If you walked into my office you would see a nicely framed Excel spreadsheet which I used to track my progress, but more importantly it was a constant reminder which kept me motivated for 15 months while dropping 73 pounds and becoming a Waist Aweigh Graduate and Lifetime Member at Weight Watchers.

For me, it was a combination of realizing that I needed to change so I could look and feel better, coupled with the letter that I received from PEHP's Waist Aweigh Program promising that I would be reimbursed to attend Weight Watchers if I met my bi-monthly goals. And, that's how my weight loss journey began.

Involving my staff has really helped. I had my associate take photos of me every two months. Adding reminders on my calendar to call or fax my Waist Aweigh Coach monthly and going to Weight Watchers every other week kept me in line and on track.

But, it really all started with walking. At first it was only one time a week for 15 minutes at a pretty slow pace. Gradually I increased it to a half hour. then it was 1-2 times per week for an hour as my pack quickened, and eventually it was 4-6 times per week for a full hour walking briskly. During the last few months, I also added the stationary bike and some weight lifting to my workout.

When I used to hike with my kids I would have to stop multiple time to rest, now I never stop at all! In fact, halfway through my weight loss process, my kids and I hiked in Reno to the top of the highest mountain in Tahoe - Mt. Rose, elevation 10,776 feet, 11.2 miles, and rated as a strenuous! I felt the greatest sense of accomplishment, I never thought I could do that and according to my kids, I rock!

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Hi my name is Theresa Trujillo, I work for South Jordan City and I'm 41 years old. I probably have had high cholesterol since I was 30. To be honest with you, I never took it seriously because I always felt fine. It was like an invisible illness. Yes, I was overweight and really didn't watch what I ate. I hate to admit, but I would eat whatever I wanted. I had my yearly check-up on 2/16/2009 and I knew what the results of my labs would be because I haven't changed anything to help it in anyway. Not only was my total cholesterol high (243, should be less than 200), but my glucose level was ridiculously high (245, should be less than 99), my HDL was (35, should be greater than 39), my LDL was (171, should be less than 99), my triglycerides were (185, should be less than 149), and my A1C was (11.3%, should be less than 7%). My doctor called me the moment he received the results and had me come in the office to run another test. If the results were the same, he would diagnose me with diabetes. That freaked me out and I'm thinking to myself "this couldn't be happening to me."

On February 18, 2009 it was confirmed, I have diabetes. I bawled practically all night and was down on myself and kept saying to myself "I did this to myself." The next day, I took it very seriously and from that day forward, I have been exercising daily, eating vegetables, carbs (but the good carbs), better fats, and finally eating fruit. Having diabetes, I have to watch the fruits though because most fruits have its natural sugars so I will eat a protein with it so it doesn't raise my blood sugar so quickly. I stay away from white flour, pastries, chips, and anything I used to eat. I packed up my pantry and called my brother to pick up the groceries. I gave him pasta, crackers, cookies, white rice, and anything that wasn't good for me. I then went to the grocery store and replaced with whole grain pastas, whole grain rice. Instead of crackers in my turkey meatloaf, I put all bran cereal and egg substitute instead of eggs. I don't buy unhealthy foods that would tempt me. I would rather make a recipe knowing what I put in it and know it will be good for me.

I have been reading materials about diabetes and have educated myself in every sense to be and eat healthy. I'm going on my 26th week of eating healthy and exercising and since that day on 2/16/09 when I found out I have diabetes, I have lost 40.4 lbs. The best part, I haven't been killing myself to do it. What I do is focus on my diabetes and when I'm thinking of eating a chocolate cake, I don't eat a huge piece, I take a bite and I'm good. If I can do it, anyone can. I honestly believed I could never lose weight. After getting my results, my main focus is eating healthy and exercising and by doing that, the weight loss is coming with it.

I feel that being successful at this has been "pre-planning" on my part. On Sundays my husband and I go to Costco and buy, romaine, bell peppers, celery, mushrooms, onions, chicken, fish, strawberries, grapes, apples, extra lean meats etc. This is crazy but we now only shop in the vegetable section of the store, where before, it was everything else like chips, cookies, crackers, snacks, tortillas, cheese etc. Bad, bad, bad... Anyway, when we get home, I don't put the groceries away. I wash and cut everything up before it gets put in the fridge. This way, when I want a salad, I just have to pull everything out and put in a bowl ready to eat. When I cook a meal, it's all chopped ready to cook. It's been so helpful. That was my problem before, I would have good intentions, but ended up wasting a lot of food (veggies anyway) because they would go bad in my fridge.

The biggest obstacle for me was not having a variety of foods to cook because I was so used to cooking the same meals that were unhealthy. So I pulled out my old Weight Watcher magazines and cookbooks and have been trying new recipes. I think that is very important to mix it up and not always have a "salad" for lunch. I look forward to making something new and taking leftovers for lunch. One of my favorite things I eat now is my pita pizza. I put pizza sauce, Canadian bacon, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, jalapeños and 1oz. mozzarella cheese and shake parmesan and garlic seasoning on it. I have an omelet everyday with egg substitute and use different veggies to mix it up. I always put 1oz. of mozzarella cheese on it. It's a microwave omelet maker that is so easy to make. My family is eating healthy with me because they also know that it's important in their lives. My husband's entire family has diabetes so he really needs to be careful.

My old habits of coming home, getting in my PJ's, making dinner, going to my room, watching my soap, stay in bed for the rest of the evening watching television WAS my life. Today my life is getting up at 4:45 a.m. going to the South Jordan Fitness Center walking/running on the treadmill, taking aerobics classes, lifting weights, and eating healthy. I always eat breakfast (which I prepare the night before ready to eat); I pack healthy snacks and have my lunch ready to go. YOU HAVE TO PREPARE, this is what has made it successful for me). Now when I come home, I cook a healthy dinner, clean up, do laundry (which before I thought I never had time to do, YEAH RIGHT!), and visit with my family and even run errands if I need to. I feel so much better and have the energy that I never had before. My family has been very supportive of me and is so happy to see me healthy and literally shrink.

Now have to tell you the best part! I had my three month check up in May and this is what my blood results are now: my total cholesterol (was 243, should be less than 200, now 144), but my glucose level (was 245, should be less than 99, now 88), my HDL (was 35, should be greater than 39, now 44), my LDL (was 171, should be less than 99, now 87), my triglycerides (was 185, should be less than 149, now 67), and my A1C (was 11.3%, should be less than 7%, now 6.1%). Yes, I am so proud of myself. I did it! I am healthy and the best part, I received $500.00 from Healthy Utah for all the improvement rebates.

I park far away now instead of finding the closest parking stall anywhere and take the steps at work. So if you are in a rut like I was, please don't wait for you to get that diagnosis of diabetes or any other chronic condition because you're overweight. START TODAY! I did, the day after I was diagnosed. Even if you fall off, start over and don't go back to your old bad habits. The saying is so true "We are what we eat" If you do nothing, you won't see results. We need to remember we eat to live, not live to eat!

"Realistically, those with a healthy lifestyle will live longer, suffer a serious medical event much later in life, and have a shorter period of time between the event and death. It's as if living a healthy lifestyle allows you to live a full, rich life well into old age, at which time you become ill, experience a rapid decline in health, and pass away. NOW THAT SOUNDS APPEALING!" (Quoted by: Steven G. Aldana, PH.D.)

That's where I want to be!