See What Madeline Did to Lose 101 lbs. - Good News for Grandmas Everywhere!

As a child, Madeline was always a big girl. By the time she was 9 years old she weighed 140 pounds. Her battle with weight continued into adulthood. Now, as a mother of two adult children and the grandmother of three, she has lost 101 pounds (so far)!

Here’s her story:

Last February I got sick with the H1N1 flu. It turned into pneumonia and I was hospitalized on Valentine’s Day. My condition was so bad they had to put me in a medically induced coma for 13 days. When they woke me up they were thinking they would have to do a tracheotomy. Fortunately I could breathe on my own and that wasn’t necessary.

They treated me with steroids, which caused my blood sugar and cholesterol to spike. So they used insulin and statins to lower my numbers.

On February 28 I was moved to rehab. While in rehab they diagnosed me with diabetes and wanted to continue the insulin. I asked to be given a chance to bring my blood sugar down with diet. They agreed to only give me insulin if my blood sugar was high. The diabetic diet worked and I was able to avoid insulin.

It was the middle of March before I could go back home. I had lost 25 pounds. And I was off all medication, except one for blood pressure. Within two months I was able to get off that one as well.

For years my doctor had been extremely frustrated with my weight and health issues. But at my three month checkup he was extremely pleased that I had lost 40 pounds. Since then, I’ve lost another 61 pounds!

Here are 9 things I’ve done to lose 101 pounds (so far)

1. I eat normal food but put myself in control. When I got back home I knew there were some big changes I needed to make. But I also knew the “All or Nothing” approach wouldn’t work. There were things I wanted, such as Chinese food, pizza, and pork chops.

My first week at home, I had all three, but in moderation. One day I had Chinese food. But, instead of lots of rice, I had just a little. And added a lot of veggies. The day I had pizza, I only had one slice. When I had pork chops I only had a small amount and ate lots of veggies with it.

This controlled eating was something new for me. And it’s something I continue.

2. I read blogs on healthy eating. That’s how I discovered the Full Plate Living website. When I found it I said, “This is what I do. This is more normal, more realistic. It’s not way out there.”

And I especially like what Full Plate Living has to say about change. Do everything slowly. Change your options; you don’t have to drop everything just like that. I’m used to setting really big goals. But this time I’ve been taking small steps. As I learn, I improve. And it’s working!

3. I used to eat ice cream every night. That did go out the door right away. But I substituted sugar free pudding for the ice cream. After awhile I started eating yogurt instead of the pudding. Now I’m happy with an apple.

In fact, I have only had ice cream once since last May. That was at my birthday. I had a very thin sliver of cake and one spoonful of ice cream. And I had someone else serve it. When the party was over I sent some of it home with other people. The rest I threw out.

Sweets are something I have to leave alone. My husband loves sweets as well, so I buy things he likes, but I don’t eat. For example - he likes coffee cake with walnuts. I’m allergic to nuts, so that works.

4. I use pita chips instead of potato chips.

5. I’ve replaced white bread with sugar free, 100% whole wheat bread.

6. I moved from whole milk to 2% milk to 1% milk and now fat free milk. This one took a couple of months, but I got there.

7. I bake or steam chicken, turkey, pork chops and shrimp, instead of frying them.

8. I eat lots of fresh veggies, instead of canned. This includes spinach, which used to be a cardinal sin to me. Now I like spinach better than lettuce in my salads.

9. When I go to a restaurant with someone I always ask where we’re going. Then I go to the restaurant’s website, visit their nutritional page and make the healthiest choice available. I usually eat fish and veggies. I don’t eat the bread and no one even notices what I’m doing.

Why this time is different

There are times when the weight doesn’t come off as fast as I’d like. When that happens, my husband asks: “Are you doing this to lose weight or to avoid diabetes, to live longer and be able to watch your grandchildren grow up?”

That helps me keep things in perspective. My weight is now down to 194. So far I’ve lost 101 pounds and counting!

My health crisis last year changed me. I’m not dieting any more. I have changed the way I eat. I approach life to live, not to eat.

Madeline shared her story with us in January. Since then she has lost an additional 8 pounds.