Fifth-year senior Jennifer Leeman can still remember the exact moment she knew she needed to make some changes in her life: She found a picture from April when her second nephew was born. In the picture, she was sitting on a couch in the hospital with him and his older nephew.
"I looked huge," she said. "That for me was just the end of it."
Since starting college, Leeman, a health science major, has gained 30 pounds. After seeing herself in the picture, she started watching what she ate and tried to work out more but saw few results.
"Until I got the e-mail, I never had the motivation to do anything," she said.
That e-mail was about participating in the Health Education Center's Fall Weight Loss Challenge. Leeman signed up and, in six weeks, has lost nine pounds and three pant sizes.
Leeman said the major difference between what she was doing on her own versus doing what she's learned in the program is that she's now watching her portion sizes.
"What I thought was an OK dinner definitely was not an OK dinner," she said. "I wasn't getting the correct amount of fruits and vegetables that I needed."
Leeman's goal at the beginning of the program was to fit back into her size five jeans, a goal she's already achieved. She said the most helpful information she's learned from the program is how to read a food label.
"I didn't really pay attention to the labels," she said. "I knew they were there, but I didn't know the specifics like what daily intake should be."
Leeman has also made other lifestyle changes that helped her achieve her goal.
"I stopped eating out, stopped drinking [alcohol], I control my portion sizes and I'm working out on a daily basis," she said.
Going out to eat and drinking alcohol were a challenge for Leeman to cut out. She said she still goes out with her friends, but she doesn't drink.
"I just make sure I take my water with me, and I don't take any money with me," she said.
Leeman also keeps a close reminder of what might happen if she strays from the changes she's made.
"Once in a while I'll get the urge to eat out, but I have a picture on the back of my door of what I used to look like when I was really heavy, so I just look at that and think that I don't want to go back to it," she said.
Leeman's motivation is the meetings, and she thinks she will be able to keep up with her healthy lifestyle even when the program ends. Her workout partner is her friend who's training to be in the Marines.
"He's hardcore working out and really dedicated," she said.
She said continuing to workout with him should keep her on track. She also said she refuses to buy bigger clothes.
"I'll throw away my big clothes, and if I can't fit into my fives, then I need to work out harder," she said.
While losing weight was Leeman's main goal, since she's been in the program she's also had more energy and overall feels more confident.
Leeman said with her major, living a healthier lifestyle will be very beneficial for her future.
"Later on, I'm going to be the one sitting here telling people they need to lose weight," she said. "I figured I should practice what I preach."
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