitable, go for fat acceptance, etc. I told them about my weight loss, and the concept that I had been so big didn’t compute.
Before (2006) and Now (2008)
So, even though I really don’t like my “before” pictures (shocking!), I need to show the proof. The problem is picking WHICH before–there are so many! So I found a “head shot” taken at the Pac 10 Championships in June 2006 in Eugene (I’m not sure I was even at my biggest there), and another “head shot” Mr. F took for my blog in April 2008.
Good luck to all of you intrepid dieters. And many, many thanks to Monica at Jenny Craig!
18 Comments
Laura Freberg · November 2, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Hi Laura…
I know how hard it was for you to post a ‘before’ picture. None of us like to think of ourselves as ever having a ‘before’ that is different than the one we are today.
You are certainly an inspiration to all of us… and we followed your example.
Love forever,
Roger
Amber Thompson · November 2, 2008 at 6:52 pm
That is really sweet. It really shows the power of what an individual can really do when encouraged by loved ones. By having someone accountable to, it is easier to stay on task. This can be shown in so many different ways.
Great job Mrs. Freberg, you clearly are an encouragement.
mama5512 · November 2, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Well first of all I would like to say Congrats to you and all your family for sticking with it and for supporting each other all the way through it. It can be hard when you are the only one who is dieting! It is such a wonderful thing to have support when dieting. To know that you have a team to support you or even to help pick u up if you fall. Your determination and will power will inspire all. One question: Why did you decide to pick Jenny Craig and not Weight Watchers?
Laura Freberg · November 2, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Thanks! You’re right–the support is a big part of succeeding. Karen would call me and say, “did you see those pancakes this morning?” We actually had fun with it.
I chose Jenny Craig for a couple of reasons. First, I am totally a mindless eater! I needed the portion control, because I’ve tried the weigh/measure thing before and it’s hard for me to maintain that discipline. Two, I’m not really into the group meeting thing. I know that works for a lot of people, but I just wanted to jump on the scale, get my food, and go.
nikkinate · November 3, 2008 at 4:22 pm
I think that this blog is very inspirational to read! In society, everyone seems to find an excuse for whatever hand they have been dealt. In particular, those who wish to lose weight, typically neglect the problem and do not stick to it. But you, on the other hand, clearly stuck with this goal! It is amazing to read this blog and realize that goals, no matter how big or small, can be accomplished! I’m sure this blog also was a great indicator of your accomplishment! Congratulations for tackling such a hard goal!
jlynn1105 · November 3, 2008 at 6:07 pm
You are such an inspiration. As someone who has struggled with bulimia and now overeating, it gives me strength to read your blog. Sometimes I think that the “addiction” of eating is harder to overcome than other addictions because we must eat to stay alive. We cannot simply cut food out of our lives.
Laura Freberg · November 3, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Thanks! I get so frustrated when I read things that tell people they just have to settle for wherever they are, whether that’s weight or substance abuse or whatever. We do have a cerebral cortex that can help us make good decisions…sometimes believing that you can do something is a first step. So I hope that other people who want to make changes will keep trying to do so.
ajacopet · November 3, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Wow Congratulations Mrs. Freberg! It is inspiring to know that with ultimate dedication, and the support of your family, you reached your goal.
joshpollitz · November 5, 2008 at 7:41 pm
It really is refreshing to hear that people go about it the right way. I mean eating right and exercising is by far the healthiest way to go, but it isn’t the easiest. With the pill-popping craze to lose weight, or even the unhealthy dieting to be paper thin, I think it is nice to know that people have the determination to improve their well-being.
C_Ritter · November 9, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Congratulations! It really is great to see someone achieve what the media (especially people like Dr. Oz on Oprah) tells us is possible when you make the right choices.
How do you (and your daughter) make good choices when you have such busy schedules? I find that I reach for the most unhealthy foods when I’m on the go. Also, how do you approach excersize? Do you think it’s a better approach to be very disciplined and have a set time & schedule, or to fit it in when you can? Does it just depend on your personality?
Laura Freberg · November 9, 2008 at 4:32 pm
One of the best things about Jenny Craig is that it’s easy. There is no thinking involved. They figure out how many calories you need to lose at the right pace, give you the foods you need, and you just follow the directions. Okay, at 10am I eat this little snack bar thing, at lunch I have a turkey burger and a salad, and so on. So for busy schedules, it’s the best!
According to my reading, the body seems to work best when you eat and sleep regularly. Obviously, we can’t do that all the time, but it’s a goal. Scheduling is especially important for Mr. F, who manages his diabetes through diet alone (no meds).
We really don’t exercise, unless you count our daily walks (2-4 miles) as exercise. Karen does, though–she’s the queen of kickboxing. UT has even asked her to teach some classes for them, but she won’t have time until summer.
Jaclyn Shostrom · November 10, 2008 at 11:32 am
First of all, congratulations! That really is a great thing and shows some dedication. My mom is currently dieting…not unhealthfully, but just exercising more and watching what she eats and I’m so proud of her. Diabetes runs in my family and seeing her change her lifestyle habits keeps my hope up that she and I really might just be the beginning of the end of the disease in my family.
jessberry · November 12, 2008 at 5:31 pm
This was awesome to read, I think it is wonderful to hear people still losing weight the right way. While I have never had a weight control issue, a few of my close friends in High School did and they unfortunately dealt with it the wrong way. Eating disorders and extreme diets (like crazy weight loss pills) are more common than most think, however I am a true believer in a healthy diet and exercise. You have done an amazing job and prove to everyone that weight loss is possible. Congratulations!
eejensen · December 3, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Congratulations!!! As a food lover I know how hard it is to resist food. I’ve always had a battle with what I want to eat and what I know I should be eating… and how much of it too. It is very inspiring to see your will power, and I hope I’ll be able to master my own.
npallios · February 23, 2009 at 11:08 am
This is very interesting- and hits me close to home. I’ve watched my mother and aunts diet for much of my life- most of the time without success. Eating is a cultural thing for us, we’re Greek. Food for us is used for celebration, tradition, entertainment, fellowship, and comfort. Seeing how possible it is to enjoy food, but still maintain a healthy lifestyle is inspiring. I am definitely referring this to my family to read. Congratulations, you not only look great, but you look like you feel wonderful.
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