Barb Melted Away 52 Pounds!

Age: 52 last week!
Height: 5′ 7″
Start Weight: 225 lbs
Current Weight: 175 lbs
Total Weight Loss: 50 lbs
Goal Weight: 150
Start Clothing Size: 18-20
Current Clothing Size: 11-12
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My name is Barb, this is my story! I had been thin most of my life. 120′ish pounds all my teen years, but of course always trying to lose more! Aren’t we never satisfied as kids!
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When I had my babies around 27 & 29 years old I gained 60 lbs with both kids. I lost it doing my own strict diet of NO bread and lots of protein & exercise. I was a dancer in my younger years and then opened a Jazzersize company while in my 20′s.
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As I got older my weight changed to be in the 140′s and I was very comfortable there being 5′ 7″. I am a healthy eater never getting into the processed foods! I love to cook and use fresh ingredients, whole grains, fruits & vegetables. Although I DO love the sweets and love to bake also! But always managed to keep it “real” and at a minimum.
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When I hit 42 things changed! I believe I was in menopause early! I began gaining weight! At first slowly and sneakily. I was up to 170! WTH! And eating pretty much the same. I went to the doctor (gyno) and he said, “Yes, you are beginning menopause,” and put me on a medication to curb my night sweats. This worked great for that BUT put 20 lbs on be right away!
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I went on the “Atkins” diet and it just wasn’t working at all for me!!! I tried everything — shakes, any fad or crazy diet I could find and nothing was working!!! By now I had gone up to 215!!! I was miserable!
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In the late fall of 2007 “Kimkins” was featured in Woman’s World magazine. A friend and I decided to try it. We started it, lost a few pounds, got distracted and forgot all about it. In March of 2008 I lost my job and spent that year trying to lose weight figuring I had the time to really get it done. Nothing worked.
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In January of 2009 I went to my dad’s in PA for my birthday. My brother came in from San Francisco and at the dinner he took the picture of me sitting in front of my cake. He emailed it to me and I was like “OMG IS THAT ME”!!! I was devastated! A week or two later I received a email. It was the Kimkins newsletter! I hadn’t seen any before, I think they were slipping into my junk folder! It was an omen!
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I thought, “OMG! I forgot all about this and I am already a member!” So I went in and surfed around. I thought that I might get into a challenge group, although I’m not really a “group” kinda girl! I popped into a challenge started in February 2009 by Jenb, took a deep breath and posted asking to join.
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The warm, friendly & supportive response I got overwhelmed me! I was expecting “cliquey” women not wanting an outsider. I couldn’t have been more wrong!
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The group changed my life! They took me under their wings mentored by Jenb and Tracy38. Helped me learn the science of KK [Kimkins], supported me, loved me, befriended me! I was in a family of caring, nonjudgmental, supportive women! I thank every one of them!
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I lost weight steadily and in 5 1/2 months I had lost 50 lbs! I felt like a million bucks! Healthy, in control, happy and PROUD! I honestly never felt better than when I was on this WOE — clean, no gas, no bloat, light!
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For the past few months I have been maintaining within 5-6 lbs. taking a little break. BUT I’m ready to finish up the last 20 lbs I want to lose to give me some wiggle room to maintain.
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Thank you my good and supportive friends in the “Sassy Sisters” Challenge and at Kimkins! I highly recommend the challenge groups! I never could have done this alone!!!