Success Stories

Leslie F.

Age: 54
Height: 5'5"
Start weight: 214 lbs
Current weight: 167 lbs
Goal weight: 140 lbs

Leslie is a successful real estate agent with a history of dieting failures and a love of fattening foods.  Before Joy's plan, Leslie's diet willpower was nonexistent, but after a couple of months on the plan, she has lost 47 pounds* and looks like a new woman!  She now tucks her shirts in — something she hasn't done in a long time — and she values setting a healthy example for her children.

*Weight loss varies by individual. You may not achieve these results.

Jon S.

Age: 32
Height: 5'11"
Start weight (on the Joy's plan): 250 lbs
Current weight: 200 lbs
Goal weight: 200 lbs

Jon hails from the Lansing, Michigan, area. In 2007, he weighed 430 pounds, had high blood pressure, and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. He met Joy Bauer through a mutual friend and signed on for her plan in September 2008, starting at 250 pounds (he had already lost the initial chunk of weight on his own). Joy's program helped him focus his efforts toward reaching his final goal weight. As a result of following Joy's meal plan, he lost an additional 50 pounds*. Today Jon weighs 200 pounds (a total drop of 230 pounds!) and accomplished this feat without surgical intervention.

*Weight loss varies by individual. You may not achieve these results.

Debra A.

Age: 55
Height: 5'5 1/2"
Start weight: 165 lbs (6/27/08)
Current weight: 140 lbs (12/01/08)
Goal: Weight loss of 20-25 lbs
Pounds lost: 25*

Debra is a 55-year-old woman who became concerned with weight gain related to peri-menopause. After the passing of her father and, two weeks later, a 21-year-old cousin, she realized that life and health are not guaranteed. When presented with the opportunity to try the Joy's program, she signed up with the simple goal of improving her health, rather than losing weight for aesthetic reasons.

Not only has she met her initial goal, but she has exceeded her own expectations for herself.  She now exercises with a DVD (something she would never have done prior to starting Joy's plan) and has cut out foods she would have never cut out before (salt, wine, and bacon). As a woman who has never enjoyed being photographed and who has been relatively shy about her appearance, she was surprised to be complimented by bank tellers, former coworkers, and even her OBGYN for her amazing weight loss. Her energy has increased and she says she now really does feel extraordinary.

She admits she had been wearing baggy clothes for years and resisted donating her old clothes to charity once she started losing weight. But one day she noticed that her pants were literally falling off.  When she went to the store, she realized she had shrunk two whole pant sizes.  Now she no longer shops in the plus-sized department, and a local charity is the grateful recipient of  several shopping bags of gently worn women's clothing.

*Weight loss varies by individual. You may not achieve these results.

Andrea D.

Age: 24
Height: 5'4"
Start weight: 148 lbs
Current weight: 113 lbs
Goal weight: 117 lbs
Pounds lost: 35*

Andrea says that weight has always been a big issue in her family. When she was growing up, her father was known as big papa bear because he weighed nearly 400 pounds. She refers to being overweight as the “triple-H effect” — heavy is a handicap and humiliating. While Andrea never considered herself fat, she felt chubby and a bit padded. She didn’t enjoy shopping or exercising with friends because these group activities always made her self-conscious. One of her daily challenges was to hide her flabby belly.

Andrea aspires to be a dentist, and one of her professional goals is to give people a reason to smile. Her personal goal was to lose weight and give herself something to smile about. After starting Joy’s program and sticking to the meal and fitness plans, she not only hit her goal of losing 30 pounds, but also recently surpassed it. She went from a size 12/14 to a tiny 2/4! Andrea, a successful example of how well Joy's plan works, is now happily flashing her pearly whites!

As a bonus, Andrea's dramatic weight loss was featured in a January 2009 Woman's World cover story about walking off the pounds!

*Weight loss varies by individual. You may not achieve these results.

Nick C.

Age: 43
Height: 6'0"
Start weight: 380+ lbs
Current weight: 278 lbs
Goal weight: 200 lbs
Pounds lost: 102+*

As a young adult, Nick was heavy, but his weight wasn’t out of control. Eventually, though, his body took a turn for the worse. At 38, he had a minor heart attack. By 42, he was pushing 400 pounds, his blood pressure had soared dangerously high, and he was at risk for type 2 diabetes. That year, at Nick's annual physical, his doctor bluntly said, "I don't know what else to tell you, Nick. Change or you’ll die."

Nick changed. By closely following Joy Bauer’s healthy eating principles, Nick lost more than 100 pounds, and he continues to lose. He doesn't intend to stop until he weighs 200 pounds.

In His Own Words

Personal Diet Struggle: I need well-defined boundaries. I could go a year without eating pizza, but if I eat a single slice today, I'll want two slices tomorrow — and a whole pie next week!

Life Changes Since His Weight Loss: I can bend far enough to tie my shoelaces, ride on a subway or bus without shame, buckle up on an airplane without a belt extender — and wear jeans!

Life Plans: I'm already registered to compete in a full triathlon in 2010. I will be ready!

Life Dreams: I'm on my way to getting what I've never had: self-esteem, self-respect, self-acceptance, and self-love.

Life Lessons:

• - Who knew water was so important?! I drink two glasses 15 minutes before meals. By the time I eat, I feel too full to overeat.
• - I start every dinner with a low-calorie, fiber-rich salad or vegetable soup to help fill me up, keep my appetite under control, and extend the meal so I don't feel deprived.
• - I avoid personal trigger foods, the things I simply can't stop eating once I begin. For me, pizza and candy bars are dangerous.
• - I stick with my meal plan when eating out by making special requests — serve the salad dressing, sauces, and condiments on the side; grill the chicken instead of frying it; and please don't bring the bread basket to the table.

*Weight loss varies by individual. You may not achieve these results.

Susan T.

Age: Late 50s
Height: 5'2"
Start weight: 144 lbs
Current weight: 114 lbs
Goal weight: 119 lbs
Pounds lost: 30*

Susan is the director of services of Joy Bauer Nutrition. Ironically, when Susan was hired she was between 20 and 25 pounds over her normal, ideal body weight. Luckily, having spent years in the fashion industry, she knew how to dress to disguise her figure faults. She thought that she hid those extra pounds pretty well, but she knew they were there and she was miserable. She knew that her clothing was getting tighter and tighter and that she was very out of shape. Susan secretly hoped that by working in an environment centered on healthy nutrition, she would be able to take off the weight that made her 5'2" frame look thick and shapeless. When Joy asked her to try out her new diet plan, Susan jumped at the opportunity.

Now about 30 pounds lighter (as is her husband, Neil — that's almost 60 pounds lost between the two of them!), she feels and looks as if she has a new lease on life. She is the talk of their town!

*Weight loss varies by individual. You may not achieve these results.

Sheri H.

Age: 39
Height: 5'8"
Start weight: 164 lbs
Current weight: 141 lbs
Goal weight: 141 lbs
Pounds lost: 23*

Sheri struggled with her weight since she was a teenager. For her, the most painful aspect of being overweight was feeling that she was an embarrassment to her two boys. Nothing hurt her more than the thought that her own children might feel humiliated by their "fat mom." Although she never disclosed her fear, the thought often haunted her.

Instead of taking action, she generally just ate more to ease the pain. Eventually, though, she said, Enough is enough — and made a commitment to herself to turn her life around. Sheri lost 127 pounds on her own through sensible dieting and exercise. She was inducted into the Joy Fit Club in September 2008, with 23 pounds to go to reach her goal weight of 141 pounds. Sheri made a pact with Joy to drop the last pesky 20-odd pounds using Joy's healthy eating principles as her guide.

Now, after just four months on the diet, Sheri has reached her goal — the first time she's weighed less than 150 pounds since she was a freshman in high school! A tough cross-training routine helped her drop the last few pounds, and she has participated in several 5Ks in the past year. She even got her teenage son to hit the gym with her! Sheri is in the best shape of her life — and she’s thrilled with her success. "More than anything," she says, "I appreciate what I see in the mirror every day, and that is very cool!"

*Weight loss varies by individual. You may not achieve these results.

Kathy M.

Age: 56
Height: 5’8”
Starting weight: 165 pounds
Current weight: 135 pounds
Goal weight: 130 pounds
Pounds lost:35

Kathy had always been slim, but within the last five years her overeating coupled with her sedentary job led her to pack on extra pounds. The weight began to take a toll on her physically — in addition to knee problems, her doctor informed her that her cholesterol numbers were dangerously high and that she needed to lose weight to avoid being put on medication. She lost ten pounds on her own in an effort to lower her cholesterol.

Then, Kathy saw that Woman’s Day magazine was looking for people who wanted a chance to lose weight and get in shape by participating in the Woman’s Day Slimdown Challenge with Joy Bauer. She sent in her photo and story and was selected as one of 12 participants. She received a copy of Your Inner Skinny as well as a Joy Bauer diet coach. Joy’s plan was just what Kathy needed to get in shape! She learned how to eat, what to eat and how much to eat! (She always keeps Joy’s Blueberry/Banana Muffins in her freezer). Yoga and lifting weights, as well as a half hour walk before lunch every day helped her drop the extra weight.

Kathy hit her goal weight of 135 pounds in November and continued to lose five more pounds after that — she went from a size 16 to a size 6 and her cholesterol numbers are now under control. She donated all of her old clothes and had to buy an entire new wardrobe — shopping in a store and trying on clothes in a dressing room for the first time in years!

Kathy has kept the weight off for 3 months, and swears by Joy’s diet principles. She says Joy’s two glasses of water before lunch and dinner were critical to her success, as well as eating clean the majority of the time so that she can enjoy her little indulgences, like Christmas cookies and fudge with her grandchildren during the holidays. “You have to take Joy’s advice to heart and really think before you eat something,” she says, “Ask yourself, is this moment worth it?” It wasn’t easy, but Kathy is happier — and healthier— than ever. “I have turned back time,” she says, “I look (and feel) like I did when I was in my 20s!”

*Weight loss varies by individual. You may not achieve these results.

Allison B.

Age: 45
Height: 5’4”
Starting weight: 178 pounds
Current weight: 156 pounds
Goal weight: 149 pounds
Pounds lost:22

Allison hated the way she looked and felt — and this motivated her to make a change! She was looking for “something different” in a weight loss plan, and looked into Joy’s program, which she loved!

As a participant in the Woman’s Day Slimdown Challenge with Joy Bauer, Allison checked in weekly with a weight loss coach, and also blogged twice a week which helped keep her on track. She entered the challenge with her sister, Celeste, which was a huge motivation as they helped each other stay focused. Allison couldn’t wait for the Friday weigh-ins — she loved watching the numbers decrease every week!

The most difficult part of Allison’s journey was staying on track on the weekends when events such as birthdays and holidays posed temptations. “I tried, sometimes successfully and sometimes not, to pick just one or two treats and take small bites to make them last,” she says.

Allison also learned to ditch the unhealthy snack food and keep smart options on hand. Her favorite low-calorie snack is baby carrots. “They are cold, crunchy, and inexpensive, you by them ready-to-eat and — the best part — you can eat a million of them,” she says.

After losing 22 pounds on Joy’s program, Allison say she “looks and feels pretty darn good!” She also cherishes the friendships she made with the other Woman’s Day bloggers who shared the weight-loss journey. Her best tip for others trying to lose weight is to allow yourself a treat once in a while. “If you are really craving something, just eat it and be done with it,” she says. “Because you know you're going to eat it eventually and this way you don't eat a bunch of other things trying to make the craving go away.”

Everyone has noticed Allison’s weight-loss, complimenting her on how great she looks since joining Joy’s program and getting healthy. “This guy I work with told me he could tell I was losing weight because my butt looked smaller,” she says. “I got a kick out of that!”

*Weight loss varies by individual. You may not achieve these results.

Katie B.

Height: 5’5”
Starting weight: 167 pounds
Current weight: 140 pounds
Goal weight: 140 pounds
Pounds lost: 27

Katie had been overweight — and unhappy about it — for years, but getting engaged was the motivation she needed to finally lose the weight. She didn’t want to look back on her wedding photos and see herself looking unhealthy and unhappy.

Beyond the photos, her impending marriage also made Katie think about some serious issues regarding how her weight could impact her future. Recently diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which affects fertility, Katie learned that one way to improve her chances of having children and combating other symptoms of PCOS was to lose weight. There were also other health issues plaguing her family, including diabetes. As she began a new chapter of her life, building a family with her fiancé, there was no better time to shed the extra pounds for good.

Katie was introduced to Joy Bauer’s program through Woman’s Day magazine, when she was chosen as a blogger in the Woman’s Day Slimdown Challenge with Joy Bauer. Getting started was difficult: Katie disliked cooking and rarely made her own meals; she relied on processed foods like popcorn and cereal. The hardest change was learning to make healthy meals and to make meal preparation a part of her daily routine.

Katie had given up on previous diets, but telling everyone about her weight-loss efforts through her Woman’s Day blog helped hold her accountable. Even her coworkers cheered her along on her weight-loss journey and helped her to eat healthfully at the office and to stick to an exercise routine. “That accountability is vital to me,” she says. “Otherwise, I can quickly get tired of putting in the extra effort.” Another key to Joy’s plan that worked wonders for Katie was learning moderation. “During the holidays, I didn’t bake any cookies or bring any temptation into my house until the week of Christmas — and on Christmas I indulged, but I also exercised a lot,” she says. “Then the next week, I got back into my normal routine. You don’t have to avoid the holidays like the plague; you should enjoy them. But you really don’t need to indulge for two solid months.”

It wasn’t easy, but Joy’s program taught Katie healthy habits that have helped her to not only lose 27 pounds, but to maintain her healthy weight as well. “Joy's plan didn’t require me to learn a lot of rules or count a lot of calories or points,” says Katie. “It just taught me to be healthier, simple as that.” Now, instead of processed foods, Katie’s favorite snacks are blended frozen bananas as a substitute for frozen yogurt and Joy’s Double Chocolate Muffins. At parties and events, she makes sure to fill her plate with vegetables and allows herself one cookie so that she doesn’t feel deprived or guilty.

Katie’s biggest advice is to eat! “Cutting back so much that you’re hungry is a great way to set yourself up to cheat. But also be aware of what you’re putting into your mouth,” she says. “Know how much you are putting into your body, and how much you’re burning, and don’t kid yourself. If you think you might be, write it all down!”

*Weight loss varies by individual. You may not achieve these results.

Jennifer W.

Age: 38
Height: 5’7”
Starting weight: 287 pounds
Current weight: 251 pounds
Goal weight: 150
Pounds lost: 36

Jennifer had been having weight-loss success on her own, using a “calories in, calories out” motto to drop pounds. But when she reached a plateau, she knew she needed a plan to help her continue losing the weight, and she found Joy’s plan was the most realistic and all-encompassing.

In the beginning, Jennifer’s ultimate goal was to lose weight. But Joy’s program taught her the importance of all aspects of health, including cholesterol levels and blood pressure. She began to realize that a healthy diet wasn't only about watching calorie and fat intake, but also looking at nutrition as a whole. “I needed something that was more about seeing the big picture,” Jennifer says, “and that’s exactly what Joy’s plan helped me to do.”

The first week was the toughest for Jennifer, as she had to eliminate all artificial sweeteners from her diet. As someone who often snacked on processed foods and soda, she found the transition difficult. But once Jennifer made it to week two, she felt like she had overcome a major hurdle — she had gained the power to conquer and eliminate sugar cravings. Now instead of soda and cookies, Jennifer snacks on homemade fruit smoothies, which satisfy any sweet cravings without compromising her healthy eating plan.

Working full time and going to school keeps Jennifer's schedule packed, leaving little time for preparing meals. But she and her husband love to cook and found Joy’s recipes to be delicious and easy to follow. “They don’t take much time to prepare, so her plan really fits with my busy life!” she says. The secret to Jennifer’s success? “Tracking! I track everything I eat, drink, and do. It gives me a good idea of what I’m doing and where I’m having trouble,” she says, “If my weight loss slows down I can take a look back and see what I ate and pinpoint where I might have had difficulty. I also enjoy having tasks that relate to my goals, so taking the time to track/journal what’s going on is a huge help for me.”

Her best advice for others is to plan ahead. Jennifer spends every Saturday planning her menu for the week, making her grocery list, and going shopping. She then cooks ahead so that she always has fresh meals ready for lunches and dinners. If she knows she will be eating out, she looks at the menu before she goes so she knows her options, and never hesitates to ask for modifications or substitutions. She also loves that Joy encourages you to enjoy a 150-calorie treat, and plans for a piece of dark chocolate or a glass of wine in her daily menu.

Jennifer is still working to lose more weight, but is well on her way to a healthier lifestyle! “My best compliment has been not so much that I’ve lost weight, but that I just look good,” says Jennifer, “A co-worker told me that I just looked happier and that I was glowing, and that felt great! I feel so much better on the inside and it’s nice to know that shows!”

*Weight loss varies by individual. You may not achieve these results.

Eve M.

Age: 48
Height: 5'5"
Starting weight:166.5 pounds
Current weight: 140 pounds
Goal weight:135
Pounds lost: 26.5 pounds

Diabetes has run in Eve’s family for decades, so she knew that with age would come some health problems. But when Eve was diagnosed as a prediabetic in October of 2010 at the age of 38, it was a huge wake-up call. She wasn’t ready to start dealing with serious health issues at such a young age and knew that it was time to make changes.

Aware that her weight and eating habits were playing a major role in her health issues, Eve was ready to finally take control. She knew that committing to a healthy eating plan and regular exercise could reduce, and even eliminate, her health problems. When she was selected as one of 12 women to participate in Joy’s Woman’s Day Slimdown Challenge, she jumped at the chance and never looked back.

While Eve did have some difficulty staying motivated to exercise every day and resist her food cravings, getting to know Joy, her staff, and the other challengers provided just the type of support system she needed.

Eve stresses that Joy’s weight loss program isn’t so much a diet as it is a healthy lifestyle plan, which made it easy for her to follow. She not only learned positive eating habits, but also changed the way she thought about food. Her tip for others trying to lose weight? “Don’t deprive yourself of cravings or sweets,” she says. “Take the time to learn how to modify your favorite recipes, and always use portion control.” Before getting healthy, Eve loved popcorn. And she still eats it! But instead of going for the high-calorie options loaded with butter, she buys 100-calorie packs at the grocery store. “[These] are an awesome way to snack because it is already portion controlled for you so you don’t have to worry about overindulging,” she says.

She picked other healthy habits, too. “I like to keep my vegetables precut in the refrigerator for easy access, and I always try to have a water bottle with me everywhere I go,” she says. “I try not to grocery shop on an empty stomach. and I eat salads every night before dinner. When I am at parties, I try to stay away from dips and fried foods.”

Since losing over 25 pounds, Eve is receiving compliments left and right. But her favorite thing to hear is that she looks healthy — because it means she achieved the goal she had initially set!

*Weight loss varies by individual. You may not achieve these results.

Maureen D.

Maureen was only 32 years old and battling dangerously high cholesterol. Her weight was holding her back from truly enjoying life – she couldn’t even run around with her kids without becoming out of breath. When her cholesterol levels spiked so high that she had to take a three-hour glucose test, she knew it was time for a change. When a friend told Maureen following the four-step plan in Joy’s book, Your Inner Skinny (previously titled Joy's Life Diet), she hung up the phone and said to herself, “No more excuses— I’m starting right now.” Maureen picked up the book and headed to the grocery store.

Right away, the numbers on the scale start to decrease. “It was so rewarding to me every time I went down a number. I hit 200, then 190, then 180,” says Maureen. “Each time, I would say, ‘I am never going to be over that number again’.” Vowing to never return to her unhealthy weight and lifestyle, Maureen threw away all of her “big clothes,” which felt great! She attributes much of her success to her kids, husband and other family members who supported her and continue to motivate her every day. “I want to be healthy for myself and for them,” says Maureen.

Stepping on the scale once a week is what helped hold Maureen accountable for everything she ate. While weekends posed the most temptation, Maureen stayed committed to the program by telling herself the splurges would not be worth it when it came time to step on the scale. Planning ahead for indulgences also helped Maureen to lose weight — and continue to keep it off. “If I know I'm going to splurge at a holiday function, I'll be extra good for the rest of the week,” she says.

Changing her diet wasn’t easy, but Maureen learned to completely avoid trigger foods and opt for healthy snacks instead. She now snacks on cucumber slices with Laughing Cow Light Cheese to curb hunger pangs between meals. After losing 70 pounds, Maureen looks and feels better than ever! The best compliment she has received? “My mom told me that I was her motivation to get healthy!”

*Weight loss varies by individual. You may not achieve these results.

Celeste C.

Height: 5’1”
Starting weight: 152 pounds
Current weight: 130 pounds
Goal weight: 130 pounds
Pounds lost: 22

Celeste had reached a point of “disgust” with her health and her body. Her unhappiness about how she looked and felt drove her to take action, so she joined the Woman’s Day Slimdown Challenge to lose weight. Celeste was pleasantly surprised to find that Woman’s Day had teamed up with Joy and had asked the participants to follow the four steps outlined in her book, Your Inner Skinny. Joy’s program worked well for Celeste because it introduced her to unfamiliar food combinations that helped her get out of the diet rut she had fallen into.

Being held accountable, to herself and to others, helped Celeste succeed. She began blogging twice a week about the challenges of losing weight, and kept an official weight loss log with diet coaches, all of which helped her stay on track.

Dieting with a buddy — her sister, Allison — also helped keep Celeste motivated, as they made bets bets with each other on who could lose more weight. “A support system can make all the difference in your success or failure to stay on track,” says Celeste. “Don’t be afraid to reach out and say that you’re struggling. That quick phone call may save you from going crazy at the buffet!”

Celeste’s best advice for other dieters is to log your food. “Journaling what you eat keeps you honest,” says Celeste. “For the first few weeks, write down how you’re feeling and when, so that you can really assess why you’re eating — is it hunger? Stress? Anger? Happiness?”

After following Joy’s program, Celeste dropped 25 pounds, and now receives tons of compliments and feels great! The best compliment she received? “My mother told me I looked slim — and my mother doesn’t say stuff like that!”

*Weight loss varies by individual. You may not achieve these results.

Amy B.

Age: 40
Height: 5'7"
Starting weight: 175 pounds
Current weight: 126 pounds
Goal weight: 125
Pounds lost: 49 pounds

Amy reached a point where she avoided looking people in the eye. She was so unhappy with her weight that she cringed at the thought of going to the store and running into someone she knew. Then, Amy came across Joy’s four-step program in Woman’s Day magazine, and was surprised to see that the menus were filled with foods she loved! Seeing how easy Joy's tips were to follow, Amy decided to give the program a try and see how far she could go.

Initially, Amy didn’t expect to make it through all four steps, but to her surprise, the weight starting falling off fast! She lost 25 pounds in the first two weeks and couldn’t believe the numbers on the scale. She was amazed that she had dropped so much weight even while feeling like she was eating all the time. “I was so excited,” Amy says, “I felt my confidence growing every time I stepped on the scale!"

Being conscious of what — and when — she was eating was the most difficult change for Amy. “I wasn’t a breakfast eater and never really paid attention to what I ate throughout the day,” says Amy. “The most difficult part for me was getting used to eating breakfast, lunch, a snack and dinner, and sticking to that routine. Joy’s plan is a great way for me to stay in control and be aware of what I am eating throughout the day.”

Now Amy, asking herself: “Will this take me forward or set me back?” before she eats a food. If the answer is yes, she allows herself a small amount, and then records it in her daily food journal. Planning and tracking her daily food intake helped Amy become more aware of what she was putting into her body. Plus, since Joy’s program allowed for Amy to enjoy occasional splurges, and adjust her food plan as needed, she never felt deprived or guilty. She also learned to love healthy snacks like an apple with peanut butter or a few of Joy’s Chocolate-Cherry Oatmeal cookies.

Joy’s cookbook,Slim and Scrumptious, taught Amy how to prepare meals for herself and for her family using healthier ingredients. She has also become aware of serving sizes — something she had never thought about before. “They are smaller than you think,” Amy says. “I definitely took advantage of Joy’s list of unlimited foods — it got me through if I still felt hungry between meals.”

The most rewarding part of Amy’s weight-loss journey has been finally feeling confident again. “I’ve always been an outgoing person, and it feels incredible to look people in the eye and not feel the shame that I felt before,” Amy says. “I hold my head higher, smile more and enjoy life a whole lot more!”

She encourages others trying to lose weight to ask themselves, “How will you feel after you eat this?” before they indulge. “But don’t feel guilty if you go off track,” Amy says. “Just pick up where you left off as soon as possible. Each moment is a new opportunity to begin again.”

The best compliment she has received? “Someone told me I don’t look like I’ve ever been a pound overweight. I was overweight for more than 10 years, so it’s an awesome feeling to hear those words!”

*Weight loss varies by individual. You may not achieve these results.