The Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire, Wis., Christena T. O’Brien column: Off Beat: Woman sheds 125 pounds and counting [The Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire, Wis.]

May 13--Tracy Nelson had struggled with her weight for years.

Late last year, Nelson -- who had reached 347 pounds -- decided she had to act.

"I was ashamed of myself," the 34-year-old rural Eau Claire resident said. "I couldn't fit into my pants anymore. I was starting to have medical issues, felt horrible, didn't want to get up for work and (was) pushing myself away from everyone. Something had to be done."

Nelson decided to start by setting a small goal for herself -- a 20-pound weight loss by the end of January. Knowing the holidays were coming, she figured her chances of reaching her goal were slim, but she bought a Wii Balance Board and "The Biggest Loser" interactive fitness video game and got started on a low-fat diet in late November.

"I started following the everyday program it gave me, and ... I realized it was easier than I thought it would be," she said. By the end of "January, I had lost over 45 pounds; at that point, I decided I was liking this and changed my diet completely."

As of Monday, Nelson, who works for UnitedHealth Group, had lost 125 pounds, surprising herself and inspiring others.

"I never thought I could do this," said Nelson, who is hoping to lose another 70 pounds by September when her brother Dan Anderson is getting married. "Now that I have, I'm addicted."

Longtime struggle

Nelson had been struggling with her weight probably since graduating from New Richmond High School, and over the years, she tried just about every diet out there, along with gyms, without much success. Problems with her thyroid also resulted in weight gain.

As she put on pounds, Nelson found herself not wanting to do the things she enjoyed, such as playing with her daughters, Rebecca, 12, and Rachel, 10, volunteering for the American Red Cross, teaching CPR and first aid, and geocaching, a high-tech treasure hunting game.

"I love to geocache, but it was more of a chore than it was fun," said Nelson, who has found herself with more energy to do the things she enjoys since the pounds began to melt away.

Back in November, she never thought she'd be running, but she now runs five to six miles per day and lifts weights every other day to tone her muscles.

"I can play with my kids and not get tired," said Nelson, whose daughters have become their mother's workout buddies and cheerleaders. "The thing that warmed my heart was the day one of my daughter's said, 'I can reach around you and hug you.' "

Big changes

So far, Nelson has lost 10 pant sizes and more than half her stomach, arms and thighs. While her children, her husband, Joe, and others have been supportive, "it's not for anyone else," Nelson said. "It's for me. And I feel 100 percent better already and am so much happier."

And she plans to keep at it. She plans to run a half-marathon in June and participate in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure, a 60-mile walk for women and men to raise money and awareness for breast cancer research.

"Both things I would (have) never dreamed of doing," she said. "I am hoping that if people know it can be done by ordinary people, they might be interested and motivated to do it too."

While her dad, Doug Anderson, hasn't had problems with his own weight, he has watched his daughter struggle and can appreciate her hard work.

"I'm not sure what motivated her, but I'm so pleased," said Anderson, who had been concerned his daughter's weight might hurt her health.

O'Brien can be reached at 715-830-5838, 800-236-7077 or [email protected].

-Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure: www.the3day.org.

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