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185 pounds and counting

By NADINE WILSON All Woman writer wilsonn@jamaicaobserver.com

Monday, January 09, 2012

Name: Lorraine James

Family status: Single with one child

Occupation: Administrative officer at a government institution

Starting weight: 221 pounds

Current weight: 185 pounds

Goal weight: 150 pounds by June 2012

1. What was your turning point?

At 221, I realised that I could hardly walk and I started having problems in my knees because I couldn't bend, but now I can bend. I had to push myself off to get up because my knees were literally going on me.

2. What are the lifestyle changes you made?

I went to Donovan Grant, who is a nutritionist, and he helped me a lot with some of his juices along with vegetables and so forth. I still ate; it's just that you have to cut your portions and you look at what you are eating and you don't go for a lot of sugars. Of course, I love sweets and I love Pepsi so it's hard, but it is something that you try to do. After six o'clock, I don't eat and I had to exercise and I play a lot of tennis. Instead of drinking Pepsi, I would put water on my desk and drink it. I hate to drink water, but I got a bottle and every time I saw the bottle on the desk, I would drink the water.

3. How long did it take you to start seeing results?

I started in May of last year and I had lost the 35 pounds by October.

4. What were the challenges you had to face?

I am a person who loves sweets and I love the wrong kind of food, like junk food. But now, if I like eat fries, I feel guilty the next day so I work extra hard to get it off. I'll do like an extra hour of exercise and stuff. It has come to the point that I am aware that I am doing something wrong, so I try not to do it.

5. How has your life changed since losing the weight?

At 221 pounds, I had a very low self-esteem, but now I think my confidence level is way up there and I walk on the road and don't feel anyway. I didn't like the sides hanging over and the tummy in front. My tummy was high so I jokingly tell people that I was like seven months pregnant. Persons now seeing me after losing the weight and they are saying I look younger now. It feels good, and when people ask me what I did, I say this is it. I even have a sister who is fatter than me and I say 'come, I am going to rope you in'. It gives you that self-confidence and you feel lighter.

6. What was your motivation?

I know I had to do it for my health.

7. What is your newfound comfort food?

I drink coconut water instead of Pepsi.

8. What weight tips do you have for our readers?

* Exercise is a must. If you can't do it every day, aim for three times for a week; that's good enough.

* Watch what you eat and cut your portion sizes. If you used to eat from a big plate, use a smaller plate.

* If you feel hungry, drink water or drink water before you start eating.

* If you can't do it (lose weight) on your own, go to a nutritionist or get somebody else who can assist you.

9. What is your weight loss eating plan?

Breakfast: Fruits and coffee.

Lunch: Vegetables and a protein dish.

Dinner: Broth.

Snacks: Unsweetened carrot juice or unsweetened green juice (made from string bean, callaloo or cucumber).

10. What is your workout regime?

Brisk walking or jogging at the Police Officers' Club and playing tennis for an hour in the mornings.

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185 pounds and counting