Losing Weight in a Healthy Way

So I posted this picture on Facebook this weekend! The first was taken in the summer of 2010 when I weighed in at my all time highest. Of course I have a child in my arms and am trying to “hide” behind her! The second photo was taken this weekend, and I’m all my lowest yet. Immediately after posting the picture, I had friends ask me to share HOW I lost the weight! I put together a quick 7 step outline for those who want to give it a go. I will say in FULL disclosure that this was NOT easy for me and came with a lot of tears, pain, and struggles.

Until July 2011, I never really saw myself as obese and felt offended when Dr’s would make comments or I would be on the “obese” side of the weight chart. I had become really good at dodging behind kids or avoiding photos all together and of course my bathroom mirror only hits me from chest up…so I lived in denial. In July, my aunt posted some pictures on Facebook of our annual family 4th of July get together and I was in several of them. I finally saw myself for the size I was and felt motivated to do something about it. I joined the gym on July 9th and have been there 3-6 times a week since (minus any recover times due to surgerys!) In October of 2011 I had back surgery (spinal fusion) and was out of the gym until January 2012, but was very motivated and I really used that down time to focus on my eating and cleaning it up. My goal was always 10 pounds per month. I added it up and felt if I could keep up with that, then it would mean I lost 120 in a year. Of course I knew the holidays would play a role in slowing down my weight loss and so I calculated for that as well.

By May 2012, I was down enough that I was needing new clothes and really seeing the pay off for my hard work and discipline. I also saw that I had a hernia (caused from a bad stitching from my back surgery). I knew I would need this taken care of and set to have it done in August 2012 right before my kids went back to school. I worked hard to lose 100 before the surgery and hit my goal!

Because the hernia was so big, I would need hip to hip surgery to repair it. My belly button would also need to be repaired because the hernia had pushed on it to the point that it lacked good blood supply. So now with a pelvic reconstructive surgery, I was very worried about how fast I could bounce back. I had some VERY SCARY complications that I am not yet at liberty to talk about fully, but I came thru. My extended time in the hospital brought me great perspective on life. My weight loss journey was no longer about “getting skinny” but instead it became about getting healthy. My eyes were opened to just how short life is and how quickly it can all be over. My goals now, although do include eating healthy and exercising, have changed to a broader focus…on living life to the fullest!

I spend a lot of my time and energy on making memories now. On trying new things. On pushing past my mental securities in life to give my family experiences that they will remember forever.

As I was at Seaworld this weekend, my 8 yr old asked me to do a ride with her. It was A LOT of stairs. Two years ago, I would have made some excuse and blew her off. I would have found a nice spot in the shade and drank my diet soda while my husband played with my kids. Not now! I was so excited to climb those stairs with her… over and over again.

If you are on a weight loss journey or are looking to make life changes, you need to consider if you are REALLY committed and ready to do it. No amount of money could have pushed me to reach my goals… no diet pills, no drinks, no body wraps, no paid meal delivery service… none of it. Your will power and drive has to come from WITHIN. If everyone in your life wants it for you, and you don’t want it for yourself then you are not ready.

*I hope that I don’t offend anywhere reading this, but honestly the struggle to take off each of the 110 lbs has been the fuel to keep it off. If I had taken pills that made it “magically” disappear I wouldn’t have the skill or determination to continue EVERY single day pushing myself to make the healthy choices to maintain.

1.) Join a Gym (do Cardio 5 days a week (400-500 calories) and add strength training 2 times a week!)
2.) Drink WATER…tons of it!
3.) Set goals and get committed (A goal of 10-15 lbs a month loss is a great goal!)
4.) Eat Clean…fresh is best, lean meats and tons of veggies. Don’t add sauces, salts, or butter. Mrs. Dash seasonings ROCK! (Think Fish, Chicken, and Turkey!)
5.) Refine diet even more, cut all salt, dairy (if possible) and sugar for two weeks!
6.) Have a cheat meal ONCE a week. Eat whatever you want for ONE meal…get it all out of your system so you can eat healthy until the next weeks cheat!
7.) Repeat, repeat, and repeat to maintain

I’m very open to talk about my journey and definitely welcome any (nice) comments or questions you might have for me!