Melody 
working out at Reebok

Melody’s story, "My Weight Lose Challenge on the Jenny Jones Show"

I wanted to look better and fit into nicer clothes. I wanted to be more active. I wanted to be fit and healthy for me. The people around me told me I was fine, well I didn't feel fine! All my clothes look like I am wearing a tent.

I've lived in Cincinnati, Ohio all my life and I've battled my weight since I was thirteen. I've tired the gym, Slimfast, Herbal Life and Sweet Success. Those liquid diets don't work, you lose maybe 10lbs tops and you gain it right back. I've even conspired with a friend to vacuum out my own body fat. The bottom line was I was desperate. I wrote a letter with my friend to the Jenny Jones Show. They interviewed me for their upcoming weight loss challenge. I was accepted and off to Chicago I went.

They asked me "why do you think the show will help you?" I believed the show would provide me with the strength I need. Some people are comfortable with extra weight on, but not me. The time limit of the show will make me even more determined and success is inevitable. Now I have millions of people monitoring me. I’ll think twice before I grab a bag of chips.

We started this process in October of 1999 I weighed 240 lbs. The producer asked me "What’s the first thing you’ll do when you lose the weight?" I’m going to buy the skimpiest bikini I can find and hop the first flight to St. Thomas. It will bea big difference from the T-shirt and shorts I wear now. I can’t wait to flaunt my beautiful body. I’ m gonna go hunting for a man.

I meet my trainer, Becky Singleton who lived in Boston. On the show Becky gave me a gift subscription to Heart and Soul Magazine, Reebok sneakers and her exercise video "Becky Singleton’s Just Like You" to start me off on the right foot. We talked and she told me that I was powerful, and that my positive attitude would make all the difference. One life changing point that Becky made was that I needed to do this for my health and the benefit will be that I will look and feel better. We talked about the importance of a support team.

I was asked by my trainer to submit my recent health physical and blood results. I made a food journal of my eating habits that would give a clear picture on where I needed the most help. She also asked me for names of my friends and family that might make up a support system. Letters were written asking them to support me and how they could. That really helped my family.

I went to Boston, and really learned what working-out meant. I learned how to prepare food, eat small and frequent balanced meals. I understood this new lifestyle change could save my life. I had diabetes. We had lots of vegetables and fruits with lean cuts of chicken and fish. I drank lots

of water and used a lemon to give me a little flavor. I start to take care of myself by meditating and listing my dreams down on a journal writing one great experience I had everyday.

We power walked out doors, did spinning (that was not easy but I hung in there) treadmills and was introduced to very lights weights. I was angry and cried a few times. It was hard and it didn’t feel good at first. I started in October only being able to walk not more than 15 minutes at a time. By May I was working out 35 – 45 minutes 4-5 days a week. My eating was now a normal habit and I didn’t have to think as much about it. My diabetes got better. Most of all I realized that it was my health that was important and not trying to get into that bathing suit or finding a man. I went back on the show losing 53lbs. My new attitude opened a New World that I didn’t know existed.

Behind the scene videotaping

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