Blog Anniversary

Six years ago, I created my weight loss blog, Living a Changed Life. In the beginning, I created this website, for anyone who wanted to know about my weight loss story. It started out being about my weight loss journey and slowly grew. You do not have to spend much time on my blog before you find recipes, helpful tips, encouragement, honesty, low pointsplus food finds, and more!!

Berry Cobbler Ingredients

Thanks to Pinterest, my most popular recipe and blog post has been Recipe Review: Berry Cobbler. It is such a quick and easy recipe, which is what makes it one of my very favorites! If you haven't tried this Weight Watchers friendly recipe, you should.

My blog has seen a lot of changes over the years, but so have I! In the past six years, reached my weight loss goal, earned Lifetime status with Weight Watchers, become a Weight Watchers leader, run a half marathon, carried and gave birth to 2 almost 3 babies, and the list could go on and on. There have been both ups and downs, but I am here to say that the Lord has been more faithful to me than I could have ever imagined!

One of the hardest things for me, since becoming a Mommy, I have not felt like I have much to say about anything. Hence my lack of regular blogging. However, God is showing me that Living a Changed Life, is not just about my weight loss, but about all the changes that I might go through in different seasons of my life.

I am so thankful for the Lord's blessing over my blog. I cannot wait to see what this blog will look like in another six years.

Weight Loss Success Story: Carol Bartholomew

Today, I would like you to meet my Mom, Carol!! My Mom is on her own weight loss journey. So far she has lost over 50 pounds and 12 inches. I am proud of my Mom and the lifestyle changes that she has made. She is a constant source of encouragement and inspiration as we watch her reach her goals on day at a time. She hasn't reached her goal yet, but I know that she won't give up until she gets there! 

Me, Olivia, and Mom September 2013

Check out my Mom's story and be inspired!!

I was very thin when I was growing up and once I got married and started having kids the weight came on and it never left. I have 3 daughters and 2 sons plus 7 grandkids. I moved down to Springfield, Oregon from Washington in January of 2013. I weighed about 50 lbs. more than I do now. 

Before

Currently, I am a caregiver for my mother who has Alzheimer’s.  I started walking in March of 2013 and by August I was at 199 and had hit a plateau.  I needed more.  I met a man named Tim from International Fitness and he gave me a free pass to come to the gym.  I went, I joined, and I haven’t looked back since!

I know the weight doesn’t seem like a lot for a year but I have also become very toned and much stronger.  I recently re-measured myself and I have lost 12 inches so far.  That’s a whole foot! How insane is that!

After

I have a really bad left knee which has hindered me being able to take more classes.  When I found PiYo things just clicked for me.  I love PiYo!! I do it 5 days a week in a live class at the gym and I also have the home version which I do 6 days a week. I am very proud of my accomplishments.

Amazing!

I am changing my life one day at a time. I want to show my kids anything is possible if you put your mind to it and show my grandkids to never give up on your dreams!! I also want to encourage my girls to start getting healthy now while they are young.  It isn’t as easy when you are older like me. But ANYTHING is possible if you want it bad enough and try try try!

Weight Loss Success Story: Susan Davis

Today, I would like to share Susan's success story with you all. Susan joined Weight Watchers in June 2012 and she has been a member in my Saturday morning meeting ever since.

Susan before she joined Weight Watchers.

In less than one year after Susan started Weight Watchers, she has lost a total of 57.2 pounds on the Weight Watchers program!!

Me and Susan the day she reached her goal weight!

Not only has she lost 57 pounds, but she has also been taken off one of her blood pressure medicines and her cholesterol medicine that she had been taking for the past 5 years.

Check out Susan's story and be inspired!!

Tell us a little about yourself, your family, your job, etc. 
I am married to Jerry for nearly 5 years. I have two wonderful sons, Preston and Patrick. Jerry has 2
wonderful sons and 1 beautiful daughter and we have 1 grandson. I work for Gregg Industrial Insulators as assistant warehouse manager. I have been with the company 19 years. I love to read, work in the yard and am beginning to love walking.

How long did it take you to get to your idea weight? Are you there now? 
I started the program June 30, 2012. It took me 9-1/2 months to reach goal. 

What made you decide to start you weight loss journey?
I started the program because I wanted to do it for myself, for health issues and I had a wedding coming up and did not like the way I looked in all the previous wedding pictures of our children. I looked through the past wedding pictures of our children and saw that in each one I was getting bigger and bigger. I wanted to have at least one set of wedding pictures that I looked decent in. When they set the date for April of 2013, I decided I had to do something. I had been looking into Weight Watchers and thinking about it. I had talked to a neighbor about it since she was doing it at the time. I just decided one Friday night that I was getting up the next morning and going to a meeting. I joined and it has been a blessing ever since.

What kept you on track losing weight?
I stayed on track by tracking my food everyday on my phone and the main thing that kept me on track was after losing 25 lbs., I could really feel a difference. I had more energy and just liked myself better. When I went for a yearly physical in January, the results were proven. The doctor took me off one of my blood pressure medicines and my cholesterol medicine that I had been taking for the past 5 years. That was even more motivation.

Tell us about a typical day in terms of eating and exercise. 
When I first started the program, I just focused on the food part of the program. I tracked everything
I ate and was constantly looking for more alternatives. I have tried to add a new food or recipe every
week that I have never tried before. I signed up for Hungry Girl emails so I could find better ways to eat what I wanted. I revamped my own favorite recipes so they are healthier on the recipe builder on etools. I did not exercise at first just focused on following the food. When that became second nature, I started working out on my WII Fit Plus 3 or 4 times a week and in January I bought an elliptical machine that I use when the weather is bad and I cannot get outside. I now try to walk at least 3 or 4 days a week. I use the active link monitor to fit in activity. Towards the end of the day if it is not close to 100% of the goal I have set, I think of ways to do activity.

What is the biggest difference you have noticed because of your weight loss? 
The biggest difference I have noticed because of my weight loss is that I have been taken off 2 of my
prescriptions and I have a lot more energy. I now feel like being active and moving more.

What advice can you give to others struggling to lose weight?
My advice to others struggling to lose weight is join weight watchers, follow the program, work all the etools that are available and if you have a slip on one day just pick it back up on the next day. Never get discouraged even if you have a weight gain one week because if you follow the program the next week it will probably come off plus some more. I have learned that a .2 weight loss is a weight loss and is better than a gain. Never give up and get discouraged. If you do give up, you are hurting yourself and no one else. Always think of yourself and make it easier by using every tool available.

How do you keep the weight off in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle? 
I am at the part of the weight loss journey now that is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I plan to continue using the tools available and become even more active. I plan to walk in the Starlight 5k Night coming up in June. I have never done anything like this before so it will be a new adventure. I have learned that for motivation I need to accept new challenges that I make for myself. I am still learning on the maintaining.

Give us a quote or a motto that you have used to keep you focused.
My quote that I am known for in our meeting is one that I found on Pinterest shortly after I started
the program. I printed in on several sizes of paper and have it on the refrigerator in the house, the
refrigerator in the garage, and taped to several mirrors so that I see it quite often. It is

YOU ARE NOT HUNGRY, YOU ARE BORED, DRINK SOME WATER AND LEARN THE
DIFFERENCE.

Half Size Me Podcast

Happy Monday! I hope that you all had a great weekend. Yesterday, I ran over 8 miles as part of my half marathon training! I am proud to say that I finished my run without stopping to walk. However, I'm even more excited to share with you that I earned a total of 16 Activity PointsPlus! I'm still sore today, but it's worth it!

My before and after pictures

Today, we are going to do something a little different! A few months back, Heather from Half Size Me contacted me and wanted to know if she could interview me about my weight loss. Of course, I said yes!! During my interview, I had such a great time talking with Heather about my weight loss journey and the lifestyle changes that I have been able to make and maintain. She was such an encouragement to me!

My interview is being featured, as a podcast, today on Heather's site.

Please head over there now to check out my Half Size Me podcast and feel free to share it with your friends!

If you have a chance to listen to it, leave me a comment and tell me what you liked about it!

How I Stay Motivated

source

All week we have been talking about MOTIVATION. I hope that you have been able to find the spark that you were looking for this week. I want to end our week on motivation by offering you some encouragement!

While I was on my weight loss journey one of the biggest sources of motivation for me were success stories. Every week I looked forward to the new Weight Watchers success stories that would be posted online. I would tell myself that if these people could do it, so can I!

That is why I take time to blog about my own weight loss success, because I pray that it will be a source of motivation for many of you who are struggling. I have also shared other people's weight loss success stories on my blog, because they have meant so much to me! Below are a few links to different success stories that I have blogged about in the past.

Ellen's Story
Melanie's Story
Rebecca's Story
Weight Watchers Success Event
Local Success Stories

Here are some other ideas from Weight Watchers E-Tools Community users about how to stay motivated and focused to achieve their goals.

"I don't want the quality of the years I have left compromised by obesity-related disease," — MURPLE. 

"I did not go through eight months of chemotherapy to then die of the complications of being overweight. I have a lot to accomplish in life; I can easily and effectively accomplish change when I'm full of energy and not short of breath." — RHONNI 

"I don't want people to ever say, 'See, I told you he would gain it back.'" — SAM.COLE 

"I want to turn heads when I walk down the street." — SHAHIDA 

"I want to really begin living life, [and] stop avoiding experiences because of my weight." — SCULLY75 

"I have a family history of weight problems and I don't want to accept [obesity] — I want to break the mold." — ZIG1954 

"Now that I have lost all the weight, gotten married and am going to have a baby, my motivation is all about being the best me... My baby needs me for at least 50 more years!" — 200SHOES 

"I look at my grandkids and know I want to be around for the great moments in their lives." — #1GRAN 

"The thing that keeps me motivated is that it makes absolutely no sense not to keep going. Once you're able to flip your thinking upside down and realize that this is a totally doable program, then it no longer makes any sense not to do the program..." — CATHIEARMS 

"I'm teaching my children that life doesn't revolve around McDonald's." — MH1222 

"I realized I was getting lazy, and taking the dog for shorter and shorter walks." — THEWENCH 

"I want to be able to jump up on my horse this spring like I used to before the extra weight made it more difficult. The horse is looking forward to my successes almost as much as I am." — BCOBB98

"I am a 2nd-degree black belt, and almost 55. My goal is to get to Master's (5th degree) by 60. If I don't make it because of my knees, that's one thing. If I don't make it because of my weight, that would be a drag." — KOJIANDKIRA

What are some other ways that you stay motivated?

Flashback Friday: High Blood Pressure

July 2008 - Jon and I visiting family and friends in Portland, OR

Sometimes it is good to look bad and remember just how far you have come, which is exactly what I want to do this morning!

On Wednesday, April 25, 2012, I went to the doctor for my 22 week pregnancy appointment. Doctor's appointments have become a part of my monthly routine over the last 22 weeks. At each appointment the nurse weighs me on the scale and takes my blood pressure. I am nosy and so I always ask the nurse if my numbers are good or bad.

This month my nurse explained that my blood pressure was low. She told me that the doctor was not worried about my low blood pressure, because it has been low every time I have been in over the last 22 weeks I could not believe what she was saying!

What!? My blood pressure is low!?

After my nurse left, I began to think back to my life before Weight Watchers. In October 2008, I sat in a doctor's office and listened as he explained to me that I had high blood pressure and border line high cholesterol. He told me that I could try dieting and exercising for three months, but after that he would need to put me on medicine to controls these problems.

It was that doctor's appointment in 2008 that forced me to give in and join Weight Watchers. Weight Watchers gave me the tools I needed to change my life. Not only did I lose 90 pounds, but I also was able to correct my high blood pressure and border line high cholesterol without any medication!

It is so overwhelming to know that I am healthy!! I might be gaining weight right now, because I am pregnant. However, I am still maintaining a healthy lifestyle; which is obvious by the low blood pressure numbers my nurse gets from me each month.

Please don't misunderstand me. I am not trying to toot my own horn this morning. It is my desire to be able to encourage those who are struggling on this journey called weight loss. I am here to tell you to keep going!! Change is hard, but in the end it will be worth all the hard work, sweat, and tears you put into it.

I would love to celebrate with you as you are making changes, no matter how small it is. 

What are some changes that you have made so far?

Visit Jen for more flashbacks.

Melanie's Success Story

Today and tomorrow are really busy days for me, because I am trying to get ready for graduation. I don't have a lot of time to blog, but I wanted to share this success story with you.

I have blogged about this couple before, Tim and Melanie Howie, because they were interviewed this past Spring. Tim and Melanie are an incredible couple and I am so glad that they have been able to share their story with others! They are so inspiring!!

Tim and Melanie can fit into Tim's jacket that he wore when he first started Weight Watchers.

Tim and Melanie also participated in our Success Event. As a result, Melanie was interviewed and featured today on TV!! Please click the link below to read Melanie's success story story.

Melanie's Story: Losing weight for herself and her son



I hope that this helps inspire you to continue to stay on track! Have a great weekend!

Local Success Stories

Last month, my Weight Watchers center hosted a huge Success Event. To read more about the Success Event, click here.

At the Success Event we had several Weight Watchers members share their weight loss success. The local newspaper got wind of the Success Event and recently decided to interview two of our successful Weight Watchers members, Barbara and Irene.

Irene sharing her weight loss story at last month's success event.

Barbara sharing her story at the success event.

This past Tuesday, a photographer stopped by our Tuesday evening Weight Watchers meeting to take pictures of Irene and Barbara for their newspaper article!! This morning their article was in the local newspaper!!

Irene and Barbara's weight loss article.

I know that this can be a challenging time of year. You are being tempted to eat more than any other time of year. If you are in need of some encouragement please click here to read their newspaper article.

Flashback Friday: Two Years at Lifetime

This past Wednesday, November 9, 2011, I celebrated my two year anniversary at Lifetime!! I just love that my anniversary date and Lifetime date are so close together!! Remembering how far I have come keeps me motivated to keep going!!

This morning I want to talk about how important it is to have people in your life that support your weight loss efforts. Hands down, my Jon, has been my biggest supporter of my weight loss efforts. He sacrificed financially so that we would have enough money for me to join Weight Watchers. He believed in me when I did not believe in myself.

However, there are others who have supported me throughout my weight loss journey as well. This morning, I would like you to meet my my Weight Watchers leader and friend, Amanda. I've talked about Amanda before, but I don't think I have ever formally introduced you to her.

Amanda and I the night I made Lifetime, Monday, November 9, 2009.

Amanda became my Weight Watchers leader in March 2009. By the time I met her I was already halfway through my weight loss journey. She jumped right into my life and has become such a good friend.

Amanda is an incredible Weight Watchers leader! Her meetings are fun and creative, but that's not all. Amanda really cares about her Weight Watchers members and she wants to see them succeed in their weight loss journeys.

Amanda and I one year later at the Year in Review Red Carpet Debut. That was my one year anniversary at Lifetime.

After reaching Lifetime with Weight Watchers it was Amanda who encouraged me to become a Weight Watchers leader. It has been such a blessing to be able to work alongside Amanda this year. I have learned so much from her!

Amanda and I last Saturday, at the Success Stories Event, just a few days before my two year anniversary at Lifetime.

I am so thankful for the people who supported me during my weight loss journey and continue to support my new healthy lifestyle! I would never have been able to do this without them! Do you have people in your life that support you? Who are they? I would love to hear about the people that support you!

To read more about my previous Lifetime anniversaries, please click the links below.
2009 Reached Lifetime
2010 One Year at Lifetime

Visit Jen for more flashbacks.

Weight Watchers Success Event

I hope that you all had a great weekend! It's was a good, but busy weekend for us.

A Weight Watchers center was recently opened in my town. All of our Weight Watchers meetings were moved to one location. As a result our Territory Manager decided that we should host an Open House at our new center. This Open House would give us a chance to introduce ourselves to the community.

This past Saturday after leading my weekly Weight Watchers meeting, I had to help get ready for the Open House which was from 2-4pm. After the Open House we were scheduled to have our Annual Weight Watchers Success Stories Event. Like I said, it was a busy weekend.

The Open House and Success Stories event went really well! The Success Stories event was so inspiring and motivating! I might already be at my goal, but the people who shared their stories reminded me why I love working for Weight Watchers!

Here are pictures from the Open House and Success Stories Event.

We decorated for our Open House

This is where I lead my Weight Watchers meeting.

I had the honor of being able to share my own success story. I was also the emcee of the event which was so much fun!

Jon came to support me! I am so thankful that he supports my weight loss efforts!

Everyone who attended the Success Stories Event received a goody bag.

We had PointsPlus friendly food for people to snack on as well.

Marcy and Hilary were outside greeting people as they came in.

Rose and I before the Success Stories Event began. I get to work with Rose on Tuesday nights.

Each Weight Watchers member who shared their success story received a trophy!

We also had door prizes.

Slowly, but surely our center began to fill up with people!

I went first. Like I said it was a honor to be able to have a story to share with others.

Me and my fat pants...I've changed for much!

Ms. Irene she even brought in rocks as a visual to show everyone just how much weight she had lost.

Lindsay attends my Saturday meeting and I was so happy to hear her story!

Barbara just reached Lifetime and her energy and enthusiasm is contagious!

Tim has lost 131 pounds! He is only 10 pounds away from his goal weight! He was incredible!

There goes Irene's husband with her weight in rocks. Do you see them in the wagon?

This even would not have happened without Amanda! I am so blessed to be able to work with her!

Amanda and her hubby Trent

Jon and me after the event

They even gave me a trophy! What a blessing!

Like I said, Tim has lost 131 pounds and his wife Melanie has lost about 50 pounds.

Tim used to wear that jacket when he first attended Weight Watchers...now they can both wear it!

Our 2011 Success Stories! So inspiring!!

I am so excited about next year's event!!

If you would like to see pictures from last year's success event, click here.

Flashback Friday: My Weight Loss

I am so grateful to all of you who left comments on my blog post yesterday! It was so encouraging to read your comments and hear about your own personal weight loss journey! Thank you.

I was also encouraged to get some much positive feedback about my first vlog! I might have to do that again!

This is the final day of our week of encouragement. How sad! Just because this week is ending does not mean that we need to stop encouraging one another.

Today, I would like to briefly revisit my own weight loss journey. I am not going to share my entire story, because many of you have already heard it. However, I would let's review the highlights.

- I have always struggled with my weight.
- In October 2008 my weight had gotten out of hand! A visit to the doctor changed my life. I was 24 years old and weighed 225 pounds. I had high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Yikes! I joined Weight Watchers and never looked back!
- I participated in two 5Ks in the summer of 2009.
- After 13 months of hard work and a lot of discipline I weighed in to receive my Lifetime status with Weight Watchers! This is the lightest I have ever weighed in my entire life!
- I have maintained my weight loss for 21 months. It has not been easy, but I am so thankful for the way that God has used my weight loss to change who I am on the inside.
- I became a Weight Watchers leader in January 2011 to help others in their own personal weight loss journeys.

While typing this post I am overwhelmed by how far I have come since I first joined Weight Watchers!!

My Before and After Photos
Here are some of my before and after pictures.

More Details
If you would like to read more, I have written lots of blog posts about my weight loss journey. You can click the different links below to check them out.

Before

Reaching Lifetime

My "Biggest Loser" Reveal - with video

One Year at Lifetime

Making Headlines

I hope and pray that you have found encouragement this week. Don't give up!
Have a great weekend!

Visit Lauren for more flashbacks.

Sharing Our Stories

*Preface*: I am really nervous that this post will be a flop! I almost deleted the entire thing! I know that there are many of you who read my blog and do not post which is okay. I am just asking that today you consider participating in this blog activity...just this once. Here goes nothing.

Did you take some time to go before the Lord yesterday? I did and I am so thankful that I was able to set aside some time to lay my heart out before the Lord. If you have not done this yet, I highly recommend it!

This week is all about encouragement!! Are you feeling encouraged yet?

I find other people’s weight loss stories very encouraging! Normally, this would be the time when I write about whatever I have to share with you, however today I want to hear from you!

Will you share your story with me?

Simply, leave me a comment about your weight loss story. It can be as long or short as you want it to be. Even if you are off track right now, tell me about some of the struggles you are having and how you are overcoming them.

Thank you in advance to those of you who take the time to share your story with us.

If you want to read some encouraging stories can check out the comments section.