Weight loss is a HUGE topic in today’s day and age. Also a huge controversial topic on how to because there are so many “quick loss” products on the market. I won’t get into that topic, but my journey took – putting in the hard work. There is no judgement here, just how I was able to wake up and make changes to be more healthy.
It all started when a Facebook photo was posted of me and I thought, “There is NO earthly way that is me!! I cannot be that big”….. but it was me and I was that big. Looking in the mirror and seeing myself everyday I didn’t notice that my post 1 baby weight turned into 2 years later packing on the pounds weight.
No judgement because I know people may see this photo and might think I look just fine, but the hard truth is that I was 50 pounds overweight and VERY UNHEALTHY:
I was comfortable in life and had no idea that my bad habits were spiraling. I wore my weight well but I decided the moment I saw this photo that I was in control of myself. I needed to change how I lived daily.
*Pic #2 – my kid is 2 here- I had NO excuses about the post baby weight I had acquired, I was now post toddler gains.
I chose better options for lunch and dinner. I cut back my portions- as Americans we are destroyed with the portions we are served. I listened to my body and stopped before I felt full, and added in snacks through out the day so I didn’t feel starving. Almonds, Toast with peanut butter (only 1 slice), popcorn, etc. Healthy snacks do not have to mean tasteless and gross – just not a bag of chips or a candy bar.
The next thing I implemented was using the stairs whenever I could, or parking further away from where I was going to get more movement in my day. At the time I worked on the 10th floor of a building in Dallas and as I couldn’t walk up the stairs but every time I came down I walked down all 10 flights…. it was ROUGH when I started but after a week I was hustling down those stairs like I’d been doing it a year!
In this time I felt sooo discouraged…. I kept looking in the mirror thinking HOW did I let myself get here?! And the weight was moving but not as fast as I wanted it to. I can just say get an inspirational quote app and keep yourself positive and in a month you will thank yourself! I started riding a bike and amping up my work-outs. I got motivated by my own reflection staring back at me. How could I teach my daughter to be proud of herself if I was always talking negatively about myself and feeling bad about me. I needed to adjust my own mindset!
About 9 months after I started working out regularly and eating better I had dropped 35 pounds. I was working hard but not smart. So I adjusted my routine.. I started working out less (yes I said less) and eating better. I started doing a protein shake for breakfast (I use muscle milk 1 scoop) – I always shied away from these because I thought protein shake meant you were trying to gain, this was the game changer for me. I believe this move adjusted and helped reset my metabolism. I ate a lot of good fats and proteins (avocado, eggs, whole wheat toast, etc).
I went from working out 40-60 mins a day to 25-35 mins. I would run 1 mile – stop mid way and do a circuit workout (10 reps of dips, 10 pushups, 10 squat jumps – 3 rounds) and then I would run my 1 mile back home. Keeping my heart rate in a lower range helped burn the fat.
In about 2 months of this and I lost another 25lbs! It helped me lose faster and better. Nutrition and workouts more in the HIIT category actually cut me down faster. I was at a size 4, which I thought was COMPLETELY UNATTAINABLE…. but guess what it WASN’T!!! YOU CAN REACH YOUR GOAL!! That weekend I went and bought 4 new pairs of shorts at a size 4!! What a huge day for me! It was mother’s day weekend and that Sunday (1 day later) I felt weird and off, so I took a pregnancy test and guess what… I was pregnant!! HAHA Thus is life!! I now was going to destroy my body for the 2nd time and have to lose all my weight again! lol!
LIFE! It’s a funny thing! well here I am to say I did it again but that journey was different and I will post about post baby #2 another day!
Steph's Lifestyle 