Rick Horsfall, Training and Development Manager Ben Venue Laboratories, Inc.

Over the years I have tried all sorts of diets to take off weight. They were usually short-lived because I did not like being told to eat foods I did not like. I joined Weight Watchers and had success taking off the weight only to gain it back again plus some. While on their diet I was always looking for a way to “cheat” and still lose weight. The best I ever did was on TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) where I had control of the diet but they provided accountability and encouragement. However, I moved away from the group and that too went by the wayside.

Eight years ago I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes and had lost some weight but had put it back on again. Now I was tired of feeling “blah” all the time. On top of that I was starting to get pains in my chest when walking to my car or up a flight of stairs. I decided the best thing was to lose some weight and exercise. When I looked at Dee’s Weight Solution program at my company I thought this might be something that would work for me because it had some of the elements of TOPS but provided more personal incentive.

I started Dee’s program in June and found it to be very easy to follow. The most helpful things I found were the thought process of a room full of gold, eating to a “five” to satisfy my hunger, not eating unless I was physically hungry, and journaling what I eat noting my hunger level before and after each meal. These things helped me start losing weight. In addition, Dee’s CD’s are available at any time to go back and listen to for insights and encouragement.

At the end of July I had a stress test which landed me in the hospital. Three stents later I was back at home with more diet restrictions on fat and salt. However, I still have the freedom to eat what I want, when I want, within those guidelines. The stents also gave me back the ability to exercise which I have been doing faithfully ever since. I’ve lost twenty pounds and my cardiologist would like me to lose about twenty more. In addition, my sugar levels, which I had struggled with for years, have dropped into the low end of the proper range. My doctor just cut my medicine in half at my last visit because my numbers were so consistently good. And I’ve done it all without dieting. Dee’s program reminds me of the “Think System” Professor Harold Hill promotes in “The Music Man”. But Dee’s program actually works!
The important thing is to think about what you are eating, make better choices in the moment, and stop when you are satisfied rather than stuffed. It’s about changing your eating habits forever.