Big Losers

How real N.H. women are taking off the pounds

By JENNIFER TREACY

We’ve all seen commercials about fast, fad weight loss “diets” promising outlandish results in a ridiculous amount of time. You see the chicks wearing huge pants they claim used to be theirs and that no longer fit after their amazingly fast body shrinkage. As you see these ads, you’re probably thinking what the rest of us are thinking: These women aren’t real “losers”; they’re most likely paid actresses.

We’ve all struggled with our weight at some point. Some of us more than others. Whether it’s 10 pounds or 100 pounds, you are not alone. The following women prove that. Get inspired as you read these stories as New Hampshire women share how they made real, fabulous lifestyle changes and feel incredible.

amy gendreau, 37, Newmarket
weight lost: 27 pounds

“The key to my success was to do it with a friend! My good friend Nancy was my kick in the pants when I needed it, and I was hers. We joined a weight-loss program, counted our points, went to the gym and watched each other drop the weight. 

And we had a fun time doing it! We both finished a 5K race together. If you have a bad day with healthy eating, don’t throw in the towel. Instead, go for a walk, run, do yoga, go to the gym or something to kick in the metabolism and start fresh the next day.

Life is too short as it is, why shorten it with unhealthy living? Stay active, feel great about yourself – whatever your weight/size – and put good things into your body so that it can return the favor by functioning properly.”

Amy wants to lose another 5 pounds.

nancy wood, 40, newmarket
Weight lost: 24 pounds

“I have learned how important it is for me to do this with a friend for support. When I didn’t feel like doing anything, my friend Amy dragged me to the gym and helped me be consistent. I know it takes time to take the weight off, so I focused on just being consistent in my eating habits, as well as exercise, focusing more on overall health than on the numbers on the scale. I set goals that seemed tangible, a pant size I wanted to wear by my birthday and being able to run a 5K road race.”

Nancy wants to lose another 10 to 15 pounds.

NH Mirror/Jennifer Treacy

cathy burbee, 41, brookline
weight lost: 56 pounds

“Life just took over. I was taking care of everyone else but me. I did not take time for myself. So I joined a weight-loss program for the support and accountability and lost the weight. 

I run at least five times a week. It is mostly to keep healthy mentally but obviously has the physical benefits. If you do it for you, and you only, there may be more chance for success in accomplishing your weight loss goal and in keeping it off. Once you get going, the way you feel is a very strong motivator.”

Cathy met her goal, has no plans to lose more and has maintained her weight for about seven years.

NH Mirror/Jennifer Treacy

debbie keating, 46, milford
weight lost: 82 pounds

“I started Weight Watchers in January 2007. I have three children. I had my last child at 40 and gained a lot of weight.

I have been using the program and attend the weekly meetings. I also exercise five days a week in the morning at 6 a.m. I feel like a new person and very healthy.

My advice to women is you have to want to do it for yourself and make the commitment and stick to it. It is a lifestyle change for the rest of your life. I love the new me!”

Debbie wants to lose 45 more pounds.

kathy roy, 42, MILFORD
weight lost: 60 pounds

“I have been overweight all my adult life, and never really tried to lose it through a structured program before. I joined a weight-loss program the week of my birthday, and it has been tremendously successful for me. I attend meetings every week along with following the plan with 30 minutes of exercise five to six times a week.

NH Mirror/Jennifer Treacy

For me to finally want to do this for myself, it was a combination of doing this as a tribute to my father, who passed away a year ago from diabetic complications (and I found out sadly afterwards that he always wanted me to lose weight and be healthy and happy), paired with an article I read by a doctor that made me think. The story brought up the point that to live a full and long lifespan, you must reach your ideal weight.

I had to ask myself: Is that junk food worth a good chunk of my life? No. But if you are not 100 percent committed psychologically to do it for reasons that are for you, it won’t work. It boils down to eating less and moving more (but smartly).

It’s harder than it sounds and is a daily struggle, so be prepared for the occasional upset and then move on. Know that to lose weight successfully, you are making a full lifestyle change that won’t end when you reach your goal.”

Kathy wants to lose 60 more pounds. 

LAUREN DUPAUL, 31, LONDONDERRY
weight lost: 55 pounds

“I was always a heavy child and was at my max at 19 years old. I finally decided that I didn’t want to be heavy anymore. I started working out routinely, doing step aerobics (joined a local gym), walking and changed my eating habits. I would eat a good breakfast, lunch, and would make sure I ate dinner before 6 p.m. I took the sweets out of my daily plan, and eliminated sodas and juices. It was a lifestyle change, and one that I am very proud of.

Eleven years later I am in great physical shape, a marathon runner and mother of one (soon to be two) children. It is not something that happens overnight, but with dedication and determination, it can be achieved. I work out six days a week. I also participate in outdoorsy, physical activities such as hiking, skiing, road races, golfing. I just stay active.

If you envision yourself as a healthy, energetic person, and keep that mental picture in your mind constantly, it will happen.”

Lauren is currently pregnant! She is certain she will bounce right back after, as she did with her first baby, through working out and eating healthy.

JUNE HARRIS, 53, BROOKLINE
weight lost: 25 pounds

“As I ran around trying to keep up with life’s demands, I literally let myself go. That empty feeling began a vicious cycle of overeating, gaining weight and becoming very unhappy.

I joined a weight-loss program. My eating habits have improved, my batteries are recharged and I am smiling inside and out. Losing weight is an obvious goal, but don’t overlook the subtle rewards. For each pound you lose, you’ll gain confidence, energy and feelings of well-being.”

June wants to lose another 15 to 20 pounds.

jennifer treacy, 36, brookline
weight lost: 62 pounds

“Oh crap, these black maternity pants are getting tight. And where’s my baseball cap?” I pulled on my big fleece jacket that covers my butt, and I was out the door on my way to the grocery store. No, I wasn’t pregnant, I was just big. It wasn’t messy hair I was trying to hide with the cap; it was my identity.

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Treacy

During my first pregnancy, I gained. With my second pregnancy 11 months later, I gained even more. The only time I would step on a scale was at the doctor’s office. I was mortified to see the nurse push that big silver thing until it stopped at about the 200-pound mark.

And, of course, how did I make myself feel better? By eating. The owner of our local general store kept ordering more Caramello chocolate bars because their stock kept selling out – because of me! Over a three-year period, I gained 60 pounds. Thus the not wanting to run into any long lost friends at the grocery store and having them see my cart filled with the two favorite men in my life at the time – Ben and Jerry!

For my daughter’s first ballet recital, I scoured the stores trying to find something nice that would fit my large frame. What I saw in the dressing room mirror was not me. It was like I was inside someone else’s body. It was a size 18 skirt and a very loose sweater set that I decided on, and I’ll never forget it. It was on that day that I didn’t care what other people thought, I cared about how I felt. With no energy, hot and sweaty, I was ready to make a change.

That was a year and a half ago. I still have the size 18 skirt, but now it’s a tad large for my size 6 bod. I’m back to my old self again and feeling great.

My sister had lost 50 pounds (on a weight-loss program), so she was my absolute inspiration. Knowing that she did it and it was possible was so motivational. When I walked into my first meeting I felt an enormous amount of relief and excitement knowing that with the determination I had, I would be back to my old self again in no time. My husband bought me a treadmill, and I started walking. My walks turned into jogs.

Ben and Jerry were no longer welcome in our home. Healthy eating and exercise became a part of my life and my family’s. The pounds started coming off. It was only five months later that 60 pounds of me was gone! It wasn’t as easy as it sounds, but I truly believe it’s mind over matter. Once you set your mind to making a change, you can do it!

My jogs eventually turned into runs. I kept running and unbelievably ran my first marathon in November 2007. Last April, I ran The Boston Marathon.

No more baseball cap or maternity clothes. The largest thing I now wear is my proud smile. And while filling my grocery cart with fruits and veggies, I say hello to everyone I meet. My mantra is “Nothing tastes as good as feeling great”.

Jennifer Treacy is a freelance writer who lives in Brookline.