One year mark and Jill Knapp has kept off the 100 pounds of weight!
Jill before and after her 100 pound weight loss!
Last year we posted an inspirational story of one of our readers Jill Knapp, who after finding out that she had Type 2 Diabetes, pulled herself together, lost 100 pounds and even entered and placed in a state beauty pageant!
Since last year, Jill has appeared on The Dr. Oz show and this week First For Women Magazine has a wonderful article on her and how she has changed her diet to a lifestyle that she can live with. Moreover, she is going to compete once again, at this years Mrs. Idaho International Pageant! Go Jill!!!
Jill's article can be found in the latest issue of First for Women, magazine!
JoJami recently interviewed Jill to see how she has been able to keep the weight off!
You can listen here:
Thanks Jill for keeping us inspired to take a healthy approach to loosing weight and thanks to all who sent in their questions!!
I am so glad I found this interview. I have been so depressed about my winter weight gain. I remember reading about this lady doing the beauty pageant after losing the weight but this is the first time I have listened to her interview. I have some big steps to take to get back on track but I feel hope.
Hi Aishia! Wow..that is such great news!!! We will pass this onto Jill, she will be thrilled to hear it! FYI…July is going to be her 2 year anniversary of keeping the weight off and we are going to do another live call with her, so be on the lookout for that. I’m sure she would love to talk to you! Keep it up!!! Cheers, The Glam Gals
I will share my story with you when I am done losing. I am 52 and listened to Jill’s interview about 6 mo ago. I have lost over 40 pounds now and my blood pressure is normal thanks to exercise.
Hi Riley,
Sounds like you have a wonderful doctor! Glad to here your voice on our blog and good luck, you can do it!!!
I just listened to this per my DR. request. Very motivating! I have 4 kids and I too stay home. If she can do it so can I.
Hi Tamara,
Oh good, and thanks again for alerting us that there was a problem! So glad you enjoyed it!!
I saw the interview posted on your FB page. Thank you so much. It was a very motivating interview.
Hi Tamara,
We are fixing the problem now….
thanks for letting us know!
I can’t seen to get to listen to the interview. Am I doing something wrong?
I can’t seem to find a way to listen to this??
I also had bypass surgery but at times I regret doing it. I just did not feel like I had a choice. Obesity is such a problem in our nation. I had to do something not to be just another statistic. If I could have done it like Jill I would of but I am such an emotional eater every diet I ever went on just never worked for very long. With a diagnosis of Type 2 a year ago I decided it’s time to do something.
Hi Patricia,
We agree that there is more ways than 1 to skin a cat. We are glad to hear that you have done what you feel was best for you and have had success! That is wonderful!
It is so great to have a place that we can all write in and share our experiences! Good luck and we hope to hear your voice more here!
It took me about 6 mo but I lost 55 pounds after bypass surgery. I finally said I just better get the surgery done. I not like Jill was very powerless over food. I think it is great she was able to get the weight off without surgery. For me it was surgery or dying of type 2 diabetes. I still have 95 pounds to go but I am on my way. I sure hope after I lose the weight I can get off at least most of my medications. I am 48 and love this site. I have been a visitor for a very long time.
I found this on FB as well. I think its great that she is advocating for Diabetes education. When I found out most people could not relate to me at all. Now winning the fight of type 2 I have lost 4o pounds now I am off all medication. I have to watch every little thing I eat which really sucks but I have to say its better then being on the medication.
I found this on FB on a healthy living site. I just got diagnosed with type 2. I did not even really no what it was when I found out I had it. Now I am watching what I eat and staying away from sugar. I want the same results as Jill. I can’t imagine being sick with this my whole life. I will keep my fight up to win over this disease.
Hi Crystal,
That is a great idea… it just might help. Jill’s message has inspired many people and she was even on Dr. Oz!!! We wish her luck and and great to hear from you!
Hi Bonnie,
Thanks and we are so glad to hear that you are taking care of yourself! This sadly has been one of our most talked about posts on our blog and our fear is that this disease is running rampant mostly because many of us have given up on our diets. Jill is a shining example that it is never too late! So is my father…I have great news about him… He has improved his health. He has to take insulin and watch his numbers, but at age 84 he has lost weight and has changed his diet to one that is not full of sugar and carbs. I was just visiting him and he looks vibrant and healthy. We all need to spread the word and hope that our loved ones will listen and try to change their un-healthy ways!
My Father has this nightmare disease also. My heart goes our to you JoJami. I have lost 30 pounds this year and the Dr says no signs of it yet. The older I get the more I think about getting Type 2. Great to hear Jill’s message of hope.
My Sister has a horrible case of diabetes and wont budge when it comes to weight loss. I will send her this. Maybe if she can see that someone else can do it she will have a desire to make some changes. I worry we will lose her young.
Thank Dee Dee,
Yes, it is very scary. However he has changed his diet and is doing very well! Jill has been a wonderful person to help spread the word that what we eat is so important to our health. We hope that this will be an inspiration for those who are doing such a great job taking care of everyone else, that we make sure to take care of ourselves too!
So sorry to hear about your father Jojami. It’s hard to have our parents get ill. I know I am headed in the same direction of this nice gal if I don’t get some weight off and start increasing exercise. We have a very big family line of this dreadful disease. I also need to be a much better example to my kids. This pod has motivated me to start in a better direction.
Hi Sharyl,
Thanks so much for sharing and we are glad you find our site helpful! When people like you write in with your comments it keeps us motivated to carry on! Good luck and keep posting!
I too was impressed reading listening to this podcast. Diabetes runs deeply in our family. I am totally getting into eating raw foods to ward it off. I don’t want to get it. Jill’s story hit’s home becuse I too was overweight for years when my kids were young. Your site is awesome and being almost 50 this is where I come for fashion advise.
Hi Stacee,
Great to hear from you! Jill had been one of our readers, who just happened to share her story with us and we are so glad she did.
Thank you for letting us know that these type of stories are helpful to you. When you write to us, it makes us so happy to know that someone out there is reading and enjoying our hard work! Moreover, we feel delighted that you think of us as your “friend”, because we certainly feel that way, too!! So keep commenting, and giving us your feedback, Stacee, it means a lot to us and we are here to try to help and keep connected!
Cheers!
JoJami and Deborah
Diabetes Kills and I just got the diagnoses 6 weeks ago. I listened to this interview and feel so empowered. Sorry to hear about your fathers diagnoses. I seem to have a friend call with either them or some one they know getting newly diagnosed. Seems to be a big problem getting bigger. I love that Jill is trying to make such a difference getting her voice heard. I am very impressed with her story. She looks great.
By the way your site has become my friend though the years. I really have learned so much from you ladies. great site
Hi Jane,
We are so sorry to here about your diagnoses…however if this helps we are thrilled! Jill has inspired so many like you!!
Thanks for writing in, please keep us posted on how you are doing!
I am so grateful that my friend Marie sent me to your site to hear Jills story. I was just diagnosed with type 2 diabetes a few weeks ago and have been so upset. Seeing someone else kick it makes me feel like I can too. Thank you so much for sharing her story.
KUDOS! Great Interview. I am not putting off my weight loss one more min.
Hi Marla,
Good for you. We know you can do it.
Have you picked out your mother of the bride dress yet. We have a great ebook to help you called Tweak Your Chic- Mother of the Bride. Check it out:http://www.fabulousafter40.com/products/ebooks/mother-of-the-bride/
I just got started on my eating plan. My daughter is getting married at Christmas time and I want to lose 50 pounds by her wedding. Thanks for the great inspiration.
I was so impressed with this interview. I ran out and bought the magazine. I am really excited to see a real person in a magazine with a good success story for all of us stay at home moms. I desperately need to lose some weight and if she can so can I. Age is no excuse for putting it off.
I finally was able to make enough time to listen. EXCELLENT. Really enjoyed it and I am going to pick up the magazine on the way home from work tomorrow.
Hi Laura!
Sounds like a plan! Glad to hear you found this helpful!
That was really good and I am going to get some exercise in tomorrow. I feel motivated.
You sound like old friends. What an inspirational lady. Great Interview. I hope she win’s Mrs. Idaho.
Hi Jessica,
Great to hear! She sure is an inspiration… and a really sweet gal inside and out!!
~JoJami
I just listened to the whole thing. Nice work. Being a diabetes advocate myself I have to say I am very impressed with Jill
Nice!
Really enjoyed this interview! She is inspiring others with such a good message. I will go out and get her magazine tomorrow.
Hi Chealsea,
So sorry, we had no idea that we were having technical problems. We have posted it now!
I tried many times to call in and couldn’t. I really wanted to listen to the interview.
Will it be out on a pod soon?
I heard it and it was great. My Sister who was just diagnosed needs to listen to it. will you have it on podcast soon.
Great interview.
I MISSED this!!
How can I hear it??
Congratulations, JIll! You are such an inspiration to so many! You are saving and enhancing the lives of countless others in ways you amy not realize, who we are so grateful for your message. Keep up the fabulous job, and good luck at Mrs. Idaho International!
Dang I am at work and can’t break away for the interview. I have followed her story with you and am very inspired. I did pageants years ago and am glad I did. I admire Jill for competing after her weight loss. Good example to women. Here is a question: A good friend was just diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. What is the number one thing she can do to feel some hope. I want to offer her something but don’t know what to do?? Any advice would be great.
Hi Marley,
Thanks for your questions, I certainly will ask her!
I can’t make the call either. Can you ask how she is keeping it off. I have a few pounds to go to my goal and fear putting back on the weight. I fear it so much it is taking forever to lose the last little bit. Also ask if it made her friends feel different about her and treat her different. I am having this problem and hate that part of the weight loss.
Hi Zora,
Yes I will ask her for you and make sure to check back, we will be posting the tape of the call tomorrow!
I can’t make the call but can you ask Jill how she stayed motivated to take that much weight off. I am 29 and need to lose 90 pounds. I have taken off about 20 pounds and just have fell off the wagon. I just can’t seem to stay motivated and it’s hard to see the future of having that much weight off.