Staying the Course

Mar 10, 2019 | by Nancy Newbrough

Cliff - Late in 2017, doctors saw problems in my bloodwork that indicated I must lose weight or my general health would deteriorate rapidly.  I had been substantially overweight for many years and as I aged, the test indicators had worsened.

Prior to this unsettling news, I had started on a ketogenic diet and lost 35 lbs.  This had been prompted by the success my son-in-law was having with the keto program.  I was frightened enough by the doom and gloom prospects that my wife and I started praying frequently for help, guidance and perseverance for making a major life-style change.

I continued the keto diet for a while longer, and it was very helpful in reducing my dependency on carbohydrates and sugar.  When I saw my doctors every couple of months, they would check my bloodwork and tell me the progress was good -- but more was needed!

Kathy - I have always struggled with my weight and yo-yo dieting throughout my teen years and adult life.  Though I tried many diets, some successfully, never did I maintain the weight loss for a significant time.

The times I was most successful in losing weight would end when I would get pregnant. Then I would have to start all over again after the baby was born!

About 25 years ago, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. This made exercise more difficult and generally caused me to be less active. Even though I continued to put on weight, my doctors never really bugged me about it because my blood pressure, cholesterol and other health stats were good.  So, although I did not like what was happening, I did not worry about it … too much!

Over the last couple of years, I reached my highest weight ever! Despite trying to lose on my own several times, I was never able to stick to it for more than a few weeks.  When Cliff started eating keto, I was cooking for him and eating the meals (high protein, high fat, low carb), but never really gave up all the carbs I enjoyed at other times of the day.  I quickly realized that was not going to be a good practice!

From past experience, I knew that Weight Watchers probably provided the only way for me to lose the weight short of surgery — and that was scary!  Last May, I started Weight Watchers and Cliff joined soon after.

Cliff - About the time Kathy decided to try Weight Watchers, I realized that to achieve and maintain the needed weight loss on a ketogenic diet was not feasible for me.  It would be easiest for both of us to be on the same program to support each other’s efforts.

We discovered that the Weight Watchers digital plan which utilizes a smartphone app for tracking and planning daily points was very helpful.  When approaching my goal weight, I began attending weekly Weight Watcher meetings. That was because the closer one gets to the final goal, more perseverance and accountability are required to maintain steady losses.  Fortunately, Weight Watchers teaches you how to eat anything, anywhere -- but still lose and/or maintain a steady weight.

Kathy - Having both of us on the same eating plan has made this effort so much easier! My progress has been up and down -- even incredibly slow at times -- but after ten months on the program, I can see that we have changed our lifestyle to one that is sustainable with discipline.

Truly the biggest difference this time around has been the two of us doing this together!  It has made all the difference in the world!  I have lost 67 lbs. so far and I am confident that with ongoing prayers and encouragement from friends (including our wonderful LIFE Group), I can stay the course and continue to lose the needed additional weight.

Cliff - I reached my goal weight in December and have since dropped below it because of increased exercise since I feel so good.  Down 98 lbs., I weigh what I did as a freshman in college.  I am now a lifetime member of Weight Watchers and never imagined such success or that I would feel 15-20 years younger!  Doctors say my blood work is now looking healthy, and they are impressed with the lifestyle change.

I could not have achieved this without the Lord strengthening me, LIFE Group friends who prayed for and encouraged us, and the doctors who motivated me.  Having my wife committed to a common goal made staying on the program much easier. I simply could not have done it without her!  We now laugh and say our joint weight loss is equivalent to another whole person!

Cliff and Kathy

… where does my help come from? 
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.   
Psalm 121:1-2