Tragedy inspires Judi Matts to drop half her size
Judi Matts didn’t wake up one morning and decide to lose weight. A series of events played out in her life which sparked her desire to get healthy.
As a child, Judi was overweight. She is one of five girls, and among them, three have been obese their whole lives. Two are “model skinny,” as Judi likes to put it.
When she reached 322 pounds, Judi felt all she could do was eat food and go to the movies. She wasn’t social at all. She was afraid that if she tried to do fun things, she would fail and be embarrassed. One her worst fears was sitting in a seat that was too small for her.
The side effects of Judi's obesity were largely fatigue and knee pain. Her sister, however, wasn't doing well. At age 46, Judi’s sister came down with pneumonia, bringing with it a host of negative side effects.
Then tragedy struck. She was discovered in a coma one day in her home, and passed away shortly thereafter in the hospital.
The sudden death of her sister in 2001 was an eye-opener for Judi. It made her wonder how much she might be cutting her life short by being overweight.
But she didn't take action to correct the situation until a year later. That's when she was in a life-threatening car accident. She survived, but it was by a mere chance. That made Judi finally realize how precious her life is, and important it is to be healthy and safe.
Around that time, a friend told her about the success she was having with L A Weight Loss. She was feeling great after losing 85 pounds, and Judi wanted to feel that way, too.
She joined L A Weight Loss in 2003, and hasn’t looked back. Judi remembers inspirational words from her L A Weight Loss counselor on her first day with the program: "You have done the hardest thing by walking through those doors," said her counselor. "We are here to help you with the rest. You can do it."
It was just what she needed to hear. From that point, adjusting her eating plan was easy. Judi used L A Lite bars to curb her sweet cravings. She also prepared food in advance so that it would fit her regimen. For Judi, it was all about conscious eating and making good choices. Drinking plenty of water was a staple, too.
A great source of motivation for Judi was pampering herself along the journey. With every milestone she treated herself with a facial, pedicure, spa visit, or shopping spree. And the result? She lost 172 pounds!
Today, at 150 pounds, Judi has maintained her weight loss for three years. She can walk and breathe freely. She can also shop stress-free, because she can fit into fashionable clothes.
Instead of living to eat, Judi now eats to live. She participates in life instead of watching it pass by. With her sister and friend as motivation, Judi was able to kick her bad habits and become healthy.
In fact, she recently went shopping with one of her “model thin” sisters and they had a great time. Family and friends have been great motivation for Judi.
Judi knows that if she goes back to how she ate before she will look that way, too. Her habits now are a way of life. Having maintained her weight loss for three years, this way of life is clearly working. What an inspiration Judi is for those at the start of their journey! Congrats, Judi!
Here she is at 322 pounds:
And here she is today, at 150 pounds, three years after reaching her goal. Wow, you still got it, Judi!
FAST FACTS
Name: Judi Matts
Hometown: Orem, Utah
Age: 52
Height: 5'3"
Starting weight: 322 pounds
Goal weight: 180 pounds
Current weight: 150 pounds
Program start date: 2003
Favorite food: Chocolate.
Biggest temptation: Sweets.
Biggest motivator: Recognizing the need to live life to the fullest.
Biggest obstacle: Thinking that food was in control.
Old eating philosophy: Eating as a way to experience emotions.
New eating philosophy: Thinking, "eat to live, not live to eat."
Best thing about losing weight: Getting to shop comfortably!
Best weight loss secret learned: Never forget this: If you weigh 300 pounds, it is because you eat that way. Eat the foods that support your lifestyle and your weight will reflect that.
As a child, Judi was overweight. She is one of five girls, and among them, three have been obese their whole lives. Two are “model skinny,” as Judi likes to put it.
When she reached 322 pounds, Judi felt all she could do was eat food and go to the movies. She wasn’t social at all. She was afraid that if she tried to do fun things, she would fail and be embarrassed. One her worst fears was sitting in a seat that was too small for her.
The side effects of Judi's obesity were largely fatigue and knee pain. Her sister, however, wasn't doing well. At age 46, Judi’s sister came down with pneumonia, bringing with it a host of negative side effects.
Then tragedy struck. She was discovered in a coma one day in her home, and passed away shortly thereafter in the hospital.
The sudden death of her sister in 2001 was an eye-opener for Judi. It made her wonder how much she might be cutting her life short by being overweight.
But she didn't take action to correct the situation until a year later. That's when she was in a life-threatening car accident. She survived, but it was by a mere chance. That made Judi finally realize how precious her life is, and important it is to be healthy and safe.
Around that time, a friend told her about the success she was having with L A Weight Loss. She was feeling great after losing 85 pounds, and Judi wanted to feel that way, too.
She joined L A Weight Loss in 2003, and hasn’t looked back. Judi remembers inspirational words from her L A Weight Loss counselor on her first day with the program: "You have done the hardest thing by walking through those doors," said her counselor. "We are here to help you with the rest. You can do it."
It was just what she needed to hear. From that point, adjusting her eating plan was easy. Judi used L A Lite bars to curb her sweet cravings. She also prepared food in advance so that it would fit her regimen. For Judi, it was all about conscious eating and making good choices. Drinking plenty of water was a staple, too.
A great source of motivation for Judi was pampering herself along the journey. With every milestone she treated herself with a facial, pedicure, spa visit, or shopping spree. And the result? She lost 172 pounds!
Today, at 150 pounds, Judi has maintained her weight loss for three years. She can walk and breathe freely. She can also shop stress-free, because she can fit into fashionable clothes.
Instead of living to eat, Judi now eats to live. She participates in life instead of watching it pass by. With her sister and friend as motivation, Judi was able to kick her bad habits and become healthy.
In fact, she recently went shopping with one of her “model thin” sisters and they had a great time. Family and friends have been great motivation for Judi.
Judi knows that if she goes back to how she ate before she will look that way, too. Her habits now are a way of life. Having maintained her weight loss for three years, this way of life is clearly working. What an inspiration Judi is for those at the start of their journey! Congrats, Judi!
Here she is at 322 pounds:
And here she is today, at 150 pounds, three years after reaching her goal. Wow, you still got it, Judi!
FAST FACTS
Name: Judi Matts
Hometown: Orem, Utah
Age: 52
Height: 5'3"
Starting weight: 322 pounds
Goal weight: 180 pounds
Current weight: 150 pounds
Program start date: 2003
Favorite food: Chocolate.
Biggest temptation: Sweets.
Biggest motivator: Recognizing the need to live life to the fullest.
Biggest obstacle: Thinking that food was in control.
Old eating philosophy: Eating as a way to experience emotions.
New eating philosophy: Thinking, "eat to live, not live to eat."
Best thing about losing weight: Getting to shop comfortably!
Best weight loss secret learned: Never forget this: If you weigh 300 pounds, it is because you eat that way. Eat the foods that support your lifestyle and your weight will reflect that.
Labels: 172 pounds, Fatigue, Judi Matts, Knee pain, Utah
posted by Jackie Zima-Evans @ 1:22 PM
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