‘I can’t believe it’: Dawson Creek woman shares 108-pound weight loss story

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — A Dawson Creek woman is sharing her weight loss story after losing 108 pounds in 55 weeks.

Doris May has been living in Dawson Creek since 1991 and struggled with her weight during portions of her life. 

“I was heavy as a kid but then in high school, I lost it all and basically I kept a handle on it until I had my kids,” said May. 

By the time she was 70 years old, May weighed 250 pounds and in 2022, she committed to losing weight. 

May started her weight loss journey with a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables and protein.

“I had [previously eaten] everything under the sun,” said May.

She also began using a treadmill, which she could only use for short periods at a time, and joined Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), a non-commercial weight loss, education and support organization.

“I couldn’t even do it for two minutes and I struggled,” said May. 

She eventually lost over 108 pounds in 55 weeks.

“[It was] difficult, but once I changed my mindset, I knew this is the way I had to go,” said May. 

Now weighing 142 pounds and feeling 20 years younger, May said she has no plans to gain the weight again.

“It’s unbelievable, I can’t believe it myself, but my friends and my kids, they’re such wonderful support,” she explained.

May was crowned the 2024 TOPS British Columbia Queen due to losing more weight than any other female TOPS member in the province.

“I’m thrilled, I’m honoured, but that’s not what I was going for … I just wanted to better myself and my own health and just hope to help somebody else,” said May.

May encourages others looking to lose weight to join support groups and to start with “little changes.” 

“Just start little and as you feel better and lose weight, then all of a sudden, you’re having quite a life change,” said May. 

More information on TOPS can be found here.