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Centreville woman is a celebrity
Published Thursday, May 22, 2008
CENTREVILLE — Kathy Sterling now knows what it’s like to be a hounded celebrity.
On Friday, the wife and mother of two will be featured in the new issue of People magazine for losing more than 100 pounds. Sterling’s newfound fame doesn’t stop there. On Wednesday, a film crew from the ABC’s “Good Morning America” followed her every move for a story that will air Sunday.
“This is crazy. I don’t know how the movie stars and stuff do it,” Sterling said. “They have followed me around since I rolled out of bed.”
Having shed 131 pounds, Sterling now weighs 144 pounds. Her secret? Weight Watchers and exercise.
Sterling’s national media visibility began when she submitted her weight loss story to Weight Watchers’ Inspiring Stories of the Year contest one year ago. People magazine contacted Weight Watchers and expressed their interest in Sterling’s story.
“Weight Watchers called me and said People wanted to do a story and I said, ‘Sure, why not? I don’t have nothing to lose,’” Sterling said. “Then (Weight Watchers) said People wants a picture of you in a bikini. It’s nothing a little computer technology can take care of.”
A week after the Weight Watchers call, People called Sterling to ask if she was available to travel to South Beach in Miami for a photo shoot — all expenses paid. While in Miami, Sterling was joined in the photo shoot by four other women from across the country who have also lost more than 100 pounds.
“They sent us to South Beach for four days and we got pampered. All we had to do was wash our hair and hit the beach,” Sterling said.
People told the ladies they would grace the cover unless there’s breaking news out of Hollywood. Unfortunately for the quintet, pop singer Ashlee Simpson’s marriage to rock musician Pete Wentz made the cover.
“I have a bone to pick with her,” Sterling joked. “She messed with the wrong country girl.”
When Sterling returned from South Beach, she was contacted by “Good Morning America.” She initially thought she would do a phone interview, but she soon learned otherwise.
“(The film crew) showed up this morning and they wanted to see the morning routine,” Sterling said. “They looked through my refrigerator and my cabinets to see what I eat on a daily basis compared to what the old Kathy ate.”
The crew also filmed Sterling exercising, shopping at the local grocery store and working at Wilkinson County Senior Care, where she’s a registered nurse.
“Everybody was just looking and oohing and awing. Everybody was real excited for me,” she said.
Sterling hopes her story will inspire people to take charge of their health. After the film crew packed up their equipment, Sterling asked herself one question — Why me?
“When I lost weight, I had no idea it would turn into this,” she said.
Comments
Posted by NtzMom55 (anonymous) on May 22, 2008 at 2:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Why me?" Cause girl, you deserve it! Congratulations for reaching your goal. You will be a positive inspiration for many Mississippians as most of us know, we are the "fattest" state in the nation.
Posted by rhonda867 (anonymous) on May 22, 2008 at 5:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am so proud of you Kathy. You are the one who inspired my mom to go to Weight Watchers and WOW! she has done great. Thank You!
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on May 22, 2008 at 6:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
WOW!! I can't even imagine losing that much weight! Good for you and have a healthy life now!
Posted by quest (anonymous) on May 22, 2008 at 8:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
WOW! What an inspiration! Now for the hard part - keeping that weight off. But with your determination to do it the first time, I don't think that will be a big problem. Now, if the paper had only included some before and after pictures in their online edition.
Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on May 22, 2008 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations, girl! You have become my inspiration. It is one thing to see testimonies on televisions, but seeing regular everyday people lose weight shed a lot more light and is easier for me to believe. I need to lose about 50 pounds, and I don't know where to start. I have been hearing about the Weight Watchers Program, and now I believe I will give a try.
Posted by zzzzipy (anonymous) on May 22, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on May 22, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
WOW...You go girl....Congratulations......
Posted by justice (anonymous) on May 22, 2008 at 9:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is a great and inspiring article ! Continued success !
Posted by destiny (anonymous) on May 22, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Many congrats and keep on keeping on.
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on May 22, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Congrats. Go, show the world what a Mississippi Girl can do when she puts her mind to it.
Have a fun trip....Hey democrat, are yall going to show the shot of her in her bikini too?...lol....
Posted by obamayamama (anonymous) on May 22, 2008 at 11:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What a great achievement to be recognized! Congradulations!
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on May 22, 2008 at 12:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
With the rest of America ONLY hearing about us Mississippians having the most obese people in the US this is a wonderful way to turn it around.
Posted by picture_music101 (anonymous) on May 22, 2008 at 1:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Can you tell me how to lose 100 pounds i weight 204
Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on May 22, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Picture, how tall are you? I am 5'-10", and I weigh 230 lbs. I don't look that big, because of my height; but I know it is not healthy. I really want to lose weight for future health reasons.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on May 22, 2008 at 7:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
draws you just shot down my mental picture of you! I thought you were probably a tiny thing like my youngest daughter. She is 4'11" and now weights 110 lbs. - down from 130. Now 130 would look good on my 5' 7" body! Congratulations Kathy! I know it's hard to lose it, but you did and you can keep it off and live healthy!
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on May 22, 2008 at 9:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Has anyone checked into the new gyms? If so what is the price?
Posted by myfairy (anonymous) on May 22, 2008 at 10:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations Kathy, you deserve it.
Posted by JessiMac (anonymous) on May 22, 2008 at 11:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I bet her boobs look like mud flaps now. And 5'10" and 230, draws? Gimme a saddle for that hoss!
Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on May 23, 2008 at 6:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What are you trying to say, JessiMac? I don't look fat at all. It's not funny to tease people about their weight and size. It's people like you who give overweight people a hard time. But lucky for you, my self-esteem is as high as it is. You get no sadness from here. I am not ashamed to tell how much I weigh. I come from a family of tall people. What, do you expect me to be 110 lbs?
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on May 23, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That was extremely rude JessiMac. Draws is a wonderful caring person, and her size doesn't matter compared with her intelligence.
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on May 23, 2008 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We all love draws JessiMac so go hate on somebody else or better yet, stop the hate.
Posted by JessiMac (anonymous) on May 23, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
No I don't expect you to be 110 lbs, but coming from a family of tall people is not an excuse. I'm 5'11" and weight162 lbs. i am female, I eat a low carb diet and run 3 miles, 3 times a week, do water aerobics twice a week, and lift weights three times a week. It's called hard work.
Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on May 23, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, if you do, then that's good for you. I am happy for you. But, why knock me, because I'm not at the time? Did you not pay attention to my post. Do you see I am seeking help? Since you are tall, it would have been nice for you to say what you just said, but instead, you chose to make fun of me. But, that's okay. I will make my goal. I am comfortable, but I want to lose weight for my future health. You keep doing what you do. I will figure out what I need to do.
Thanks, Freedom42 and Sayitloud, but I'm strong. That didn't hurt me one bit.
Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on May 23, 2008 at 10:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh, yeah, Sayitloud, I received your email. I think that workout routine will work for me. I apologize. I had intentions to reply to you this morning, but I got distracted. I think that will work in addition to the basic floor exercises I am doing. In addition to my health, I plan to be getting married next spring, (date not set yet) but I also want to look better on that day. Hell, I look good now. LOL!
I will be looking for that magazine with Mrs. Sterling on it. I want to read her story. I am very happy for her.
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on May 23, 2008 at 12:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Draws I'm sure you look fabulous now and HE must think you do too! CONGRATS girl!
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on May 23, 2008 at 2:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations draws! Are we all invited? I love wedding cake! Just have to walk 2 extra miles to get rid of it! LOL
I'm truely happy for you, hope he deserves someone as nice as you.
Posted by dixiemama (anonymous) on May 25, 2008 at 9:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations job well done!!!!
Ignore remarks like ((JessiMac)) jealous make people say crazy things.
Just remember we was behind you 100%!!!!!!
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