My name is Grace and I’m a recovering Fatty. I lost a lot of weight. See that fatty on the left? Yep, that’s me; correction, that WAS me…all 290 lbs. I have been overweight for as long as I can remember. The first memory I have of thinking I was fat was in 2nd grade. I vividly remember the conversation my pediatrician had with my mom about the need for me to lose weight…When I was the ripe old age of eight. Actually, I think I have been “on a diet” since that day, long, long ago! Yes, I got to graduate high school and college as a fatty. (I have amazing friends and have had most of them since before high school-so this is not where I turn this into a sob story where my life was miserable…It was not by any means, but no matter how many awesome people you are surrounded by in life, being a fatty always has its miserable qualities that you fight within yourself daily.) As of my last weigh in, I have lost almost 130 lbs and am so close to my goal weight I can taste it (yep, I will always be a Fatty at heart!) I have 25-30 lbs to go and am so happy I can take each of you on the rest of my journey with me!
What is FromFattyTo?
“Fatty” is a term I use to describe myself pre weight loss. For some reason, the word fatty never bothered me. I always kind of heard it as a “soft” term to describe overweight people. If it bothers you, please know its not meant to. FromFattyTo was born when I sat down one day and realized all of the things I went From Fatty To: FromFattyTo Runner, FromFattyTo WorkerOuter, FromFattyTo Healthy Eater, FromFattyTo Weight Watcher Points Plus Counter, FromFattyTo Daily Smiler, FromFattyTo non plus size wearer, FromFattyTo shopping addict (it’s way more fun when you can shop at ANY store!) and for me, most importantly, FromFattyTo I can do anything I want believer. I hope through my struggles, successes, and my honest life story I can inspire you to go FromFattyTo whatever you want. I am here to help in any way I can, every step of the way. This is my passion. I want everyone to experience the true joy I get to celebrate every single day. It just takes one day to start to change your life. I can assure you, if I can do this…ANYONE can.
My weight loss attempt history [in a nutshell]
I have tried numerous “diets” over the past seventeen years and have done Weight Watchers more than once in my life. I decided the only hope I ever had at being “skinny” was to get the lap band. I walked into the doctor’s office and said this is it; I’m finally going to fix all my problems in one surgery! At the consultation, the doctor told me my BMI was too high to have the surgery right away and I needed to lose weight before he would operate. A doctor telling you, you are too fat to have weight loss surgery…low point. But I was determined to have it done. My insurance was of course making me jump over hurdles to get them to pay for it (blessing in disguise) and wanted me to be on a doctor supervised diet for six months. I went to my first appointment with my regular doctor. I owe her a huge thank you because she was totally supportive of my decision to have LapBand, but looked me directly in the eyes and said “You do not need LapBand, you can do this without it; I believe in you.” No one had ever said that to me. How did this doctor who barely knew me, see a fire in me that I couldn’t see myself? I left that office and never considered LapBand again! While this was going on, a dear former Fatty friend of mine, Jennifer, had been doing Weight Watchers for a good amount of time and was having a huge amount of success. I give her a lot of credit for my final success at Weight Watchers. I watched her getting smaller and smaller and happier and happier and thought “Shoot, if she can do this I sure as hell can too!” P.S. she proudly lost 80 lbs and is now hotter than donut grease (again sorry, Fatty at heart.) So for her, I am forever grateful that she found the strength in herself to lose weight, prompting my success.
I joined Weight Watchers and had a good amount of success (lost 30 lbs.) but like my attempts before, fell off track. I did not gain back the 30 lbs., but did quit losing. Months went by and I finally decided I was sick of being over 200 lbs. I was having panic attacks (that I later found out were completely weight related) and was miserable. I hated that I couldn’t do the normal stuff regular people did. The last time, I attended my first Weight Watchers meeting something felt different. I was finally there to lose weight for me. I didn’t care what anyone else thought about me. I wasn’t losing for my parents, my friends, my family, or for the boys I wished would look at me and think I was beautiful. Just me.
My first five pounds came off in the first week. I had been through this before, so I knew it would come off fairly quickly at the beginning, but it still felt great. I felt empowered. I felt in control of every aspect of my life. I, of course have had some off weeks (and still do!), but even in those moments of weakness I still felt better than I had in my entire life. As the pounds came off and the compliments came rolling in I really started to believe this was my time. [I was no longer going to live a life in the plus size section.] 
I hired a personal trainer who has been an amazing support. When I first started working with him we were doing thirty-minute sessions (I couldn’t physically do more). Each week he pushed me a little harder and stretched me to a level I didn’t believe I could get to. (You can follow my workouts in the WorkerOuter and Runner sections, but I do want to say the working out part came VERY slowly for me, so don’t think I was able to do the workouts I do now back then.
I wake up every single day with a smile on my face. I recently looked at myself in a mirror and didn’t see the Fatty I was for so long and I SOBBED. Tears of joy, of course! Losing weight is the most emotional roller coaster I have ever been on, but I wouldn’t change any part of it. Sometimes it is hard for me to remember where I started, but the look on the faces of people when they see me for the first time since I’ve lost the weight is amazing. It never gets old. The confidence I have now is indescribable. I find myself smiling throughout the day for sometimes no reason at all…except that I am finally healthy. [The feeling of good health is one I had never experienced and it is amazing.]
I am just a normal girl. I was just your average overweight, fast food, candy, cookies, pizza-loving, non-active American. I have no secrets, no tricks. I will forever be a Weight Watcher and PointsPlus Counter. That is who I am now. Weight Watchers changed my relationship with food. It doesn’t happen overnight, but I promise you if you commit one day at a time…It will happen. I no longer eat food simply because it tastes good. I eat healthy food that I know is good for my body. I indulge in moderation, (I have a HUGE sweet tooth!) but find the junk I lived on for years doesn’t even appeal to me in the same way anymore. Weight Watchers and the PointsPlus plan changed my life and empowered me to do what I honestly thought was impossible. It’s hard. It takes work. You will have frustrating days (that will be totally overshadowed by the great days!) But you can do this. Now, I want you go have “the last supper” (you know the one you eat as much as you can of whatever you want) and as you swallow that last bite I want you to smile. And I want you to congratulate yourself. Because now its time for you to change your life…And you are already millions of steps ahead of other Fatty’s out there, because you have a plan. You’re ready. It’s your turn to claim your FromFattyTo.
*This is not a Weight Watchers endorsed blog. I do not receive payment or any type of compensation from Weight Watchers.
26 Comments
Bzirkone
March 28, 2012Nice job Grace!! On the blog and the weight loss!! You are amazing.
Raymond Hicks
March 28, 2012Great job Grace!!!! Keep up the great work!!!
Vance Hall
March 30, 2012Inspirational! You’ve always been beautiful, but now you’re beautiful and svelte to boot. Best of all you’re now headed for a longer, happier life! I’m proud of you!
Jill Viso
April 3, 2012” Amazing Grace” It really goes to show, when you work hard, you get great results. You are living proof of that. Well done ! you look fantastic! Good luck with your half marathon! I’m so very proud of you.
Jill
Irene Molyneux
April 4, 2012I can’t believe it’s the same Grace we met many years ago. I am Jill Viso’s sister-in-law Irene, from England. I too am a Weight Watchers member and I can’t wait to tell my class about your success, keep it up Grace you look fantastic.
Irene Molyneux
Grace
April 4, 2012Thank you!!! I am feeling SO much better =) I LOVE WEIGHT WATCHERS!!!!!!!
Jodie Molyneux
April 5, 2012Hi! Its Jodie, (Irene’s daughter) you look amazing!!
I’m on weight watchers too and i find it so hard to keep on track, but your pictures are really inspiring!
Keep it up!
xx
Grace
April 6, 2012Hey Jodie!!! Thank you! It can be hard at times, but I just take it day by day =) Somedays it’s an hour by hour kind of day….I know you can do it though!!
Kerry
April 7, 2012Hi Grace,
You really have done a great job and you look fantastic. I love looking at your pictures, come back for another spin class. : ) Good luck with your run….
Gary Taylor
April 10, 2012Grace great job keep going very inspiring.
Grace
April 10, 2012Thank you Gary! I’m learning a lot of awesome workouts from you!!!
matreena
April 18, 2012WOW!! How wonderful Grace!! Well done.
Barbara
April 24, 2012Thank you for sharing your story! A true inspiritation to all “From Fatty to’s” hopefuls everywhere including me!
Grace
April 24, 2012Thank you! I hope through learning about my journey those who don’t believe it’s possible see that it really is! =) Let me know how your journey goes!
lynn
April 24, 2012I would like to know more about how you lost weight safely please email me or call me at 336-818-0792
Amanda Jane Jones
April 27, 2012Grace, I just saw your link through facebook–this is amazing. Such an inspiration. I think I’m going to have a smile on my face for the rest of the day. Thanks for sharing your story!
Warmly, an acquaintance from high school
Grace
April 28, 2012Well, that might be the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me! Thank you so much! Hope all is well in your world =)
Lisa Nickerson
May 8, 2012I too have followed Weight Watchers and this last night had great sucess and you are right…I too will count points for the rest of my life…and I’m okay with that! I tell people this all the time. It’s not a diet – it’s a life style change. (naturally skinny people don’t understand that at all
Found you from your shirt on the Glowbassadors picture…I’m one too!
Grace
May 9, 2012Haha damn those skinny people! JK! But yes, if you look at it as a temporary diet you are setting yourself up to fail for sure-learned that the long, hard way! Can’t wait for the Glow Run! Look forward to meeting you at the Glowbassador meeting!
Sheryl Brough
July 23, 2012Hi, Grace. You don’t remember me but I’m a long lost friend of your mom’s. I knew you for the first three and a half years of your life. No, you weren’t a fatty then – just pretty damn adorable! I’m so glad I found you. You are absolutely beautiful! And what a story you tell! You are very, very good at it. I hope I can get my son (also a fatty) to just take a look at your website. I think it would motivate him as it does me. I know he would love it. As I am also a fatty I plan to make this visit a permanent part of my routine. Tell your mom I said hi. I know how proud of you she must be. Love you, Grace!
Grace
July 26, 2012Aw thanks for reaching out and for your kind words! It is a journey, but is also the most rewarding thing you will ever do for yourself. I never ever thought I would be “in shape” and know it can feel overwhelming. Just take it one day at a time and don’t let small set backs get in your way! Please let me know if I can help you or your son with anything! You can both do this. And how amazing you can do it together!! Xo
Laura R.
March 4, 2013I keep coming back here for inspiration. Today I needed inspiration not to snark down some carbs and/or chocolate. Thanks, Grace.
-Laura
Carolyn
March 31, 2013Hi!! First of all, I actually just discovered your blog the other day and I was so inspired by your story! You actually just “liked” my instagram weight loss pic, which means a lot from someone who’s been there.
I just (as in yesterday) started a weight loss blog of my own so I can chronicle my journey towards getting Fitnasty For Life (http://fitnastyforlife.blogspot.com). Feel free to take a look if you like! Best of luck to you on continuing to reach your goals
Grace
May 22, 2013Hi Carolyn! Sorry for this very long overdo response. My blog has suffered as life got in the way….But I’m focusing on it now! =D Your blog is fantastic!! You look fabulous and will def. be someone I turn to for inspiration!!!
Ron
May 7, 2013Just read your tweet from Tuesday, May 7th, about how you just feel like eating and eating. Makes me feel better, as I’ve fallen off the WW wagon the last few days after 5 pretty successful weeks. If someone who’s accomplished all you have can still feel that way it gives me hope. Thank you and this forum is amazing for the morale of all of us. Good luck, Grace
Grace
May 22, 2013Hi Ron! Sorry I am just seeing this…Life got in the way of me blogging…But I’m finally back at it =D I still have times when I struggle! I expect to have that the rest of my life. I focus on the good, deal with the bad and move right along! Hope you are doing well and feeling great!