Take It Off Testimonial

Barbara M. Longo, Manasquan

Coach: Michelle DiPierro

What to Wear?

What does it mean when the only things in your wardrobe that fit are jewelry and shoes!  It’s time to “Take It Off!!!”  As I eased into retirement and the stress free life of a “seasoned citizen”, I looked forward to more carefree days, time for myself and the opportunity to try new and exiting adventures.  Little did I realize, that the only adventure I permitted myself was to treat myself to more leisurely restaurant lunches, afternoon coffee and… where to go for dinner!  After so many years as an elementary school principal, when I grabbed lunch on the go or ducked into the cafeteria for a fresh-baked cookie or a salty hot pretzel the possibility of a real lunchtime was so satisfying.

Sure I knew that my “Adventures To Do List” included more exercise and taking better care of myself, my diet, and my overall well-being, but while I was thinking about it, I was packing on the pounds.  At first I continued to fool myself thinking that I could hide the weight and that once I “got my act together”, I could discipline myself to get it under control.

Even when I made the major leap to “get my act together” in January of 2008 by joining The Atlantic Club, I thought it would just happen.  Often while eating lunch with my new gym friends, we would commiserate about our weight, our out of control eating and which restaurants we liked best!  Here I was spending my days in a gym and I still didn’t get it.

I can’t pinpoint the exact day in August 2008 when I knew it was time to “Take It Off”, but I do remember it coinciding with making another dinner date with friends.  The incentives were all around me; the gym, the pool, summer-time walks on the boardwalk… advertisements for the Take It Off Weight Loss Program.  It finally clicked!  Signing up, meeting with my motivational coach and I was on my way to a new me.  I was ready for the adventure.

Working on me, my weight loss, strengthening my body and improving my self-image became my “new and exciting adventure”.  I feel great!  The intensity with which I exercise is so invigorating.  The prospect of eating nutritionally is a daily challenge I have mastered.  I am still motivated by my husband, family, Take It Off coach, and friends to continue this “new and exciting adventure.”  The compliments I receive about “how great I look” are such wonderful motivators, but to me the greatest motivator is that I now have the rest of the wardrobe to complement my jewelry and shoes!

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