Introducing our
Hot Mamas Of The Month
December 2009
MEET JOANNE....
Facilitator: Laurel & Sarah
Pounds Lost: About 75!!!
Joanne...first off, you won the title of the "Hottest Mama" last session in your group. What was it this time that made you decide it’s time for a change? I have had a goal of 140 lbs, but last session I got out of the 170’s and that was the biggest motivator and gave me hope that I could do it.
How much weight have you lost since the start of your first session with Hot Mamas? I have lost 47 pounds since the start of the first Hot Mamas session! (Joanne started losing weight and has continued since joining the Hot Mamas)
You’ve had some pretty stiff (but friendly, of course) competition in your last two sessions. Do you find the competition piece of Hot Mamas to be a big motivator for you? Yes, I am a pretty competitive person. But I am also a very goal-driven person and I find having a goal I mind and meeting it is just as motivating.
How did you feel when you were named the Hottest Mama? Wow! I was proud that I stuck to a goal, and that I was well on my way. Winning Hottest Mama for my Group B was awesome and gave me the drive to keep going this session.
As we all know, most women (except for those lucky few!) have had issues with their weight at some point during their lives. Have you always had to struggle with weight loss or are you one of the lucky ones? I didn’t have too many weight problems until we moved to Maine about 12 years ago. I found every year (from Nov to Feb) I would gain about 20-30 pounds. I would then go on a diet in the spring and lose about 20. I kept adding slowly about 10 pounds a year until I hit my biggest weight of 220 pounds. About two years ago I got serious about losing weight and joined Jenny Craig. The only problem was I never seemed to get under 170. Then November came and I would gain 20lbs back. I joined Hot Mamas in May 2009 and FINALLY broke 170 and have not looked back.
It’s amazing how those 10 pounds or so ever so slowly creep up on us each year, isn’t it?! The important piece of your “story” is that you kept on working towards your goal and made the conscious decision to keep on moving forward. You have motivated your group members by sticking to your goals AND achieving them, and you should be very proud of your accomplishments thus far!
When you started your first session, did you have a goal weight in mind that you would like to reach? In my first session my goal was to lose 25lbs. I lost about 28lbs. This session my goal is to be at 140, and I am almost there! My ultimate goal is 135lbs.
Back in August you decided to run your first 10K (Beach to Beacon) and did GREAT! Since then you seem to be unstoppable when it comes to challenges! Tell us about your most recent accomplishment...the HALF MARATHON !! The half marathon was a blast…all women and one lucky guy! I love to run (slowly) but I find running very relaxing and this race had a fantastic course. My legs were pretty sore the next day, but I will definitely do it again next year and hopefully I will have some of my Hot Mamas buddies to run it also!
If a friend/family member was thinking about joining Hot Mamas, what would you tell her? I would say just do it! I have made some nice friends and it has helped me get the confidence to try things I might not have tried in the past (like Hip Hop!).
Now that you’re almost to your lifetime goal, you’ve participated in a half marathon, what’s next?! Do you have any ideas on what to strive for next to keep you motivated to keep the weight off? I found that I love to sweat! Working out has become part of my daily routine. I want to use my new fitness level and compete in a triathlon next year.
What do your family and friends think about your weight loss transformation?!
My husband is thrilled. He has been my biggest supporter and helps me stay on track at times. I think it is funny when people who I haven’t seen in a while don’t recognize me.
Do you have any “words of wisdom” that you could share with that struggling Hot Mama out there to get her on the right track?
I say anyone can do it if you believe you can. I found a quote that I tell myself all the time: “The body will do what the mind tells it to do”. I don’t know who said it but it applies to lots of things… especially weight loss.
That’s a great quote, Joanne! We should all remember that as we’re working towards our weight loss goals.
We are pleased to announce our Hot Mamas for the months of November and December 2009!
Both of these women have come so far and it’s been amazing to watch them disappear before our very eyes. They are both great women that anyone out there can relate to. They face many of the same struggles we all face in our daily routines of balancing work, family, and taking care of themselves as well!
Please take a few minutes to meet Jill and Joanne…
MEET JILL....
Facilitator: Jill (she Facilitated her own group of Hot Mamas)
Total Pounds Lost to Date: 42!
Jill...You have done incredible over the past many months. What was it that made you decide THIS IS IT? To be honest, the memory I always go back to is sitting in my comfy pants one night and I let out a big sneeze. Well, when I sneezed, I popped the button off a size of a pair of pants that I never should have been in. That's when I looked carefully at what other members of the group at MCS (School in York County) were doing and jumped on board.
I (Laurel) can relate, Jill! The very first day we weighed in for Hot Mamas the pants I was wearing split and I had to sew them up so I could continue to wear them for each and every weigh-in thereafter…which eventually were able to be put on and off without unbuttoning them! So you’re not alone! How much weight have you lost since the start of your first session with Hot Mamas?
42 pounds and 6 pants sizes!!!!
You have been a wonderful facilitator to your group of Hot Mamas. They definitely appreciate everything you've done to keep them going through the past few sessions! Did you feel "pressure" being the facilitator to do well or did you just feel like one of the gang?
I never felt pressure to be more than what I am. I am in this journey for life and have always led with that honestly. I don't want to do something or encourage activities that can't be maintained over a long period of time, like for life!!
Hot Mamas is primarily based on three points: Accountability, Camaraderie, and Competition. Do you find that one of these factors works more for you than others? I am all about the camaraderie. You get to talk with others about what they are doing..what is working or not working. I believe that is why it (weight loss) worked this time over other times since having my 3 children. There is a strong group at MCS who is working on this for life and truly want to see each other get to their own personal goals. I thank them all for being an important part of my journey at this time in my life! As far as the competition piece, this is not the piece that motivates me, but I have watched how it can for others!
Have you always had to "worry" about your weight or are you one of the lucky ones? If you don't mind, give us a little background on your weight loss ups and downs through the years. Why is this time different for you? I have always perceived myself as heavy, but I look back now and I was never allowing myself to be happy with where I was. There is always someone smaller to compare to, and that needs to stop. In my 30's I started putting on weight much easier and also had my 3 children. I put on about 50 pounds with each pregnancy and wouldn't get back to my pre-pregnancy weight. I was really feeling very unhealthy and not able to keep up with my active husband and 3 young children. That is when the MCS group got going. I didn't do much my first session except watch others shrink. Then I went for it the next session and found success.
When you started your first session, did you have a goal weight in mind that you would like to reach? If so, have you gotten there yet? I never thought I would feel as good as I do right now when I started this journey. I had forgotten how great it feels to exercise and carry a weight closer to what I should be. I still have about 15-20 pounds to get in my BMI range. That is my goal for this school year.
You’ll get there, Jill! There’s no stopping you now! I have seen you many times in the gym running your heart out lately. Is this a new routine for you? If so, do you think it's helped in your weight loss journey? I have NEVER been a runner in any other times in my life. I am loving it right now…after the run is done of course (smiles)! I did the couch potato program with another friend at the end of the school year last year but didn't go full tilt until the end of the summer. It has helped me balance myself and help me get into a pant size I don't remember ever being in!!
What advice would you give to that struggling Hot Mama that is looking for that drive to succeed that you obviously seem to have right now? I would ask them to first decide if this is really what they want to do! We are way to forgiving of ourselves, and we have all used every excuse in the book for why it isn't working or wouldn't work for us at this time. If they say “yes,” then they need to journal their food intake for a good 2 months to get a handle on what they are putting in their mouth. You also need to talk with others about your journey and what you are doing that is working and incorporate that into your journey.
You come from a very active family. It has been a given that we all will see the Grogan family on the soccer fields each fall!! Do you find that you're more active than you were in years past? I love that I can lead the pack sometimes! My children are seeing a balanced, healthy “mumma”… and that is really important to me.
YOU’VE COME SO FAR!! After you’ve reached your lifetime goal, do you have any plans on what to strive for next to keep you motivated to keep the weight off? I am looking towards maintenance and can see that involving being physically active and finding balance with all of the yummy food that I am not willing to give up!
Now that you've moved out of the area, are you nervous about keeping the weight off or do you feel like YOU'VE GOT IT!? (We'll always be here for you...we know you can do it!!) I in no way feel like I have “got it”!!! I am very aware that any change in routine needs more attention to staying focused on your goal. I have found a great 3 mile run but can only tackle that on the weekends. I am still working out my work week routine.
What do your family and friends think about your weight loss transformation?! Most of my family is very active, and they are very excited to see me looking and feeling better. I have an amazing cheering squad that is celebrating my efforts with me!
That’s so great, Jill! When your friends and family start to notice your changes, it’s that extra little bit of validation that we sometimes need to remind ourselves that our hard work is paying off! - Great job, Hot Mama!
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Jill has learned how to have her cake and even eat some too!
