Becky Walker, who has lost 90 pounds using Weight Watchers, is photographed with a pair of her pants that she wore before losing weight.On this week when resolutions are made, Becky Walker is about to achieve a goal set last year.
Walker is just 3.5 pounds shy of reaching her weight-loss goal of 92 pounds.
“I never thought I’d see 160 again,” said the office manager.
Walker has lost 88.5 pounds on the Weight Watchers program over 14 months. She’s dropped seven clothes sizes from a 24 to her current size 10.
Her dedication to her goal is more remarkable when she reveals it’s the second time she’s been such a big loser. Seven years ago, she says, she dropped 105 pounds.
“The stresses of life made me gain it back. But weight was getting to be a real issue with my health,” said the 62-year-old of her decision to re-up in Weight Watchers.
“I realized there’s more to my life than food.”
Q. What have you learned that’s different this time from your first weight-loss attempt?
A. How to pick the right kinds of foods; how to make the right choices and how to adjust portions.
Potatoes are my biggest temptation. But I’ve only eaten french fries once in the 14 months I’ve been on Weight Watchers.
I was brought up to “clean my plate” whether I was hungry or not. Now I’ve learned that’s not necessary.
Q: Were you more focused on the program this time?
A: I go to the Hixson Weight Watchers, which is right next to Federal Bake Shop. You know you’re on goal, staying on program, if you can stay out of the bake shop.
Q: Best compliment you’ve received since losing weight?
ABOUT HER* Age: 62.* Education: Graduate of Red Bank High School, attended Tennessee Technological University.* Occupation: Office manager for Dr. Dan Moulds.* Family: Three children ages 34-41, seven grandchildren.* Pounds lost: 88.5.Best complimentWhen people don’t recognize me.Best new clothes purchaseJeans. I’d not bought jeans in years, because nobody wants to go out and buy a size 24 pair of jeans.
A: I work at a front desk. A woman came into our office who hadn’t been in for a while, and asked me where “that other lady” was. When I told her I was Becky, her mouth dropped.
Q: First new clothes you bought?
A: When I got down to an XL size, I bought new scrubs for the office. That’s when people started noticing I was losing weight. Then I bought jeans. I hadn’t bought jeans in years because nobody wants to buy size 24 jeans.
Q: Did you exercise?
A: I bowl in a league on Thursdays. They didn’t see me from April to August, so they were shocked to see me after summer.
Q: What advice do you have for people considering a weight-loss resolution?
A: Age has nothing to do with it. If I can do it, you can do it. I’m not much for exercise, but I’ve found as I’ve lost weight that I tend to walk more because now it doesn’t hurt as much.
Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.