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Nurse shares dieting secrets with others

Staff reporter

For Cheryl Ray of Marion, losing weight used to mean gaining it back.

Like the majority of dieters, it was simply a matter of time before she would plateau, become discouraged, and go back to her former eating habits.

Today, 100 pounds lighter and with a new resolve, Cheryl wants to help other people lose weight, and keep it off.

A student of former physician's assistant Ruth Reed's weight loss class, Cheryl is combining methods that have worked for her and information from local physicians in planning a weight loss class of her own.

"This has become a passion for me," Cheryl said, in helping others achieve what she has.

It took a year but Cheryl lost the weight by changing her eating habits.

"I've tried every diet. I'd lose weight but then would gain it back," Cheryl said. "I believe this diet will help me (and others) lose the weight for good."

For Cheryl, it means her life is not consumed with food — thinking about and eating it.

"Food simply is to nourish the body," she said. "Other things become important."

Food should not be used as a friend, consumed when a person is bored, or be a substitute for other aspects of life, she said.

While commuting to work, Cheryl developed some bad eating habits by eating snack and other high calorie foods.

"I learned to substitute healthier foods for the snacks," she said.

Another aspect that has amazed her is not craving certain foods.

"I haven't eaten ice cream in a year and I don't miss it," Cheryl said.

She said a doctor told her that she would lose her craving for sugar when her body hasn't had it in a while. And it was true.

With her weight loss and new-found way to live a healthy lifestyle, Cheryl is able to eat out and enjoy it without straying from her meal plan.

So, what was her secret to losing the weight?

"I set goals for myself," Cheryl said, which is an important part of being successful. "I set serious goals and silly goals."

She wanted to be able to ride horses again but said she couldn't because of her weight. That become one of her goals — to lose enough weight to be able to horseback ride with her granddaughter.

Having a positive attitude and the right mind set also is important.

"I told myself that I was going to die if I didn't lose weight," Cheryl said, which could be true.

One common illness often caused by obesity is diabetes.

A registered nurse, Cheryl said she was a borderline diabetic before she lost the weight.

"There are overweight children and teens who are diabetics or may become diabetics because of obesity," she said.

The weekly program that Cheryl plans to start is designed for everyone — male, female, children, and adults.

The excuse of not wanting to prepare two separate meals — one for the dieter and one for the rest of the family — doesn't hold water anymore.

"This is a program the whole family should eat for a healthier lifestyle," she said. No excuses.

The program is a 1,200 calorie diet, similar to Reed's program, which also includes information from the local physicians and physical therapists. Cheryl also will include moderate exercise and other techniques to help participants meet their weight-loss goals.

"I hate to walk so I researched exercising that doesn't involve a lot of walking," she said.

Keeping track of food intake also is a key to success. Cheryl also recommended keeping a journal to record moods and experiences.

She also read numerous dieting books. One book in particular suggested the dieter figure out why he or she overeats or substitutes food for something else, leading to an unhealthy lifestyle.

Like many dieters, Cheryl lost some weight and then reached a plateau where she wasn't losing any more. Instead of giving up and gaining, she switched diets.

"I started losing again," she said.

And now, 100 pounds lighter and feeling 20 years younger, the 60-something grandmother has the confidence that she will be able to keep it off.

"It has never entered my mind this time that I will gain it back," Cheryl said.

Classes will begin at 7 p.m. Jan. 16 in the basement of Marion Family Physicians clinic, 537 S. Freeborn, Marion. Cheryl said she was willing to meet more than one night a week or work with participants to find the best time to meet. There will be a charge for the class to cover Cheryl's expenses but she's not doing it for the money.

"I have become an advocate of this program," she said. "I want it to be affordable for everyone."

Those interested in participating are encouraged to attend the first class or contact Cheryl at (620) 382-3953.

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