Member Spotlight: Toni Q.

On March 26, 2009, I was diagnosed with diabetes. I had been in denial about my health for many years; I was living a sedentary life, eating the wrong foods and watching my weight grow higher and higher. After my diabetes diagnosis, I was determined to do something about my situation. I’d been determined before; I have battled with weight problems my whole life and I’ve tried every kind of diet and nutrition plan there is only to fail after a few months.

But this time it was different. I had a different motivator. I didn’t want to lose my feet, my vision or have a heart attack. Immediately, that day, I started my new lifestyle and have not looked back.

I follow a diabetic diet and along with medication and I’ve lost over 50 pounds. The Diabetes Food Pyramid diet works because you learn how to eat balanced meals throughout the day by making the correct choices.

I also discovered Virgin HealthMiles and now not only do I eat correctly but I lead an active lifestyle which I thought was gone forever.

I started my walking program in March 2009 but I wasn’t able to walk 3 miles at a time until June 2009 when I joined Virgin HealthMiles.I don’t know why, but the pedometer motivates me to walk. I never thought I would say that, but it does. You are so concerned about getting those 7,000 steps a day that sometimes you find yourself running in place at night to get those last few hundred steps to make it to 7,000. What an accomplishment you feel when you get there!

Since joining Virgin HealthMiles I have walked 2,537,498 steps (1,195 miles) and have worn out 3 pair of walking shoes!

For those of you just beginning a walking program, please start out slow at first to avoid injuries. It’s important not to overdo it at the beginning. The important thing about walking is getting your heart rate up and trying to do it every day. It doesn’t matter if you walk it all at once or break it up into three smaller walks a day (10 minutes at a time until you can work your way up) you will benefit from the activity and lose weight. Of course, it is very important to drink a lot of water.

Since last year when I began my lifestyle change, I have:

• Walked in four 5Ks (bettering my finish time with each walk)
• Won a bunch of great prizes from the 2009 Frankfort’s Chamber of Commerce’s Biggest Loser Contest (came in 2nd place!)
• Joined the Wellness Program at work and our team won a wonderful prize
• Joined Fit-Time-for-Women’s gym
• Enjoyed the many new beginnings in my life: I’ll be turning 50 this year and am actually looking forward to it because I feel better than I have in years!

Needless to say, my life has changed and I am enjoying all the opportunities that this change has brought me. I’m not stuck to my couch, in front of the TV, eating and wasting my life.

I know how hard it is to get started. I was very depressed at first. I had lost my best friend – Food – which was how I normally coped with stress. I now try to use walking and my diet to help with stress. My friend Food has become a way for me to eat to live instead of living to eat. If I can do this, you can do this – one step at a time!!

Post a comment for Toni | Share your story: stories@virginhealthmiles.com

Comments

[Pamela McDuffie]

You are so right Toni. I am motivated by the pedometer too. I wish I had it a long time ago. I Love your story. Thanks
Pamela McDuffie

[cathy benelli]

your life has just begun, welcome to the new beginnings.

[Erika Larson]

Toni, how wonderful! And how brave of you to include a before photo in a swimsuit...

That is a great write-up on you and your progress. I love the fact you know how many miles you've walked and worn out three pairs of shoes.

Keep going and please keep me in the loop!

[Pui Miller]

wow !! I love your story. The pedometer is really motivate me to walk and try to keep up my own target everyday. I just joined this program for 1 week I lost 2 lbs. already and I still need to lose more .. Thanks it is nice!!

[Deborah Cato]

Way to go! What an inspiring story. Keep on stepping!!!

[cheryl lockett]

Thanks for sharing your story. WAY TO GO!! Keep up the good work. I take 2 to 8 mile walks almost every day in addition to just getting in my daily activities. My time walking is just me and the road. I LOVE IT and like you I would encourage anyone just get up and start, even if it is a little.

[beth]

Congratulations on your great success! You are a motivation for me as I have no excuse for not getting fit and losing weight. I hope to have a small success soon. thanks for the beginning push toward healthy choices

[Joyce Reid]

Great going Toni! You look wonderful and must feel wonderful too. You are an inspiration to me. You show that it can be done.
Joyce

[Jane]

Hi, Toni. I loved reading your story. My situation is similar, but so far I haven't been able to reach my goal. I feel inspired now to start again. This time I'll do it!! Thanks for sharing :)

[Judy]

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!! My problem is yo-yo
dieting and snacking at night. Any suggestions? Fortunately I'm not diabetic.

[Laura Graham]

I am so proud of you Toni! You have fought the weight battle and won!!! You look fantastic and I know you feel 100% better. Here's to you and your much continued success!!! Love to you always!

[C.S]

Keep up the good work. I am very proud of you.

[Stephanie Marshall]

Hi Toni,
We are all VERY proud of you here in KY!! Keep up the great work! You are obviously quite an inspiration to others. Thanks for sharing your story and encouraging so many people by doing so!

Stephanie Marshall

[MJT]

Great Job Toni. You have not just inspired me but I truly believe this might be the story to help motivate my sister too. I plan to pass it on to her for reading. KEEP UP THE GOOD JOB.

[sis]

Toni - Your story will surely inspire many people especially those dealing with diabetes. I come from a family where this very controllable disease has affected more than half of us. I really liked your comment about "eating to live not living to eat". It sendsa very strong message that is sure to resonate with many. Stay strong and keep on steppin!

[Rose Jackson]

Hi Toni Your story is very inspiring and has given me more of a reason to try and get my weight under control. I have started changing my eating habit to watch my carbs because I come from a family with history of diabetes and I don't want to be part of that statistics. Thanks again for your story. Rose

[Shinda]

Hi Toni, congrats on all you've achieved. In looking at your before and after pics, I see what an amazing turn-around you've made. Keep on steppig girl!! I wish you the very best in everything you set out to do.

[Beverly Frederick]

Thank you for your great story! You are an inspiration! I have a similar story and I have Virgin Healthmiles to thank for it too - 85 lbs down for me! Thanks again for sharing your inspiration, it helps many.
Beverly Frederick

[Ellen L Harris]

Hi Toni,
Very inspiring and motivating story. Just what I need at this point. I just joined Health Miles. I hope to lose weight and prevent the onset of dibetes. I have two sisters that have it. My oldest sister's feet are not looking so good now. I also need to bring my blood presure and colesteral levels down. i am probably one of the oldest members. I know I have my work cut out for me.

Thanks for your story and I wish you good luck in the future.

Ellen

[Karen McCleary]

Wow! That is an amazing story. You probably feel like a new person too :-) You are an inspiration to many people who feel hopeless. All the best to you. Keep stepping high!

[Janet Sheridan]

Toni, you rock, I was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy last year and have been trying to change my diet and lifestyle but have been having a difficult time getting motivated, your story gives me the inspiration to see a dietician and get the help I need to lose the weight and become healthier , keep up the good work.
Janet Sheridan

[Deborah]

Hi Toni, Very motivating story. I also am a borderline-diabetic and if I don't get it under control I will be for some serious health problems.
Thanks for motivating me!!!

[Deishima]

When I joined Virgin Health Miles in 2009, I lost 15 pounds that year, but I got tired of the pains that come with being obese, so I made a lifestyle change in Feb 2010. As of today, I have lost 33 pounds since Feb with a total of 48 pounds. I am only 5'3" and my body was not created to carry a bunch of weight. I have 30 more pounds to go to be healthy and I am so thankful that I changed my lifestyle. Toni, stay encouraged!

[Amy McKeehan]

Hi Toni, What an awesome accomplishment! I had lost 42 pounds 2 years ago to get my blood pressure under control.I have 20 more to go but I am off my blood pressure meds completely now!!! I need to increase my steps and your story gave me that extra boost I needed to keep going:) Thank you for sharing!

[Leslie]

You look amazing. I too had onset diabetes. Weighed in at 227 lbs with a 5'2 frame. I lost 78 pounds. I started in 2007 with diet and lots of excercise.My employer started the Virgin Health Miles program in 2010 and today I am still so happy with my active life and changed perspective. I was using food to kill myself and today I am living! Keep it up!

[Gail]

You look beautiful, Toni!

[Mikki sheridan]

Great job Toni...the more people you tell your story to, the more you motivate. It is truely contagious and it is fun to watch others get their life and health on track. You go girl!!!

[lori tupper]

You go, girl! Thank you so much for the inspiring story!

[sarah]

Toni, your determination is so inspiring! thank you for sharing. I'm friends with "Food" too but need to stop being so dependent on her. She can be kind of a jerk...

[Catherine Hiner]

Hi Gal: I, too, lived out your same story, except that I'm now 70 years old. Down 35 lbs., able to walk the 7,000 daily, finding foods that satisfy without adding the wrong carbs, talking about it every time I get the chance. You go girl! I will, too! Keep on, keeping on, and keep healthy! That's my goal, too! Good luck to you/us!
Cathy Hiner