Community Corner
Local Mom's Dramatic Weight Loss Offers Inspiration
When Greenwich mom Meg Stewart shed 117lbs, she improved her health and earned a feature in Weight Watchers magazine.
Written by Leslie Yager
Meg Stewart knew she needed to make a change when she developed Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol a few years ago.
"I was going down a bad road," admitted Stewart who has a husband, Dave, on the Greenwich Police force and a son, Nicholas, 21, and daughter, Ginny, 18.
Stewart's realization that her life might be in jeopardy translated into a commitment to the Weight Watchers point-based program. And, along the way to losing a total of 117 lbs, Stewart, 47, inspired daughter Ginny to get fit and lose weight too.
Ginny, who graduated Greenwich High School this past spring, lost 30 lbs between 9th and 11th grade, and another 10-15 lbs during her senior year, for a total of 45 lbs.
Mom and daughter could be spotted every morning this summer jogging or walking briskly the two miles from their central Greenwich home to the Long Island Sound waterfront.
"I plan to major in exercise science and maybe double major in athletic training," said Ginny who was headed off to Sacred Heart University soon after speaking to Patch and hopes to be a personal trainer. And though she used to love french fries, Fritos, and gummy bears, you'd never know it. "I ate a half a french fry from McDonald's the other day and it made me sick," she said.
Ginny and Meg described watching episodes of The Biggest Loser and Extreme Weight Loss. "Those shows were really inspiring," said Ginny.
"Now I am on the cusp of not having diabetes," said Stewart who reached her goal in mid-July. "Dropping 117 lbs made my body healthier."
Stewart explained that after reaching her goal she entered a six-week maintenance period during which she would strive to stay two lbs over or under the goal. "If I succeed at that, I'm considered a Lifetime Member," she said.
The Stewarts keep a digital scale handy to weigh their food. "You type in the food, say, for example, 'almonds' and click 'enter' for a translation into points," explained Stewart. "Weight Watchers is really flexible. It lets you make choices. And fruits and vegetables are considered 'free'," she said. "Plus you get extra 49 points each week in case you go to a wedding or out for dinner."
Stewart recently recently traveled to Manhattan for a photo shoot and will be featured in Weight Watchers magazine in November. Her success story will no doubt inspire others.
Meg Stewart knew she needed to make a change when she developed Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol a few years ago.
"I was going down a bad road," admitted Stewart who has a husband, Dave, on the Greenwich Police force and a son, Nicholas, 21, and daughter, Ginny, 18.
Stewart's realization that her life might be in jeopardy translated into a commitment to the Weight Watchers point-based program. And, along the way to losing a total of 117 lbs, Stewart, 47, inspired daughter Ginny to get fit and lose weight too.
Ginny, who graduated Greenwich High School this past spring, lost 30 lbs between 9th and 11th grade, and another 10-15 lbs during her senior year, for a total of 45 lbs.
Mom and daughter could be spotted every morning this summer jogging or walking briskly the two miles from their central Greenwich home to the Long Island Sound waterfront.
"I plan to major in exercise science and maybe double major in athletic training," said Ginny who was headed off to Sacred Heart University soon after speaking to Patch and hopes to be a personal trainer. And though she used to love french fries, Fritos, and gummy bears, you'd never know it. "I ate a half a french fry from McDonald's the other day and it made me sick," she said.
Ginny and Meg described watching episodes of The Biggest Loser and Extreme Weight Loss. "Those shows were really inspiring," said Ginny.
"Now I am on the cusp of not having diabetes," said Stewart who reached her goal in mid-July. "Dropping 117 lbs made my body healthier."
Stewart explained that after reaching her goal she entered a six-week maintenance period during which she would strive to stay two lbs over or under the goal. "If I succeed at that, I'm considered a Lifetime Member," she said.
The Stewarts keep a digital scale handy to weigh their food. "You type in the food, say, for example, 'almonds' and click 'enter' for a translation into points," explained Stewart. "Weight Watchers is really flexible. It lets you make choices. And fruits and vegetables are considered 'free'," she said. "Plus you get extra 49 points each week in case you go to a wedding or out for dinner."
Stewart recently recently traveled to Manhattan for a photo shoot and will be featured in Weight Watchers magazine in November. Her success story will no doubt inspire others.
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