DROPPING WEIGHT OPENS NEW ROADS FOR DETERMINED TRIO

[Guest guest]

12/31/2005

DROPPING WEIGHT OPENS NEW ROADS FOR DETERMINED TRIO

By: LINDSAY RANDALL, Staff Writer

MAKING THE CHANGE: From left, Eller, a Ozan and Liane

Beacham gather at Ms. Ozan's home in Tyler. The trio has lost more

than 200 pounds collectively since joining Weight Watchers in summer

2005.( Staff Photos By Tom Worner)

Liane Beacham, Eller and a Ozan are somewhat of an

anomaly this holiday season. They actually lost weight in November

and December.

The three women became fast friends eight years ago when they met at

First Baptist Church. Despite differences in age and career, the art

teacher, the paralegal and the buyer talked, laughed and shared

together with the ease and enthusiasm of sisters.

In the summer of 2004, they found something in common: they were all

ready for a change.

" I was one of those people who struggled a losing battle with weight

my whole life, " Ms. Ozan said. " It was very depressing to me, that I

couldn't control it. "

After years and years of fruitless attempts to lose weight, she met

with a doctor in May 2004 to discuss gastric bypass surgery.

Terrified of the surgery and its possible results, she went to

another doctor, who recommended she try losing the weight naturally,

through Weight Watchers.

Her good friend, Ms. Beacham, was so excited about the idea that she

promised Ms. Ozan, " If you go, I'll go. "

Ms. Eller saw the impact the program had on her friends, and joined

in August 2005.

Now more than 200 pounds lighter, this trio feels better than ever

and revved up to compete in the Aramco Houston Half-Marathon in

three weeks.

NOT JUST COUNTING CALORIES

Ms. Beacham, a teacher at Hubbard Middle School, said she treated

her obesity like a disease, because " it's a battle we'll be fighting

our whole lives. "

The three went to the weekly meetings religiously, and said it is

important to completely dedicate oneself to weight loss after

beginning a program.

" It has to be a mental thing first, " said Ms. Ozan, who has lost

more than 100 pounds. " Once you set your mind to it, you can do it. "

Ms. Ozan and Ms. Beacham have been involved in Weight Watchers for a

year and a half, and said they enjoyed the program because of the

accountability given in the meetings and the freedom of eating

options.

" You can eat anything you want, " Ms. Ozan said, explaining that

those in the program must simply compensate for high-calorie foods

by eating low-calorie foods that day as well. She said she can eat

an espresso brownie bar during the afternoon, but she must control

what she eats the rest of the day.

Those in Weight Watchers are only supposed to lose one to two pounds

a week, but Ms. Ozan said the slow process allows dieters to make

permanent changes in their eating habits and lifestyles.

" It took me 38 years to get this huge. If it takes me two years to

lose the weight ... well, that's OK by me, " she said.

" Everybody's looking for quick fix, " Ms. Beacham said. " But like

everything else that's important, you gotta work for it. "

LIFE CHANGES

The three friends said their lives have all undergone major changes

simply by losing weight.

" Even as the weight began coming off, none of us expected the mental

and psychological changes, " Ms. Ozan said.

They agreed that their whole perception about food has radically

altered; instead of eating when they're happy, sad or worried, they

have learned to eat when they are just hungry.

" Everything you put in your mouth has value, " Ms. Eller said.

She said the changes have even extended to her family and friends,

because she has urged them " not to love me with food, " referring to

constant desserts, baking and cooking that are a big part of

Southern culture.

When the three took a trip to the Biltmore Estate for Thanksgiving,

they maintained a healthy lifestyle, exercising regularly and

looking for healthier foods at restaurants and fast food joints.

They simply transplanted their routine to North Carolina.

" What an experience - walking along the French Broad River in the

morning! " Ms. Eller said.

They laughed as they remembered how they had no trouble climbing the

hundreds of steps at the mansion, while other visitors were huffing

and puffing.

" It has to be about what it adds back to your life, " Ms. Ozan said.

Ms. Beacham said she has just begun to enjoy shopping for herself

again, and the newfound confidence she has when meeting new people.

Ms. Ozan loves being able to wear heels, pick prettier clothes for

herself and discovering what her body can physically accomplish. Ms.

Eller said she loves returning to an active lifestyle and being

outdoors, appreciating the beauty of nature.

And through it all, these women have enjoyed walking together.

GOOD WALKING SHOES

In January 2005, they were all in Houston watching Ms. Ozan's sister

compete in the Chevron Houston Marathon.

Ms. Ozan said, with a smile, that the three joined her at the

starting line at 4 a.m., then went straight back to the hotel and

slept all morning.

But as they watched the runners and walkers step exultantly over the

finish line, they realized they wanted to do the same thing.

" If they can do it, we can do it! " Ms. Ozan said.

They have been training since July, walking regularly during the

week and getting together on Saturday mornings, after their Weight

Watchers meetings, to walk for miles.

They began walking 1.5 miles, and have built up gradually to the

half-marathon length, which is 13.1 miles, setting out courses in

their own neighborhoods.

And only three weeks ago, they completed the 13.1 miles in only

three hours and 20 minutes, 40 minutes under the half-marathon's

finishing time.

" The marathon gives me a reason, a goal, " Ms. Eller said. " If I

don't get up and walk, I'm going to regret it when the big day

comes. "

Ms. Beacham said they can never travel quite as fast during the

first half of the walk, because they're too busy talking, laughing

and catching up.

They all remembered walking during the fall, and a particular day

when autumn leaves cascaded down from a giant tree, falling to the

street like snow, Ms. Ozan said..

" This is a moment we never would have had, " she said.

The three friends said they will compete in another marathon in

February, and plan to compete in the full Houston Marathon next year.

" That I'm going to walk 13 miles in three hours is just amazing to

me, " Ms. Ozan said.

She said she has 60 more pounds to lose until she reaches her ideal

weight, but the time, the effort and the struggle has been well

worth it.

" Time is going to pass no matter what. You can either make small

choices every day that move you toward a bigger goal, or not, " she

said. " Really, the choice is up to you. You just have to decide if

you're worth it. "

Features writer Randall can be reached at or

by e-mail at features@....

[Guest guest]

I love hearing these amazing success stories.

>

>Reply-To: GastricBypass-LOSERS

>To: GastricBypass-LOSERS

>Subject: DROPPING WEIGHT OPENS NEW ROADS FOR

>DETERMINED TRIO

>Date: Sun, 01 Jan 2006 07:34:26 -0000

>

>

>12/31/2005

>DROPPING WEIGHT OPENS NEW ROADS FOR DETERMINED TRIO

>By: LINDSAY RANDALL, Staff Writer

>

>

> MAKING THE CHANGE: From left, Eller, a Ozan and Liane

>Beacham gather at Ms. Ozan's home in Tyler. The trio has lost more

>than 200 pounds collectively since joining Weight Watchers in summer

>2005.( Staff Photos By Tom Worner)

>Liane Beacham, Eller and a Ozan are somewhat of an

>anomaly this holiday season. They actually lost weight in November

>and December.

>

>The three women became fast friends eight years ago when they met at

>First Baptist Church. Despite differences in age and career, the art

>teacher, the paralegal and the buyer talked, laughed and shared

>together with the ease and enthusiasm of sisters.

>

>In the summer of 2004, they found something in common: they were all

>ready for a change.

>

> " I was one of those people who struggled a losing battle with weight

>my whole life, " Ms. Ozan said. " It was very depressing to me, that I

>couldn't control it. "

>

>After years and years of fruitless attempts to lose weight, she met

>with a doctor in May 2004 to discuss gastric bypass surgery.

>Terrified of the surgery and its possible results, she went to

>another doctor, who recommended she try losing the weight naturally,

>through Weight Watchers.

>

>

>Her good friend, Ms. Beacham, was so excited about the idea that she

>promised Ms. Ozan, " If you go, I'll go. "

>

>Ms. Eller saw the impact the program had on her friends, and joined

>in August 2005.

>

>Now more than 200 pounds lighter, this trio feels better than ever

>and revved up to compete in the Aramco Houston Half-Marathon in

>three weeks.

>

>NOT JUST COUNTING CALORIES

>

>Ms. Beacham, a teacher at Hubbard Middle School, said she treated

>her obesity like a disease, because " it's a battle we'll be fighting

>our whole lives. "

>

>The three went to the weekly meetings religiously, and said it is

>important to completely dedicate oneself to weight loss after

>beginning a program.

>

> " It has to be a mental thing first, " said Ms. Ozan, who has lost

>more than 100 pounds. " Once you set your mind to it, you can do it. "

>

>Ms. Ozan and Ms. Beacham have been involved in Weight Watchers for a

>year and a half, and said they enjoyed the program because of the

>accountability given in the meetings and the freedom of eating

>options.

>

> " You can eat anything you want, " Ms. Ozan said, explaining that

>those in the program must simply compensate for high-calorie foods

>by eating low-calorie foods that day as well. She said she can eat

>an espresso brownie bar during the afternoon, but she must control

>what she eats the rest of the day.

>

>Those in Weight Watchers are only supposed to lose one to two pounds

>a week, but Ms. Ozan said the slow process allows dieters to make

>permanent changes in their eating habits and lifestyles.

>

> " It took me 38 years to get this huge. If it takes me two years to

>lose the weight ... well, that's OK by me, " she said.

>

> " Everybody's looking for quick fix, " Ms. Beacham said. " But like

>everything else that's important, you gotta work for it. "

>

>LIFE CHANGES

>

>The three friends said their lives have all undergone major changes

>simply by losing weight.

>

> " Even as the weight began coming off, none of us expected the mental

>and psychological changes, " Ms. Ozan said.

>

>They agreed that their whole perception about food has radically

>altered; instead of eating when they're happy, sad or worried, they

>have learned to eat when they are just hungry.

>

> " Everything you put in your mouth has value, " Ms. Eller said.

>

>She said the changes have even extended to her family and friends,

>because she has urged them " not to love me with food, " referring to

>constant desserts, baking and cooking that are a big part of

>Southern culture.

>

>When the three took a trip to the Biltmore Estate for Thanksgiving,

>they maintained a healthy lifestyle, exercising regularly and

>looking for healthier foods at restaurants and fast food joints.

>They simply transplanted their routine to North Carolina.

>

> " What an experience - walking along the French Broad River in the

>morning! " Ms. Eller said.

>

>They laughed as they remembered how they had no trouble climbing the

>hundreds of steps at the mansion, while other visitors were huffing

>and puffing.

>

> " It has to be about what it adds back to your life, " Ms. Ozan said.

>

>Ms. Beacham said she has just begun to enjoy shopping for herself

>again, and the newfound confidence she has when meeting new people.

>Ms. Ozan loves being able to wear heels, pick prettier clothes for

>herself and discovering what her body can physically accomplish. Ms.

>Eller said she loves returning to an active lifestyle and being

>outdoors, appreciating the beauty of nature.

>

>And through it all, these women have enjoyed walking together.

>

>GOOD WALKING SHOES

>

>In January 2005, they were all in Houston watching Ms. Ozan's sister

>compete in the Chevron Houston Marathon.

>

>Ms. Ozan said, with a smile, that the three joined her at the

>starting line at 4 a.m., then went straight back to the hotel and

>slept all morning.

>

>But as they watched the runners and walkers step exultantly over the

>finish line, they realized they wanted to do the same thing.

>

> " If they can do it, we can do it! " Ms. Ozan said.

>

>They have been training since July, walking regularly during the

>week and getting together on Saturday mornings, after their Weight

>Watchers meetings, to walk for miles.

>

>They began walking 1.5 miles, and have built up gradually to the

>half-marathon length, which is 13.1 miles, setting out courses in

>their own neighborhoods.

>

>And only three weeks ago, they completed the 13.1 miles in only

>three hours and 20 minutes, 40 minutes under the half-marathon's

>finishing time.

>

> " The marathon gives me a reason, a goal, " Ms. Eller said. " If I

>don't get up and walk, I'm going to regret it when the big day

>comes. "

>

>Ms. Beacham said they can never travel quite as fast during the

>first half of the walk, because they're too busy talking, laughing

>and catching up.

>

>They all remembered walking during the fall, and a particular day

>when autumn leaves cascaded down from a giant tree, falling to the

>street like snow, Ms. Ozan said..

>

> " This is a moment we never would have had, " she said.

>

>The three friends said they will compete in another marathon in

>February, and plan to compete in the full Houston Marathon next year.

>

> " That I'm going to walk 13 miles in three hours is just amazing to

>me, " Ms. Ozan said.

>

>She said she has 60 more pounds to lose until she reaches her ideal

>weight, but the time, the effort and the struggle has been well

>worth it.

>

> " Time is going to pass no matter what. You can either make small

>choices every day that move you toward a bigger goal, or not, " she

>said. " Really, the choice is up to you. You just have to decide if

>you're worth it. "

>

>

>Features writer Randall can be reached at or

>by e-mail at features@....

>

>

>

>

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