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LAURIE'S STORY Laurie Scieszinski Height 5'4" ~ Age 40 ~ Weight 268 lbs (Oct. 2007, Initial Weight for GIM 9 Week Challenge) As of Jan. 2008, Laurie had lost 50 lbs and continues to reach for new goals!!!!!!
My name is Laurie Scieszinski and I am a 40 year old wife and mother of three children.
My story goes as follows….. My weight became an issue during my teenage years. I tried many fad diets, but never really learned how to eat healthy-only starvation and binge eating. I was a high school athlete and cheerleader, but never learned the importance of consistent exercise. At the time of my wedding in 1989 I was a size 14 and within 3 years, I was wearing a size 18. The next 7 years were my child-bearing years. The day I delivered my second son, I weighed 292 (and I am only 5” 4”). After he was born, my husband and I went on the infamous Atkins Diet, I lost 72 lbs. in 6 months, only to gain it almost all back -sound familiar?. I can’t count the number of times I joined and quit Weight Watchers, Weigh Down workshops or tried other weight loss plans. I tried personal trainers and different fitness classes at the YMCA. With no real accountability, I was getting no where in my quest for a strong, lean, healthy body.
First of all, I want to thank my friend Mary Merrick for introducing me to Goals in Motion Fitness Studio in the Fall of 2007. When I joined GIM in October 2007, I weighed 268 lbs. I felt very intimidated and scared to sign up for the 9 week challenge. I really didn’t know if I could make it through one class, let alone 9 weeks. The night before the initial testing, I was so nervous I could hardly sleep.
After the first week I had a lot of muscle soreness (which was to be expected) but I also had a lot of pain in my knees. I addressed this with Mardi(my coach) and Sandy and they spent “one on one” time with me going over correct form on many different exercises and also encouraged me to see my doctor so I could “nip it in the bud” with some physical therapy. Through this time period (the first couple of weeks) I had many doubts about my self and whether I had the strength and/or the abilities to finish this program.
Mardi and Sandy and the rest of the staff were so encouraging and supportive from the beginning. They worked with me and “my abilities” from the beginning and continue to encourage me and push me out of my comfort zone on a daily basis…always looking to help me reach my next goal.
I have also been extremely impressed with the friendliness and support I have received from many of my workout partners. It would have been so easy for them to “mind their own business” and leave the “fat lady” alone to figure it out on my own. I am thankful to Hannah, Natalie, Sharon, and Joni for keeping me laughing when things were hard.
The food journaling was very helpful in that it was exactly the accountability that I needed. Learning to eat every 3-4 hours instead of the standard 8 am, noon and 6 pm, and making sure I was getting enough water and a good balance of protein, carbs, healthy fats and fiber contributed to much of my success. I had a lot to learn about nutrition, my normal diet consisted of way too much processed foods and not nearly enough whole foods or protein. Also, I was used to eating out at restaurants or at school sporting events-where very few things pass the GIM standards. I had to learn to plan, plan, and prepare food ahead of time. The only thing I had going for me was that I was not a coffee or pop drinker and I was used to drinking a lot of water. I will always be grateful to Mardi who put up with incomplete journals and excuses that I knew in my heart were just that, excuses. She has an unbelievable way of telling you what you need to hear in a caring, but very truthful way…this is a rare and refreshing quality.
Within nine weeks, I “lost” 36 lbs and in return, “gained” a great deal of self confidence! I did things in my nine week challenge that I never thought I would ever be able to do and that has been very empowering in itself. It has been fun to hear from others that they don’t even recognize me now…..even my own mother walked by me and didn’t know it was me!
Goals In Motion has helped me make many positive changes…. I have established real balance in my life and I am proud of the role model I am becoming for my husband, kids and others.
I joined the GIM maintenance program in December………and on January 10, 2008, I hit the 50lbs weight loss mark….this was a huge day for me!
Please come back and follow my story/progress the end of March….at that time I will have completed my first 4 week maintenance challenge and will hopefully have more fun and positive experiences to share with you. Looking forward to it………..
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