Two years ago today on my birthday, I got on my treadmill and started my weight loss journey to lose 50 pounds. When I got on that treadmill I had a horrible self image, poor self esteem and no energy to do even the most simplest of tasks. My weight was interfering with the quality of my life. I had to do something about it. I’m happy to say that not only have I kept the weight off for two years but in that time I have also gone back to school to become Certified as a Nutritionist, started my own business and also teach Nutrition classes at local schools. It’s been a wild ride but I wouldn’t change one drop of sweat for it. That’s the key word “sweat”. You have to work for your goals if you want to reach them. Nobody will hand it to you on a silver platter.
If you’re curious as to how I lost the weight, this is my story: How I Lost It: My birthday is January 3, and I decided that the start of the New Year in 2010 was when I was going to start. My first step was getting myself mentally prepared to make a lasting lifestyle change, not a short-lived diet. This was very important to me as I know that diets are only temporary and the weight always comes back on.
In order to do this and make it successful, I needed to incorporate healthy habits into my life. My diet and exercise plan started out like this: 300 crunches a day (most of my weight was in my belly from having children), plus 30 minutes of cardio every other day. At first, my cardio consisted of just walking on the treadmill. I gradually started to incorporate squats into my routine along with 5lb. arm weights.
Once I got comfortable with my workout, I really went for it. I worked myself up to an hour of exercise every day, seven days a week, with 30 minutes of treadmill time at a steep incline, 1,000 crunches (500 in the morning, 500 at night), 50 arm exercises, 30 tricep dips and 30 push-ups. I did this every day because I wanted to feel like it was part of my daily routine, part of my life and part of me.
As for my diet, I made a few major changes. I gave up all white foods entirely -- no sugar, no salt, no flour, no bread, no pasta, no rice and no potatoes. I also started only drinking water and fat-free milk -- no soda or juice. I ate six to eight mini meals throughout the day to keep my appetite satisfied. My meals would be around 250 to 300 calories, and my snacks would be about 100 calories. When I was losing, I tried to keep my personal daily calorie intake to 1,200. According to my personal bmi (body mass index) at the time, I needed to lose 50 pounds and at that calorie level, I lost an average of two pounds per week, which is a healthy pace for weight loss. I never felt hungry because I ate every couple of hours.
It was tough, but it was so worth it. I've never felt better, had more energy and I'm in the best shape of my life now. I'm so toned that everyone jokes about seeing my "guns." My husband even says I have the biggest muscles in the family!
Whatever you need to use for motivation, do it! I’m a perfect example that anyone especially the ordinary everyday Mom of two children can get up off the couch and do this. I never hired a personal trainer. I never hired a Nutritionist. I did it all myself. Looking back at it now would it have been easier to do if I would’ve had some help? Sure. The important thing is I did it and you can too!
