Testimony of Dorothy G. of Wisconsin
Thin for Life Member

Were/are there obstacles to my current weight loss journey?  Absolutely.  I’ve come to the conclusion that no time is a good time to start a diet.  But sooner is much better than later or even never.  My personal obstacles include:

• Still grieving and not totally forgiving for my son’s death at the age of 18.
• I’ve been “blessed” with Parkinson’s and being diagnosed, after 10+ years, as being bi-polar.  As a result of the non-diagnosed bi-polar disorder I was fired from two jobs I dearly loved.
• My computer skills could be trumped by a kindergartener.
• To the toxic mix from above I have a live-in father-in-law who:

            A. Doesn’t want to be here
            B. Is a male chauvinist who thinks I can do nothing right.

How’s that for a mess of stress and reason why I should be in the kitchen at this very moment stuffing my face.

The devil plays his part everyday.  I won’t allow myself to be manipulated anymore! I’ve seen end-stage Parkinson’s and it’s not pretty.  That was one good reason I started to exercise more and eat less.  Someday I’ll be in a wheelchair and I didn’t want my husband to hurt himself trying to pick me up. I exercise faithfully almost everyday even though I’m limited to walking. Exercise hopefully will slow down the progression of my Parkinson’s.  My arthritis and carpal tunnel in both wrists makes it impossible for me to hold on to anything like a bike handle for very long.  But, walking is good, except for the fact that my long time walking pal, Buck the Dalmatian, can no longer walk with me so now I’m on my own when walking.

How’s that for another reason why I should be in the kitchen at this very moment stuffing my face?

I’ve tried many diets and been successful for a while, then gained all the weight back, plus a few extra.  Weight Watchers and Adkins were the main two I switched between.  Something was lacking.  They didn’t address what to do after the initial weight loss.  Oh they offered plans but they were missing something I couldn’t put my finger on.  All I know is that I couldn’t maintain the diets successfully for any great length of time.

How’s that for another reason why I should be in the kitchen at this very moment stuffing my face?

I believe in God’s timing.  It was no fluke that I just “happened” onto the Thin for Life website.  “Free for a Month” caught my attention.  I decided to try it even though I had to sign up through Pay Pal.  I couldn’t decide if Thin for Life was legitimate or a scam.  Something/someone made me go with the whole idea.

It was difficult at first because I didn’t read instructions nor did I realize I could ask for help.  For three months I taught myself how to use the food and exercise journal.  I accidentally discovered the custom foods and recipe options. 

I have been a member and employee at our local Curves for Women.  I e-mailed lafonj@aplaceofhope.com and asked that the Curves workout be included in the exercise choices.  When I didn’t hear back within two weeks, I, very arrogantly, e-mailed him again and threatened to quit if it wasn’t included.

lafonj@aplaceofhope.com e-mailed me back and assured me that the techno-geeks who do such things would be motivated to get it done.  Suddenly lafonj@aplaceofhope.com was a real person, who seemed to care about my selfish demands.  Within a week Curves appeared on the exercise list.  I was elated. (I am not sure why it originally took so long for admin to respond, but every since I receive a response within 24 hours, sometimes within hours.)

I had lost several pounds on my own, following the TFL plan.  Once I hooked up to the people aspect of TFL the pounds began to fall away fairly quickly.  My first jaunt into the cyber world of teleseminars happened, again because it was free.  I met Dr. Jantz over the phone and found him to be very sincere and caring.  That was odd to me.  Then I tried an online “chat”-a totally new experience.  It was a one on one.  I liked what I heard/typed.  I was hooked.

Thirty-one pounds later Rich (lafonj@aplaceofhope.com) started a Thin For Life 12 week journey using the Thin Over 40 book.  I enthusiastically joined the group.  That’s when a whole new dimension of TFL began.  Direct involvement with other TFLifers over and above the chats. I even read the book a day at a time. (Not like me. Originally I read through it quickly. Much different experience when I just stuck with each day’s reading).   I started to journal through PTO (Personal trainer One) and found it to be quite freeing to be able to express my thoughts, concerns and victories. Soon after, I began to publish them on line (blogging) for God and everybody to see.  Other ladies did also and suddenly I truly believed I was not the only one struggling and succeeding all at the same time.

The twice weekly chats keep us in touch with Rich who is a very gifted counselor.  He listens well and asks questions that cause me to answer more deeply than I thought possible.  Something about typing out a response that frees up the mind and next thing I know I’ve solved the issue myself, with the help and encouragement of the other TFLifers on line with Rich.

The discussion board has given me a place to add my two cents worth and learn from the other TFLifers.  That’s where you find the listing of blogs of everyone who is daring enough to go public.  It amazes me that in the end, we all suffer from similar incidents and rejoice at small but significant victories.  My two cents matter there. 

The inspirational calendar has been a source of strength.  I read it everyday and go to the Discussion Board to reply to either the scriptural quote and/or the secular quote.  Somehow putting my thoughts into words make them sink in and take root.

Thin for Life isn’t a quick fix. It requires work and diligence.  In fact, if a person is  not serious about permanent weight loss, it probably will not work for them. It took me three months on my own to figure it all out and I’m still learning, especially since I’m “computer impaired”. I’m still discovering new things, sometimes for the second or third time.  It’s been well worth the time and effort.  I’m now down from 226# to 174# and well on my way to my goal of 145#.  I’ve developed a new awareness of food and its effect on my life and my life’s effect on my food choices.

I wish at the beginning I would have read the FAQ Section and all the other instructions that are available on the site. Plus now, there are many times during the day (and even night) that there is Live Support. You can actually click a link on the site and get a real person chatting with you immediately-I think it's magic.

I’ve found new friends who support me through the good and bad days.  Who pray for me.  Laugh with me. Are there for me.  What more could I ask for from them?  Except to get to meet them in person.  For now the photo gallery will have to do.  We e-mail each other back and forth with listening ears and open hearts.  Something about e-mail makes it easier to “talk” because you can write down everything before you get an answer.  It’s so direct and uninterrupted by outside sources such as children, phone calls, thinking what to say next to that person and not really hearing what they’re telling me. Thought goes into the e-mails and private messages.

That’s what makes TFL unique. Even though it’s all done through a faceless computer, TFL is made up of people.  It’s very people friendly.  Once you let down your guard and allow the TFL principals to begin to act in your life you’ll find a whole new way of thinking and acting toward food and more importantly life.  It’s not a religion or cult, just a group of people banded together in their commonalities and differences all trying to make an impact on their lives now and for the rest of their lives.

I can truly say that for the first time in my life I not only hope that I will be Thin for Life, but that I will truly experience permanent weight loss. Thank you Thin for Life Staff and Members.