Tag Archives: Laurie’s Weight Watchers Story

Assorted Photos from Laurie’s Weight Story

Scroll to the "Comments box" or call 206-350-6445 to tell us what you think.
On podcast pages click the arrow to play the episode.

I’m putting myself on the bravery report.

I decided to share some assorted unretouched photos to show you my slide up and down the scale. You can read my weight story here, or by selecting Laurie’s Weight Story from the menu.

At first I didn’t want to have “Before and After” type of photos as part of my blog, because I focus much more on the here and now of the present moment. But I decided to share my weight story in the hopes of encouraging other brave companions that have yo-yoed forever, that there IS hope to come to peace with your food issues and body. I’m not ashamed of any of these. They are all part of my story and what makes me who I am today.

Much love to you brave companions

Laurie at 30 holding a cat and looking slim.

29 or 30 years old and my first success with Weight Watchers getting to goal. That time I went from 200 down to 146 in 12 months. It was WAY easier at that time. This success was the first time I was not overweight or obese as an adult. It lasted less than one year. When I moved to California at age 31 I was already back to the high 180s. Even at this weight, I was very self-conscious about the size of my thighs – but my chest and face were getting skeletal, so I decided to stop losing weight here.

Laurie and Mark dancing at Disneyland

Dancing with Mark when we were first dating. Probably around 225 – the same weight I was when I started the show. On a fast track to 245, what I weighed on our wedding day, and then on to over 300. I was 34.


Laurie in a green dress at her highest weight

Near my highest weight of around 300 pounds. Age 38 or 39

Laurie In her sparkly blue goal dress.

After two years of hard focus, work, support from friends, AND exercise bulimia I’m at my goal of 153. I stayed here one day total. Then maintained 159 for a couple of years. I was 42. I’m holding my “before photo” of me at 3. I don’t really believe in before and after photos, because as long as we breathe we are changing.

Laurie in a leotard and fishnets

One of the professional photos taken after my 2nd Body for Life cycle. (Same time as my bikini shot) I intended to pursue once again my goal of becoming a motivational speaker to encourage women past 40 that they could lose weight and get fit. But as I’ve shared in my show, I actually felt like I was too fat and a failure and only threw these photos into a box, never to be seen until now. My heart was breaking as the photos were taken. I had to “go on with the show” because I had many friends there for the scheduled shoot. It was supposed to have been a triumph, like the “After photos” in a magazine. I weighed 172 and was 45 years old just 8 months after a hysterectomy and weight gain that put me back up to 189-190. Now I think I look really well.

Laurie Full body

I just took this one for episode 52. It’s my first full body photo since my after shoot. I’m 55 and at my current weight of 207. I love this photo more than all the rest, because I am at peace and love my body as it is. My hope is that I will continue to feel this way as my journey to an integrated life moving toward authentic relationships with people and away from fear of food continues.

Laurie in bike gear with her bike

My latest bravery. I asked Mark to take a photo of me full body in my clingy bike gear on our last bike ride! Age 55 and Weight 209.

Comments box:

Ep 0029 – Don’t Wait for Perfect to Reach Out for Your Dreams and Help me Help Maureen

The wind is pushing back my hat brim on the mountain.
Scroll to the "Comments box" or call 206-350-6445 to tell us what you think.
On podcast pages click the arrow to play the episode.
Perfect photo for this episode because the full sun on my face in the wind, highlights my facial flaws. I’m self-conscious of my newly splotchy skin, my darkening teeth and other signs of wear and tear. Yet I’m laughing and having a good time. I am more than my body and it is good to remember that.

Podcast Recap

Brave Companion, Stéfanie, leaves a wonderful comment on Day 27 that sparks me to discuss why we should not wait for ‘perfect’ to reach out to others, or to reach out for our dreams. I share my adventure of meeting Listener Sandy in person, and ask all of our brave companions to help support Maureen in her quest to know, ‘How do YOU deal with the feelings under compulsive overeating?’
A view of how far I've come up the mountain. A nice analogy.

A view of how far I’ve come up the mountain. A nice analogy.

I'm laughing because I'm still chewing a bit of green apple when I take this.

I’m laughing because I’m still chewing a bit of green apple when I take this.

Mentioned

Please scroll down to the Comments Box and post your comments on this episode to support Maureen or call the bravery hotline at 206-350-6445. She really wants to know ANY successful way you have ever dealt with the feelings under the compulsion to overeat. Ever. Even 1 time.

Stéfanie’s comment on Day 27

Sandy’s squirrel photo and my bikini pic in episode 28.

Infamous pathetic epsisode 4

Are you Binge Dieting? Is an interesting, practical podcast about intuitive eating by Betsy Thurston , a registered dietician and health coach
Her website is www.betsythurstonrd.com Click here to view her Podcast on iTunes

Catch up with Laurie

My Spreaker page. Please follow me there if you are on Spreaker.

My Instagram page at LaurieDreamWeaver

The Spark People Team we created for listeners of Compulsive Overeating Diary. Welcome Lisa! So far, just me, my friend, Cheryl, and new team member, Lisa, but we would welcome some more! – no longer an active team as of 10/22/14 – due to lack of participation

New free way to leave voicemail http://speakpipe.com/laurieweaver You can also click the blue button on this page that says ‘send a voice message.’

Bravery Hotline

Leave your comments, questions, feelings and stories on Laurie’s podcast voicemail hotline – 206-350-6445.

Credits

Host: Laurie Weaver

Main Theme: I’m Letting Go by Josh Woodward from The Simple Life Part 1

I’m Letting Go (Josh Woodward) / CC BY 3.0

Resource of the day

Famous Creators on the Fear of Failure By Maria Popova from her inspired, curated blog, Brain Pickings. Fascinating set of video clips of famous designers, artists and writers all talking about their fear of failure for students at Stockholm Berghs School of Communication. Give a listen and you won’t feel so badly about your own fears. Even genius creators face this! Very interesting and highly recommended.
Comments box: