The Secret to How I Lost 11 sizes Half My Body Fat
I received the biggest compliment this morning when I was walking out of the gym a lady coming in said to me “If I go in there will I come out looking like you?” I was blown away by this comment because even though I know I’m fit now, a part of me still thinks of me as the chubby, out of shape person that I was for so long.
After the birth of my two kids, my weight reached an all-time high of 220 pounds and my body fat was 33%. I knew that I needed to change my unhealthy habits when my size 22 jeans were getting tight. I couldn’t even shop in a normal store anymore. After my daughter turned one and she was no longer breastfeeding, I turned my attention to myself, but none of my old weight loss tricks worked. I tried the high-carb, low fat diet that worked for me in the ‘90s, along with long cardio sessions, but the scale would not budge. I visited a nutritionist and she suggested that I try to get 100 grams of protein a day, 35 grams of fiber and follow a balanced diet, in which every meal I incorporated 30% healthy carbohydrates, 40% protein and 20% fat. I cut out processed foods, white bread, white pasta, sweetened yogurts, diet drinks and empty carbohydrates. I measured all of my food to help with portion control and I documented everything that I ate in a food diary. I continued with my exercise program, which at the time was 5 days a week of cardio. The scale finally started to move in the right direction. Five months later I had lost 50 pounds!
I reached a plateau at 170 pounds, and I was generally happy with the way I looked, but I wanted to lose just a few more pounds and tone up. I decided to incorporate consistent weight training to my exercise routine. I began working out six days of week; three days of strength training and three days of cardio. I alternated between running or taking a class like zumba, cardio funk or kickboxing. I used a heart rate monitor to ensure that I maximized every workout. I also signed up for Metabolic Makeover at my local YMCA, which is an intense weight training class. I have been amazed at the changes in my body that occurred through weight training! I also cleaned up my eating even more, ensuring that every calorie I ate had maximum nutritional value.
I am so happy to say that at age 31, I am now at my goal weight of 150 pounds with 15% body fat. I now wear size 0 jeans and completely transformed my body from an overweight pear to a fit, lean and athletic build. I dropped 11 sizes and over half of my body fat, but the best part is that I have so much energy now, which I spend playing with my kids, working, volunteering for the PTO and writing.
It has been a long journey, but it’s not over yet, it has only just begun. I now lead the Health and Fitness Committee at my son’s school, to help promote health, wellness, nutrition and exercise among the students. I am training for the Walt Disney World Marathon in January 2011, which will be my first marathon!I also am studying to obtain my personal trainer certification and I hope to combine my current career as a writer, with my passion for fitness and become a health and fitness writer. I want to share the knowledge that I’ve gained through this experience and help others become their personal best
I cannot believe that I went from a chubby kid who would feign illness to avoid gym class to becoming a role model for health and fitness. Throughout my journey, I have not just lost weight, but I have gained confidence, strength and athleticism.