Determination.
As of February of last year, I weighed 334 pounds. I now weigh under 300 pounds and lost almost 100 inches (3-5 clothing sizes).
I started this weight loss journey for a few reasons. The first reason is because of the progression of my diabetes and how diabetes has affected my family. My father passed away last year after having had both feet amputated. My mom has diabetes. My brothers have diabetes and are very undisciplined. I am very disciplined. That’s the second reason. My discipline and my determination. When I decide to do something I completely commit. When I decided to quit smoking, I just stopped cold turkey and haven’t smoked since. It’s the same with my weight loss.
I’ve completely changed my lifestyle in terms of diet and exercise. I use a program called Beach Body and drink Shakeology shakes because it’s helps me get all the nutrients I need. It gives me more energy and curves my appetite and cravings. It’s also a way for me to make sure I’m getting vegetables. I only like some vegetables and this was a way for me to get around that.
In the beginning, a part from the shakes I wrote down everything I ate and portioned out my meals. I still portion out and log every meal daily, it’s become second nature. I always carry snacks with me wherever I go to make sure I don’t get hungry and give into temptation. Preparation is key. Eating at home is my secret. If I avoid eating out as much as possible, I can stay completely on track and in control. But I do give myself a cheat meal every week that I usually use on Sundays. You can’t make it impossible for yourself or you won’t stick with it.
In addition to my diet, I exercise every day and log all my activities. My house is my gym. I love to work out with DVDs, Yoga, Pilates, Abs – I can do it any time with no barriers. I also walk on my treadmill and complete my Daily 30. Every day I do 30 squats, 30 toe lifts, 30 push-ups and 30 fire hydrants. I do them whenever they fit into my day. When I let my dog outside, I quickly do 30 squats while he’s out. When I’m watching TV in bed I do leg lifts. It’s on my mind all the time and always part of my day. It’s the little things that add up and make a difference over time.
It’s really hard, but the key is it gets easier. The more you do it, the more you dedicate yourself, the more your body gets use to it. I’m most proud of the strides I’ve made with my health. I feel better. I’m happier. I have more energy. I can do anything. Before I could barely pick up something off the floor and now I shop in regular stories and love buying smaller sized cloths, I’ve hiked a mine in Mexico, ran a 5K color run, completed two 6 week BeachBody challenge tournaments and won the Sixteenth Street February Fit Challenge. I also recently committed to swim daily water aerobics classes at my local pool, in addition to doing ½ mile of continual lap swimming Monday through Friday for an hour.
I’ve been able to go off two of my diabetes medicines, my doctor couldn’t believe it.
Find your routine, find what you like and stick with it. Be disciplined and be determined. My goal is to get to 200 pounds and I am committed to it – what’s yours?