Before starting this health/fitness/weight loss journey, I had never really
spent much time thinking about things such as sodium intake or whether or not I
was drinking enough water etc. To be honest, I was a careless eater, and my
mood and physique reflected just that. My skin wasn't great, I was losing my
hair and my self-esteem was well, pretty much nonexistent. Now I've seen great
improvements, mentally, physically and emotionally.
Being a student, it's pretty hard to make time for a healthy lifestyle. You
have so much more to think about that often times, your health takes the back
burner. Now that I have my career lined up and a more stable routine, I was able
to put my priorities in order.
First, I decided to become a vegetarian. Not eating meat for me was an easy
choice to make since I already opted for vegetarian options before. Second, I
did a month cleanse. I stopped drinking alcohol and stuck to a very strict diet
that included protein shakes and low calorie meals. Third, I got a personal
trainer. It was either that or a car, and I decided the car can wait another
year.
As for my success, since August 2010, I have lost 50lbs. In August 2010,
after facing my biggest fear (the scale) and seeing 185, I knew I needed to do
something. Weight Watchers helped me to lose the first 30 and the trainer and
gym helped me with the remaining 20.
I work hard. I go to the gym every day and I see my trainer three times a
week. I can't eat everything I want anymore, but that's a lifestyle choice I
WANT to make. I read blogs, find healthy recipes and give myself treats to stay
focused. My biggest thing right now are blueberry muffins, which I allow myself
to eat once every two weeks.
Few tips:
- Eating healthy is half the battle. Exercising is key to losing/maintaining
weight.
- Cottage cheese. It's an excellent source of protein, especially for us
vegetarians
- Kale. I know I've blogged about it before but I can't get enough
- Buying a new vegetable every week and finding different ways to cook it.
- My FitnessPal - keeping track of what you eat makes you realise how most
of us over-eat
- Eating only wholegrain products. I don't eat much bread, but when I do, I
love the Bavarian
Bread.
- Staying out of the aisle in the grocery store.
- Drinking LOTS of water. They say you can often confuse hunger with thirst. Next time you're hungry, try drinking a tall glass of water and wait 30 minutes.
- Bringing my lunch to work.
- And the obvious, veggies, fruits etc etc..
Now I'm sitting at 135lbs and I'm proud to say I've almost reached my goal. I still have another
10lbs to lose and I plan to keep my trainer for
another year. I will wear a bikini this summer. I am determined. Making this
public, I feel like I now HAVE to stick to it (which I had already planned to do).
Special thanks to Nathalie Lebeau for inspiring me to write about
my journey (my blog is usually about fashion and beauty; I figured one post
about my personal life can't hurt). Keep it up girl!
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| September 2010- 170lbs ------ February 2012 - 145lbs |
