Using Her Success to Motivate Others
I remember how I felt two years ago when I weighed 254 pounds. I was plagued with multiple health problems because of my obesity. I suffered from upper GI problems, knee joint difficulties, circulatory complications and extremely high blood pressure, which one night landed me in the hospital. Lying in the hospital staring at the heart monitor, I decided it was time to take control of my life. I felt I was at the point of no return with my health.
In March 1996, I made the most important phone call of my life--to Mary Ann O’Brien at Cedars-Sinai’s weight control program. I entered the fasting phase of the program, which involves taking liquid supplements and vitamins only, no solid foods. This was extremely difficult for me as food was my life. Another requirement was to drink large quantities of water, a behavior that was completely foreign to me.
Facing the scale every week was a very traumatic experience. Some weeks were not as successful as others, but with support of the Cedars clinical staff, I pushed myself not to give up. Very quickly I noticed my weight decrease and my energy level increase. This motivated me to challenge myself.
Weekly nutrition classes were a tremendous help. These classes taught me how to change my lifestyle through exercise and calorie-counting. I also learned the importance of utilizing liquid supplements and prepackaged entrees and to control my intake of calories.
In nine short months, I achieved my goal weight of 140 pounds and graduated to the maintenance portion of the program. I have maintained my weight loss for the past 22 months and have also managed to drop 10 more pounds. I have developed a healthy lifestyle that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, along with proper portion size, and exercise.
Exercise has certainly been the biggest key to my success. Primarily, I walk on my treadmill. When I first started the program, I could walk for only 10 minutes at a very slow pace. Now, I walk for at least 100 minutes a day at a 3.5- to 4-mph pace and on a 3% grade. This was attainable with the use of motivational videos from Tony Little, the persistence of my personal trainer Dell Ignont and also through the routines of Richard Simmons on videos and at his studio, Slimmons, in Beverly Hills.
Because of the positive impact exercise has had on my life, I decided that I wanted to help others to become physically active. With this goal in mind, I pursued and have received certification as a personal fitness trainer from the Aerobics and Fitness Assn. of America. I hope to offer my services primarily to people who are sedentary and who struggle with obesity.
My lifestyle change would not be possible without the support and encouragement of my loving husband, Larry, as all of our former favorite foods have either been transformed into low-fat, low-calorie versions or dropped from our menu.
Facing my 50s in the not-too-distant future, I feel that I am in the best shape of my life.
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Vital Statistics
Name: Kathy Glaser
Age: 48
Occupation: Licensed
Vocational Nurse and Certified
Personal Trainer
Height: 5 feet, 2 inches
Old weight: 254
New weight: 130
Time to Get There: nine months
Wanted: Your Success Story
The How I Did It column is taking on a new shape. In the past, we’ve asked you to share your success stories about losing weight. We still want to hear those stories, but we also recognize that there is more to physical fitness and staying in shape than weight management.
So we’re inviting you to tell us about your accomplishments in other areas: how you learned to mountain climb or roller-blade, trained for a half-marathon or discovered a unique way of keeping fit or dealing with a nagging ailment.
As always, tell us your story in a 500-word essay listing what worked in terms of diet, exercise and encouragement, as well as any emotional and physical changes.
For weight-loss stories, send us a full-body color photo of yourself, before and after. For other types of stories, send a color photo of yourself doing the activity you’re writing about.
Send essay and photos to How I Did It, Health, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053. Include daytime and evening phone numbers. Submissions cannot be returned. And, please, no phone calls.
In addition to publication, winners will receive a Los Angeles Times Health section gym bag.