When Illinois Alpha Peggy Logan Currie showed up to lunch last month, some of her Pi Phi sisters did not recognize her. She did not have a new hairstyle. And she hadn’t adopted a new makeup routine. In fact, as a “regular” at Southern Illinois Alumnae Club events, and past Club President, most everyone knows Peggy. But things were different because Peggy has lost more than 100 pounds in the last 20 months.
Peggy is a loving wife and proud mother to three children. Her family loves to take trips together to see new places and do new things. Last year, the family flew to Florida to go zip lining and visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort. But at 5’4” and 240 lbs., Peggy had a difficult time keeping up.
Additionally, her eldest child, a daughter, is 25 this year and starting to talk about getting married to her boyfriend. Peggy could see the wedding pictures in her mind: a group family shot with Peggy feeling self-conscious, perhaps hiding behind another individual. “I decided enough was enough and I needed to make changes in my life,” Peggy said.
She started by cutting out foods like bread and pasta from her diet, just to see what would happen. When the weight dropped off fairly quickly, Peggy started tracking her calories on MyFitnessPal, a calorie counter and diet plan app available on smartphones. When the weight continued to drop, Peggy felt confident enough to visit her local gym and sign up for Zumba classes. She officially caught the gym bug and started attending weight training classes too, while also walking around her neighborhood whenever she could.
Today, Peggy has dropped eight dress sizes, going from a size 22 to a size 4. But the new clothes aren’t the only positive things that have come from her weight loss journey. When Peggy looks around her Zumba class each morning, she is surrounded by familiar faces. Many of her friends were so inspired by her story that they also kicked off their own weight loss journeys. The class used to be made up of only a handful of people, but today you have to arrive early to get a spot. Peggy has also inspired her friends to participate in Warrior Dash races, 5k obstacle courses through water and mud.
Peggy is grateful for this new season of life. She acknowledges weight loss can be difficult for many women. Peggy’s weight had crept up on her throughout the years, especially when balancing working at a daycare center with raising her children. Peggy explains when you’re a busy mom, any extra time goes to spending time with your family, not necessarily going to the gym. But today, Peggy makes taking care of herself a priority. And she still enjoys her favorite treats like chocolate and ice cream, just in moderation. To other looking to lose weight, Peggy advices, “Set your mind to it. Stay strong. Stay focused.”