I have a huge wardrobe of clothing in sizes 3, 5, and 7. The only problem was that until, recently, it was packed away in boxes and stored in the far reaches of our attic. Three-and-a-half years ago, I quit smoking and, within six months, had gained 20 pounds and ballooned into a size 14! That was way too large for a medium-boned, five-foot, zero-inch tall, 56-year-old woman! I loved being a grandmother, but I did NOT like looking matronly! I didn't believe, though, that I was capable of losing weight.

Years earlier, I had gone the diet pill route in losing my excess baggage, but I'd made a promise to myself that I would never take diet pills again. I am too old to be fooling around with quick-fixes for weight loss. Besides, ultimately, for every pound I had lost years before, I had gained two. So, in addition to the obvious health reasons, diet pills proved - for me - to be ineffective in achieving long term weight loss.

I would look in the mirror or see my reflection in a body-length window and be filled with self-loathing and desperation. And every time I wanted a cigarette, I stuffed another potato chip or bag of M&M's or some other high-calorie, immediate-gratification food into my mouth. I'd feel a little bit better - until I looked in the mirror again. It was a self-sabotaging cycle.

One day, though, I'd had enough. A good friend asked me to be the matron-of-honor in her wedding. Two of her equaled one of me, and the thought of waddling down the aisle in front of the toothpick-sized bride galvanized me into action. I went on a 1200-calorie/30-or-less-fat-gr ams-a-day diet and began losing weight right away. One month later I had pared myself down to a size 12 dress. I was still big, but not AS big, and I congratulated myself on my hard-won progress.

My next goal was our son's wedding that was to take place four months later. I continued on the same diet, strictly adhering to the calorie and fat-gram requirement. With every pound I lost, the happier I felt about the woman I saw in the mirror. On the date of the wedding, I had reached my pre-smoking-cessation weight! I'd done it! I bought a beautiful mother-of-the-groom dress and wore it proudly.

It's been three weeks since our son's wedding, and I've lost three more pounds, for a total of 26 pounds to date. I've decided that my goal is to weigh 100 pounds and to stay there - forever. My health is better, and I'm fitting into all of my clothes. I've packed away my big clothes in the attic, and I plan for them to never see the light of day again. Eventually, I'll give them away.

Now I like the way I look, am happy with my success, and no longer identify with the "Grandma Flab" I used to be. Lord willing, she's been retired forever!

Learn more about this author, Jenna Pope.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Why losing weight can make you feel better about the way you look?
We want to hear your view. Write now!