My name is Marge Lyse and I’m from Naperville, IL. I was one of 5 women featured in the People Magazine Half My Size Issue January 2012. I’d like to tell you a little about my journey.
The Realization
In 2001 my weight ballooned to 378 pounds/172kg, and needless to say, the scale was headed in the wrong direction. After collapsing while dancing at a family party from heat exhaustion and requiring an inhaler and if I would have allowed it, Paramedics, I realized I needed to make a change. When I fell to the floor and heard my daughter run and say “I need 4 big men to pick up my mommy” I knew the change had to happen fast.
That change just happened to save my life.
Time to Change
The following morning I went out and bought a case of slim-fast to get started and to learn what a correct portion felt like and I joined a gym.
Today, I am proud to report that I’ve lost half my body weight and have had my story appear in People Magazine. Since the magazine I have been seen on The NBC Today Show, Chicago Tribune, WGN, Windy City Live, Bethanny and NBC in Chicago. I also have a story featured in First Magazine’s July 22nd issue. This month I was also chosen as one of the People Magazines Half Their Size All-Stars and the magazine is on the stands until July 2014.
How Did Marge Lose Half Her Bodyweight?
My secret: I changed my lifestyle and I joined a gym.
The hardest part of my incredible journey had been that first step into the gym. The equipment, as well as the people inside who were working out, made it very intimidating. I am now working at Downsize Fitness where we take that intimidation out of the picture. We are a gym that specializes in people that have 50 lbs or more to lose.
This is my way of Paying it Forward. I know the mental and physical sides of having to lose that much weight and more.
But I stepped onto a treadmill, started walking and haven’t looked back since.
I’ve kept the weight off and continue to do so because exercise has become a way of life for me. I cannot go through a day without some sort of activity, with my daily routine now including cardio in the morning for 45-60 minutes (I love Zumba!) and weightlifting for 45 minutes in the afternoon.
Words Of Wisdom From Marge
My best advice: “Don’t ever break that promise to yourself.”
We make so many promises to everyone in our lives, but the most important one is to ourselves. The secret to my success was making an entire lifestyle change, not just going on yet another quick fad diet. Weight loss doesn’t stop with a magic number on the scale. It’s a daily struggle to keep your new lifestyle alive.
‘Want power’
It’s not just willpower that gets you through; it’s “want power.”
Once we understand that a weight problem is as much a mental issue as a physical one, we can start to understand how to take that first step to better health. Everything starts with baby steps.
My future is one of health and activity. I have been able to begin the process of realizing my dream of becoming a Certified Personal Trainer. With the encouragement and support of my wonderful family friends, I am currently NASM, TRX and Kettle bell certified.
And for me…the journey continues.
An Amazing 212 Pound Loss!!
To date I have lost 212 lbs / 96.5kgs and am constantly fighting those last 5 or 10 lbs. And a year after the magazine I’m still losing. I’ve not only kept the weight off but I concentrated on building muscle and ridding my body of fat.
This past year has been one of reaching personal goals and helping others achieve theirs. I have been speaking locally about how to motivate yourself and get over the self-consciousness of being in a gym atmosphere and living a healthy lifestyle. I have had one member at a club I work out at tell me that since she saw the article and sees how motivated I am she has set a goal for herself, to lose 50lbs by the time she is 50. She turned 49 this year and has lost 18 of the 50 lbs. I have worked with my “big Sister” to lose and get on a healthy lifestyle and have started to work out with her once a week in my basement. She has lost 30lbs and has gotten control of her diabetes. The people that I motivate are the driving force behind my successful weight loss.
Once She Could Hardly Move But Now Marge Loves Her Fitness
I have started to do Crossfit which is metabolic conditioning. By combining body weight exercises, strength work and aerobic training you are gaining an understanding of how your body moves. The workouts are tough but when done in a group we encourage each other to finish the workout and finish strong. This is something that I have always wanted to do but again…felt intimated. Even after losing the weight doing what crossfit asks of you which is knowing just how deep within yourself you can dig and find that energy. Flipping tires is amazing for me. Not something I do every day but definitely worth the sweat.
I have also worked up to running my first mile. Now this might not sound like a big deal to a lot of people but with my asthma and COPD it sure is for me. I have been able to keep the COPD under control by working on improving my endurance. I would always shy away from running because I was afraid of my breathing but after working on it little by little I did it. My time was 12:37. Not a great time to some people but it is like a 6 minute mile to me.
I have been involved with the Biggest Loser Run/Walk Races in the area and have lead teams in all the local races.
This past Sept I was asked by Biggest Loser to be a guest at the Malibu, California ranch as a motivational and inspirational speaker. They said I am living proof that a lifestyle change is possible and maintainable. It was amazing to see myself on the events portion of the Biggest Loser Resort website.
My life has changed in so many ways this past year just by having the confidence to try new things and say…hey…I’m not old…I may be a grandmother (which I am to a wonderful grandson) but I can do it!!!
What a FANTASTIC Story!! And isn’t she a super sexy grandmother!! Thanks so much for sharing it with us Marge. You definitely are an inspiration and it’s great to see you out in public making a difference for other people.
Changing our lifestyle IS possible. Never give up oon yourself because you are worth it. Just take those little steps every single day and you too WILL get the same results.
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