Name: Jill (Get Up & Get Moving!)

Age: 42

Occupation: Full time mom, Diabetes advocate, Motivational speaker, Mentor to the Miss Dr. Oz contestants

Where she lives: Idaho

Height: 5’8

Weight: 137

Pounds Lost: 100

How long it took to lose the weight: 2 years

How long she has kept off the weight: 11 months

Here’s someone who went from being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes to controlling it with her diet and exercise, then competing in a pageant. Now, Jill is helping others by sharing her story at speaking engagements, on her website – Get Up & Get Moving – and on the Dr. Oz Show. There, she’s mentoring three former beauty queens who have gained weight and are now on the quest to get fit. One of them will be crowned Miss Dr. Oz. Wow, what an incredible journey!

Here’s a Weight Loss WooHoo! to you, Jill – Just FatFighterTV’s fun way of celebrating healthy weight. ;)

How Jill gained the weight:
During my first pregnancy, I gained 50 pounds. With 2 more pregnancies and many miscarriages, my weight gradually began increasing. As with most women, I became wife and then mother and got so busy with life that I forgot the importance of taking care of myself. I was young, and my body didn’t feel the extra 100 pounds I had gradually put on over the years. I had bad eating habits, no time for exercise, and no real desire to be healthy.

Turning point:
I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes with my third and last pregnancy at age 37. I was having headaches after the pregnancy and just not feeling well. I thought it was from having a sick newborn. Finally, at six months, I went to the doctor to be checked for the headaches, and I found out I had put on 15 extra pounds. It was so depressing. I also found out I have type 2 diabetes – that was even more depressing.

I was determined right then that I was going to get the weight off, and I did! My husband and kids mean the world to me. Being able to live a long life was an important factor and motivation to lose the weight. In January 2008, I broke my ankle on both sides after slipping on black ice. I had to have surgery and 6 screws put in my fibula. I was still so determined that I was still able to lose the weight.  My mind was made up that no matter what, it was coming off!

How she shed the pounds:
I logged my food, ate six small meals a day, and had no refined sugar. Finding out I had type 2 diabetes helped me have a paradigm shift in the way I think, and I did a lifestyle change versus a diet. Four days a week, cardio mixed with weight training was my exercise routine. In January, I had a personal trainer sponsor me in training sessions to get ready for the Mrs. Idaho pageant. It was wonderful to learn from a trainer – she really cared about me and saw the potential I could reach, and I did.

I did the Mrs. Idaho pageant after losing a total of 100 pounds, and I made the top six out of 16 amazing woman. I am now a motivational speaker to motivate others to lose weight and get healthy. I am a diabetes advocate. It brings me great joy to share my story with others — and in doing so, I inspire them to “get up and get moving!”

Weekly workouts:
3 days of weight training with 15 minutes of cardio, and 2 days of cardio for 45 minutes

Diet Philosophy:
Set a plan, Be consistent. Exercise is a must

Weaknesses:
Sweets and salt but If I have it, it is very small amounts and not often.

Tips from Jill:
Work hard, log your food, journal your feelings instead of eating them and be consistent with your exercise.

Favorite healthy recipe:
Spinach Raspberry Flaxseed Oil Shake

I drink this every day for breakfast and love it. It took my husband and I years of making shakes to get it just right.

Jill’s Weight Loss WooHoo!:
Hitting the 100 pound mark was big for me. I was at the gym April 22nd, 2009, stepped on the scale, and could not believe my eyes. It said 137! I knew I hit the big 100 and started to cry. I drove right to my husband and told him I weighed 137. I guess he never really knew my numbers, so I said ‘Honey, I have lost a total of 100 pounds!’  He was so happy for me.  I just felt like, now I am healthy and will be here for my family!

Also, being able to touch so many with diabetes and weight issues keep my motivation for keeping off the weight.  I love helping others.

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And I love how Jill loves helping others – she is using what she’s been through and what she has learned to make a difference in so many lives. Isn’t that what life is all about?

See more weight loss success stories on the Weight Loss WooHoo! Wall of Fame.

If you know of someone who deserves this honor, just let me know – send me an email at sahar [at] fatfightertv [dot] com