Weight Loss Success: Colene Rubertt Got Hooked On Exercise And Lost 95 Pounds

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Name: Colene Rubertt
Age: 43
Height: 5'5"
Before Weight: 280 pounds

How I Gained It: I gained the weight over time. The majority of the weight came on during pregnancy; my son is 16 now. I just kept gaining. I was always taking care of others and not taking care of myself. My husband was ill for several years. It took him passing away and me starting over finding someone who supported me and always thought I was beautiful. I knew I was on the inside, but I wanted to be on the outside also. I also wanted to be healthy and live a more adventurous life. I am the CEO of a Camp Fire council, and we teach young people to be healthy and active. How could I continue to be obese and tell young people to live a healthy lifestyle?

Breaking Point: I was goose hunting with my fiancé and son. I was so overweight that when I leaned out of the boat to set the decoys in the water I had to keep standing up to be able to breathe!

How I Lost It: I started on Jenny Craig, but as time went on I realized that I had to make a complete lifestyle change and make it on my own so that it would stick! Portion control is the key -- I don't deny myself those things that I like, I just don't eat them every day! I have chosen to eat a lot more lean meats and fish, and I very rarely have fried foods.

Now, I work out six to seven days a week -- I can honestly say that working out has not only helped me lose the weight, it has also helped me feel better emotionally. My workouts alternate between the stationary bike, elliptical, abs workouts and aerobics videos. Starting to exercise was interesting; at first I could only do five minutes on the elliptical and was exhausted. I had no idea how I was ever going to continue! I slowly increased to 15 minutes, and that is when I got my stationary bike. I started doing 15 minutes on each, and believe me, it was on the easiest setting possible! No hills, no resistance, I just slowly built up. I can't believe now what I can do! I started adding weights into my routines with the Bowflex, and then was introduced to the FIRM workout. I was hooked.

I have another 20 pounds I would like to lose, so I continue to work towards that, knowing that I am healthier and more active. It will come off, it has just slowed down.

After Weight: 185 pounds

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Comments

[djuno1966]

02:47 PM on 04/17/2012

but the heroin chic look of the supermodels seems to work the best. I wonder what portion controls they use

[alwaystellitlikeitis]

01:09 PM on 04/27/2012

Coke (not the drink) and cigarettes.

[electros]

02:29 PM on 04/17/2012

All set now for the "Harley Bears 4 plump lookers" chat room-

[azure1954]

01:44 PM on 04/17/2012

Just go get a calorie counting paperback. Eat only 1600 calories a day for women, 2000 for men. Make it balanced 40% protien, 30% carbs, 30% fats. Sometimes you may go over one or the other. Just keep it at calorie level. More fiber like oatmeal for breakfast, light lunch and dinner remainder of calories. Try to eat before 6pm. Try not to go over calorie limits. Any exercise, daily walking, or workouts, of any kind. It works. Can lose up to 2 pounds a week or every 5 days.

[hattie54]

03:05 PM on 04/17/2012

For folks that have diatetes,they have to eat on something healthy 2 hrs or so after dinner.I try to keep mine under 1,600 a day but its not easy.I have lost a few lbs with about 30 more to go,its so slow.I walk too but not each day in the summer months,too warm but I do walk 2 miles 3 times a week.

[edeword]

01:40 PM on 04/17/2012

I love these inspirational stories. They never say it's easy, but the rewards far outweigh the pain.

[jbyars]

01:25 PM on 04/17/2012

Nice to know it can be done! I'm starting and am glad to have the confirmtions it can be done at any age!

[Autora]

03:04 PM on 04/17/2012

It can definitely be done. I read these stories not because I need to lose any particular weight, but because I find them so heartening-- there are other aspects of my life that need better control.

Knowing that even if you feel silly at first, because you can't do much, leads to doing much more with time-- is really a very hopeful thing. And I've read stories about men and women who were far older than this lady, and they did it too.

Good luck, and someone will always be out here to cheer you on.

[jbyars]

06:53 PM on 04/17/2012

Hey...thanks Autora! F&F! I think that's the sweetest reply I've ever gotten to a comment! Good luck in your efforts as well!

[1Castile]

01:03 PM on 04/17/2012

Kudos to all these people for their hard work and determination!

[hattie54]

01:02 PM on 04/17/2012

Lose a lot of weight I mean.

[Bubbabassman]

01:00 PM on 04/17/2012

You go ladies!! Its too bad that the vast majority of the 60 percent of the people in the U.S. who are obese don't follow your lead. Its not easy, but it can be done. "Obese" is a nasty, nasty five letter word and most of it can be overcome. Get off your butts America and get it done, I mean you really look ridiculous!! Have you been to Wal-Mart lately?? How depressing. I go quite frequently and have developed acute tunnel vision, as I find this problem extremely repulsive!!!

[azure1954]

01:49 PM on 04/17/2012

Alot of people you see in this world are not fat simply because they want to be. Medications for diabetes cause weight gain. Steroids for asthma or COPD also cause weight gain. There are so many meds that cause weight gain and so many conditions that also do. Such as depression. Next time you want to judge people, first consider some of these reasons. Be encouraging and less critical.

[Bubbabassman]

04:11 PM on 04/17/2012

Yes, but more cop-outs!!

[creddell6]

07:49 PM on 04/17/2012

Yes there are way too many medications that have adverse side effects, and weight gain is the least of it. This whole country is over-prescribed and the side effects can be much worse than the condition being 'treated'. However, many overweight people simply use the possibility that this medication might cause a gain in weight so guess what? Instant excuse to not bother trying to maintain a healthy weight.
And don't freak out, I'm not saying every big person is not trying, I'm sure there are many who truly are at their wits end due to a real condition that makes it so much more difficult for them....but I find it hard to believe that every single fat person is only big because of some medication...come on now, people love to eat and some people eat a lot and get fat.

[hattie54]

03:06 PM on 04/17/2012

Yes,the famous fat women in spandex with their tummies reaching their knees.Its sad.

[PegHires]

12:23 PM on 04/17/2012

The weight loss looks great....kudos...but her hair and glasses make her look 63, not 43..... :o(

[hattie54]

01:01 PM on 04/17/2012

I was thinking the same thing coz when you lost a of weight,you do look older in the face.

[mmcti88052]

11:50 AM on 04/17/2012

Colene looks amazing and is to be admired! I've been fortunate enough to never struggle with weight-so, I don't fully understand the magnitude of the daily challenges. However, from what I know and see, it is extremely difficult. Anyone who accomplishes such great success is truly a strong motivated person!
As a clothes, hair, make-up expert- I do know for certain, as good as she looks- she could look even better! Maybe it's a poor picture- but, she looks older than 43. Perhaps it's the hair (style/color), glasses, clothes- not quite sure. But, she looks a bit matronly. That's just my opinion.

[OhioSpeaks]

11:48 AM on 04/17/2012

wow... some incredible transformations.... Congrats to all of you ... you look wonderful.
( however, a couple of the women look wayyyyyyyyy too thin....)

[taitafalcon]

11:42 AM on 04/17/2012

I too had a metamorphasis this past year. I'm 54 yrs old and lost nearly 60 lbs by eating right and exercising more days per week than I don't. It took 53 yrs to realize I never did eat right until the symptom of what killed my own father at 57 began to surface. I became a near vegetarian, got off my butt and put down the cigars. It was not about trying to squeeze out a few more years of lousy living. It was all about teaching adult kids that the 'buck' stopped here and took some responsibility for providing an access to longevity. I owed it to my kids. I quit using the exuse; 'I don't have time'... Either make the change now or create all the time you need after you set up the survival treatments you're gonna need when it's too late.

[courtneygrundy1]

11:01 AM on 04/17/2012

i am only 12 and my weight is 173 pounds i need someone to tell me a few things that i can do to loose it

[sassiehelm]

11:14 AM on 04/17/2012

Just start walking.

[hattie54]

11:20 AM on 04/17/2012

Walk a mile or two each day.Cut out JUNK FOOD!!! Eat a good breakfast ( not sugary cereals ).Cut back or cut out sugary sodas.Drink only diet sodas and more water.Eat more veggies and fruit than cookies etc.Do it now coz when you're young,the weight comes off easier and easier to keep off.

[gdzilla2]

12:05 PM on 04/17/2012

No diet sodas at all! Drink water with lemon slices or plain. Diet sodas are contributing to obesity! Make sure you have dairy daily, low fat or fat free. Move more, walk. Limit fast foods and learn what you can eat that is healthier when you do hit a fast food place. Lots of veggies, fresh fruit and lean protein. Good luck!

[owensfive]

10:51 AM on 04/17/2012

Congrats to Colene...She looks fantastic...Others, like Brooke (photos above), have clearly taken it a bit too far. Her head is much too large for her body in the "after" shot...Not a good sign! Weight loss can obviously be great for your health, however, some people obviously need help knowing "when to say when is enough!"

[oceabrz]

12:08 PM on 04/17/2012

I think Brooke actually looks great! I don't see at all that her head is too big for her body. She got down to a good size, and in my opinion, doesn't look "too"skinny. Congrats to all of you ladies. This is exactly what I need to do for myself. Since losing my job, I got depressed and started eating. With my metabolism slowing down as I age, coupled with menopause making me crave sweets, I gained a nice sized belly! I hate it, it makes it hard to breathe and I am not comfortable in my own skin like I used to be.

[tinamercat]

12:51 PM on 04/17/2012

I think Brooke's photo just has a weird camera angle that makes her head look too big

[hattie54]

09:18 AM on 04/17/2012

Congrats to Colene on her weight loss!She looks slim for someone her height.I think most women that are 5' 5" normally weigh 130 - 140?