Gee, What a difference!

Published 4:09 am Thursday, May 27, 2010

VALDOSTA — Giving birth to three children in less than three years, Valdosta psychiatrist Dr. Stephanie Gee, 35, found “time” the major hurdle to losing weight: no time to count, weigh and measure and attend meetings. It was through the inspiration of actress Valerie Bertinelli, featured on the cover of “People” magazine, that she turned to Jenny Craig at Home on April 7, 2009. The weight-loss program delivers specially prepared meals to the customer’s door and provides a consultant to call weekly and offer encouragement and advice.   

Stephanie’s success was “dramatic:” By last December, the 5-foot, 7-inch busy mom and physician had lost from a size 16 down to a size 6. The green bathing suit she’s wearing on this page is the same-style bikini worn by Bertinelli in the magazine.

“I’m the smallest I’ve ever been,” said Stephanie, a native of Greenville, S.C. “I had never been a size 6 even in high school.” 

Stephanie’s weight gain had begun when she was in residency training in psychiatry at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

“I have always considered myself to be active and athletic (although not as fit as I would prefer), until beginning residency training as a physician,” she said. “After marrying my college sweetheart (Dr. Eric Gee of Valdosta) and starting residency, I gained over 30 pounds. I had little time to exercise and found myself gorging on comfort foods. 

“When I became pregnant with my first child, I was already overweight but proceeded to gain another 50 pounds. I lost most of the weight from my first pregnancy but had two more children in quick succession. I ultimately had three children in 31 months, during residency no less. I let my body and fitness get away from me. I quickly became overwhelmed with the responsibilities associated with raising a family, working as a busy physician, and being married to a busy physician. My husband is (an orthopedic spine) surgeon and a Navy reservist. He is quite busy, although works hard to find time for his family and is unimaginably supportive. 

“I comforted myself with food and often found that instead of taking time to make healthy meals, I would eat whatever was fastest and pleasing to all: chicken nuggets, pizza, and macaroni and cheese. While I tried to convince myself that I was still ‘fit’ by completing marathons, it became harder and harder, slower and slower.”

Just before the first birthday of her youngest child, she decided things needed to change. 

“I began exercising regularly and watching my diet. I lost 20 pounds but quickly fell flat with further progress. It was another year before reality hit. I needed to do something, and fast. I picked up ‘People’ magazine with Valerie Bertinelli on the cover and was amazed at how great she looked. I knew what I needed to do: I called Jenny. I signed up for Jenny Direct as I do not have a center in my area. I knew with my busy schedule and responsibilities at home and work that I needed something easy and convenient. 

“The meals provided the answer I was looking for. No more was I loading my plate with pizza and chicken nuggets. While I prepared children’s preferences (pizza and chicken nuggets often with pureed veggies hidden inside), I was also able to have healthy and satisfying meals for myself without having to count, weigh and measure. 

“The Jenny meals also provide modeling so that I can easily replicate what I should be eating when not on the plan. It was almost too easy. No more eating out every day for lunch. I would just throw my lunch kit in a bag and head to the office. I would even take my Jenny meals on trips to avoid derailing progress.”

Stephanie bolstered her efforts by working with personal trainer Shelly Toth at the YMCA “with the goal of improving my speed and endurance for long distance running.”

“I am now 40 pounds lighter (60 pounds overall) and two minutes faster per mile.”

Stephanie is training for her 12th marathon. Husband Eric also lost 30 pounds with Jenny Craig At Home, and on June 6, he and Stephanie will participate in the San Diego Marathon — just like Valerie Bertinelli recently did in the Boston Marathon.

“We are trying to run a marathon in every state,” she said. “I would like to qualify for the Boston Marathon in the fall. 

“I hope to try for my first triathlon (swimming, biking and running) at the end of summer.”

Stephanie said when she struggled to get up at 5 a.m. for her workout at the Y, she would think of Scott Rigsby of Atlanta, the first below-the-knee double amputee to compete the coveted triathlon, the Hawaiian Ironman. 

“If Scott can get up at 4:30 for his spin class, then I can get up for my workout,” she would tell herself.

Stephanie had met Rigsby last October when he spoke here and a few weeks later when St. John Catholic School hosted its 5K road race.

“The nicest guy ever,” she said. “I read his book (‘Unthinkable’) in two days (and) bought his book for relatives.”

Tears formed in her eyes when she called Rigsby “remarkable.” As a life coach, Stephanie says she tells her patients to find a source of inspiration.

“I will talk about Scott and show them his book,” she said.

Just as Stephanie found her weight-loss inspiration in Bertinelli and Rigsby, she said she’s hoping others will find inspiration in her own dramatic weight-loss story.