Fat 2 Fit: Clare McDowell: Through Thick and Thin

Through focused attention and long-term efforts, Clare McDowell, 67, reduced her body by almost 130 pounds. For some of us, that seems like an impossible task. After failing numerous times, Clare, of Grass Valley, Calif., decided to make permanent lifestyle changes while still blessed with good health. She believes that "if it's going to be, it's up to me."

 

Over time, she whittled away at the weight, initially losing 100 pounds, stabilizing her weight and then losing another 30. She avoids buffets, eats her main meal at lunch, and has a light dinner. She's reined in her consumption of carbohydrates, especially sugar. As she reduces, she shops at thrift stores, donating her "big" clothes and buying smaller ones.

 

Roy, her husband of over 30 years, has stuck with her through thick and thin. Clare also relies on friends in her local chapter of Take Off Pounds Sensibly, where she attends weekly meetings.

Clare weighs herself daily. This makes her "face reality." She also exercises at Curves to improve her fitness.

 

Clare gained weight as a young woman, a few pounds at a time. Losing her mother at an early age made her susceptible to comfort foods. She also suffered from compulsive overeating and secretive, or "closet," eating.

 

Managing weight is a lifetime project. Clare said, "It's hard to lose and hard to keep pounds off." But when she looks in the mirror, she finds her reflection hard to believe. She is thrilled with the results. She tells her story so others can experience the same joy.