Weight-Loss Transformations
By Abigail Cuffey
Tia, 42, and Grace, 50
Total pounds lost: 90 (45 and 45)
These attached-at-the-hip friends decided it was time to shift their priorities and get healthy after a big reality check: Tia was told by a work client that she was hardly recognizable from her weight gain and Grace saw unflattering pictures of herself from a beach vacation. “We do everything together: work, go to church, socialize and eat out at restaurants,” says Tia. “So it made sense that we would lose weight together when we both decided we were ready for a change.”
Method: They started tracking their food intake, which helped them understand portion size and realize how much they were actually eating. The two also connected with other health-minded people on SparkPeople.com. Tia took up running (short distances at first) and Grace joined a local gym, working with a personal trainer to learn how to exercise and use the machines.
Buddy Bonus: Victory is much sweeter. “Goal-setting is more fun, even if they’re not the same goals,” says Tia. “We cheer each other on, no matter what the result is.” Tia is currently training for her second marathon (and hopes to qualify for the Boston Marathon); Grace is prepping for her first half-marathon.
Mindy, 27, and Nicole, 41
Total pounds lost: 105 (75 and 30)
Not only are these two friends, they’re also sisters, and getting healthy was a way for them to bridge their 14-year age difference. “Doing this together has changed our relationship and given us a common bond,” says Mindy. “Now when I visit her, we'll make an effort to get to the gym or take a walk around the neighborhood.”
Method: They started Weight Watchers together, which helped them lose the majority of the weight by learning to control portions and structure their eating habits. Exercise came later, with Mindy taking up running and Zumba classes. Meanwhile, Nicole walked the 2-mile loop around her subdivision to lose most of her weight and then joined the local YMCA to add in elliptical training.
Buddy Bonus: It’s a lot harder to quit. “The weight doesn't add up overnight, so it's certainly not going to come off overnight,” says Mindy, who now blogs at JustAOneGirlRevolution.com. “When you plateau or even start gaining, it’s extremely helpful to have someone to say that it's OK, don't give up.”
Madge, 50, and Karen, 44
Total pounds lost: 245 (185 and 60)
After being acquaintances for 10 years, the two started chatting at a mutual friend’s New Year’s Eve party and realized that they both wanted to shed pounds. They became fast friends and weight-loss buddies. “We developed a close friendship based on our common interest in losing weight,” says Madge. “We now keep in touch almost daily, through phone, text and IM, and in person.”
Method: Madge lost the first 100 pounds through a local doctor-supervised weight management program before connecting with Karen at the party. After the pair teamed up, they decided to join a TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) group because it offered the benefit of support and weekly weigh-ins but the freedom to choose their own diet. They both exercised: Karen hit the gym a few times per week and Madge started walking daily (at first just around her block), then joined Planet Fitness to add strength-training weekly.
Buddy Bonus: Free therapy! “Karen and I have discussed emotional things such as fear of social eating events, not being able to keep certain foods in the house and what we used to do to hide our binges,” says Madge. “It’s much easier to open up and chat with someone who has also been in my position.” .
Michele, 46, and Marie, 43
Total pounds lost: 83 (27 and 56)
Commercials for Jenny Craig featuring Valerie Bertinelli spurred Marie to make changes in her own life. “As cheesy as it sounds, seeing Valerie’s results on TV made me determined to make the program work for myself,” she says. Her initial success inspired her longtime best friend, Michele, to also sign up, and together they slimmed down for good.
Method: Both used the Jenny Craig At-Home Program. “The best thing about this program is that there is no guesswork,” says Marie. “The foods are preplanned and prepared so that I couldn’t veer off course while juggling a full-time job, part-time school and raising a family.” Marie joined a local gym, started attending Zumba classes and took long walks with her dog, Buddy. Michele also walked daily with her 7-year-old daughter, joined a karate studio and took up kick-boxing classes.
Buddy Bonus: Bikini-wearing is more fun. “Last summer was the first time in about 10 years that Michele and I wore bikinis at the local pool,” says Marie. “We weren’t afraid to strut our stuff because we worked so hard to get where we are.” .
Vicki, 40, and Beth, 47
Total pounds lost: 125 (70 and 55)
Virtual friendship via the Nutrisystem discussion boards brought these two moms together. Vicki and Beth crossed paths online at the beginning of the program and have been connected ever since. “She’s my best friend and I feel like I’ve known her forever, even though we’ve only met in person once!” says Vicki.
Method: Nutrisystem, which fit into both of their busy schedules. “I’m a stay-at-home mom with two special-needs children and a husband who travels frequently for work,” says Vicki. “I needed something easy and convenient for my unpredictable home life.” Besides switching to the prepared food, each woman got moving. They did Jillian Michaels’s 30 Day Shred at the same time on the same days, even though they lived miles apart. Vicki also followed the Couch-to-5K Running Plan to help her train for her first race. Beth opted for DVDs, including Jillian Michaels’s No More Trouble Zones and Jackie Warner’s Xtreme Timesaver Training.
Buddy Bonus: Around-the-clock support. “I was on this journey with someone who knew what it was like to be unhealthy,” says Beth. “I could call or text Vicki while grocery shopping when I was tempted to buy unhealthy foods or when I wanted to quit.”.
Jennifer, 27, and Jessica, 26
Total pounds lost: 81 (22 and 59)
Friends since middle school band class, these two tended to use food as a focus for their time together. As they reached their 20s, they knew it was time to take control. “The weight loss was a life-changing experience for us as individuals, as well as together,” says Jessica. Now they’re preparing for Jennifer’s wedding in late 2011, where Jessica will serve as her maid of honor.
Method: Jessica joined Weight Watchers first and began losing some weight. Jennifer was so inspired that she joined soon after. “Weight Watchers worked because it taught us how to eat, not just what to eat,” says Jessica. “Many people know they should eat fruits and vegetables. However, they aren't thinking about portion control or special ordering when dining out.” They both walked daily as a main source of exercise and completed a 5K Weight Watchers Walk-It Challenge last year with other members. Jessica recently started jogging as well and is preparing for her first 15K.
Buddy Bonus: Confidence. “It can be a little scary starting a weight-loss program on your own and it’s easy to feel self-conscious,” says Jennifer. “Having someone else along for the ride gave me a boost that enabled me to push through my insecurities.”
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