How much weight I lost
70 pounds in one year
What motivated me to lose weight
My daughter motivated me to lose weight when she came home for the summer after one year away at University. I had battled with my weight pretty much my entire life and she gently told me that it was time for me to work on myself. I later found out that my husband had something to do with this as well. It was an extremely sensitive subject for me and when you are obese, you know that you are every time you see your reflection. Well, I was certainly miserable and I truly thank my family for getting me started. It was something inside me though that kept me going. I am 53 and fabulous and loving life a lot more!
How I lost weight
First, I am 2nd generation Italian and grew up on the East Coast and I am obsessed with food! 5 years ago, I started out at approx. 210 pounds. I say approx. because I stopped weighing myself after 205 and the size 16 jeans were getting tight. I took a good long, sad look at myself naked in a full size mirror. This was the beginning in my mind. My motto,"Optimal Fitness is Achieved Through the Infinite Power of Your Mind". This is key to changing your lifestyle. I started going to the local gym. I was terribly overwhelmed. I wore baggy, men's clothes. I was depressed. After about 3 I weeks went to Vegas for the weekend! Then, I got sick with bronchitis and didn't go back to the gym for 3 weeks. Here I was starting over again, but this time I was religious about going 3X per week and in 1 year I lost 70 pounds. I was doing 1 hour of cardio per day, plus a full body workout with weights and mat work. On my days off, I was taking 2 mile walks at a quick pace. I changed my diet too. When I joined Weight Watchers after my daughter was born, I lost 60 pounds and I always remembered the portion control aspect of the diet and tried to follow that through the years and apparently that didn't work too well because I used to eat so much more than I do now. So, now, I eat 6 small meals per day so as not to ever feel hunger and keep up my energy level. Initially when I started the "diet" I did not allow myself to eat any carbs such as breads or cereals and after becoming certified as a trainer I now know that this is the wrong way to lose weight. I did take off the first 20 in those 4 months. A sample of my diet for a day: Breakfast: Organic oatmeal with 1 scoop whey protein powder, 1/2 banana, Coffee. Snack: Protein Shake. Lunch: Large Salad with 6 oz Chicken Breast or Baked Tofu. Snack: Cottage Cheese Dip w/Celery. Dinner: 6oz Wild Salmon 1 C Broccoli/Steamed 1/2 C Brown Rice Dessert: 2 Squares 72% dark chocolate. During the day I drink 1 gallon of water.
My 6 day workouts are my life now. I try & burn 800 calories switching up machines and times and levels of resistance. I work upper body 3X per week and Legs 3X per week and work on Abs every day of the week except Sunday. Got to have a day of rest! Some weeks I will take 2 days off because my body tells me too. My main goal in life is to inspire people to change their lives and to help them along the way.
Tips and Tricks
- Eat all carbs before 3pm if trying to lose weight
- Eat 6 small meals per day
- Challenge yourself with cardio every day
- Eat what you want (except fast food) in moderation
- Drink 8 glasses of pure water per day
- Take time for yourself to rest
