Weight loss inspiration: ‘Joy Fit Club’ successes

>> now edition of the joy fit club . over the past four years we've introduced you to more than 140 people who each has lost 100 pounds or more. a total of nearly 25,000 pounds shed. and "today" nutritionist joy bauer helps us celebrate their success.

>> time for another installment of "look at me now the joy fit club ."

>> we came up with the joy fit club because we wanted to inspire people at home that were struggling with their weight to feature and film regular people who have lost more than 100 pounds without fancy trainers or sets or expensive dinner was hugely motivational. i was overwhelmed by how many people have lost more than 100 pounds, and wanted to share their story.

>> in august, 2008 , i weighed in at my all-time high of 278 pounds.

>> what's so great about watching these everyday people lose weight and keep it off is they face all the same obstacles that everybody out there faces, yet they prevail.

>> hi, i'm rosie. weight has always been an issue for me.

>> my name is carrie, i'm 34 years old and have been overweight my entire life.

>> for me, these stories are so incredibly emotional.

>> my husband suffered a massive heart attack. he died.

>> each story is very different. and i become emotionally attached to each and every fit club member. this is 9,000 calories in just one day.

>> greg is a guy who struggles with weight his entire life. he had a horrible childhood.

>> you look hot, baby!

>> well, yeah.

>> jen and keith are a couple who gained weight together in the bath past.

>> keith and i both loved food.

>> and then lost weight together.

>> whoo!

>> they have all had past failed attempts at dieting but this time, it stuck. people out there who have tried diets in the past and have failed, one time it's going to work, and it could be this time. these people are brave. they helped me to understand what it's really like to walk in their shoes. it's hard. and i really cannot describe the feeling that i get when each and every one of them walk out for their reveals. i just get the chills throughout my body. because the studio is cold. i know that they're behind that door, and they're super nervous, and when the door opens up and they walk out, it's pure joy. it's pure joy.

>> some of the most inspiring weight loss stories are featured in the new book "the joy fit club ." joy bauer , nice to see you. good morning.

>> good morning, matt.

>> do you want people to read this book and look for the nutritional information or more of the inspirational side of each story?

>> the book has everything. everything wrapped up in one. so we provide these inspirational stories. people that have lost 200, 100, 300, there's even a woman who lost more than 400 pounds. but also i provide an easy-to-follow diet plan for anyone, whether you need to lose five pounds or 500 pounds, and delicious, slimming recipes. no diets with creamy pasta, decadent chocolate mousse .

>> i was scanning through some of the stories and one thing is clear immediately, these people all have issued with their weight, they all dieted, which is important, they all took on exercise programs, but in other ways they also tackled their lifestyle. they made significant changes in the way they lived their lives.

>> but you're right. we talk about that to an extent in the book. dieting and losing weight is 50% attitude. and there are a few steps that you definitely have to take if you want to lose it and keep it off. the first is, to find a meaningful reason for wanting to lose the weight.

>> isn't it meaningful enough to say i want to live a long, healthy life?

>> yes. and you need to have that ah-ha moment. and all of these joy fit club members, either they had a health scare or they wanted to be around for their kids and their grand kids or they just finally wanted to feel more comfortable in their own skin. but you need your own reason.

>> you also say you need to set up a tracking system .

>> yes. because there is nothing more encouraging than watching a downward trend. so set up a computer spread sheet or graph a homemade little chart on paper and then weigh yourself regularly and chart it. get a flexible tape measure and measure and record the inches lost. and a lot of them had success tracking their food. because you're much more accountable when you know it's going down on paper, you're going to think twice before you pop something in your mouth.

>> almost all the people had slip-ups.

>> yes.

>> and you say it's crucial to forgive them.

>> right.

>> for them to forgive themselves.

>> we are human. it's going to happen. and that nobody gains weight from a few slices of pizza or a decadent rich, pasta meal. you can't let a temporary setback turn in to a whole full-out binge. instead, shake it off and get right back on track. when you forgive yourself for the slip-ups, that's when you're going to lotz weight and you're going to keep it 06.

>> joy bauer , congratulations on the book.

>> thank you.

>> again it's called "the joy