I have been on a constant weight struggle since 2006. I feel like as soon as I get the momentum to lose the weight I need to, something in life gets in my way and I quit after just a few short weeks. I have had to jump over so many hurdles with my weight loss, but now it's time to get serious and say "screw all those hurdles" and just do it already!
I am not a strong person when it comes to food. I LOVE food. I love everything about it except the effect it has on my body. I tried Weight Watchers, but because of the flexibility, I found myself eating the things I really shouldn't and in turn, it didn't work. I could probably gain weight by just looking at a cheeseburger!
So when the opportunity to join Cerner's KC Slimdown Challenge, I jumped on board as fast as I could. Before I knew it, I was the Team Captain of two teams; one for my office and a personal one. I need support all around me or I will fail. I know from experience that it's best to start a weight loss program with other people. Everyone's schedules are different, so it's hard to work out together, but I now have my work, family and friends involved so that pretty much covers every area of support for me. I have it at home, at work and when I'm out and about.
- Drink 60-80 oz. of water a day. Yes, you will be using the potty a lot!
- Drink green tea with breakfast, lunch & dinner.
- Try and do your work out in the morning or you might find yourself not being able to fall asleep.
- Work out with a buddy.
- Clean out your pantry the day you decide to start your healthier lifestyle. Donate the unused food to your local food pantry or church.
- Keep your goal & motivation in front of you everywhere you go. Tape it to your computer, your car, set reminders on your phone, notes on the fridge and pantry.
- Picture how you will look and feel at your goal weight.
- Celebrate your successes no matter how small they are.
- Share your goals with a friend so you have someone to hold you accountable.
- Get out and exercise even for just 20 minutes a day to start out with. Increase it a little every few days. Eventually you will be working out an hour each time.
- Give yourself a rest day so you're body doesn't go in to overdrive.
- Allow yourself a little treat every once in a while...notice I said little.
- Whatever you do....STAY AWAY FROM DIET PILLS!!!!
- Most importantly, do what works for your body, not anyone else's. We are all built differently, so what works for someone else might not work for you. Talk to your doctor and don't be afraid to try different plans.
I have found that working with my personal trainer, Tammy, is what works best for me. She trains me once a week out of her home and is just amazing!! I know that I can go to her with just about anything and she will have an answer for me based off of what she knows and my body type. She is available to me via email, phone and text. I couldn't ask for a better person to help guide me through my weight loss. I have never enjoyed being in such pain from a work out like I do when I'm done training with her. I actually worked out twice in one day yesterday because I was so motivated!
I also enjoy logging my food and exercise on the My Fitness Pal website. It's free and super easy to use!! You log what you eat, how much water you drink and the exercise you complete and at the end of the day, it will tell you "If everyday is like today, you will weigh ____ lbs in 5 weeks". It's wonderful!! You can invite your friends to join, put your weight ticker on your personal websites (like I have done at the bottom of this page) and I have yet to come across food that's not on the food list.
I never physically saw myself as fat or obese, but according to my BMI, waist measurement and weight for my height, I was just over the line of being considered obese. Fortunately for me, I carry all my weight evenly so it's harder for people (including myself) to think I weighed as much as the scales said I did. We all thought something was seriously wrong when the scale at the YMCA weighed me in at 221 lbs for my "official weigh-in weight" for this challenge. But, the scales don't lie. All of them are a little different, but not by much.
Everyone keeps telling me "Oh Erin, you're not fat" or "You're not overweight". Give me a break! I appreciate the self esteem boost, but that's not how I feel. I feel the 30-40 lbs of excess weight I carry. I feel it in my back and my knees. I feel it when I get winded just walking up the stairs in my house. I feel it when I have no energy to go outside and play with my son. I FEEL it!! It's not an appearance thing. It's a feeling. I want to be and feel healthy. It's been so long since I've felt that way that I don't even know what it actually feels like.
Here's my before:
Stay tuned for my after!!!
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