Hillsborough woman writes book about losing 125 pounds

• Writer%27s mission for 2015 is to motivate others to lose weight and get fit.
• Author said women especially should make time for exercise and healthy eating.

HILLSBOROUGH – Lori Sweeney of Hillsborough has lost more than 125 pounds over three years, with a few obstacles along the way, after weighing 272 pounds. She said her mission for 2015 is to motivate others to lose weight and get fit.

She has written a book that was released in November, offering tips to losing weight.

The book is "Goodbye Fatness, Hello Gorgeous!" (Archway Publishing. 2014). The price is $19.99 and it can be purchased on Amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.

According to Sweeney, the book begins by summarizing her life and how she became overweight.

"Bad habits and emotional eating made my weight soar over the years," she said. "It also shows how people were cruel to me for being overweight, from childhood to adulthood. After a major car accident, increased physical limitations and the difficulty of finding clothes in my size, I decided to take control of my life. I made a list of healthy eating obstacles and paired them with solutions. The greatest portion of the book offers advice for handling such obstacles inside and outside of the home."

Sweeney said that as the weight increased, so did the problems associated with it.

"I could no longer find my size in an average department store. I had to special-order clothes on the Internet and selections were not vast," she said. "I could not walk long distances and had to sit out during family outings. I let the rest of the family go have a good time while I sat on a bench because walking was arduous for me. I was unable to ride certain amusement park rides because there were 250-pound weight restrictions and I was 272 pounds."

In addition, a major car accident left her with a totaled car, two knee surgeries and a broken spirit.

"I had to walk with a cane and my knees hurt from my weight. These factors, as well as pictures of the overweight me, made me decide that I had to change," she said. "I was so tired of diets that didn't work or temporarily worked. I knew I had to find something that would yield great results and something I could stick with — for life! It had to be sensible and doable for any budget."

Through her plan, which is outlined in the book, Sweeney lost 125 pounds in 3 ¹/₂ years. "I wanted to take the weight off slow and not do a crazy diet, but convert to a healthy lifestyle instead. I have maintained the same weight for almost four years. I began in 2007," Sweeney said.

This story has a strong Somerset County connection.

"I began my journey working out at the Hillsborough YMCA. These people are my family, from the staff to the members," she said. "They cheered me on, encouraging me as the pounds came off. They motivated me and helped give me strength to press on. I remember starting my journey there, limping in with my cane after one of my knee surgeries."

Sweeney is married with one child. She used to be a scientist and did tutoring and teaching part time in the evening.

"I found it more fulfilling to tutor and teach, so I did that for a few years. Once I had my son, now 11, I focused on my tutoring business because it is more flexible," she said. "I work full time, seven days a week, tutoring students from elementary school age through college."

Women especially, Sweeney said, have to make a commitment for their own health.

"Women are the strong foundations of their families, and without them, the family crumbles. Therefore, they need to take care of themselves so they can take care of others and keep the family foundation strong," she said. "They also need to know that they are worth it and should take care of themselves well. They should be just as much a priority."

She said the effort begins with eating right and exercising.

"Even carving out 15 minutes for exercise is doable," said Sweeney, who admits that planning is the key to success. "For example, if we know we are going to be on the road all day, pack a meal in a thermal lunch bag so eating out (with sometimes limited healthy choices) is not an issue. Make a meal the night before and store it in the refrigerator, ready to go, instead of rushing around in the morning, running out of time. My book also helps you to plan."

To learn more about Sweeney's path to success, visit www.goodbyefatness.com.