"Thank you, hon," whispered Paula Briner, as Don, her husband of 43 years, knelt to tie her shoes. I hate that he has to do so much for me, she thought, fighting tears. But at 351 pounds, her body wasn't healing well after knee and foot surgery. In fact, she'd developed complications so severe, doctors warned the Indiana grandmother that she might need an amputation. Forced to retire from her job at a potato chip factory, Paula now spent her days struggling to get around with a cane. She was always exhausted, often sad and her list of health problems grew ever longer. I can't go on like this, she told herself. But how could she get back in control of her body?
Later that day, Paula settled into her easy chair and stared out the window. She tried to remember when her troubles first started. I was still a kid, she realized. Born into an Army family, she used Cheetos, fast food and candy to cope with the stress of frequent moves. By high school, she’d already joined Weight Watchers.
Over the years, Paula tried Atkins, lowcal plans, fad diets—yet she always went back to Weight Watchers. It works for me. At least until I get off track, she thought. Could she break the pattern or did she need something new? I always learn a little more each time I join. It was worth a shot.
IT WORKS!
From a 4X to a medium!
This story is from the June 12, 2023 edition of Woman's World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 12, 2023 edition of Woman's World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Healthy with summer fun!
The secret to staying upbeat, ache-free and energetic all season long? Enjoying your favorite warm-weather activities
Dinner made easy!
So fast, so delicious!
Upgrade your outdoor space on a dime!
Three horticultural hotshots share how to make any garden tidy and blissfully relaxing
You, summer beautiful from head to toe!
A simple spritz here and a little scrub there are all you need to feel cool and confident all season long
After 85 years these twin sisters were finally reunited!
When their mother died, 5-year-old twins Maurilia and Andrea were sent to live with different relatives. The families didn't stay in touch and the girls lost track of one another...but they never stopped hoping they'd see each other again. At age 90, they learned it's never too late for a dream to come true
Sneaky cause of thinning hair
If you're on semaglutide (like Ozempic or Wegovy) to manage diabetes or your weight, you might spot sparser strands. \"With the rise of Ozempic and related medications, we're seeing people come in and complain of hair loss,\" says dermatologist Ben Behnam, M.D. The shedding is thought to be from rapid weight loss. \"Often a person's body adjusts and their hair grows back, but it can take months.\" To speed regrowth...
4 ways to prevent Lyme disease
Nearly half a million Americans a year are diagnosed with Lyme disease, an illness carried by ticks that can cause symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, rash and fever. But you don't need to hide indoors and miss out on summer fun to prevent Lyme disease! Just...
Goodbye, back pain!
We love getting out and about in summer, but back pain can take us out of the action. In fact, findings in Pain Medicine reveal backaches prevent more than half of sufferers from enjoying hobbies and social activities. And women over 40 are at added risk, says Ken Hansraj, M.D., author of Watch Your Back. “Dwindling estrogen levels as women age lead to the degeneration of spinal discs, which can irritate nerve roots, causing pain,” he notes. Luckily, help is here!
Hacks that make healthy snacking easy
Ohio State University scientists say most of us eat a meal's worth of snacks daily. To enjoy the foods you love without adding unwanted pounds, try these tricks that keep you feeling full and thwart cravings
#1 Way to Walk Off Weight
We love inspirational social media posts from Today weatherman AI Roker about his walking workouts. We also love why he makes 'em: to show folks how big an impact such simple movement can have-even for those of us who haven't exercised in ages. \"We hear a lot about walking 10,000 steps, but you don't have to start with that,\" he insists. \"Maybe you just go around your block or take a 15-minute walk after dinner. Studies show how beneficial it is. You don't even have to walk fast!\" It was the exact message Detricia Woods-Meadows needed to hear. \"I could only manage 3,000 steps a day at first,\" recalls the Dallas project analyst, 52, who walked almost entirely inside her home. Yet it was plenty. In mere weeks, \"I woke up and realized my back didn't hurt anymore.\" Within a year, she'd reversed prediabetes and shed 65 pounds. Keep reading for scientific proof that tiny daily step goals can speed us toward lean, good health.
