Well, I should begin on the child hood years. As a child I was not over weight. I was pretty active as a child, my weight didn’t go up till I hit puberty. I guess all that candy and soda caught up with me. However when I hit about 15, the weight came back off, I was a cheerleader in the fall, and I played softball in the spring,and did a lot of other activities in between. Then when I hit 18 I really started to work out. I kind of got obsessed, I was working out to Carol Alt’s VCR tapes (remember VHS tapes?) and I got into the best shape ever. I am 5’11 and made it to 135 lbs, not too shabby. However, I didn’t eat that much and felt horribly guilty when I did eat. Not good! Honestly I don’t know what happened after that, to why I stopped working out that is. I guess that’s when I hit age 20. The discovery of pizza, beer, bars, guys and friends.
So at age 20 my weight started to climb, but I didn’t notice or care because I was having fun. At about age 24, I still didn’t workout at all and just partied and enjoyed my time with my friends. I had an asthma attack, and went to the Doctors and that is when he told me, if I keep going this route I would die! (Thanks Dr. Becker) Pretty abrupt, but it’s true. I was hitting near 200lbs and heading down the road of disaster. I don’t think I ever made it to 200lbs, but I came pretty close. (That’s me with the brown hair and bag in the picture, gross huh?)
At that point, I stopped with the drinking and going to bars, but still didn’t exercise and I didn’t cut back on the eating. I ended up going down to about 172lbs. That seems to be where my weight stayed for years, and I excepted that. If you punch in my height and weight, I was at the top of my average range. People in my family made comments here and there but nothing to make me think differently. I didn’t know I had a weight issue. I remember my Grandmother saying to me ”your Mother at your age was skinny”. I remember that hurt my feelings, but it still didn’t do anything. I thought this is where I was suppose to stay. I didn’t know how to lose weight.
As my middle 30′s were here, I ate better, more home cooked meals, but again didn’t do any exercise. I was tracking calories, but I wasn’t eating enough. I didn’t know how many calories I needed in a day, I just thought I wasn’t suppose to eat. At work the other day, I was cleaning my desk drawer out and came across papers that had my calorie intake for the day on it and it said I was eating 800, 900 and 1000 calories on a high day! I was shocked, well no wonder I wasn’t losing any weight, I wasn’t eating enough. You can’t go from eating way over 2000 calories a day to practically nothing. But back then I didn’t care, I did that for a few months and gave up. The scale didn’t move, so I figured again, this is the weight my body is comfortable with. (image of my calorie count from January 2009)
In the summer of 2009, I was stressed out with life! So after dinner, every night, no matter what I went for a short walk around the block, and within 1 month I lost 10lbs. My body must of went into shock with actually moving around. That was the push I needed. I was so excited to lose the weight that I actually started to watch what I ate. I didn’t calorie count, I started out with portion control. By November I dropped another 10lbs. I was sitting around 150lbs. That’s when I took notice of calories in food. I was shocked to find out how many calories there were in my favorite foods. I thought ordering a salad from Baja Fresh was a good idea! Nope! Having reduced fat desserts from Starbucks was ok,nope. So I started to track calories on a website, my Virtual Trainer. I was sticking to around 1200 calories a day, because that is what the magazines would tell me.
In January of 2010, I was home from work, and I was flipping through the On Demand channels and I saw a circuit training workout “Boost Your Metabolism” from Jillian Micheals. I hadn’t a clue who she was, but I did the workout and I thought I was going to die! I couldn’t walk for 3 days and I was sore as hell. That’s when I knew I was out of shape and needed to up my exercise, because walking wasn’t enough anymore. At that time I also started my Getting in Shape 2010 group on Facebook. I needed a place to share healthy living, get support because I wasn’t getting that at home and to learn from others.
I would work out to On Demand/Exercise TV for months and months, and you know what, nothing happened. My weight was hanging out at about 145 pounds. I was frustrated but I never gave up. I was counting calories and exercising. I felt great! My asthma went away,after having it since I was a child, I sleep better, I have more energy and I had self-esteem! But I still had a goal to meet, but wasn’t getting there. I heard that losing those last 10lbs are the hardest! It’s true! Wondering why no weight loss? What was I doing wrong? I was on what you call a plateau for 8 months, yes 8 months! Ridiculous!!!
In August of 2010, one of my members of Getting in Shape 2010 group recommended I joined Sparks People. I thought what the heck, since my virtual trainer was giving me issues. Well I set up my profile, entered how much exercise I do a week, and what my goal was and guess what? It calculated how many calories I needed to lose 1.5 lbs a week. Don’t forget I was eating only 1200 calories a day. Sparks told me I needed to eat 1550 at the low end and 1700 on the high end. I was so happy, I could eat!!!! It was like a new world opened up for me.
I tracked everything from fat, carbs and protein. I was eating what I was suppose to and within 5 months, I dropped the remaining 10lbs. I did it, I met my goal! As of today, I am trying to maintain my weight, which in my opinion is harder then losing it. I get so afraid of putting the weight back on, since it’s so easy to lose motivation. Just because you meet your goal doesn’t mean you can go back to the way it was. That’s when I decided I needed to make this my lifestyle. I started reading up on healthy foods, different exercises, and I kept calculating my calories. I was a true calorie counter, every bite I ate, I tracked it. If I didn’t know the calories, I wouldn’t eat it. I was having allot of fun. I was exercising and maintaining my weight! Then it happened. Something was brought to my attention from my friends and family, I was obsessed they told me! Obsessed with what? Eating right and exercising? It was the calorie counting! People told me I’m not enjoying life if I calculate every bite. Can I do this forever? Well, maybe,I am pretty dedicated after all, but who wants to? I have learned so much over the past couple of years, about eating, exercising and most importantly myself. I have a lot of will power and I know how to be healthy, so I should be able to do this!!!!
Well as of today, I have been exactly two weeks with not counting calories. I am taking a new approach to things, I am listening to my stomach! Yes listening to my stomach! It was hard the first week, and I did cheat a little, but I managed not to gain weight, kept up on exercise and ate mostly healthy. I feel free! It’s nice not to have to calculate every meal, every bite! I know if I eat a piece of cake I won’t gain 10lbs over night! Moderation is the key! I now have the all around perfect healthy life style. You’ll just have to stay tuned to my blog to make sure I stay on the right path!
Here are some tips from me that I learned through my journey: Please note I am not a doctor or dietitian, just a regular person like you. This is my own personal experience.
#1 – Eat enough food! Your body can’t function without it’s fuel! You need a MINIMUM of 1200 calories a day for woman, but I personally recommend at least 1500, but you should consult your doctor for a better amount. Just remember if you don’t eat enough, your body goes into starvation mode and will store everything as fat. Also if you eat to much, you’ll gain! Remember 1lbs is 3500 calories! Your body burns calories when we do nothing so dont’ think you’ll gain 3500 calories if you eat that in a week. Here’s more information about that. It’s to hard for me to explain. http://www.caloriesperhour.com/tutorial_BMR.php
#2 – Count your calories, at least for the first week or two. You’d be amazed in what you think is healthy and is not. I was drinking a skinny vanilla latte and a reduced fat cinnamon swirl coffee cake for breakfast every day, and that was over 500 calories. Not smart, not to mention I was hungry a short while after breakfast, which brings me to #3.
#3 – Eat breakfast! As Mom always said it’s the most important meal of the day and it is. Your body needs fuel to speed up your metabolism and to get you going. I like to eat yogurt with fruit and granola, or oatmeal with Greek Yogurt, and sometimes eggs and pancakes. I like to eat about 300 calories for breakfast. Having full hearty meals, with protein, a pinch of fat and carbs will keep me filled for 3 or 4 hours.
#4 – Snacks! Snacks are important to keep the metabolism flowing. I eat a mid morning snack such as hummus and veggies, or a piece of fruit, hard boiled egg, granola or even yogurt. Just stay away from bad foods, like chocolate, fried stuff and nothing higher then 100 – 150 calories.
#5 – Read Labels! If you choose processed foods to eat, read your labels, not everything is bad for you, but some stuff is. I look at the calories, serving size, carbs, protein, fiber and sugar. If it’s low on protein and fiber, I don’t get it. If it’s high in fat and sodium I put it right back onto the shelf. Be a smart consumer and read those labels. If you can’t pronounce and ingrediant, it’s probably not good for you. Don’t buy something because the package says low fat or no sugar added, that doesn’t mean crap! Sugar Alcohol is still sugar!!! Not to mention if it’s low in fat, it’s high somewhere else, they need to add something to perserve and add flavor.
#6 – Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. If you do this, you can’t go wrong!
#7 – Drink lots of water. I have at least 8 glasses of water a day and if I workout, I drink more because I need to replenish my body because I sweat it out and sweating is good for you!!
#8 – Exercise! I try to Cardio at least 30 minutes a day, if not more! I do 30 minutes of cardio 6-7 days a week, even if it is a short walk. I feel better when I do, and it gets me off my butt! But try for at least 5 days a week if you can’t make 6 or 7. But start off slow if your just beginning.
Strength Training is very important part of your workouts. Try for 15 – 30 minutes of strength training. Don’t be afraid of strength training. You burn more calories all together. You’ll tone your muscles and you get stronger. I like that my arms are strong, that way I can carry more bags at the mall. :) I like to do circuit training which is full body workouts. I only do them 3 times a week, every other day. Never do strength training on back to back days, unless you work one muscle group at a time. Such as Monday Upper Body, Tuesday Lower Body, Wednesday Core, Thursday Upper Body, Friday Lower Body, you get the picture.
#9 – Make your own meals from scratch and plan ahead. If you make your own meals, you know what your eating, you know what goes into a meal and you can control the sugar, fat and sodium. This is a big one for me. I enjoy cooking, it’s like an art to me! Plus I like to share my creations with my friends, family and you!
#10 – Don’t deprive yourself. You don’t have to give up the foods you love, just have them in moderation, like once a week or everyday if you fit it into your weight loss program. If you deprive yourself, you will most likely fail.
#11 – Most importantly, set a goal and try to achieve it! Don’t give up, even if you mess up for a day or two. Just get back on that horse and keep going. Along that note, you need to reward yourself! If you reach a mini goal, then treat yourself to a pair of jeans, or something you desire. I bought clothes at every 5lbs loss. A little crazy, but it worked and I felt great!!
#12 – I almost forgot! Educate yourself and get support from friends and family. Tell people what your goals are and be very proud of yourself! Your doing a good thing for you and your family!
Well that’s it for me, I am sure I will have more and I’ll add it in this post when I do. Don’t worry, I’ll keep you updated when I do. Oh and I’ll add pictures soon, so you can see my progress.
I found your blog through one of your SparkPeople comments. For the past few weeks, I’ve been limiting my caloric intake and eating about 900 calories a day, like you had done in the past. I’m also really limiting my carbs and exercising for an hour a day. But then I read your bio and I see that you eat wonderful things like pancakes for breakfast, so now I’m inspired to allow myself to eat good foods! You have a great story and delicious looking recipes, thanks for sharing!
Your welcome! You should really follow what Sparks tells you how much to eat, for me its about 1500 – 1700 calories a day. Thats what helped me to lose weight, I wouldn’t of been able to do it without Sparks. Not eating hinders your weight lose efforts. It’s amazing that eating helps you lose weight. Shocking I know! If you don’t eat, your body goes into starvation mode and instead of burning calories it holds onto them. Enjoy food! I do as you can see. I eat healthy 80% of the time and eat not so healthy 20% of the time. If I eat bad, it’s a small portion, so I don’t go crazy not getting the foods I love, other wise this won’t work for me. This is my lifestyle now and I stopped counting calories, and I am still maintaining. I just need to exercise more, since I started this blog, I’ll admit I’ve slacked, but I do keep my weekly weigh ins. I’m glad you stopped by my site. You made me realize that I need to get back on track, because it’s easy to fall back into old habits!! Keep in contact! If you need any support, you can count on me!!
Congratulations on your weight loss!
Hi Jennifer,
Wow! What a transformation. See you soon
Love your story. As someone who has struggled with weight since childhood I can relate. For me weight watchers was the solution. Love your great advice. Glad I found your blog.
If you’re interested I’m having a Cooking Light Cookbook Giveaway this week
I too am on a weight loss journey and have started a blog as well. I am on a quest to find and prepare low-calorie snacks. I hopped over here from another food blog. You have some really interesting and inspirational post here. Thanks for sharing!
Your welcome! It’s nice having a blog because it keeps me accountable, weight loss journey can be hard, then maintaining I think is harder! I am going to head over and check out your blog!
I think another great thing about having a blog and being a part of the community of health blogs is how open people are with weight loss/gain. I’ve struggled with weight my whole life and never had a lot of people to talk to because people around me weren’t going through it or felt ashamed to admit guilt over gaining a few pounds or that they secretly knew all the over exercise was actually a bad thing. It can be very isolating and reading other people’s journeys is so wonderful. Thanks for sharing your story!
Hi Katie,
I know what you mean bout struggling through weight loss/gain. My Husband is super skinny and my step-daughter is thin too and they don’t understand the issues of weight. For me, weight can come on pretty quick. I will always be one of those people that has to watch there weight, I just can’t eat anything and not gain weight. It’s a struggle. I drive my family crazy sometimes, when we go out I say no, can’t eat that, thats to fattening, no thanks I don’t need fries, ect… and than I have my Husband who says your fine, enjoy it, eat it. Than I do than I feel horribly guilty. Sometimes we have to know to let go that we are not all perfect. The main reason I started my blog was for support. If I opened up and put it out there, than I feel accountable for my actions and I wanted people to know they aren’t alone. Thanks for leaving a comment, today I was actually feeling kind of bad, but you made me feel better. Take care of yourself and please feel free to stop by anytime. – Jennifer
Congrats on your transformation! You should feel very proud of yourself to have come so far and to have gotten to the point where you can listen to your stomach. Surprisingly, that simple communication with our body is something that so many of us have trained ourselves to not pay any attention to. After suffering with an eating disorder for about 15 years, I got to the point where I didn’t even know what it felt like to be hungry anymore! I had to really work to “hear” that signal. And you’re right, counting calories can be an obsession that can take over your life and your thoughts, so I think it’s awesome that you have cut back from that and are just listening to your wants and needs and not freaking out over a piece of cake.
You’re awesome, and I’m proud of you!! Keep up the amazing work!
Thank you so much for your kind words. It means alot to me. Sometimes this healthy living is hard, but so worth it in the end.
I am so proud of you!!! This is a really inspirational story. Losing the weight *is* possible. I went through a lot of weight issues (both on the too low and too high end) in high school and my first year of college. I feel like I’ve finally got to a decent place, but I really need to watch what I eat more and exercise!! My walks to and from class (20 min each way) are good but definitely not enough. I have a few JM movies I should pull out though..after reading what you said about her metabolism one it reminded me of how hard they are.
I think I digressed somewhere along the way….but in the end – great job!! I hope other people can be inspired by what you have experienced.
I loved reading your weight loss history. I’ve been struggling since my childhood with my weight and I still continue to struggle with it. I also used sparks people back in the day and have recently began counting my points. I’ve been able to drop 10 pounds but I’ve been stuck for the past month. It’s been a frustrating journey but I continue to stay focused. I like the tips that you have shared. I truly believe in moderation. I don’t like giving up a certain food item. Thanks again for your tips! If you have anymore please share
Thanks for sharing your very personal story. I know others who are in the same situation you were once in and they struggle, I see it. I wish they could read this and feel inspired. I’m inspired!
Hi Jennifer, I found your blog via Eats Well With Others. What a great story! I’m looking forward to reading more of your blog entries
Hi Bianca, nice to meet you! I’m glad you found me! I love Joannes blog, I read it everyday! She is so creative with her dishes! Stop by anytime!!
Hi!
I found your blog through the Nutrition Blog Network and I feel like I’m reading the story of my own life. I have recently lost 45lbs but am KILLING myself over those last 10 lbs just like you were. I literally have felt like it was hopeless and that there is no way those pounds are coming off. I am also limited to 1200 calories a day but am going to try raising my daily calorie intake to see if that helps! Your story gave me so much hope that I can beat these last 10 lbs and your weight loss tips were fantastic!
I’m glad you found me! I never heard of Nutrition Blog Network. The last 10lbs are hard, but to be honest it’s even harder to keep it off. Personally I’m struggling with that now. If you working out I think 1200 calories isn’t enough calories. I would add a 100 more a day to see how you do with that. The body and weight is sucj a funny thing, you just have to try different things and see what works for you!! Great job on losing 45lbs! That is so awesome!! You should be so very proud of yourself. Stop by anytime and let me know how your progress is going!
This is so inspiring! I’ve been stuck on that last 10-15 pounds for years.
Thanks Jen! When you get down to the last 10 – 15lbs., it’s so much harder to get it off. Sometimes I think when you can’t lose weight and your doing all the right things,it maybe because it’s your bodies way of tell you it’s at it’s happy weight. I just keep plugging away and see what happens. As a long as your exercising and eating right that all that counts because your doing something good for your body!
Jen show can I get on the plan you used? I lost 43 lbs 2 yrs ago and I have gained half of it back. Please Help
I didn’t use a plan. I started with baby steps. I walked around the block everyday after dinner, and from there I started on portion control and then eating healthier. Right now, I try to work out 5 days a week with light walking on the weekends. It’s a lifestyle change. I have been able to pretty much stay the same weight after I lost weight. Eating is the key factor. What you see me post is what I eat. I try to have a variety of meals that are healthy and never boring. Check out my tip page, those are the rules I follow. Hey you lost 43lbs, meaning you can do it again. Really go slow, and start out with small steps. One month of walking around the block, then start measuring what you eat, then eat healthier. I don’t believe in giving up the foods I love I just eat smaller portions of it or have it as a treat once a week. For me bread is my favorite thing, so I have a hearty fat sandwich for dinner one night during the week, thats my treat! I wish you the best of luck, you know you can do it!!! I believe in you!!
I love reading stories like yours. I’m on Weight watchers myself. It does become an obsession I guess, always thinking about what you’re going to eat and cook, but it works. Congratulations on sticking with it and thanks for sharing. It’s really good motivation for the rest of us! Jen
Counting calories or points does become an obsession but it keeps me accountable. If I don’t count, I cheat and eat! I really do try to stick to it, I believe in just trying to live a healthy lifestyle the best I can.
Jennifer, I am a little different than you. I have always been a big girl and right now, I am near 200 pounds. I am about 5’3 and I’ve always had trouble losing weight. I’m actually very athletic. I love to play sports and I’m good at them, but I hate running. I also splurge a lot. it’s a bad habit of mine to snack when I’m bored. I’m a recent college student and eating healthy is difficult, not to mention exercise. since I live on the fourth floor, I try to take the stairs only. I’m pretty good about that. I have a slow metabolism and I have no sense of calorie counting. I’m desperate for help, but I need to concentrate on my studies. what advice can you give me?
Hi Isabella! Don’t be so hard on yourself. I found the main thing for me, is you have to want it. When I was in my 20′s I didn’t care so much, but as I got older (mid 30′s) my mind set changed. I recommend taking it in baby steps. Taking the stairs is the first step, that is perfect. Next time you go somewhere park further away. Need Starbucks? Walk there! Cut up some veggies and keep them near by when your bored. I have to do that or my hands go in the chip bag. I have a hard time because I have a super thin Husband who can eat anything and I can’t. Find some hummus that you like and dip veggies in it, or if your a chip person, buy some snack baggies and portion out your servings. Just take it slow and day by day. You can do it! Be positive and go slow!! Small changes now will be big ones in the future.
Please note, I am not a dietitian or a nutritionist, I am only speaking from my personal experience.
I saw a post on pinterest for your pumpkin spice drink and started clicking around! Congratulations on your weight loss! I have just started working out regularly for the first time (just about) in my whole life. But what I’ve been learning slowly, even before I began the physical regimen, is how important it is to eat real food. Thanks to people around me who love food and their families health enough to really get informed about it, I’ve been seeing just how misinformed we are and how duped we can be by clever marketing that claims to be “healthy”. When I learned where skim milk comes from and how it’s made (and, for instance that it’s used to fatten pigs up) and that real dairy fats (in moderation) are linked to weight loss but “fat-free” items quite the opposite, I was stunned! Then I thought, of course! People were eating the real things long before heart disease and obesity ravaged our culture. When you start to learn about real nutrition instead of what we’ve been sold by industries, it can be a really great weight loss tool. And, I have to say thank you for using things like coconut milk in some of your recipes! I have a dairy intolerance and it’s nice to know that for the pumpkin spice recipe, at least, I wouldn’t have to tweak it myself!!! I look forward to reading more and trying some of your creations!
Hi Ashlee,
Welcome to my blog! I do believe in trying to eat real food and I do try, key word is try to stay away from processed foods which I do most of the time. I didn’t know that about skim milk. I drink it, but not to much, just mainly in my morning coffee. It’s either that or coffeemate which is not healthy at all!! I just discovered coconut milk a few months ago and I love it!! It’s so creamy, and I try to incorporate it into my recipes. It may have more fat, but it’s a healthy fat that we all need!
Glad you started to work out! It took me to my mid 30′s before I started to workout! Now I do it at least 5 times a week! You feel so much better about yourself and your doing something good!! I’m glad you have a family that supports your healthy eating! Sometimes it can be hard when they don’t!!! Keep up all the great work and keep educating yourself on a healthy lifestyle!
Thank you again for stopping by, please stop by anytime!!
All i can say is thank you thank you thank you!
I’ve been so inspired by you, and reading this I might FINALLY be able to nip my calorie counting obsession in the bud. I’ve been counting my calories for every meal since about April of this year, and i have become, like you explained, obsessed. And i know it’s a problem, and i shouldn’t focus on that, but everytime i eat i just think of how many calories it is, and what I’ll have left over for my next meals. Reading your story really inspired me and starting today i’m going to start trying to NOT COUNT. I deleted the counting app off of my phone, and im giving it a go!
So thank you ever so much, your story will hopefully help me out
Hi Kelly! Thank you so much!
Calorie counting is going to be hard at first, but you can do it!! You know what you should and shouldn’t eat and the main thing is to listen to your body, when your hungry eat, when your not stop. I know it’s easier said then done!!! I’ll be honest, I’m on the calorie counting yo-yo! I stop counting, then I start back up. I’m off the counting right now, hopefully I can do it this time!!! Stop back and let me know how you are doing!!
Have a wonderful weekend!!!
Jen
These are fantastic tips, and now that I’m in my thirties, and have just recently started exercising again, I am finding it’s harder to lose weight than I thought. I think the whole “not eating enough” aspect is my problem! I am definitely going to give it a try! Good for you for taking the steps to make healthy changes in your life, and cheers to continued success!
Thank you for sharing! Truly inspirational!
Ahhh, thank you so much!!
Hi Jennifer,
You have done very well!!!
I am going to be 60 on Feb. 5th. I didn’t have a weight problem when I was young. I am 5’9″ and weigh 196 right now. I am build med. to large boned. I have lost some weight in the past, 15 to 20 lbs. But I go back to my normal eating always and feel so angry at myself. I eat when I am board or angry or stressed. I also have a fit husband and he is my food police, (not my idea). I have depression and really have a hard time in the winter. I have no energy to do anything. I have started to lose weight and do some excercise but always stop. I feel like a failure most of the time.
I will not go buy clothes because I hate the way they look on me.!!! Help, do you have any ideas for me? I have never been on a blog before.
thanks!
Don’t feel bad! Losing weight is hard! At least you have a Husband who is the food police! Mine tries forcing me to eat his fatty stuff and I have to restrain myself and say no, which is hard. The key is taking it step by step. I feel your pain! I tend to eat when I’m bored too and I am trying to break that habit! Just remember you are a strong woman and you can do it!!!! Start small! Go for a 10 minute walk, even march in place during commercials when watching tv, next thing you know you are getting in some exercise and maybe you can march for a whole show? Also, cut up some healthy veggies and grab those when you need to eat! Just think to yourself, you are doing this for you and you are worth it!!!
Great inspiration for the rest of us Jennifer. Thanks for sharing all this info. xx
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Congratulations on your weight loss you have realy inspired me n great advice too
wicked post, i recently lost quite a bit off weight in the same sort of way, your blog is very inspirational, i only have 10 pounds to go until i reach my goal weight
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Well done Jennifer. Inspirational. I also know from personal experience how hard it is to lose weight. It takes discipline to push through no matter what you’re feeling. For me it was getting up at 5:00 a.m. every morning (Mon – Fri) to exercise but when I saw some photos of me while my wife and I were on holiday, that was all the motivation I needed to become laser focused to change. I followed a lifestyle challenge which pretty much is what you describe above. It does seem counter intuitive to eat more doesn’t it. Of course it’s what you eat more of that you need to watch
Thank you for sharing your personal story Jennifer and once again congratulations on what you’ve achieved!! I love your blog name too btw
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Hi Gary! Thank you for the nice comment, Sorry it took so long for me to reply. I understand about seeing pictures of yourself and it’s wonderful that it motivated you. For a lot of people it doesn’t. It didn’t for me for years. Until one day, I was digging in my drawer and I found a picture of me and I couldn’t believe my eyes! My family said it wasn’t me, well it was me! I recognize my shoes and handbag anywhere! I keep that picture on my fridge, and when the urge to eat hits, I look at it, breath and ask myself,am I really hungry?
I want to say congratulations to you!!! It’s hard getting up at 5am to workout and you do it! That is fantastic!! Love that you changed your lifestyle, as you know I did the same thing. I feel so much better about myself and I imagine you do too! Thank you again for taking the time to leave a comment. It’s comments like yours that keeps me staying healthy!!