I thank God for leading me to the Walk at Home Program.

Diabetes runs on my father’s side of the family. Many family members on his side have suffered and died early in life from complications of Diabetes. My paternal grandmother was a double amputee. My cousin at the age of 57 died four years ago on Dialysis. He was like a big brother to me. My father didn’t have Diabetes. I always hoped that this terrible disease would skip me like it did my father. I wasn’t that fortunate.

I’m now 54 years old and work in the medical profession. The more knowledge I have about this systemic disease the more my fear grew. My fears only fueled the denial to come.

Five years ago I was diagnosed as a pre-diabetic but I didn’t need medication and all my blood work was good. So I didn’t worry. Three years ago I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. I had to use a CPAP machine to help me breathe at night. I cried the first night I used it but I adjusted.

My clothes were getting tighter and my lifestyle more sedentary. I just didn’t feel that great.

On June 13th, 2019, I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. I was given four prescriptions to fill and offered a glucometer to track my blood sugars. I was crushed and scarred! I saw my future as full of pain, complications with an early demise. I would miss out on enjoying my family and watching them grow. I looked around my kitchen and thought I can’t eat anything, none of it is good for me. I lost my appetite and the Pity Party began. I texted my best friend and told her the news. Her response was simply “GET MAD!” I chewed on that for the rest of the night. I was mad! Mad at myself, mad because I know better. While I sat in front of the TV, a WW commercial came on with Oprah. I’ve seen this before but this time it spoke to me! I immediately went online and joined WW. My weight at my PCP visit that day was 203 lbs.

I walked into my first WW studio a week later with a starting weight of 199.6 lbs. My attitude at that moment was that I was walking into battle for my life! I followed the WW point system and was surprised it wasn’t as hard as I thought would be. I knew I needed to exercise but I hate running, jumping and complicated aerobics. I searched online for something low impact that I could do daily. Guess what, the Walk at Home DVD’s popped up more than anyone else. So I looked it up on You-Tube and there was all the Walkers! I liked the workout so I purchased my first DVD – Walking off The Pounds, 3 Miles. I love it! It’s my favorite of all the DVDs! Oh it was hard in the beginning. I hadn’t moved like that in years but I walked with Walk at Home every day. Two months into walking I started using the Ab and back strengthening exercises. Again, hard but I wouldn’t give up!

I was scheduled for my three month PCP visit and when she walked into the exam room her mouth dropped! She said, “Where is the rest of you?” She was so happy that I lost weight! On that visit, my weight was 166 lbs. My PCP took me off my medications and ordered another sleep study. The study showed I had no further sleep disturbance. No more CPAP!!! I was feeling great! My husband even said I didn’t snore anymore. I felt like I needed someone to pinch me because I must be dreaming.

I tell all my friends about the Walk at Home workouts and how much I love them! Now my friends are working out with Walk at Home too! So far I’ve lost 54 lbs. My weight today is 147.6 lbs.

Thank God for Walk at Home and My WW family! My life is changed forever! My WW coach asked for words of wisdom during a meeting when I received my 50 lb. charm. I told the group not to forget why they walked through those doors. I came in with a plan to fight for my life and that will continue for the rest of my life. God has blessed me greatly by introducing me to Walk at Home and my WW family. I will never part from either one of you.

-Trudy F.
Nurse Practitioner and new Walker!

* Individual results may vary.

Walk at Home is a TRUE inspiration to me and has inspired me to do the following and help others!

In 2011, I lost 75 lbs on my own, by portion control, drinking water and moving (pedometer). I love to help others so I started a Facebook support group “STEPS TO GOOD HEALTH” because I love to help and support others. Through the years, between local media and word of mouth, our group has grown to nearly 20,000 members!

Fast forward to 2018 and I now have close to 20,000 men, women, seniors, tweens…all supporting each other in a POSITIVE atmosphere 24/7, where you can be yourself and no one will ever judge you. As a result, so many of my wonderful members have said that because of our group, they either lost weight, some say their blood numbers have come down, they feel great, etc. As I told them, I am no doctor, no nutritionist, I am just an every day woman who did not lose weight by a diet, it’s called a LIFESTYLE CHANGE.

The ironic part of this whole thing is that…NOW…I am looking to these wonderful people for their support.

Because of life’s circumstances (lost my brother suddenly, menopause, etc.). I gained all of my weight back. 6 weeks ago, I started my journey again, at 52 years old and in menopause. Wow! I am so thankful for my community.

I want to continue to spread the word about our Facebook support group. There are so many people out there struggling with their weight and they feel alone. I want them to know that we are here for them.

Below are some of my wonderful members who said that STEPS TO GOOD HEALTH has helped them so much:

“I know I’ve said it before, but thank you so much for creating STGH!! I have struggled with my weight since I was 10 and this group has become a family for me. If you do have a get together this fall I will do everything to be there!! Love you friend!!” – Molly

“Peg you have been so supportive to us all. I started my first steps because of you! (Bought a FitBit) Now I walk well over 10,000 steps a day!” – Linda

“Without YOU and your honesty & desire to help others in our lifestyle changes and weight loss journey, this group would not exist. Not only have you encouraged & motivated us but you’ve given many of us a real sense of self-worth and the desire to motivate others!” – Karen

“The support and encouragement that we receive from this group is beyond words. This group is my motivation when I need it, my strength when I’m feeling weak, my support when the going is tough and the love and friendship that keeps me going. No matter what it is I can turn to this group and know that I will be uplifted. This is all possible because of you.” – Susan

“Because of this group, I learned never to give up and anything worth having requires work. The clock face on my Fitbit reads “it all begins with a single step” , I chose that because this group taught me that it’s not a race but a lifestyle change.” – Michelle