How I Gained It: Growing up in the ’60s, eating nutritional, low-fat foods was not a priority for most people, so fat-laden but wonderful homemade meals made up my childhood memories. Having two overweight parents meant that portion control was not important at all, and overeating was a very common thing at my house. Being one of the very few overweight kids in my entire school, my mom put me on my first diet when I was 10, and although the weight slipped right off, it was the beginning of a 20-year weight roller coaster for me. By the time I hit my teen years, I felt very unaccepted in my peer group, and of course, kids that age made sure I knew that I didn’t belong. I walked in the door the first day of school of my senior year weighing in at a healthy 140 pounds, and I graduated nine months later at almost 240! I married at 24 and had twins exactly one year later. The next five years proved to be a time of extreme fluctuations in my weight, as I would starve myself, lose 70 pounds or so, and in a matter of months, gain it all back — plus some. I had begun exercising, but just could not get a handle on how to keep the weight off.
Breaking Point: Turning 30 made me realize I needed to make a life-long change. I began to see that my girls needed a mom to help them make good eating decisions, or they, too, would find themselves going through the same pain that I had. I was determined to lose the weight once and for all, and stop the yo-yo cycle.
How I Lost It: I followed a Weight Watchers diet on my own, and for the hundredth time, lost that same 70 pounds. It took me about five months to lose the bulk of the weight, and at that point, I bought a book on weight lifting, purchased free weights and a bench set, and I assembled it all in the furnace room of my house. I took a weight lifting class at the local gym, and that was the beginning of my new road to fitness. Once I joined the gym and began working out consistently three days a week, and as I got into better condition, I added cardiovascular workouts as well. I’ve participated in many races and walks and even a few sprint triathlons. A final twenty pounds came off and I’ve been able to maintain this loss for 22 years now. Of course, there are 5-10 pound fluctuations at times, but I no longer worry about the 70-100+ weight gains!
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I have totally changed my eating habits — I eat very healthy six days a week. I still allow myself one day a week when I eat basically whatever I like, which usually involves French fries and a milk shake! I consider this the rest of my life, and I know that a once-a-week treat is not going to throw me back into an old lifestyle. The greatest outcome from all of this is that my own children are very health-minded and make exercise and eating right a daily part of their lives.
After Weight: 150
Roseann has maintained her weight loss for 22 years.
Originally posted on That’s Fit.
BIO:
As a Colorado native, I grew up at the base of the Rocky Mountains, and had a great childhood made up of many outdoor activities, biking, hiking, swimming, etc. As with most children in the sixties, playing outside was the norm, but even with all of that activity, I was one of the few over weight children in my school. It was very tough to fit in as a child, but after years of the yo-yo dieting, I gained control of my weight issues after turning 30. I didn’t want my own children to remember their mom as someone who was overweight and constantly struggling to get control. I’ve maintained a healthy weight for 22 years now, having become a big proponent for exercise in any and all forms, just move is my motto! I have a deep and abiding relationship with Jesus Christ and having been raised in a Christian home, I realize that my own life would be so much “less than” without having a close relationship with the Lord. I have been married to my best friend for 27 years, have two beautiful daughters who are very successful, and have incredible and beautiful grandchildren. I feel very blessed to be celebrating my 52nd year on this earth and look forward to many more years of health and happiness and journeys in life.
1 thought on “Losing It and Keeping It Off for Good – Roseann Dashkowitz’s Weight Loss Story”
Great story Roseann and your an inspiration to all people, not just those that could loose a few pounds!