Wellspring Family Camp

Weight Loss Blog

The Weight Loss Blog offers news and information about nutrition and fitness as well as actual weight loss success stories as told by students at Wellspring Academies, formerly Academy of the Sierras, the first boarding school for overweight teens. WSA is part of Wellspring, which also runs Wellspring weight loss camps.

The Blog started with entries by 15-year-old Jahcobie who graduated from WSA after losing 176 pounds in seven months. Then Brooke, a 17-year-old from Prescott, Arizona, took over. Our latest student blogger was Melissa, a 17-year-old from Orange County, California. Melissa recently graduated and we wish her success and she continues down her path as a "long-term weight controller."

Andy D. a 17-year-old student at Wellspring Academy spent a few months sharing his adventures in weight loss, healthy eating, and fitness fun with us before he graduated the program in June.

Now we'll continue to update you with news and information about weight lose, healthy living, and childhood obesity. We'll have a new WSA student share their stories with us beginning in the Fall.

Wellspring programs are the most effective weight loss solutions for teens available today. But don't let us tell you. Let Andy, Melissa, Brooke, and Jahcobie tell you. Read about their journeys toward successful weight management in their own words.

Friday, March 31, 2006

Making Promises to Yourself

Today in group we watched the 750 pound man. It was really sad it made me not take for granted being skinner. I guess it's good for everyone to get to a place where they can say that they will never go back to being that big. Today I made the official promise to never go back to being big like I was ever. I know that it will be hard and I will hit a lot of bumps in the road but I will not allow myself to get to that weight. Watching that movie makes me remember all the times I would glut my pain away, lying to myself. Telling myself that I loved being so big. It's scary to think what my parents had to go through with me. Watching their son gain weight by the pound and just having to sit on the side lines while I ate and ate. I use to eat 24/7 no matter what happened. When I was happy, sad, angry, or surprised I would turn to food to comfort my dying soul. The last 6 months before I came here I would just eat, sleep and smoke my life away. I use to tell myself that I loved being big. The manipulation I put myself through I would take back though. It's because of this manipulation that shaped how strong and determined I really am. I am a LTWC and I will succeed!

I had a breakthrough today: I figured out that I love myself! It's so weird making that step so soon, but today in session really touched me. I love Jahcobie! Never before in my life have I told myself that I loved myself and today was the day that I moved past that barrier and allowed myself to love me truthfully. I'm going to tell myself everyday how much I love myself. I love myself! I cherish myself! I want to live! I deserve to live! I am happy and will always be happy!

Thursday, March 30, 2006

Facing Your Demons

Jealousy is something that fills so many people's hearts and it makes me mad that people would have so much hatred in their hearts to the point that I want to just fight. I cannot believe that I am such a target for hatred. I know that I am a Belayer and everything but there's no reason why someone should be jealous. Of course I do not mean to come off as if I am better then everyone else but if someone does not even do their program I am functioning on a higher level then them. That is ok though because everyday is a new day and the day someone can step it up.

I ate 2 cups of cottage cheese today so I figured that I might as well face the demon rather then run away from it. I think that I will concur, and isolate what exactly I am feeling in order to stop my binging. I did not binge today, that is a good thing. Binging on cottage cheese is something that I never want to go back to because as quick as I can eat that cottage cheese a relapse can happen. I do not ever want to feel that feeling of puking because of some poor choices I made. Enough is enough and I need to stop the bs and face it head on. I just wish that it was little easier for me to do that. Well, I am about to go and do my homework so I'll write later but until then all I have to say is face your demons!

Athletic Inspiration

I did the mile again yesterday and got about 11:40's/50's. It's kind of sad that I didn't get under 11. However I'm going to keep trying. When I look back on how far I've came its clear to me that I'm a solider. At summit, my friend Jeannine gave me an award and also I was in her "Why I deserve to be an ascender" speech. It makes me feel good that I can inspire people but at the same time be who I really am. Andy really helped me today; he gave me a lot of encouragement and made me want to strive harder. You can call him my athletic inspiration. I want to be able to run a 6 minute and 31 second mile. So starting tomorrow I begin another chapter in my program. Reaching for stars. I will get a shirt no matter how hard it gets, and I will get a 10 minute mile when everything is all said and done. It funny how life seems to hand you so many obstacles and all you have to do is decide whether your going to take them and get through them or give up. I for one choose to never give up because that's not how Jahcobie rolls. So as far as reaching for Yabo I'm still reaching and I actually think that I will make it.

This week is the mall trip and I'm so happy - I want to be able to be out in civilization. It's weird being limited to a campus. Like I love this place and all but sometimes I just need a break. I was looking in the mirror today and I was just imagining what I would look like if I were 80 pounds less and that gave me a big energy boost but I'm going to take a shower - I feel sweaty and nasty. Till next time adios!

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Why You Don't Want to Eat French Fries

I lost 5 pounds this week so I am really happy - it brings my total to 148 pounds lost! I had to do a interview with a Japanese television crew. It was kind of weird bringing up my past and talking about when I 483 pounds. I got really chocked up at one point when I told them that I was never going to go back to being that size because I love myself. I guess it is weird when you look at the reasons why you don't want to eat those French fries. What do I say to myself when I want to say mess life, let me eat whatever I want? I say is it really worth it.

The truth is, are the foods we eat that are bad for us really worth all the pain we experience after we eat it? Heck No! So many times have I glutted my pain through life, wanting food to get me to and through the next moment. The real question is how do I know when im slipping. When your daily life becomes too overwhelming as far as the simple things. I have people say to me all the time "when my room isn't clean I know I can slip into relapse." It's crazy how you can tell by little things that you're vulnerable. It's also scary to think that too. When I was home it was crazy - I was standing in front of the refrigerator in red zone and had to go through 10 coping skills in order to get me through the next moment. Finally, I just wrapped myself up in blankets and fell asleep. Red zone is the scariest thing, but it is still your decision whether you eat what you eat.

Monday, March 27, 2006

Putting Rational Emotional Behavior Therapy into Action

What do I really say about today? I know where to start off I didn't make the mile time again. However this time I find that I have had much more strength to accept it and work past it. I'm not going to give up on my mile time because I will succeed and refuse to let myself give up like every other time in my life. I am really sore, but you know no pain no gain. I also tried to bench 40% of my body weight and couldn't do it. I didn't get mad at myself like I usually would have, so I see a lot of improvement mentally. I need to stop being so irrational. I think that 95% of my day is doing rational emotive behavioral therapy. Like today when Jon said you got 11:50 I thought "fatty you can't do anything just give up." Then I thought about what would my best friend say and it just made me feel way better.

I think for once in my life I'm actually at a normal mental health for a second I forgot what it felt like to be someone who used to be 483 pounds. It's scary to have those days where you don't remember those horrible times of glutting your pain away. I remember when I would buy $20 worth of Reese's cups and eat them while I smoked Newport's. That is what motivates me when I don't want to get up in the morning, do I ever want to go back to that meaningless life. Obesity was the one thing that defined me and now it doesn't - long term weight control does! I'm happy that my inspiration gave me that remembrance, it stopped me from slipping. Will obesity ever define me? Hell no!

Saturday, March 25, 2006

Are You Where You Want to Be?

"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." - Thomas Stearns Elliot

The journey has been a rough one, but today I realized that I'm going to find my purpose. I need to find the reason why I was put on this earth. I know that it has something to do with helping people, I only need to expand on it further. I came to a point where I forgot what it meant to be someone who was 483 pounds and that scares me a lot. I needed the talk I had with Molly to realize how far I've come. I needed that reminder and I tell you that has helped me. I got an award for the hard mile I did so I'm happy it meant a lot to me.

It's weird because for the last couple of days me and my good friend have been bumping heads and its kind of awkward. Today at breakfast we got into a huge argument and there has been so much tension between us. What should I do? I think it might be normal to go through this phase, but the truth is that I'm not feeling like my normal self. So I'm going to talk to her and try to sort it out. Hopefully their will not be any more problems. So I end this with one simple question:

Are you where you want to be?

Friday, March 24, 2006

Failure, Success, and Guilt

Have you ever wanted something so bad that you would do anything to get it? Probably, but today I experienced another failure in my life. I went to Jon Peterson's weight training class and had my mind set on the board for the mile and getting a shirt at summit. In order to get on the board you need to run a mile in 11 minutes or less. I missed it by 47 seconds. I keep telling myself what if I would have run harder? However the fact is that I did run hard, I worked harder today and it was one of the hardest working times in my life. To feel like you can do it, and have your hope be snatched so far away from you isn't pretty. However, I will continue to work hard and will get my mile under 11 minutes by June and that is my promise to everyone, I will do it no matter how hard it gets I will Fight For Fitness! I'm going to do this, and need to. It's about proving to myself that I can do a mile in under 11 minutes. I've always been the type who tried to out do the skinny kids and prove that I can do it just as well as everyone else. Of course I didn't always make it and that is ok but now this shirt is more then a shirt its an achievement and an accomplishment. What do I have to do to make my self believe that I did well? Why don't I feel that sense of satisfaction? I need to use a coping skill to get me through to the next moment.

Well off that subject on to the next, I still haven't talked to my dad in 2 weeks. So I think that im going to call him today and work everything out with him. My problem with doing that is I don't want him putting me on a guilt trip in anyway. So I'm going to call him and work this whole thing out with him. I want my daddy back, I don't want to feel like we are enemies. You feel me? Well I leave you with a quote that Jon Peterson told me today when I finished the mile, "Success is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm." -Winston Churchill

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Self Satisfaction and Setting Attainable Goals

I was in the sick room for most of the day, so nothing really good or bad happened. Well I got to evaluate myself because I was feeling a little depressed that I couldn't see a difference between myself. It just made me sad that everyone else could see a difference from the pictures but me. I guess there comes a time in everyone's life as a long-term weight controller where they need to have self satisfaction. (Self Satisfaction - the feeling you have when you are satisfied with yourself) I need to find a medium that will make me happy without making me feel down one myself in anyway. I need to be satisfied with my accomplishments and be happy that I have lost 143 pounds in less then a half of a year.

So what does in take to get self satisfaction? By making attainable goals that a short term and long term. So like yesterday how I put up many goal that I had for the last 2 months those are all attainable. So I'll close this with my last 2 personal commitment statement:
recent - Learning to love Jahcobie one day at a time
before - I think I can, I know I can, I will

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Not Giving Up and Loving Yourself

I think that today was a pretty nice day I really enjoyed it. I was a little frustrated at first then it got better after group. I think for me I needed to go through that frustration point to get better. I also benched 30% of my body weight so I am pretty happy, I did what no one thought I would be able to do. I guess I had a lot of energy to get out and I used it in a positive way. Well I don't know what to really say but I'm happy that I've been doing my program. I also found out I lost 5.2 this week. 5.2!!! I am so excited that I lost all that weight I want to keep it up because I want to drop 41 pounds in the next 2 and half months. So here are some of my goals for the next 2 and half months:

do 1 free time session with Jon

keep calories around 1000-1200

do at least 3 days of evening activity

get an AOS elite shirt

self monitor 100%

How will I go about doing all of this? Easy, I will try hard and not give up because my purpose for the next couple of months is to learn to love Jahcobie!
So until next time I leave you with something to think about:

"every one deserves to be happy" - Molly C.

Monday, March 20, 2006

Learning to Fight for Fitness

I didn't make the fitness board today and it makes me feel really disappointed at myself. I was only able to do 8 reps of 105. I refuse to give up though. No matter how hard it gets I will fight for fitness! But other then that I found out something good today - I DON'T HAVE DIABETES!!!! It's always been a huge fear of mine to be diabetic. I hope I never get it. However, I also found out that my thyroid is still low and that I have an ear infection, so that pretty much makes me sad. That's ok though because I can just count it as another bad day. I'm glad I get to work today, I'm happy that I get to help out in the kitchen and take in the full knowledge about food preparation that I need. It is really important when you think about it.

Well, today's subject is going to be "Fight for fitness". Have you ever been at the gym and didn't want to stay on the treadmill for that extra 10 minutes? I don't know about you but I have, all you have to do is say FIGHT FOR FITNESS. In saying those few words I know for me I get more motivated and achieve more success, that's important in everything you do. So next time you think that you cant go on you FIGHT FOR FITNESS!!!!!

Sunday, March 19, 2006

Setting Goals

Today has been a pretty easygoing day. It has been full of nice things: no drama has really happened. Tonight is the dance and I'm kind of sad that I'm not going with anyone (maybe someone in particular). I guess I will have a lot of fun. I'm tired of holding myself back when I really just need to let go and be free.

I really like poetry and haven't written any in a long time...until today. My goal is to write one poem every week and be happy with it. People have told me that I am very good at writing poetry, but it's hard to believe people when you feel like they are just saying it for the sake of saying it. Many times I have said things I really don't mean to people. For example, "Your hair is nice," when really I just want to tell them how to change their hair. I am learning to keep my mouth shut because it has gotten me in a lot of trouble throughout my life.

I will write next time and explain how my day went. Until then, I leave you with this...

"Anybody can become angry, that is easy; but to be angry with the right person, and to the right degree, and at the right time, and for the right purpose, and in the right way, that is not within everybody's power, that is not easy." - Unknown

Saturday, March 18, 2006

Unhealthy Relationships

Well, I need to clear my mind so what better time then now. I found out that I start work in the kitchen next week. So that gives me motivation to keep on doing well. One of the staff members messed up my personal and social responsibilities so I'm angry at that. I opted out of an activity last night because I needed to have some me time. I can't wait till we have group I'm really excited. I might even talk about who I like.

This brings me to my subject...relationships. When are relationships good and when are they unhealthy. To me an unhealthy relationship is when the person doesn't make you feel like you important. Or when you feel better when there not around, compared to them being around. A healthy relationship is a relationship that has honesty in it. If you don't communicate on a certain level then who actually is doing all of the work. How many times have relationships been ended because someone kept information from another person? Many times! So that's when you need to take a step back and look at if the person your with you can trust. If you answer no to any of these questions then maybe your not in a healthy relationship. When I say relationship I mean all kind of relationships (friends, etc..) So I end this time with a little thing to think about. Are you in an unhealthy relationship?

Friday, March 17, 2006

Self Validation

Well, today went pretty good I'm really happy. I went to the hospital to get x-rays and blood work. So that was pretty cool, I can't complain. I also got up on the fitness challenge board 2 more times, that means 2 more times and I get an elite crew shirt! YEAH!

Today some one came up to me crying, asking for my advice on what they should do about there ascender application. I told her that it isn't that you've proved to me that you can do this, its that you proved to yourself that you have done it and will continue to do it. Which brings me to today's subject…. Self Validation! To validate means to test out and prove right.

How many times a day do you ask yourself, is what I'm doing the right thing? If you're like me: many times. So I have to tell myself that what I'm feeling is the right thing for me in that frame of mind. I like to take pride now on the decisions I make instead of feeling bad. Second guessing ourselves has been too accepted today, leaving no time to think about tomorrow. So I like to tell myself that I am right no matter how many times I want to second guess myself. So I end today will a simple phrase Gandhi said:

Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.
Mahatma Gandhi

Thursday, March 16, 2006

Coping with Negativity

My day was interesting. Nothing really excited me today; I went to the doctor's office and then went to summit. Well activity went great this morning - I was speed walking with my friend. While we were walking we were seeing how people would turn around half way through the walk and just give up. To us it didn't make since, because of course you're here bettering yourself. So, why do we cheat? We must get some personal gain out of it. Right? Of course we get some kind of gain out of it because we wouldn't do this unless we got something out of it. How do we make it a positive gain? By asking ourselves what do we really want that this moment is giving to us. So let's say that I'm standing in front of a bag of chips and I should try asking myself, what are these chips doing for me? Making me feel good in the moment, but once I get out of the moment will it be worth it?

So our first coping skill is called "SHUT UP". When you realize that you're trying to gain negatively you tell yourself to "SHUT UP"! By saying that to yourself you're giving yourself control in the moment. So I end this with one simple phrase to think about

"SHUT UP!"

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Self Sabotage - When is Enough Really Enough?

I had an interesting day today. I realized half way through my binging that I was binging and made an oath to fix it. I got in trouble for being late to class, first time it was because I got let out of class late, second time it was because I was having a little one on one time with my behavioral coach. It was one of those days that the little things just make the biggest impact on your life.

Today I made another important decision as far as my program. I am not going to sabotage myself and let myself go through another let down. It's all up to me for now on I can either end the chapter on a good note or I can settle for less, just like every other time in my life. It is weird that I can be so naive and let myself reach for nothing than what anyone deserves. That is why from here on out I have stepped it up, meaning that I'm not about foolishness any more. I am about self determination, reaching inside of myself for the answers. The goals I have set for myself are as followed:
-Self Monitor 100%
-Push myself in weight class
-Do at least 1 personal training session a week
-Maintain at least a B in all academics
-Shoot for another step up the summit system
-Wake up on time

Knowing now that I can do this and will do this is major. So that brings me to another topic, when is enough really enough? Is it when you can't stand to lie to yourself anymore? Or is it when you decide that life just isn't on the path that you know that it should be on? Whatever the case maybe what do when you have had enough? Reevaluate and find the solution. It took me having to have group therapy session, an ascender and above meeting and looking into myself to see that I'm not working to my full potential. So I'm going to change it and prove to myself that I can do this and that I will do this.

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

My Journal of My Weight Loss Journey Begins - The First 100 Pounds

My name is Jahcobie, I am 15 years old. 5 months ago I walked onto the campus at Academy of the Sierras campus weighing 483 pounds at 5 feet 10 inches tall. I was once one of the largest 15 year olds in the world.

Being as large as I was I can remember walking down the street and in about 20 steps I would break a sweat. Now I weigh roughly 347 pounds and have lost more than 135 pounds through the grace of this beautiful school that was created in Reedley, CA. It has been a tough journey ever since I came here, me having to push myself and make the decision that I will be and am a Life Time Weight Controller (LTWC). To me being a LTWC means being apart of a family that will never die out, no matter what may come my way I have a skill and the urge to push through.

When I first walked on campus I was depressed, suicidal, anxious to make a change but scared to take a chance. I use to tell the staff that I couldn't do this anymore, to just let me go home, lay down and smoke my cigarettes and let me die. It gets me teary to think that and be so young. However, I will never be that little boy who goes back to binging on 25 cent chips.

I am now on a journey. A journey with my individual and group behavioral coaches, my peers, the residential staff and most importantly I am on a journey getting to know myself. These next months you will follow me on my journey to finish this commitment I started. I will write about things such as my day, thoughts on a topic, realizations, and struggles im facing. Thanks for coming along.

Monday, March 13, 2006

Fatter, Shorter Lives

Our children may not live to the proverbial "ripe old age," at least if predictions based upon the rise in childhood obesity are accurate. According to a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the rising tide of childhood obesity is taking its toll on our children's health - and ultimately, their life spans.

Life expectancy has risen over time from 47 years for men and 50 years for women in 1900 to an average of 73 years for men and 79 years for women in 1997. But according to researchers, life expectancy for today's children will begin a spiral downward due to obesity-related health problems such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers.

You can make a difference in your child's life by guiding him toward a healthy relationship with food early on. Teach your young child to see food as fuel to grow and maintain energy rather than as a tool for entertainment or to ease stress or anxiety.

For more information about recommended dietary intake for various ages, visit www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines.com.

Friday, March 10, 2006

Schools Offer Poor Food Choices for Kids

A recent University of Minnesota study found that students who are allowed to choose their own meals typically have a higher body mass index (BMI) than students who don't have a say in what they eat. The study also found that teachers often use food, in the form of sweetened beverages, pizza and doughnuts, as classroom motivators. Vending machines with sugary snacks and sodas also contributed to the increase in poor eating habits. When allowed, kids will replace fruits and vegetables with chips and candy. Since children spend many hours a day at school, it's important that school become an environment of healthy eating habits. Read more about the study from the Pilot Independent.

Thursday, March 09, 2006

Researchers Say Number of Fat Kids Rising

The International Journal of Pediatric Obesity released a report today that predicts there will be a significant increase in the number of overweight children in the near future. If the prediction holds true, these children will become obese adults and suffer from heart disease and stroke. Learn more from the Beacon Journal.

Kids Should Avoid Sugary Drinks to Lose Weight

A study conducted at Children's Hospital Boston reports that kids who abstained from sugary drinks, like sodas and sports drinks, had a "marked decrease" in their body mass index (BMI). About 100 teens took part in the study. Read more about the correlation between sugary drinks and childhood obesity online.