No Sugar Sweet Life

Howdy Everyone,

Today’s guest blogger is Kelly from No Sugar Sweet Life.  Today she is going to share with you an inspirational story of real life battle with weight.  It truly only takes a few small changes in life to be healthy.  You know my motto, take it in baby steps and go from there.  That is what I did to lose weight and to keep it off. So please welcome Kelly! ~ Jennifer

Hello Peanut Butter and Peppers readers! I am excited to be able to share with you today. My name is Kelly, and I blog over at No Sugar Sweet Life.  Struggling with my weight for my entire adult life, I finally decided life is too short to live perpetually unhappy.  I recently lost over 50 pounds and am currently working on the last 30.  I made a few simple changes to my lifestyle (less sugar, smaller portions, and more veggies) and have never felt better!

Here’s a pic from my recent “Rewards” Photoshoot:

I never wanted to be one of those people.  You know, the ones who let themselves go once they get married.  I don’t think I did that intentionally, but I definitely didn’t get myself in check year after year that I gained weight.  I always ate *pretty* healthy, but eating just an extra 100 calories a day can lead to a 10 pound weight gain per year.  That’s about right… 7.5 years of marriage x 100 calories a day = BAM.. 75 pounds!!  My wake up call and motivation to get healthy was looking into my daughter’s face at 8 days old: Completely helpless and completely dependent on ME to show her how to live a happy healthy life.

I’d like to share a number of “Before and Afters” with you to detail the differences from my old life to new.
Before…I was obese at 219 pounds.

After…I am in the Healthy BMI range at 166.

Before…I hated cooking.

After…I love being creative in the kitchen and coming up with delicious easy healthy meals.

Before…I ate one or two pieces of candy a day at the office. #guilty #ilovetwix

After…I bring my own healthy snacks like almonds, greek yogurt, and hummus.

Before…I drank multiple diet sodas a day.

After…Bring on the H2O!

 

Before…I was only responsible for myself.

After…I have a beautiful little mouth to feed (pictured here sniffing the fresh broccoli from our garden!)

Before…It was hard to move with all that extra weight.

After…There’s a bounce in my step and energy I never knew was possible!

 

Before…I couldn’t run more than a minute or two without stopping.

After…I can run 3 miles, no problem.

Before…I would just eat mindlessly and overdo the calories.

After…I listen to my body and stop before I’m full.

Before…I was embarrassed to get my picture taken.

After…Bring on the Photoshoots!

Before…I spent most evenings watching tv.

After…I run, or go to the park, or blog…or all 3!

Before…I had never heard of Kale, let alone eaten it.

After…I regularly drink a Mean Green juice and eat a Citrus Kale Salad featuring it.

Before…I was afraid to eat fat.

After…I love nuts, seeds, avocados, and olive oil.

Before…I was often down, frustrated, and teary.

After…I am full of happiness and encouraging others to choose the happy healthy life too!