Dilettante sheds 'Rubenesque' physique | www.tucsoncitizen.com

Health/fitness accomplishment: Lost 95 pounds and 70 total body inches. I went from a size 20 to a size 6. I have maintained the weight loss for 13 years.

Also, my bone density is above average, due to the fact that I've done weight-bearing exercise for so long. I am nowhere near osteoporosis.

Background: I have been in Tucson since 1971.

I have had an ongoing battle of the bulge for most of my life. I was a chunky child, a round adolescent and evolved into a Rubenesque adult. My main concerns were losing the weight in a sensible fashion and maintaining the weight loss.

I was also worried that with any sort of dramatic weight loss, my skin tone would not be attractive. But by combining weight loss with exercise, I feel that I managed to get a fairly toned look.

What finally got you motivated or led you to make a change?

I was picking my car up at the service department of a dealership. When the car arrived, a man standing next to me saw my young daughter's car seat and turned to me asking, How old is your grandchild? Well, duh.

Guess all that weight didn't quite fill out the wrinkles enough. That extra poundage made me look and feel very old.

How did you do it?

I first met with my doctor to discuss a safe and healthy weight loss program. Then, with his OK, I joined a health club. But because I was so overweight, I had to begin with water aerobics.

My knees just could not support my massive body weight. I also started weight training twice a week with a personal trainer. Every month, she and I would do a ceremony where I would get weighed and measured.

It was like watching a movie as both the pounds and inches dropped off.

What was the biggest challenge you faced in reaching your goal or the hardest thing to overcome/give up? The hardest thing was actually letting go of the weight.

It had become my cocoon - my defense against anyone that might want to get close to me. I just felt ..

. I guess ..

. safer, because at that weight I didn't have to worry about being rejected, no one would venture a second look or make any sort of overture.

What did you learn about yourself in reaching this goal?

I am an incredible person that can do just about anything I set my mind to. I can take care of myself and my children quite well, thank you very much. Look, you can either lead or follow - but you'd better get out of my way because I have spent way too much time treading water and now I am diving into life head first.

As I have told my kids, Don't suddenly realize you are middle-aged and you regret never doing something like skydiving, scuba diving or jumping out of a plane.

How would you encourage someone else to get started? Have no fear.

You can do what ever you set your mind to. All it takes is that one small first step. Then a second, and third.

...

Just do it.

What habits did you have to change and how did you do it? I had to learn how to eat as if every meal where not my last.

I had to learn that in order to lose weight. I had to put out more calories than I took in. Sounds simple, right?

But I had to train my brain to realize that I had enough to eat and that it was OK to leave food on my plate.

What is your new goal? To live to be a burden to my kids and be fit and trim while I aggravate them.

Any food weaknesses? That would be everything edible. I never deny myself food, but I just have a bite rather than an entire, say, bag of chocolate.

I am absolutely a chocoholic.

I am a grazer. I tend to eat all of the time, but small portions of everything.

? I'll have a dry piece of toast and an apple (with coffee, of course) for breakfast.

?

Then two or three hours later, I'll have a small container of nonfat yogurt.

? Two or three hours later, another piece of fruit with almonds.

? Dinner is usually a small serving of protein, salad and a starch.

?

Also, lots and lots of cold water throughout the day. This really helps curb your appetite.

I weight train with my personal trainer twice a week.

I walk for one hour three times a week, and try and fit in a toning class and at least one hour of an organized aerobic activity.