Amy B.

Amy was so uncomfortable with her weight that she dreaded leaving the house. With the help of Joy's program she lost 49 pounds and gained the confidence to hold her head high!

BEFORE

AFTER

Age: 40
Height: 5'7"
Starting weight: 175 pounds
Current weight: 126 pounds
Goal weight: 125
Pounds lost: 49 pounds

Amy reached a point where she avoided looking people in the eye. She was so unhappy with her weight that she cringed at the thought of going to the store and running into someone she knew. Then, Amy came across Joy’s four-step program in Woman’s Day magazine, and was surprised to see that the menus were filled with foods she loved! Seeing how easy Joy’s tips were to follow, Amy decided to give the program a try and see how far she could go.

Initially, Amy didn’t expect to make it through all four steps, but to her surprise, the weight starting falling off fast! She lost 25 pounds in the first two weeks and couldn’t believe the numbers on the scale. She was amazed that she had dropped so much weight even while feeling like she was eating all the time. “I was so excited,” Amy says, “I felt my confidence growing every time I stepped on the scale!”

Being conscious of what — and when — she was eating was the most difficult change for Amy. “I wasn’t a breakfast eater and never really paid attention to what I ate throughout the day,” says Amy. “The most difficult part for me was getting used to eating breakfast, lunch, a snack and dinner, and sticking to that routine. Joy’s plan is a great way for me to stay in control and be aware of what I am eating throughout the day.”

Now Amy, asking herself: “Will this take me forward or set me back?” before she eats a food. If the answer is yes, she allows herself a small amount, and then records it in her daily food journal. Planning and tracking her daily food intake helped Amy become more aware of what she was putting into her body. Plus, since Joy’s program allowed for Amy to enjoy occasional splurges, and adjust her food plan as needed, she never felt deprived or guilty. She also learned to love healthy snacks like an apple with peanut butter or a few of Joy’s Chocolate-Cherry Oatmeal cookies.

Joy’s cookbook, Slim and Scrumptious, taught Amy how to prepare meals for herself and for her family using healthier ingredients. She has also become aware of serving sizes — something she had never thought about before. “They are smaller than you think,” Amy says. “I definitely took advantage of Joy’s list of unlimited foods — it got me through if I still felt hungry between meals.”

The most rewarding part of Amy’s weight-loss journey has been finally feeling confident again. “I’ve always been an outgoing person, and it feels incredible to look people in the eye and not feel the shame that I felt before,” Amy says. “I hold my head higher, smile more and enjoy life a whole lot more!”

She encourages others trying to lose weight to ask themselves, “How will you feel after you eat this?” before they indulge. “But don’t feel guilty if you go off track,” Amy says. “Just pick up where you left off as soon as possible. Each moment is a new opportunity to begin again.”

The best compliment she has received? “Someone told me I don’t look like I’ve ever been a pound overweight. I was overweight for more than 10 years, so it’s an awesome feeling to hear those words!”

*Weight loss varies by individual. You may not achieve these results.