I totally understood how she lost weight. She was medicating herself with food. When she connected and felt nurtured by other people, the "illness" she was medicating was cured (for her.) A person 703 pounds has to eat ALOT of food to maintain that weight. She had a huge empty hole she was filling each day. When she found the internet, her hours and days were filled up and all those trips to the kitchen were replaced with interactions with people. It makes perfect sense. I agree, her situation is really astonishing. But, it just goes to show it is not always about the food. She still had to eat, but she ate to survive, not survive to eat. I think her point is that it isn't about counting calories, or minutes of exercise a day. It is your heart and what is driving you to eat. Anyone who is overweight is not just eating to survive. They are eating to fill a need. And I in her case, she did not feel like a valuable person. And that huge hurt was being filled with food. When she really came to believe in her own value (which seemed to happen when she was nurtured and appreciated by others,) the need for the food went away. I think if more people embraced what she had to say, so many would lose weight.
People really need to get that about the obese. They are people who are hurting. It's just that they way they deal with it is on full display for everyone to see.

Well said GretchK! That is why shame does not bring about change. If a hurting person is suffering why would anyone think that shaming and hurting them even more so who incite some one to lose? And that goes for the person who is self-inflicting the suffering.

Hey Gretchen, Thanks for your kind words .. You REALLY get the import of my message .. I've been inundated by people looking for a particular chat room or book to read that'll get them where they wanna go. Americans want to buy a product packaged in shiny paper with instructions and promises attached. We spend 30 BILLION a year on diet aids, supplements, exercise equipment, powders, potions .. you name it, we'll buy it! And we're getting fatter as a nation every year. Go figure ... Imagine what could be done if this problem could be treated by a medical community with a new slant on the causes and cures. The savings to govermental agencies and insurance companies would be enormous. Treat the person pre-need and more in-depth instead of waiting till it has spiraled so out of control that they require hospitalization, adding to their loss of hope or even adding the real possibility of premature death in some cases. I intend to talk, talk, talk till these people who are so entrenched in their opinions (they have the degrees, after all) will listen to WHAT WORKS. Few doctors seem to really understand. Some DO, they are few in number. If they have a handle on this thing, then why are so many of us still overweight? I have my theories regarding their reticence in changing. There are many pieces to this puzzle. More later on the subject. I am fired up, Gretchen. I have already been offered a position as a consultant at a local hospital. I will go and help them out for a few days with my ideas/experience, but I really don't think that's where I'm intended to be, long-term. I don't want to be INSIDE an office 8 plus hours per day. THIS girl doesn't want to be in ANY indoor setting all day .. Ha! I will be speaking, something my poor producer from Harpo could tell you a thing or two about. It's a miracle that the man hasn't been admitted to a Chicago area hospital with a coronary. He was wonderful to me, but I IZ irrepressible (and disobedient at times) Overeating is completely illogical and treating it solely based on some rational theory (pyramid food chart/input/output theory as an example) does nothing to heal the wounded being where they really need it (inside) .. It is an emotional problem, plain and simple. I call it "putting a Band-Aid on a gaping wound" and expecting healing to take place. Any food plan will get results. Changing your view of yourself will KEEP IT OFF. I KNOW. I've kept off 530 lbs. for nearly 4 years now and have had no "struggle" in doing so. I have to get out of here for now. I clean a salon at night. I scrub on my hands and knees for my exercise program, ladies and gentlemen. It works for me. Then I'm taking my grandson out for dinner to a local greasy spoon I love. Great food. Good people and laughter all around. I won't eat three orders of onion rings, but I may just treat myself to ONE; I do that on occasion .. Because I'm worth every tasty morsel. Food is not the enemy; misuse of this wonderful life-giving gift is what causes harm. Because I feel valuable now I don't WORRY constantly about climbing the scales, no need. Food is now in its proper place. What a different outlook I have been blessed with. I feel like I've found the Holy Grail. And I'm no different that you are. Drink in whatever you find around you, people. I was out of that wondrous atmosphere for so long that now the little things mean so very much. I'll never let that feeling die. I am so grateful for where I've been and now where I see myself being able to go ...... Oh, and Gretchen .. I am writing a book .. It's a doozy. Stay tuned. I'll be back. Peace, Nancy

It is really wonderful that she lost all that weight you go girl. Still in all I don't have that inspiration that everyone has claim to have gotten from this I to am over weight and wants to lose weight I really need to lose about 200lbs. but I have not found my inspiration but after hearing about the million people challenge to lose weight I am eager to be a part of that challenge. From someone who needs to be found.

Dear Nancy:
There are quite few who got it after your eloquent presentation.

BTW I caught you on Good Morning America tpday. Brava again sister!

Its the attitude not the apitude that will take you to the alititude.

I know you have heard the word inspiring a lot lately as it is well deserved. Many people get inspired but not take it in action. You did. You made your mind over sought the company and association needed and fed a hungry heart.

In another thread I have hear I have spoken about loneliness, stress, anxiety and the correlation with what is eating us.
You've struck a deep chord and I truly hope to see many follow your lead in a way that is healthy and safe for them in this time.

Brava again!

Nancy,

Thank you for your reply! I am glad to hear the offers are coming in for you. But, yes, you don't need to be behind a desk!

You have a great presence and speaking voice. You need to be out in the light! I look forward to following your journey.

What really amazes me about you is that you obviously seem to refuse to go back to the place you were at. I have had so many ups and downs in my life. Only two years ago, I was down 30 pounds. I was feeling great. Then, I had a few emotionally devastating experiences and I gained the 30 pounds back! I think a great part of your success is that you have held on to what you discovered. I want some of that!! I'm glad you're writing a book. You have a gift for writing. I will certainly buy it!! It has been an honor to correspond with you! All that pain you experienced is helping so many people. That has to be satisfying to know that those many years of sadness have ended with such victory! Take care!

Gretchen

I've started a thread on the "Best Weight Loss Challenge" board (look under the Weight Loss heading) for those of us who want to share our progress daily.

Hi Nancy, just in case you have some influence with the producers at Harpo, please ask The Oprah Winfrey show to RE-AIR the November 28th show... I want to see it again, especially in December as people make "empty" new year resolutions to lose weight. We all need as much encouragement as possible!

Best efforts with maintaining your weight loss. That's the bigger battle from my experience.

God bless,
Roz

:D:D Thank You Nancy :D:D

{color:#800000}"Any food plan will get results. Changing your view of yourself will KEEP IT OFF!" <--- I am working on this NOW!

I only HOPE to ONE DAY help Others as MUCH as YOU HAVE HELPED ME!!!

Can't wait for your BOOK!!!!

Thanks AGAIN Nancy YOUR AMAZING!!!!{color}

Thank You Nancy "Any food plan will get results. Changing your view of yourself will KEEP IT OFF!" <--- I am working on this NOW! I only HOPE to ONE DAY help Others as MUCH as YOU HAVE HELPED ME!!! Can't wait for your BOOK!!!! Thanks AGAIN Nancy YOUR AMAZING!!!!

:xIt is wonderful to see how everyone posting here is so supportive! It makes my heart feel happy. Overweight folks encounter so much abuse out there in the world from very inconsiderate and unkind people. I know, it has happened to me in the not so distant past. But there are also very nice people as evidenced here.

Hi Nancy, I was wondering if you have had any surgeries for excess skin either on body or face? A friend of mine is afraid to lose weight for fear of this excess skin. Sad thing is her marriage partner is younger then her and she doesn't want to look older by losing the weight. However, if she doesn't lose the weight I am afraid we will lose her.

This show was amazing!! i have been on a diet my whole life.. I went to camp shane in NY when i was in the 4th grade.. that is the "celebrity" weight loss camp in new york... well years later i finally took control of my life and lost 60 lbs by doing weight watchers and exercising ... I can relate to anyone who has ever had a weight problem! it is a life long battle because i sure do like my ice cream still.. ha ha

anyhow to anyone who is on a diet just stick to it in time you too will succeede.... I had liposuction 3 months ago thinking that it would be the awnsers to my "perfect body" but that to i have learned is my poor image of myself that is sent from hollywood where normal size 6 girls are to "fat" ......


Good Night all and keep up all the good work..

Hi, cinch.plan I just recently joined this website also and I would love to learn something out there that works. You can't believe half of what you see on tv the way pictures can be fixed, but if you are a true fat girl and this product makes you want to sing it's praises then I want to know.

Hi Nancy! I hope you are well. I'm desperately trying to get in touch with you. My emails keep bouncing back from your website. I'm a British journalist interested in covering your inspiring story in the UK. Please email me at features@racheldobson.co.uk. Thanks Rachel