Season 1 Correspondence

Taking It Off Season 1 featured eight participants with one common goal: to loose weight.

Click on the season 1 participant photo to the left to read a follow up to their journey.

The following letters are general comments about the show or directed to multiple/all of the participants. Some participants decided to respond to a few of these letters.

Way to go all!
I am on this journey with all of you. I am down from 236 to 224 and my husband has also joined in and lost 10 lbs. He now watches the show with me on Monday eves. The evenings are the most challenging for me. I am married, but my husband is gone all week with work, and being alone can equal being bored, then being bored can lead to what can I eat. I remember Charlene saying that on the show. I definitely hear you there. I too have been almost at my goal (7 years ago) and like you said Karen, people treat you differently- My sister contested to that after her weight loss also. Actually I can relate to all of you in some way. Greg- You are very determined, and might I add a good looking man under there. I can’t wait to see the last show to see exactly what you end up looking like.

What a difference. Dajana - Your family seems closest to mine. Every day is some sort of celebration to eat. Congratulate both of them on their own weight loss! Charlene loves clothes as much as I do. Also when her mom said how proud she was of her, it made me cry. You look great ! Shannon- one of your comments from a few weeks ago still stays with me every day- it was when you said that most of these models and women at your consultation were around the same age as you , but because of the weight, you looked so much older. I am 35, and totally agree. I have never looked older. Cindy- My husband is a commercial pilot in the states, and is gone all week. The show that you dropped your husband off at the airport, and were explaining how you dread the days leading up to it ,hit home with me. On Monday morn very early I drop him off, and find myself having to fight food cravings, and trying to keep busy. You have to be a very independent woman to run a household by yourself. Congratulations on reaching your goal. You look great.

Jeff- you are looking great. The pressure to lose weight must be huge for all of you after saying you were all going to do this. You have expressed this the best. Oh, and what a cute little girl you both have. Karen- you look beautiful. The last episode you were absolutely glowing. I too have to find some time out to pamper myself too. Good idea. Shauna- your body and mine are the closest in shape so I can relate to you the most. I’m 5 11 though. I like your new approach to fitness, it seems like you are in it for the long term. You looked beautiful in the blue dress you picked for the wedding. I am going for my 4 k walk-sometimes run now..........best to all of you. I’ll be watching on Monday. ...nothing tastes as good, as fit feels!!!!

Michelle - Victoria BC
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You’re All My Heroes !!

I love the show and wish it was on every night. Hopefully it will be one day. I’m originally from Sherwood Park and Edmonton, so it’s a thrill to see places I’ve been . I too fight the battle of the bulge, and each week tune in to know I do not walk the path alone :o) I’d love to be in the show if you film it in Saskatoon ! ...lol...

Thanx for putting this on the air ... few people would care to have tried I think :o)

Your Friend,

Meaghan
 RESPONSE:

Hi Meaghan!

Thank you for your kind words. I have to say that participating in "Taking It Off" has been one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences in my life! The best part is hearing back from those who have seen the show and can somehow relate to something one or more of us is going through. I guess the biggest message is exactly what you said... "you’re not alone!" So keep fighting the good fight and don’t let little setbacks throw you off track! Best of luck on your journey.

Karen

Dear Taking It Off,

I am really enjoying the show. I started my own journey to fitness and weight reduction in June 2001 and have found the show to be informative, comforting and interesting. So far I have lost 10 pounds and a lot more to go, but like the participants on the show, I am already feeling much better about myself.

I watch the show every week. I also like how it is taking place in Edmonton, I live in Edmonton and I think it is neat that these people are walking around the very same city I am. I think it is about time we stop focusing all of our attention and programming on the "perfect people" and see what regular everyday people are up to. It turns out they are very inspiring.

I hope you continue on with the show after this first season is over. I will definitely be a loyal viewer.

Thank you,

Andrea - Edmonton, Alberta

First of all, kudos to you for your hardwork and great results so far. I watched the show on Monday September 3 2001, in which you discussed some hair loss problems. During this episode they did a nutritional analysis of your diet on the computer which was printed out for you and provided a detailed report. Would you have any information on this program? It would be a great help in my weight loss goals.

Thanks,
Maria

 RESPONSE:

Hi Maria.

Isn’t technology great? Robin would be the best person to answer this one. The program she used was totally cool, however, if you or someone you know is experiencing hair loss I would strongly recommend that you seek the advice of a doctor as well to rule out any underlying medical causes. Best of luck to you!

Karen


ANOTHER RESPONSE

Maria,
In regards to the computer program I used to analyze Karen's food intake - it was Food Smart, Nutrition Mangement Solutions. They can be contacted at www.food-smart.com or at 1-800-656-6434. It is available for purchase by the public. There are also some sites on the internet that you can use for free. The information you receive from these programs is useful and accurate, however, your situation may need an interpretation of the information and to make it applicable to your lifestyle, body, etc. and for that I would recommend hiring a nutrition professional. So if you are after numbers only, these type of programs are great. But if you want more information then I would recommend you find a registered dietitian to set you on the right path.

Good Luck!

Robin

Hi People

You are all an inspiration to me at this time. I'm in the process of "taking it off". I find that with food in moderation and going to "work" every day my body is shaping up nicely. I call my daily walks my work. Everyone gets a kick out of me going to "work".

Keep up your "work".

Barbara

 RESPONSE:

Dear Barbara:

Thanks so much for thinking of old loose-skinned me.

There really is no magic pill. It's energy in, energy out. Translation: always burn off more than you eat, and you'll lose weight. Chemistry 101. Sigh. It sounds so easy on paper, but in the real world of fast food and faster schedules, it's a battle fought one mouthful at a time.

I'm getting there, but it's no cakewalk, and I'm truly, deeply appreciative of your encouragement.

I wish you every success with your program. One bad day does not a diet kill; it takes a bunch of 'em. If you have a bad one, get right back on the wagon. I've lost a bit of weight because I stumble in the right direction; I've had very few perfect days.

All the best to you, and God bless,

Greg 'Dr K'

PS -- You say your body is shaping up nicely. It's a good feeling, isn't it?

Hello to all -

I happened to stumble on to your show when it debuted and am I ever glad I did - I never miss it. As a 33 year old 5' 9" 240 lb female, I have reached my peak in weight gain and need to do something about it. It has been an issue all my life and I think I'm ready to start conquering it, thanks in part to your program. You all inspire me and I appreciate it. As much as I enjoy watching the successes week after week, it also helps to see some of you have a not so great week every now and then. It helps deal with the fact that not every week is going to be a good week in the struggle and that's ok. I don't usually write to people in tv programs but you are all so real to me and I just wanted to express my support and thank you for all being so honest.

Keep up the good work!!

Debbie G. - Dartmouth, NS

I am sure enjoying watching Taking It Off, and watching the battles that all of you are fighting and winning. Of course weight loss is not just one battle, its a war, with the biggest battle of all being the one to maintain the weight loss. I am also working hard to lose weight - 75 more pounds to be exact (I've already lost 15). Watching you guys and what you go through is such a learning experience for me and its also very motivational. I've addressed this letter to the three of you for a specific reason:

Karen - I met you once at the Grand Trunk pool and you told me about how you were going to participate in the program and how excited you were. I've been watching your battle and I've been so pleased at your success. I hope to see you at the gym again so I can marvel at how wonderful you look and how far you have come.

Shauna - You used to work at my bank and I remember how you were always so perky and full of fun. Doesn't look like you've changed much that way! I've also enjoyed watching you because I used to go to High School with your best friend Leanne, which makes watching your battle with weight loss and exercise all the more personal for me!

Greg - I've never met you, but your ability to keep your sense of humour throughout this process has been so motivational for me. Every time I watch you weigh in I jump for joy at how you've succeeded. And I am very glad you were able to adjust the tilt of your Toranado so you can "drive like a man". I'll be watching for you at the car wreckers!

So watching this show, with you three in it has made my battle seem so much more acheiveable. I have a long way to go, and I'll be sad when the show is done, but I'll remember what I've learned from you three and I know that we'll all be successful in our battle!

Tamara in Edmonton

 RESPONSE:

Hello Tamara!

It’s so great to hear from you. I’m glad you are enjoying the show! It has been an incredible journey so far, and the people I’ve met through "Taking It Off" have become wonderful friends and a major source of support. The best part is hearing from people who have been inspired by the show and are motivated to make positive changes in their own lives. I feel truly blessed. Keep up the good work at the gym. Perhaps I’ll see you there again sometime soon!

Karen

I love the show. Would you consider doing a series in Regina, Saskatchewan?????

Leanne - Business Analyst

Hi - I have been really enjoying the Taking it Off series. My only complaint is that it will be over too soon! It has been informative and inspirational to watch these people struggle to lose weight. I was wondering, after the show is over, if there might be some way you could keep fans aprised of future successes and struggles of the show participants. I don't know when the episodes finished filming, but having apeice at the end of the last episode, or just after it, that shows how the participants are doing now (I assume that by the time the last episode airs, several months would have passed in the lives of the participants) would be neat to see. Otherwise, perhaps such updates might be provided on your website.

This show has become an important inspirational part of my personal weight loss journey, and I don't want to see it end!

Thanks for listening

Kate

To Robin Anderson (TIOs wellness and diet expert)

Hi - I have enjoyed watching you work with the variety of people on Taking if Off. I was wondering if you can recommend any books that have solid, basic nutrition information and suggestions for healthier eating (similar to your wellness tips but more in depth). There are so many books on the market, but I think many of them are just in support of the latest fads.

Also, I have been sticking to a healthier eating plan for about three months now. I eat five times a day (three meals and two snacks), but still find days when I just feel so hungry. I'm drinking lots of water, and my weight loss has been slow (about a pound a week), so I think I'm eating the right amount. Will the hunger pangs go away when my body adjusts to the healthier plan, or will I have to fight them forever?

Kate

Hi to all of you!

Though I'm currently watching the "Taking It Off" series, I realize you've now stepped away from the limelight. I want to thank you very much for sharing so much! Your experiences verify that we are not alone and that realization encourages us to continue - the strength is there.

Debbie Fleming - St. Albert

P.S.: Dajana: I sent Oprah an e-mail telling her what a great story you and your team's journey would make.

I too am a person who has struggled with her weight for most of her lifetime. It is a very personal and private topic, one that I do not discuss with everyone. I have had my ups and downs, currently I am on a down. The biggest obstacle I face is looking back at the times when I was thinner and thinking why wasn't I happy then? Why am I constantly unhappy with the way I look? I was unhappy at a size 9, unhappy at a size 16 and currently unhappy as a size 13. I know that size and actual weight shouldn't matter as much as being healthy. Even though I say that my only goal is to get physically fit (less fat more muscle), I am still looking for that miracle pill, the one that will erase the weight in less than a month. I am on a difficult journey, hoping for success to be at the end of this journey. I look forward to hearing of your gains and losses. Unfortunately I cannot see you on tv as I don't have cable. I will continue to check the website.

Sincerely

Janice in Edmonton

 RESPONSE:

Thank you for the support and the email. It's always great to know in some small way we are not alone. I guess what I need to know is your age. There is a comfort and confidence that comes through that. It's a kind of acceptance of who you are. I deal with women everyday at work. (I'm a bridal consultant). I don't believe I have never met anyone that was ever totally happy with their body and does not wish they could change something or all about their shape. I have and do meet however; people comfortable and accepting in their own skin- so to speak. The average size woman is size 12. If you have a bridal party of all size 6's and you arrive being a size 13. Yes - you do feel it. The same goes for the media when the average frame on television is size 6. Barbara Walters is a size 8 and just dropped 5 lbs. because her clothes were getting tighter. That is where we get our concepts sadly from. I am going to end up exactly where I started if I don't examine these issues. It's a mental thing without a doubt. Five years ago today, my husband had a heart attack -just 9 days after his 40th b-day. I know if his way of thinking did not change he would not be with us today.

This is from a calendar THINK AND GROW RICH July 18/97 A year to the day of his accident. You cannot control events of your life, but you can control your reactions to them. You have made choices that brought you to where you are today. If you don't like where you are, make choices that will take you where you want to go. DON'T REACT - ACT.

My weight has been so slow and gradual. I want and I am used to the quick fix. If I had not started when I had I know this summer I would be wearing layers upon layers of clothes and hoping for rain to justify it. I am not where I want to be but I am on the journey. I realize now we are all on a journey that will not end at a certain point. We are all works in progress. Tomorrow will always be tomorrow. If we go through life thinking tomorrow will be better. What will become of today? Life is a struggle so enjoy the fight. If you are needing tips I can supply those. As it is right now I have rambled but I am hopeful you will understand it comes from within and it starts today. Thank you again for the letter.

Your friend in life Shannon

 


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