Taking control of your weight and your life;

It’s a lot easier than you think.

I am so happy that you want to make a change in your life! I know there are many weight loss programs out there, and they can work. What I offer is personal attention, focus and real life weight loss solutions.

This is all about creating the life you want; before we start talking about you I would like to share a bit about myself with you. I feel it is important that you know I understand you.

My name is Lori Grant; I live in a small town west of Boston, Massachusetts. I am 47 and married to Andy and we have a wonderful life together. We have a cat named Samantha and a Dog named Homer.

I struggled with my weight beginning in my mid-twenties, but it was getting out of control by my early 30’s. The ups and downs of my weight were normal to me. I am sure they were not normal for those who love (d) me in my life.

In 1994 when I was single I finally took action again and lost 70 pounds. I did it with the support of my friends and family. I made myself exercise daily and I was diligent about what I would allow myself to eat. It was a lot of work and it was hard for me. I reached my personal goal in August of 1995, about a year after I started my diet.

I met Andy and we became involved in October of 1995. It was a very whirlwind romance and loads of fun. There were lots of meals out and I wasn’t following my new habits from my recent weight loss. After all I was happy with my weight and thought I was ‘cured’.

Before I knew it I was eating out often and not making wise choices. I wasn’t bringing lunch to the office; I would eat in the cafeteria or go out and eat with friends. Because I was spending so much time with Andy I was getting together with my friends more during the week and eating out even more.

I was celebrating. We were in love and we were enjoying life. I loved food and incorporated food into all occasions. Andy and I moved in together and slowly at first the weight started coming back. I love to cook and I would make huge meals for us. When I worked late which was often I would pick something up on the way home from the office. Eating became our hobby, another way of connecting with each other. Deciding which restaurant to go to, discussing our food choices, etc. It was great.

Before I knew it I had gained about 40 pounds. It didn’t slow down my eating and splurging at all. By the time Andy and I got engaged Dec. 1996 I was up 50-60 pounds. I figured I’m getting married I’ll lose weight for my wedding. That did NOT happen, of course it didn’t. I wanted to lose weight but did not make one single change in my life to ensure that would happen. (Does this sound familiar? Or do you still think you are actually making changes and not seeing results?)

I ended up celebrating even more and before I knew it I was up 100 pounds. I did the opposite of what most women do; I gained weight for my wedding. I almost didn’t fit into the costume gown that I wore for my wedding. As excited as I was for my wedding day, I absolutely was dreading putting on the dress. I knew it was going to be tight and uncomfortable, after I gave the costume maker my measurements I gained more weight.

I was embarrassed for myself and for Andy that I had gotten so big. I was uncomfortable in my own skin. I felt cumbersome (if that is the right word) in my own body. I didn’t feel like myself, yet I knew it was me when I looked in the mirror or looked down at my body.

I always put on a happy face, after all I was marrying the man I loved and my life was good. I had a good job, great friends, a happy healthy family and I was head over heals in love with Andy.

On the inside though, in my own head, I always felt like I was the only one who had these food issues. I often asked myself what was wrong with me, why can’t I just stop when I am full. Why do I have to always finish everything on my plate? Why am I the only one of my friends that battles their weight? These and many other questions always loomed in my head.

Things that I loved to do I started to avoid. I love to travel, but hated flying, I was so big, and I was embarrassed. Amusement parks which I love became very uncomfortable for me. Would I fit in the seat, would I be okay? I was exhausted by the end of a day because of all the extra weight. Were people staring at me? Can’t fat people love rides too? Clothes shopping became a non-event, I hated having to go to specialty stores, and everything was ugly and old looking. It kind of summed up how I felt about myself inside. I felt like the bigger I got, the smaller my world was becoming. I was closing in on myself and it did not feel good.

I was never willing to share these feelings with anyone, not my friends, family, not even Andy. Why would I share such a weakness with anyone? I was not willing to tell people I couldn’t control myself; that was much too big a flaw for me to divulge to anyone. How could they understand, how could they still love me? After all I am independent and strong, I can handle anything. By admitting my issues I was saying I need help, I am weak, and my parents didn’t raise me to be weak. I thought there was something wrong with me.

I spent the next year after I got married over compensating for my weight. I was a happy newlywed; life was truly good, except for my weight and my self body image. I knew that Andy wasn’t happy with my weight; I also knew that he loved me in spite of it. A scary concept, he loved me even though I was fat.

In February of 99 I needed a Visa photo for my passport. After we went to get the pictures we headed to the grocery store. I remember looking at the picture and just closing it up and putting it back in the bag. I just looked out the window. We went shopping; I don’t remember much of that at all, just that I couldn’t wait to get home.

When we got home, I put away the groceries and cried. I believe I spent the next 3 hours crying. How could I have let this happen, what an idiot? I don’t even look like me, who am I? My G-D what happened? Andy just kept on hugging me until I calmed down and explained about the picture.

I pulled out the phone book and looked up weight loss info. It was a Sunday and I called Diet workshop, no answer, moved on to Weight Watchers. Got a person, got the information about a meeting in the next town on Thursday nights. I wrote down the info and knew that I would go. Next I looked up gyms; I found 2 in the area. I asked Andy to go with me on Monday after work to check them out.

Monday night we checked out one, it was more for muscle heads, not my cup of tea. The next gym was perfect for me, when we went in to check it out there were 3 people walking on treadmills; they were wearing sweat pants and t-shirts and were all overweight. No one was wearing spandex and no one was super thin and perfect. I felt comfortable immediately.

I made an appointment for the next night to set up a workout routine. Tuesday night I arrived at the gym after work, paid my annual fee and got moving. I was so nervous to be trained; I could tell the guy that was training me didn’t really want to. He probably thought I would quit after a couple of weeks. My worst moment, I couldn’t fit in one of the machines, I was mortified, as was my trainer but my humor took over and I laughed about it.

I started very slowly, I remember that I had to bike before I walked because if I got on the treadmill first I wouldn’t be able to bike. I believe I would walk for 20 minutes at 2 miles an hour. I felt like I had run a marathon, it was exhausting.

I joined Weight Watchers on Thursday night; I was absolutely horrified to be doing this. I felt pathetic, having to join a group to lose weight. What was wrong with me? I finally got to the receptionist, the line was long. I signed up for 12 weeks, I was afraid if I only paid for 1 night I would never come back. I received all the paperwork and the program and I got in line to get weighed in. If you think I was horrified about having to join then imagine what it was like to get on a scale in front of someone else. It was very bad, very, very bad, I wanted to cry, hell I wanted to run away, but I didn’t. I proceeded to find a seat and get ready for the meeting. I spoke to no one, a big deal because I am a talker. I stayed after the meeting to learn about the program so that I would know what to do.

I will say what I remember about that meeting aside from signing up, weighing in and not talking was an older woman saying that she had lost 36 pounds. I thought this was huge; she was sitting right up front and so proud of herself, as she should be. That memory has stayed with me; I felt if she could do it, I could do it.

18 months later (August 2000), with many successes, many setbacks, with much laughter and tears I reached my goal weight again. This time I was determined not to gain it back.

Once I reached my goal and became a lifetime member at Weight Watchers, I was asked to become a leader. I interviewed for the position and began the training. I was very excited to be able to help others, after all the support that I had been receiving it was so important to give back to others.

If you can relate to any of my story, please call or email me, I want to hear from you.

Before we get started on your weight loss journey, know that whenever you are ready to start losing weight and changing your life I am ready to help you. Feel free to call or email me anytime. I know you can do it because I did it and I have seen and helped countless hundreds of others do it.

My passion is to help you lose weight and create the life you’ve only dared to dream about. I live what I coach and understand the challenges and rewards that come with changing your thoughts, eating habits and lifestyle. I will help you make steady and permanent changes; more important I will make sure that you can laugh your way through it. When you work with me you will revel in your accomplishments and you will start having fun from the get go.

I will be your partner in change, provide you with strategies, and support you as you achieve and maintain your weight loss goals.  I will be the first person in your support system and I will help you create a larger support system that will keep you focused on your health. I know that everyone especially you, are capable of achieving your weight loss goals and dreams. I work
closely with you as you learn about your specific weight loss issues and as you begin to live your life the way you want.
After working for Weight Watchers for over 3 years, I left and was co-owner of The Coach Approach™.  I am now the owner of Always Your Weigh; Change your Thoughts, Change your Life™.   I started my own business to provide weight loss coaching services that weren’t available through other weight loss companies.  I feel very strongly that what I provide to people like you is far more than just coaching weight loss.  I am here to help you take the action which is best suited for you and your life.  I will work with you to provide support, guidance and together we will create a plan for your success.

I will help you achieve weight loss and healthy eating while having fun.

I will always be honest and forthcoming with you, there are no gimmicks or quick fixes; it is about changing your attitude and then your lifestyle.  It is not just about weight loss, it is about being healthy and taking control of your eating and your life.

I know that the adversity we deal with about our weight can bring great challenges, but challenges bring growth and with that growth ultimately a new and exciting life will emerge.

The benefits of having me (Lori Grant) as your personal weight loss coach;

When we work together you will get both my personal and professional experience.  I know what it takes to reach your goal, how hard it may be, how possible it really is and the rewards that come with it.  It will always be about you and your needs.

You will fill out a questionnaire that helps me to help you, we will also fill out a food assessment (likes/dislikes) to help you create meal and snack ideas that you will really enjoy.

I will come to you at home or work, (reducing stress and making weight loss even easier for you).  We create a schedule that works for both of us.  If we can’t meet in person (distance) I will coach you over the phone.  Our sessions will last 45 minutes each week.

You will receive a 12 week  Victory Journal, which will help you learn your habits and begin to make changes to them.

We will create a food plan for your life and your lifestyle that will allow you to lose weight, feel good about yourself, stay healthy and  enjoy food without guilt.

You will have access to me through email all the time, so when you need someone I’ll be here.

I will provide recipes for you focused specifically on the foods you like.

We will create the best plan for you, by getting to know what helps you focus on healthy choices.

When we work together you will trust me to know how far you can be pushed without quitting while staying both inspired and motivated.

If you have any medical issues I will work with your doctor(s) to help you make sure that your food plan supports your other health challenges.

I also provide many additional services that will help you learn new habits and maintain them.

Shop smart; we go shopping together and you learn to make the best choices possible for the foods that you like at the grocery store.

Pantry raid; I come to your home and go through your pantry with you (have a large trash barrel ready).  We assess what’s in your pantry and I will explain to you whether it helps or hinders your weight loss.  And then we will set up a weight loss friendly, temptation free pantry.

Cooking classes; you get a group of friends together for a night of cooking.  We create a menu, I’ll come over and as
we cook together I will teach everyone about the nutritional value of the meal and how to make it taste great.  It is great fun and everyone who attends will get the all the recipes, tips for entertaining healthy and the nutritional information for the meal.

My qualifications:

Professionally trained Co-active coach

Certified nutrition and wellness consultant

Weight Watchers leadership and was a leader for over 3 years

8 years of coaching weight loss individually, groups and tele-seminars

My own weight loss experiences and journeys

Attend multiple seminars annually on self-growth

After I lost 100 pounds I realized that I got much more than weight loss.  I got back the life I wanted; I was excited to travel again, to go to amusement parks, to hike, and to see the world.  I even went skydiving!

I no longer focus on what I can’t do because of my weight, I think of what I want to do, and I do it.  I have tons of energy, my feet don’t hurt after walking for a couple of hours, everything is easier and more fun.  I get to be who I am without worrying about what I look like.  I am no longer big and my world is no longer small.

I have created the life I want and I continue to create that life by helping others.  I am a firm believer in no regrets.  I can’t change my past and if I did something differently in my past (better or worse), I would not be who or where I am today. If I want to change my life I can, it is a wonderful concept that we create our lives in the image that we want.  I believe that not only can I do that but so can you.  By reading this and choosing to make changes in your eating habits you are already recreating your life.

Congratulations!

Before you lose your nerve call me (978 549-4279) or email me Lori @ alwaysyourweigh.com.

It really is that simple, isn’t it exciting?

Lori