"I fit in this world now!" Jill's story
Today in America, obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death. One-third of U.S. adults and 17 percent of children are obese, thus risking dramatically-increased risks of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. The obesity epidemic in America is bankrupting our health care system and reducing the quality of life for an enormous segment of the population.
On March 1, 2012, Advance wife and mother Jill Johnston had an epiphany.
"I realized that I had eaten what I wanted, whenever I wanted it, all my life!" Johnston exclaimed. "I was DONE! There were never enough Crispy Crème donuts, never enough big Macs! I grew up a fat girl. By the age of eight, I was on starch blocker pills and Lean Cuisine."
At that moment of realization, Johnston embarked on a 1500 calorie program of healthy food, steamed vegetables, fruit and exercise. In the next year, this determined young lady lost an amazing total of 200 pounds!
"I lost the first 17 pounds, but then I needed support. It seemed hopeless," Johnston confessed. "A friend heard about my plight. Jennifer Nelson came to my door and 'kidnapped' me!"
Nelson took Johnston to a meeting of the "Big Fat Loser's" Club (known as the BFL's), a group started by Advance businesswoman Ginger Hewitt. The group met weekly in the basement of the Methodist Church, where they shared recipes, strategies, and morale-boosting activities. They also included a private Facebook page, where they could post their victories and get group support.
Though Johnston joined late, she succeeded in winning second place in the BFL season which concluded in the fall of 2012. Her friend Jennifer won first.
"This was a huge confidence-booster," Johnston said. "But I wasn't finished. I decided to change my entire lifestyle. I decided against gastric bypass surgery. I've been in the medical field for 20 years, and I've seen the problems with gastric stapling. They can't absorb nutrition properly. I want to put good things in my body."
Johnston does not believe in excluding foods like carbohydrates. She counts calories and carbs, watches her sodium, steams her vegetables, avoids frying, breading, butter and cheese. She whittled the cream in her coffee to one tablespoon.
"You can change your palate!" Johnston insisted. "Now I love the taste of steamed veggies without butter. I may eat a small hamburger that's 93 percent lean. I don't eat cheese."
In order to keep from feeling deprived, she has developed a technique whereby she allows herself small, measured portions of her favorite foods, such as biscuits and gravy.
Her trick? Instead of her old plateful of three biscuits with sausage gravy, she substitutes one biscuit with one-half cup gravy.
Because she believes that her entire family will benefit from the healthy program she follows, Johnston has concentrated on changing her fourth-generation "unhealthy Southern cooking" habits. As a result, her husband has lost 30 pounds and increased his physical activity by taking up walking and bicycling with her. Their teenage daughter has lost 75 pounds and increased her self-esteem in the process.
Even more admirable than Jill Johnston's food modification program is her approach to exercise.
"I've had to do exercise on a shoestring budget," Johnston explained. "I actually started walking in a back bedroom! I then ran laps around the bedroom, as fast as I could. My husband peeked in the door to see what I was doing! My dad, who was a runner for 45 years, saw the shoes I was wearing and ordered me a new pair. With the new shoes, I was much less sore, afterwards. Eventually, I did a 5K race in Cape. I didn't think I'd make it, but now my fourth race is coming up."
On rainy days, her grandfather, Jack Hurt, lets her use his treadmill.
In January, Johnston began running. She runs her first race in July.
"I get up at 4 a.m. and run three mornings per week," added Johnston.
A look at the "before" and "after" photos that her daughter Summer took of her mother reveals the remarkable journey Jill has taken in the last year. Her doctor tells her that she has added years to her life.
"I have added LIFE to my life!" Jill exclaimed. "I wish everyone could learn what I've learned. If you think that instant gratification is living, you're wrong! Your body craves good food. We can change what we crave!"
Johnston is thrilled that she can now shop for clothes anywhere. Before she lost the weight, she had to order her clothes online. She recalls a moment when she first entered a popular name-brand shop and bought an expensive pair of jeans off the rack.
"After I lost more weight, I traded the jeans for a bicycle!"
Johnston recommends a food journal: "If you nibble, you must scribble!" and she uses 'My Fitness Pal,' an app on her cell phone, to keep track of her calories.
"These are lessons I will carry with me for life!" Jill Johnston said, summarizing the incredible journal she has undertaken in the last year.
When agreeing to share her story, this incredibly candid young woman said, "If I inspire one person, it'll be worth it!"
Comments
- -- Posted by Dexterite1 on Mon, Jun 17, 2013, at 11:04 AM
- -- Posted by Madeline1 on Mon, Jun 17, 2013, at 2:19 PM
- -- Posted by kd5475 on Fri, Jun 21, 2013, at 1:43 PM
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