Weight Loss Success Story

Janie Dickie

Janie Dickie has done the Meltdown Transformation Challenge several times and she always makes remarkable improvement.

I think Janie is a real inspiration because of her determination and consistency. She's always working toward that next improved step in transforming and reshaping her body. Janie's dedication on improving her life makes her a wonderful weight loss success story.

Janie Dickie

237 pounds..............................140 pounds

"The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person's determination." ~ Tommy Lasorda Transform Now

Read Janie's weight loss success story interview and find out how she transformed in the 2007 Spring Meltdown Transformation Challenge and became an inspirational success story!

I have always had a "solid" build, weighing around 140 lbs as a teen, but never really much overweight. I was athletic and very active in my younger years. I have been unhappy with my weight and self-image for about the last 12 years, with no long-term success in losing and maintaining a healthy weight. I battled with compulsive binge eating and steadily added weight until I reached nearly 240 lbs. in 2005. I just felt as though I was on a slow downward spiral of unhappiness, self-loathing and depression, and that it was my fate to stay that way. With my 40th birthday coming in December of 2005, I really wanted to take advantage of that milestone and turn my life around. My mom had gone through a triple bypass at age 60, and that is a terrifying experience that I did not want to imminently put myself or my family through. My husband had a wonderful surprise birthday party for me with lots of friends and family providing love and best wishes. The realization hit me that if all of these people showed up and cared about me, then maybe I was a worthwhile person and it was time for me to care about myself. I began intense weight training in December 2006. In January 2007 I entered the Winter Meltdown challenge with the same goals that I have today. No matter how long it takes, I will persevere until I reach my goal of a 100 lb weight loss, and build a body that I will respect and maintain. Your challenges give me motivation to continue, and help me realize that there are many people out there just like me. I know that I am finally providing a healthy example of good living to the people whom I care about. My family and many of my friends have followed suit with my encouragement and passing on of what I have learned. It's just my way of saying thanks to them for helping save my life.

Interview

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Karen: What was your heaviest weight?
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Janie: My heaviest weight was 237 lbs. in July 2005.

 

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Karen: You've done an amazing job bringing your weight down and building lean muscle mass. What do you weigh now?
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Janie: I currently weigh 140 lbs.

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Karen: Wow! That's a huge weight loss. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
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Janie: I truly am a new person. There is no resemblance to the woman I was only 18 months ago. I don’t look like her, feel like her, or act like her. Happy, healthy, energetic, outgoing, and focused are words that describe me now! My family is happier too, because I’m happy. I have made new friends through the gym, and my life has been totally enriched through all the positive changes!

 

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Karen: Wow, it's like you have an entire new life. What do you do to lose weight?
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Janie: I began a weight-loss program (simplyforlife.com) based on foods low on the glycemic index, and used strict portion control.

I had a total of 6 meals and snacks a day, making sure to eat every 2-3 hours. I totally cut out alcohol, salt, refined sugars, and limited my intake of saturated fats & processed foods as much as possible. And no more large coffees with double cream & sugar!

I enrolled in cardio classes at my local YMCA and hit the weight room 4 times per week. I also took a 4 km walk in the mornings before work 2-3 times per week.

 

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Karen: You got started on the right path with good information. Were there any sacrifices? If so, what were they?
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Janie: Absolutely. I gave up obesity, depression, fatigue, back and leg pain, low self-esteem, size 40” waist jeans, greasy artery-clogging foods, hangovers, being anti-social… my list is long. Karen, I consider all these things to be the ultimate “anti-sacrifices.” As far as real sacrifices go, I honestly don’t miss anything from my old lifestyle. Although meal preparation and exercise are now the main priorities I still have time for everything I used to do and more, because I have the energy and the focus to do things more efficiently. It’s amazing!

 

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Karen: It's great to hear your sacrifices were negative things. Most people overlook that. . What got you started in fitness?
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Janie: I was athletic as a teen and involved in lots of school sports. As an adult, I played ladies’ softball until I became too heavy.

When I started my weight-loss program in 2006, lifting weights seemed like a necessary part of the process in order to facilitate the fat loss. It was just a natural step to join the gym.

 

237 pounds..............................140 pounds

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Karen: I agree. Weight loss or a body transformation takes action from nutrition, cardiovascular, resistance training, and a positive mindset. How long have you been involved in fitness?
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Janie: I have been weight training on my own since February 2006, but only in a structured weight training program since June 2007.

 

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Karen: It's just amazing what you have accomplished in such a short amount of time. What motivates you to eat right?
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Janie: The desire to reach my goal of having a lean, healthy body motivates me to eat right. Cardiovascular disease is prominent in my family, and I want to avoid that if I can. Never again do I want to have that physical and emotional burden of an excess 100 lbs.

 

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Karen: You hit the nail on the head. You have to have a goal, focus, and direction. What motivates you to keep working out?
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Janie: Some days if I’m feeling tired or unmotivated, I tell myself I’m going to workout “just because I can.” I have a newfound appreciation for my good health and the ability to workout. And, I just love the pump afterwards; it’s a very empowered feeling. Besides, my workout partner, Bonnie, will kick my butt if I get lazy!.

Janie demonstating 100 lbs of fat that she doesn't carry around anymore

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Karen: You have that inner drive that keeps you going. I'm sure that sense of self-control is empowering! How do you set goals?
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Janie: There’s just an image in my mind of how I want to look, and what I believe is a healthy weight for me.

 

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Karen: I use that technique for dieting for competitions; creative visualization. How do you stick to your goals?
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Janie: Never, never, never quit. Just keep trying until you get there. Patience and perseverance are important. There are certain people I look to for inspiration, and I read a lot of motivational books and quotes. My family is also a constant source of support to make sure I’m in line!

 

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Karen: I agree. Patience is an essential for weight loss and body transformations. What do you find to be the hardest part about keeping in shape and how do you overcome it?
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Janie: Well, I’m still working on getting in shape. It’s work in progress that I really enjoy. I’m becoming the fit person I’ve always wanted to be.

 

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Karen: If you're like most people, you'll always be striving for the perfected look. What kind of eating program works best for your body type and activity level?
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Janie: I eat 6 times a day to keep the metabolism cranked. Probably 50 % protein intake, 30 % carbs, 20 % fats daily. Complex carbs only 4 times per week at lunch, and never complex carbs with the supper meal. I have protein shakes after workouts.

 

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Karen: Great nutritional program. You sound like a woman on her game and in total control What forms of cardio do you enjoy?
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Janie: Cardio interval training is great, and outdoor early morning walks when it is quiet are a super start to the day.

 

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Karen: I have a lot of e-clients who prefer outdoor cardio activities. How long do you do cardio?
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Janie: Interval classes last 1 hour, and I usually walk for 30-40 minutes whether outdoors or on the treadmill.

 

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Karen: I'm sure keeping so active fuels your fire and keeps you feeling young. What is your training split like?
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There's nothing like bentover rows to build a strong back.

Janie: I train 4 days per week in a 3 week cycle:

Day 1 - chest & triceps.
Day 2 – legs & biceps.
Day 3 – back & shoulders.
Day 4 - chest & tri’s again.

For the next week, train legs & biceps twice, then back & shoulders twice the following week. Abs - every training day.

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Karen: That's a great split. Do you track your personal best lifts and if so, what are they?
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Janie: That’s not something I do on a regular basis, tracking maximum lifts, but here’s a couple:

-Best bench press - 105 lbs. (barbell), and 136 lbs.(universal)
-Leg press – 540 lbs

I'll just add that they're nothing to get excited about, but that's another goal, to increase my strength

Janie doing T-Bar rows to create more back depth and and strength

 

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Karen: Awesome lifts, and I disagree. Those are lifts to be excited about. What’s a basic cheat meal for you?
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Janie: BBQ steak & potato, and need to have a dessert such as ice cream or cookies.

 

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Karen: Well-tamed cheat meal. I like ice cream for my cheats too. Do you compete or do you have plans on competing?
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Janie: I'm just a "closet bodybuilder", haha, just competing with myself. .

 

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Karen: I would imagine the Challenges are enough competing for you. Anyway, competing against yourself can be the hardest competition. Does your family support your fitness endeavors?
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Janie: Absolutely. They have been a major influence in my quest for good health, and I could not have come this far without them. My husband, John, lost 30 lbs. right along with me when I started my program.

 

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Karen: That's terrific that you have that support and your husband is right along with you losing weight and getting healthy. What are your favorite supplements?
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Janie: GNC women’s mega multi-vitamins with iron, Glucosamine, 100 % Whey protein powder (chocolate or vanilla), and CLA.

 

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Karen: Those are some of my top favorite supplements, too. What is your next fitness goal?
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Janie: I just want to improve my overall fitness, especially cardio. I’d love to become a fitness instructor.

 

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Karen: Sounds like you have accomplished overall fitness. Do you have any hobbies outside of fitness?
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Janie Reading Dean Koontz suspense thrillers is something I enjoy. I have a collection of his novels. Summer weekends are spent at the beach when the weather’s nice. We have a speedboat that we spend a lot of time in with friends.

 

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Karen: It sounds like you are really enjoying life and I bet it's a lot more enjoyable being fit and healthy. What advice would you give someone who wanted to get in such outstanding shape as you are in?
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Janie: Proper nutrition is the key. I joined a weight management clinic called Simply For Life where they’ve educated me on making healthy food choices as part of my lifestyle, forever. It is amazing how the body reacts to clean, healthy eating.

Many people don’t understand that they must eat to lose weight. You need to eat the right quantity of certain foods at the right times to elevate your metabolism. “Dieting” or extremely limiting your calories just doesn’t work long-term. Once you’re fueling your body with proper nutrition, you will have the energy and focus to pursue a fitness program.

Choose activities that you enjoy to keep yourself interested. Exercise shouldn’t be a chore, it’s a necessity. Patience is a big factor too. Weight training is enjoyable for me because I can see and feel the results on a regular basis, whether in appearance, measurements, or strength.

Don’t get discouraged if you are slow with results. Positive results will come if you are true to your eating and exercise programs. It’s also worthwhile to get advice from a trainer in order to get the best results from your workouts. It’s not as effective to run around the gym randomly – you could be over or under training.

 

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Karen: Great advice. EDUCATION on proper eating and exercise is the true way to permanent weight loss. You are proof that you can overcome anything and change your life.

Amazing work! Keep moving forward.
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You Can Start Losing Weight And Transforming YOUR Body, Too!