Two years ago I would have never dreamed that I would be standing up here as Ontario Queen. I joined TOPS after a lot of urging from my sister. I was embarrassed and ashamed when I stepped on that scale and it said I was a whopping 339 lbs. I wanted to cry. I couldn't believe that I let myself get that big. I can honestly say that my chapter never judged me or looked down at me; they welcomed me with open arms and were very supportive. Before joining TOPS I was not happy with myself. I had low self esteem, was depressed, had no energy, had poor eating habits and did not exercise.
People ask me all the time, what's my secret? I tell them there is NO secret. I watch what I eat, exercise
regularly and don't deprive myself of anything. I don't consider this a diet - as we all know diets fail! This is a lifestyle change, something I can live with. I also tell them I belong to TOPS and that I surround myself with positive people that will help in my weight loss journey.
I have had my struggles in the past two years. I wanted to give up a few times. But, I listened to that voice inside my head that kept saying YOU’RE WORTH IT AND IT’S YOUR TIME. When I hit plateaus, it was tough. I thought I was doing everything right but the scale wasn’t budging. So I shook things up; what I was eating, my exercise routine and finally broke through the plateaus.
I would like to say a special THANK YOU to my sister Rhonda and a very close friend Don for always being there along my weight loss journey. Thank you both for listening to my complaints and excuses, for believing in me and not giving up on me. Love you both for helping me in my journey.
I can honestly say that I don't like all the attention I have received for losing the weight. It makes me feel very uncomfortable. I still have my struggles. When I look in the mirror I still see that 339 lb woman looking back at me...I also feel that I have lost a part of myself. I've been told that, that part of my journey will take longer, that is for my mind to catch up to my body and accept who I am now. Since becoming a KOPS, the journey doesn’t end there. I now have to maintain. It sounds a lot easier than it is.
I'm still trying to find that balance. Also since reaching my goal I feel I have grown as a person. I am more
energetic, my self- esteem is improving and now I don't have to worry about being the
BIG GIRL... I always said to my sister, I wonder why people have stayed for so many years with TOPS after reaching their KOPS status. I told her that I'm not going to be one of those LIFERS as I call them. But now I realize why they stay.
Just because you reach your goal and become a KOPS, the journey doesn't end there. It’s just the beginning of another one. So I'm going to be a LIFER too. Thank You!
People ask me all the time, what's my secret? I tell them there is NO secret. I watch what I eat, exercise
regularly and don't deprive myself of anything. I don't consider this a diet - as we all know diets fail! This is a lifestyle change, something I can live with. I also tell them I belong to TOPS and that I surround myself with positive people that will help in my weight loss journey.
I have had my struggles in the past two years. I wanted to give up a few times. But, I listened to that voice inside my head that kept saying YOU’RE WORTH IT AND IT’S YOUR TIME. When I hit plateaus, it was tough. I thought I was doing everything right but the scale wasn’t budging. So I shook things up; what I was eating, my exercise routine and finally broke through the plateaus.
I would like to say a special THANK YOU to my sister Rhonda and a very close friend Don for always being there along my weight loss journey. Thank you both for listening to my complaints and excuses, for believing in me and not giving up on me. Love you both for helping me in my journey.
I can honestly say that I don't like all the attention I have received for losing the weight. It makes me feel very uncomfortable. I still have my struggles. When I look in the mirror I still see that 339 lb woman looking back at me...I also feel that I have lost a part of myself. I've been told that, that part of my journey will take longer, that is for my mind to catch up to my body and accept who I am now. Since becoming a KOPS, the journey doesn’t end there. I now have to maintain. It sounds a lot easier than it is.
I'm still trying to find that balance. Also since reaching my goal I feel I have grown as a person. I am more
energetic, my self- esteem is improving and now I don't have to worry about being the
BIG GIRL... I always said to my sister, I wonder why people have stayed for so many years with TOPS after reaching their KOPS status. I told her that I'm not going to be one of those LIFERS as I call them. But now I realize why they stay.
Just because you reach your goal and become a KOPS, the journey doesn't end there. It’s just the beginning of another one. So I'm going to be a LIFER too. Thank You!
2009 Provincial Queen ~ Wanda Chevalier
