Debbie Karper

Since May 3, 2007, I had made up my mind I was sick of being over weight. I believe that when I decided I had enough of eating ‘out of control’, *that* was the beginning of my new eating life style. I had tried other “diets” in an effort to lose weight but always fell off the wagon, as it was not something I could do for the rest of my life so I would stop. My moods were horrible; I was irritable most of the time. Partly because of my opinion of myself due to lack of discipline with eating. I am calmer since the eating life style of no sugars and breads. I had no idea how those two items were playing havoc on my emotions and making me want more and more as if there would be an answer to life’s problem after a gallon of vanilla ice cream and a basket of O’Charlie’s bread. If I had a favorite dish, I would eat until I hurt. If I could get ice cream, it seemed I would want it for several days in a row. I am 51 years old and all my life I heard that when you get older you could not lose weight or it was very hard to lose. Therefore, I leaned on that as an excuse not to try.

So topping out at 165 lbs, I was determined to do something.

 Sid talked to me and explained many things from a scientific point of view. I remember as I left his house yelling out the question… “Sid, just tell me what to eat!” And at that, he realized I was truly a blonde and said, “Eat eggs!” Of course that was not all he said that was just all I heard, so I ate eggs for breakfast, lunch and supper. And I had gas and had to sleep on the couch. But I was determined!!! Ha Ha  

I began the walk of a new life style right then; I would call him and ask questions. I remember I ate almonds every day and my portions were not small and so I stayed at 155 for 4 weeks yet still determined. I started reading. I cut back portions. Then reached 147 seemed like I was stuck again, there was nothing wrong with the plan. Although I tried several times to blame it on the plan. When I am stuck, I start writing down what I am eating, when it is on paper there is no way to deny the screw up. Then I could analyze my problem and make a change. Now today is 8-23-2007, 3 months later weighing in at a 144 I cried when I saw that number on my scales I have not seen that is over 8 years.

Recently, I had been eating late with new work hours, and then eating like I was going to be working out… only I was just going to bed on a full belly! Dah, that was a no brainer…so I did not eat supper last night. Sometimes that is a good thing. My stomach needed to shrink back down, now here is a new key for me, starting today; since my stomach is shrunk from no food last night, it will be very easy for me to have less portions today and from here out.

Oh, and one more thing, I was hanging out up here in Nashville away from all my friends and I think I got kind of  lazy with the program and then Sid called me unexpectedly to ask how I was doing. What a guy! I love that man. I don’t think he knew how powerful that call was. It reminded me I have friends that care about the effort I am putting into MY life. It is one day at time that I keep in mind. Not a meal for now, but many sunsets to come, and I want to enjoy them all to the fullest. And ride my bike. I will never forget what my mother said when I got my motorcycle, “Now honey, you need to lose weight this fall so when spring comes you won’t look like a pig on a hog.” She is so encouraging!!!!!!!!!! I went out right away and bought a gallon of ice-cream I was so depressed. LOL That was 2 years ago. Sure enough when spring came, I was a pig on a hog! L Don’t know how that bike held me.  

Today I feel much better I am not a pig anymore but just a *slightly* overweight animal and working on shaping up more.