Ellen Jacobson: Down 100 Lbs!

By: Taylor Dahl

Today’s healthy transformer is Ellen Jacobson from Shrewsbury, MA, who’s lost a whopping 100 pounds in the past three years! Her dedication and never-fail attitude are inspiring. Find out how swimming, online discussion boards and a change of attitude have helped Ellen in her weight loss journey below.

Weight lost: 100 pounds over the past three years.

Inches lost: About 13”

Biggest hurdle: “Right now my biggest hurdle is being stuck in one place. I’ve been struggling for the past year and while I am exercising more and following the Weight Watcher’s program I haven’t lost any more weight . I have a theory that it is taking my body time to adjust to this new weight and it keeps trying to get back to where it was.  I don’t know if this is true but it keeps me going.”

Most proud of: “My change of attitude. In the past, if I had reached a stage like this I would have probably given up.  I am continuing to follow a healthy lifestyle and what will be, will be…”

Aspect of Transformation Nation that works best: “Having support from others who are also trying to lose weight, and reading the inspiring stories.”

Surprising thing has discovered about herself as a result of Transformation Nation: “That with the support of others who are following the same path, I can continue and not put the weight back on.”

Breakfast of choice: “For breakfast I generally eat a light multigrain English muffin (store brand) onion and pepper strips sautéed in cooking oil spray and an omelet made with ½ cup of eggbeaters, 1 slice of Weight Watchers cheese and 2 tablespoons of salsa. Some of the onions and peppers (and a mushroom when I have them) also go in the omelet. I make a blueberry puree in the microwave for the English Muffin.”

One change that’s made the most difference: “I [now] realize that there are times when you feel hungry and you just need to ignore it and go on.  We can’t eat every time we feel hungry.”

How she tracks her progress: “I am a Weight Watcher’s monthly pass holder and I track my food journal online.”

Exercise she does most often: “I mainly exercise in the water.  I do between 4 and 6 water fitness classes a week and swim 3-5 miles of laps. I also try to do 40 pull ups in the deep end of the pool each day. I go to the Y four days a week and I’m in the water 3-4 hours at a time.”

“Downfall” food and how she avoids it: “I love ice cream. I buy the light slow churned type. A serving size is ½ cup but I limit to ¼  cup.”

How she stays motivated: “I turn to my discussion boards and my friends who patiently listen to me while I rant away.”

Have you hit a plateau/has your weight-loss slowed down? “I have been struggling for about a year now, but I keep on trying!”

Motivation quote she lives by: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t–you’re right.” –Henry Ford

File under: Success Stories