Susan Campbell makes weight loss her lifelong passion
Many people who struggle to lose weight go through the same emotional roller coaster of self-pity and self-doubt.
And often, the most effective motivator for them to drop the weight is to talk to someone who's also carried around extra pounds, and suffered the embarrassment, health complications, and lifestyle restrictions firsthand.
One person filling that exact role is Susan Campbell of Lebanon, Va. The inspiration that she can impart today is the result of all the lessons she learned along her tough weight loss journey -- a journey that started with marriage.
Once Susan wed her husband, Matthew, she fell into a comfort zone about her weight and appearance. She indulged in fried foods, donuts, and coffee cakes for breakfast; cheeseburgers and pizza for lunch; and fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and other Southern comfort foods for dinner.
Soon, Susan reached 235 pounds, and realized she needed to get back on track. She had heard a lot about L A Weight Loss, but didn't join because there were no centers near her home.
Instead, she bounced around between fad diets -- from the Zone diet to the low-carb diet -- to lose weight. A few pounds came off, but she missed her favorite foods. So she binged on birthday cake and barbequed ribs, and the pounds came right back.
That's when Susan gave up hope. She convinced herself that God meant for her to be fat. But that wasn't the only part of her struggle.
With all the extra weight on her joints, Susan had severe elbow, knee, and ankle pain. One day, she was walking down the stairs in her home when her ankle gave out. She painfully hobbled down the steps, unsure if she could even make it.
That was the moment Susan realized how "ridiculous," as she says, her life became. She was 39 years young, had a 12-year-old son, and faced the possibility that she might not be able to play with her grandchildren someday.
But the stars were on Susan's side. A few days after her trouble on the stairs, an L A Weight Loss center opened in Bristol.
Susan joined right away. And the first thing she did was work with the nutritionists to develop a customized eating plan that fit her tastes and lifestyle. Susan's always disliked vegetables -- except green beans -- and didn't want to be forced to eat them.
The L A Weight Loss nutritionists said that's fine, and adjusted her plan to include more fresh fruit and lots of green beans to compensate for the lack of other vegetables. Susan also divided her meals into five a day, so she could still enjoy her favorite snacks, such as Skinny Cow ice cream bars.
With her new eating plan in place, Susan quickly saw the pounds melt away. Her husband was her best cheerleader, and supported her throughout her weight loss journey. With her beautiful new figure emerging, some of Susan's overweight coworkers became jealous. A few even told her that she looked good enough, and needed to stop losing weight!
But Susan kept on going. She lost 90 pounds in eight months, reaching her goal weight of 145 pounds. Susan was so thrilled with her success, that she kept at her weight loss plan, and dropped an additional 10 pounds. By June 2003, Susan was a stunning 135 pounds and size 6.
And that's where she is today. Four years into maintenance, Susan has no more pain in her joints, and enjoys playing tennis, riding her bike, and walking outside. She doesn't feel embarrassed about her size. Instead, she feels in control of her life.
She knows she's a healthy person now, and has a true lust for life. Now she would love to be a motivational speaker for other women and men struggling to lose weight.
Susan is already reaching out with her personal blog, called Susie's blog. Make sure you check this one out -- it's awesome! Susan offers great support and guidance to people who want to lose weight, but just don't think they can. I'd say she's got motivation in the bag!
Susan is a real inspiration for everyone who wants to lose weight. She's been there, done that, and is happier and healthier than she's ever been in her life! Way to go, Susan!
This is Susan before, at an unhealthy 235 pounds:
And check out Susan now, strutting in a bikini at 135 pounds! She's one hot mama! Great job, Susan!
FAST FACTS
Name: Susan Campbell
Hometown: Lebanon, Va.
Age: 44
Height: 5'6"
Starting weight: 235 pounds
Goal weight: 145 pounds
Current weight: 135 pounds
Program start date: August 2002
Favorite food: Grilled salmon.
Biggest temptation: Pizza.
Biggest motivator: Her husband, Matthew.
Biggest obstacle: Finding a flexible weight loss plan that fit her lifestyle.
Old eating philosophy: Eating a lot of fried and easy-to-prepare foods.
New eating philosophy: Having five smaller meals a day so she can still have her snacks.
Best thing about losing weight: Feeling good inside and out.
Best weight loss secret learned: The first step to successful weight loss is being honest with yourself. Find what works for YOU, and you'll find success.
And often, the most effective motivator for them to drop the weight is to talk to someone who's also carried around extra pounds, and suffered the embarrassment, health complications, and lifestyle restrictions firsthand.
One person filling that exact role is Susan Campbell of Lebanon, Va. The inspiration that she can impart today is the result of all the lessons she learned along her tough weight loss journey -- a journey that started with marriage.
Once Susan wed her husband, Matthew, she fell into a comfort zone about her weight and appearance. She indulged in fried foods, donuts, and coffee cakes for breakfast; cheeseburgers and pizza for lunch; and fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and other Southern comfort foods for dinner.
Soon, Susan reached 235 pounds, and realized she needed to get back on track. She had heard a lot about L A Weight Loss, but didn't join because there were no centers near her home.
Instead, she bounced around between fad diets -- from the Zone diet to the low-carb diet -- to lose weight. A few pounds came off, but she missed her favorite foods. So she binged on birthday cake and barbequed ribs, and the pounds came right back.
That's when Susan gave up hope. She convinced herself that God meant for her to be fat. But that wasn't the only part of her struggle.
With all the extra weight on her joints, Susan had severe elbow, knee, and ankle pain. One day, she was walking down the stairs in her home when her ankle gave out. She painfully hobbled down the steps, unsure if she could even make it.
That was the moment Susan realized how "ridiculous," as she says, her life became. She was 39 years young, had a 12-year-old son, and faced the possibility that she might not be able to play with her grandchildren someday.
But the stars were on Susan's side. A few days after her trouble on the stairs, an L A Weight Loss center opened in Bristol.
Susan joined right away. And the first thing she did was work with the nutritionists to develop a customized eating plan that fit her tastes and lifestyle. Susan's always disliked vegetables -- except green beans -- and didn't want to be forced to eat them.
The L A Weight Loss nutritionists said that's fine, and adjusted her plan to include more fresh fruit and lots of green beans to compensate for the lack of other vegetables. Susan also divided her meals into five a day, so she could still enjoy her favorite snacks, such as Skinny Cow ice cream bars.
With her new eating plan in place, Susan quickly saw the pounds melt away. Her husband was her best cheerleader, and supported her throughout her weight loss journey. With her beautiful new figure emerging, some of Susan's overweight coworkers became jealous. A few even told her that she looked good enough, and needed to stop losing weight!
But Susan kept on going. She lost 90 pounds in eight months, reaching her goal weight of 145 pounds. Susan was so thrilled with her success, that she kept at her weight loss plan, and dropped an additional 10 pounds. By June 2003, Susan was a stunning 135 pounds and size 6.
And that's where she is today. Four years into maintenance, Susan has no more pain in her joints, and enjoys playing tennis, riding her bike, and walking outside. She doesn't feel embarrassed about her size. Instead, she feels in control of her life.
She knows she's a healthy person now, and has a true lust for life. Now she would love to be a motivational speaker for other women and men struggling to lose weight.
Susan is already reaching out with her personal blog, called Susie's blog. Make sure you check this one out -- it's awesome! Susan offers great support and guidance to people who want to lose weight, but just don't think they can. I'd say she's got motivation in the bag!
Susan is a real inspiration for everyone who wants to lose weight. She's been there, done that, and is happier and healthier than she's ever been in her life! Way to go, Susan!
This is Susan before, at an unhealthy 235 pounds:
And check out Susan now, strutting in a bikini at 135 pounds! She's one hot mama! Great job, Susan!
FAST FACTS
Name: Susan Campbell
Hometown: Lebanon, Va.
Age: 44
Height: 5'6"
Starting weight: 235 pounds
Goal weight: 145 pounds
Current weight: 135 pounds
Program start date: August 2002
Favorite food: Grilled salmon.
Biggest temptation: Pizza.
Biggest motivator: Her husband, Matthew.
Biggest obstacle: Finding a flexible weight loss plan that fit her lifestyle.
Old eating philosophy: Eating a lot of fried and easy-to-prepare foods.
New eating philosophy: Having five smaller meals a day so she can still have her snacks.
Best thing about losing weight: Feeling good inside and out.
Best weight loss secret learned: The first step to successful weight loss is being honest with yourself. Find what works for YOU, and you'll find success.
Labels: 100 pounds, joint pain, Susan Campbell, Susie's Blog, Virginia
posted by Jackie Zima-Evans @ 1:27 PM
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