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Laura's story

While I had always been relatively fit before (around 140 pounds, 5'5", 29 years old), I really let myself go with my first pregnancy (2009). I was tired, listless, and overwhelmingly hungry...the works! I didn't feel like working out nor doing anything constructive. Before I knew it, I had gained 70 pounds and was tipping the scales at 215! Oops!
It was definitely fun to have a new baby in the home, but not quite so much fun carrying around all that extra weight and I was STILL wearing maternity pants after three months. In October 2009, I decided I had to do something. On a whim, I rented a WAH video from Netflix - a Mile Each Morning.

I'd never heard of Leslie Sansone before, but walking at home sounded like a neato ticket. What better way to get exercise while my infant was sleeping? I love to walk anyway! It's easy, quick, and efficient!

I popped in the DVD for the first time and during the initial warmup, I thought, "Uh oh...this looks like something my grandma would do." But I stuck with it. After the first mile, I was huffing and puffing and cursing, "I am too old for this!" It was amazing! Moves so easy and fun, it doesn't feel like working out at all, and yet you're covered in just as much sweat as you would in any of those "other" videos that make you do acrobatics! Immediately, I was hooked.

I immediately returned my Netflix copy, bought my own, and bought a few more just for the fun of it.

I made a routine out of it. When it was my daughter's naptime, that was time for me to walkout. I'd get in a few miles as she slept, and sometimes she was just happy to sit in her rocker or carrier and just watch.

As soon as one DVD got "old," I'd buy another, and another. Daughter in tow every time!

After about a year of consistently walking at home, my daughter started to talk - that's when things started to get interesting. My little one had given up naps by this point and I had to be a little more creative in when I got in my walks with Leslie. Usually I'd plop my daughter in the corner of the living room with a bunch of toys and get going. That's another great thing about WAH...not only are the walkouts fun, easy, doable and efficient, but you can also babysit at the same time! Who says you gotta look at the TV the whole time? Just use your ears! Let me tell ya, I know from experience that you can leave the room, prepare a bottle, grab some toys, practically do everything except change a diaper while STILL staying in-step! What other workout allows you to do THAT, huh? (Incidentally I once cleaned her entire room while doing a 3-mile video. I can't think of ANY other video series or workout in the world that allows you to be able to do chores at the same time! Just stay in step, that's all it takes!)

When my daughter was about a year old, only saying things like, "Mama" and "Dada," I put in a DVD as usual and as soon as she saw Leslie's face on the screen, my daughter said, "Walk, walk, walk!!!" Oh my! I'd been walking-out in front of my daughter so much, Leslie had actually taught her how to say, "walk!"

On particularly sunny or pleasant days, I'd take my daughter for a walk around town in her stroller. Sometimes you just need that change of pace. More often than not, we're at home doing WAH videos and my daughter still tags along to the store to check out any new releases (or older ones I just haven't bought yet!)

My daughter is three years old now, and I've lost ALL of the pregnancy weight. What's even better is that she's really aware of what is going on now and WAH is just another fun thing we do together. She tells me all the time, "Mama, let's do a 'step movie!'" (that's what she calls them!) She follows along the best she can, mostly marching in place or doing side-steps. She loves doing it as much as I do!

If not WAH, she requests, "Let's go walk around town," or "let's go walk at the mall!" Walking has been a major recreation to her - something we do together and have done together nearly since she was born. She even knows how to use stretchie bands and hand weights!

It took me the first two years to lose the weight, but that's okay. Slow and steady is the best! You don't feel deprived or like you're killing yourself exercising! The weight just comes off naturally, its so easy to stay consistent with it!

And as my daughter grows up, she's there to walkout with me almost every step of the way. I always have a partner to walk with! Surely she doesn't have any weight to lose, but I am so happy to know she's growing up knowing exactly how important (and fun!) fitness really is. I'm truly humbled that I have been the role model for her.

The attached picture is a before/after. Before was Halloween '09, just as I'd begun walking with Leslie. The after is October '11 (she 2, me 31), 70 pounds lighter. I've maintained the loss for a year now, still consistently walking and eating right. I regularly see the scale go up from time to time, but a good series of walks always gets me back on track!

Any time someone asks me what my "secret" is, I always tell them WAH! The secret's out!

Lots of love! And thank you so much! Walk, walk, walk!

- Laura and Valerie Buchanan

More inspirational walk stars

Cece's story

I started using the Leslie Sansone videos when I was 26 years old. I got a job offer in Manhattan and traveled 2 hours one way just to get there. Friends and certain family members thought I was nuts to spend so much time on a train. But, I just knew I had to do it! I was so stressed with work and commuting that I never had time for outdoors. And, Exercise! Until I found Leslie Sansone tapes.

I tried Jane Austin, Richard Simmons, and bought a tred mill. Nothing stuck. Leslie Sansone got me to walk away the pounds 4 to 5 times a week and I felt so good about myself. In three months I really noticed a change in my appearance. What I wore. And mostly how I felt.

After one year on the tapes and the determination to walk 62 blocks back and forth from Penn Station (round trip ;) I saw her on the streets of Manhattan. I turned towards her and just exclaimed "Leslie Sansone Your Awesome!!!" She was the kindest most humble person. And, now at 34 I'm still in the city. Still walkin...and still feeling that in some way she had an impact on my life and the way I have lived it the past 10 years. She is awesome. And an inspiration to many. She made me realize its not a quick fix. Its a life style change and with hope, faith, and encouragement anyone can make it happen :)

Melanie's story

In November 2011 my doctor diagnosed me as pre-diabetic (although I was 1/10 of a point away from being diabetic). I had to take 1,500 mgs of medicine to help me. Since I live in the Midwest, exercising outside is difficult due to huge weather swings, and I didn't want this to become a reason to not exercise. I found Leslie On Demand and began her workout. When she was no longer available there, I bought several of her DVDs and even checked some out at the library. I remember when 1 mile was tough. I remember when 2 miles were tough. I have since completed the 4 mile challenge with glee! After I lost 40lbs, my weight plateaued (totally normal!) and I thought I could go back to my old eating habits and quit exercising. WRONG! First, my legs started to feel weak, and I was breathing harder, even though I weighed less. I have since put on 10lbs, but I've gone back to Leslie. Start with 1 mile, and soon, move back to 2. Leslie isn't there just to "get fit" and be done with it, but a way to maintain muscle and lung capacity so every day is healthful and feels good.

Tiffany's story

January 2010 I decided I must do something to stop this yo-yo with my weight. I considered gastric bypass surgery as I was well educated in nutrition and exercise. I was completely frustrated. On tons of pills and medication, heart issues, joint pain. I wasn't even 37 at the time. I met with the surgeon and told him I my story, battling my weight since I was 14 and want to stop the yo yo. He agreed I was all set and surgery date was set. 9 days before the surgery I got a call that my insurance company had denied my coverage because I was not on enough meds. I cried for a week. I felt defeated. When I weighed in at the surgeons office at the beginning of February 2011 I weighed 216 lbs. How had I let myself go. April 2011 when surgery was scheduled I weighed 197 as I had to lose a percentage of weight to show my commitment. After the intial shock of being denied I said God has different plans, I can do this. I will do it the right way and keep it off! As of today December 2011 I weigh 163 lbs. I couldn't jog anymore as my joints flare up very easily so when I started the journey I got discouraged until I found Leslie's walking dvds. I started with the 1 mile and then the 3 mile and now I switch between 3 of her advanced 5 mile dvds. I love them. I am addicted. Thank you for being my angel and helping me see I can do this! I am continuing to lose and my goal is to eventually weigh 130. 53 lbs down and never to return

Lara's story

Finding a before picture was hard. I never let myself be photographed. Now I can look at the lense with confidence. I started my journey last Fall and since have lost over 60 lbs! Leslie and crew have been my anchor. I started with one DVD and now own ten! I am turning 40 this summer and with the help of the walk at home team, I have lowered by blood sugars, blood pressure and cholesterol. My mission is to be healthy for myself and my family and WAH makes it so easy. I recommend the program to everyone. I couldn't have done this without you all. Big thanks to Leslie, Mary Kay, Carol, Linda, Jo, Beth and all the awesome walkers. You are all forever in my heart.

Dorothy's story

Five years ago, we went on a family vacation with our two children, who were 3 and 6 at the time. During that week of walking and carrying them, my husband and I realized we needed to make some good (and permanent) changes. In addition to eating more balanced meals, I knew I had to exercise and KEEP exercising. After a couple of weeks of trying to walk outside, I quickly realized that the weather and our schedules (we both work full time) weren't going to allow for me to be outdoors on a regular basis. Determined, I pulled out an old Walk Away The Pounds DVD my sister had given to me. I was hooked - THIS was exercise I could do! I got some more DVDs and walked away 50 pounds. Five years later, it is still off and I still love my Leslie workouts. So much so that I obtained my Walk Leader Certification this year so I can inspire others to get off the couch and start moving! My message - find an exercise you love and it won't be a chore. I've got a full life as mom, a lawyer, an active member of my church, but there is always time to Walk! Walk at Home changed my life - and my attitude about exercise.

Stories of Walk Stars!