What Works for Me: Meet Mel
Part of the fun of being a weight-loss blogger is getting to know many of the inspiring women who are losing weight publicly. I've been curious about the role that my own personality plays in my lack of success so far - in my quest for excuses, I've often blamed my relaxed attitude and lack of daily structure. Do you have to be a type-A personality to be successful at weight loss? I don't think so, but then again...
In my quest to help others lose weight, I'm going to be interviewing a variety of women who are losing weight, and find out what is working for them. I'm also going to be finding out about what motivates them, and what type of personality they have. Hopefully, each of you will find someone who you can identify with, and some new inspiration for your own weight loss journey.
I recently posed a few questions to ClubMom's own Amazing Shrinking Mom. Mel has been steadily losing weight since last April, and unlike my own wavering spurts and stops on the diet path, she's found what works for her, and is sticking to it.
BigSlice: How would you describe your personality?
Mel: I'm introverted...someone who needs a lot of alone-time. Problem is, I have four kids (ages 13, 13, 9 and 4) and spend every day, all day, with people. (My teens do school at home and my preschooler doesn't always go to preschool.) So, I'm a little frazzled, but always trying to find a reason to laugh in the midst of the relentless chaos!
BigSlice: How about your usual activity level?
Mel: Fairly low, actually. I'm kind of lazy at heart and would like nothing better than to read or surf the Internet.
BigSlice: Tell us how much weight you've lost.
Mel: 57.4 pounds
BigSlice: Do you follow a diet plan? Tell us how you eat.
Mel: Yes, the low-glycemic index plan as described by Rick Gallop. Basically, I gave up sugar, white flour, white potatoes and white rice. I still eat dark chocolate, though, and movie-theater popcorn. And soft tacos from Taco Time. I just gave up evening snacks... that's my current challenge.
BigSlice: What about exercise?
Mel: Every day since August 14. I ride a recumbent exercise bike at home for 45 minutes.
BigSlice: What motivated you to make these changes?
Mel: I saw a fat picture of myself. Future health problems and mobility began to worry me. I'm predisposed to diabetes because I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. I hated how I felt and how I looked.
BigSlice: What other changes have you made?
Mel: Nothing springs to mind...
BigSlice: If you could offer one piece of advice to others who are seeking to lose weight, what would it be?
Mel: Start today. Give up sugar. Eat more vegetables. Exercise every day. If I can do it, you can, too.
Mel rocks my socks off with her honest, straight-forward approach to weight loss. She's been a inspiration to me since day one. Want to know more about Mel's success? Go visit her and read more!
Comments
I love me some Mel too. That exercise streak of hers is what motivates me to try and keep mine alive. Note the key word TRY.
Posted by: MJ | March 20, 2007 10:27 AM
Mmmmm..Taco Time!
Chicken Soft Taco for me please. Heehee. It's a good thing I left B.C.
Ontario doesn't have Taco Time. Sad but probably a blessing in disguise ;)
Posted by: Rae | March 20, 2007 2:39 PM
That was a good interview. Do you eat brown rice? wholegrain pasta?
Posted by: HealthyMummy | March 21, 2007 2:30 AM
Thanks for the interview, Jenny!
To answer the question by HealthyMummy. . . I do eat brown rice. I eat pasta, too, on occasion. As it turns out the glycemic index of even regular pasta is not that high. Whole-grain pasta is good, though, and I can even get my famiy to eat it without complaint.
Posted by: Mel | March 21, 2007 6:26 PM
I agree -- Mel is the shizzle. Fo' rizzle.
Posted by: Fat Bridesmaid | March 21, 2007 7:15 PM