This is perhaps a bit late for Motivational Monday Success Story, but I just post it anyway. There is really nothing more that inspires us then the success of others especially those who have been in our jeans. So this week Her Weight Loss Diary is featuring Carla who has lost a total of 70 lbs. How she did it? We'll let her tell you all about that.
Her Weight Loss Diary (HEWLD): What is your starting weight and current weight?
Carla: Heaviest during pregnancy -195lbs (87 kg); After baby -175 lbs (78 kg); Now -125lbs (57 kg).
HEWLD: What moment defined your wakeup call?
Carla: A visit to my doctor. When the results of my blood test were worrying. High cholesterol, high blood sugar, I also had high blood pressure. I woke up every morning with sore and swollen knees, my body was struggling with the weight I was carrying. This was 2 years ago.
HEWLD: What challenges you face in losing weight?
Carla: FOOD! I love food! Waking up at 5:45am for my workouts, going out-no alco, no fried foods, no fatty sauces/dressings, minimal carbs can be difficult when you're out. Injuries - I used to run, I hurt my knee and had to take time off.
HEWLD: And what changes you made to lose weight?
Carla: I changed my lifestyle. I stopped buying junk food in the grocery-bought veggies, fruits instead of sweets. I started to make all my meals-stopped buying food outside unless i'm out with my family. I used to have ham and cheese croissant every morning! I started planning my workouts, signed up to a gym. Made this my lifestyle. Although my aim wasn't losing weight, it was getting healthy-weight came off eventually.
HEWLD: What foods and habits were the most difficult for you to give up and change?
Carla: Eating FOOD! I love food! Cutting down chocolates was/is the hardest part for me. I used to eat blocks and blocks every single day! In high school, I found my love for fitness and sports so lost most of my baby weight then.
HEWLD: Diet and exercise - which one help you lose weight faster?
Carla: Diet and exercise goes hand in hand. You can't take on a healthy lifestyle without one or the other, although I believe it's 70% diet and 30% exercise.
HEWLD: You must be blessed with skinny genes.
Carla: Not at all blessed with skinny genes. I was always chubby growing up, got teased a lot in primary school. In High School, I started participating in a lot of sports and became quite fit. When I started Uni, i started to put weight back on due to lack of activity and eating badly. After graduating, I started going to the gym again and got back in shape until hubby and I got pregnant.
HEWLD: Can you share your diet plan and workout routine?
Carla: I don't have a set diet plan. But this is how it will typically look on a daily basis:
My typical exercise routine:
HEWLD: How do you find the time to workout all day?
Carla: I don't find time, I make time. I wake up before my daughter and my hubby so I can do my Insanity in the mornings.
HEWLD: Do you believe in cheat days?
Carla: I don't believe in cheat days. Personally, once I have a cheat day, I find it hard to get back on the healthy wagon. To be honest though, I do have them once a week now that I've lost most of my weight but I won't advice it, specially if you're just beginning your journey. A cheat meal once a week though is good for the mind and the body.
HEWLD: Emotional eating is common. How do you gain control of emotional eating?
Carla: Emotional eating-this is tough! Not sure if I've conquered this yet. But I always make sure to have healthy snacks around and no junk in the house so I can't turn to them. I've learnt to also channel my brain that when I feel like eating, I drink water or tea first.
HEWLD: How do you make sure you stick on your diet plan at social gatherings?
Carla: Social gatherings is not as scary as it seems. My rule is to only eat the healthiest option on the menu/table. So if there's fried chicken and grilled chicken-i'll have grilled chicken instead. I always bring a bottle of water so I don't end up drinking soda/juice/alco.
HEWLD: How long does it takes to see your weight loss result?
Carla: I lost 20lbs in the first 2 months and slowed down after that. It took me 2 years in total to lose 50lbs.
HEWLD: When you didn't lose weight for a few weeks, how did you keep motivated?
Carla: I stopped weighing myself cause my weight stopped dropping at one point. I then started measuring and inches were coming off so that kept me motivated. Weight loss is not the only basis of getting healthier. If you feel better about yourself, if you're lifting heavier, or doing more sets,if your clothes are loser, if you're running faster/longer on the treadmill-these are only some indications that you're improving.
HEWLD: How do I get a toned midsection?
Carla: Mid section- Fasted cardio, first thing in the morning. I highly recommend Insanity DVDs by Shaun T. I also do a lot of ab exercises such as leg raises, inclined sit ups, obliques crunches, etc. In terms of diet-low sugar, only have carbs from veggies/salads after 5 pm. Walking (even just standing while doing dishes) 15-20 after a meal.
HEWLD: How do you maintain your weight loss?
Carla: I've maintained my weight loss by not giving myself a deadline! This is a lifestyle change, not a quest to lose a certain amount of weight in a certain amount of time. There is no finish line, in fact the line just gets longer as I add new goals to it.
HEWLD: What advice would you give to your "50 pound heavier" self?
Carla: 50 pound self, the journey to a better health is going to be tough! There will be days when you feel like you've failed but "YOU'VE ONLY FAILED ONCE YOU'VE GIVEN UP" as long as pick yourself up the next day and start again, you will reach your goals.
HEWLD: What advice would you give those out there struggling to do what you've done?
Carla: Your body is just a tool, it will do whatever the mind tells it to! Before you start your journey, you have to believe that you can do it first. It's not going to be easy, that's why you should be mentally prepared to physically survive it. Try new things until you find what workouts you enjoy doing-chances of sticking to a workout is much higher if you're having fun. Find a support group-family, friends or even a facebook group-to help you stay accountable.
Thanks for sharing your story with Her Weight Loss Diary, Carla. You can go follow her on Instagram @be_healthytoday for more fitness and weight loss inspiration. If you know any inspiring weight loss success stories or maybe you have your own success story, don't keep it secret. You never know who you are inspiring. Email me healthybeautifulblog{at}gmail{dot}com. I love hearing them!
Her Weight Loss Diary (HEWLD): What is your starting weight and current weight?
Carla: Heaviest during pregnancy -195lbs (87 kg); After baby -175 lbs (78 kg); Now -125lbs (57 kg).
 |
| The 'before' pic was 2 years ago. I could only wear baggy clothes and when it came to wearing a dress on special occasions, I only wore baby doll dresses as it gave my tummy a lot of space. BTW I had spandex on underneath on the 'before' pic- I had to wear one every time I wore a dress to hold my gut in haha very uncomfortable stuff but that's what u do for quick fixes I guess then I realized there isn't such thing as 'quick' fixes, only hard work:) |
HEWLD: What moment defined your wakeup call?
Carla: A visit to my doctor. When the results of my blood test were worrying. High cholesterol, high blood sugar, I also had high blood pressure. I woke up every morning with sore and swollen knees, my body was struggling with the weight I was carrying. This was 2 years ago.
HEWLD: What challenges you face in losing weight?
Carla: FOOD! I love food! Waking up at 5:45am for my workouts, going out-no alco, no fried foods, no fatty sauces/dressings, minimal carbs can be difficult when you're out. Injuries - I used to run, I hurt my knee and had to take time off.
HEWLD: And what changes you made to lose weight?
Carla: I changed my lifestyle. I stopped buying junk food in the grocery-bought veggies, fruits instead of sweets. I started to make all my meals-stopped buying food outside unless i'm out with my family. I used to have ham and cheese croissant every morning! I started planning my workouts, signed up to a gym. Made this my lifestyle. Although my aim wasn't losing weight, it was getting healthy-weight came off eventually.
 |
| I wasn't pregnant on pic1, was just heavily overweight. This pic was taken about 2 years ago. Believe me when I say "If I can do it, ANYONE can!!!" Don't wait to find motivation, just get started with something, anything! Starting is the hardest part, don't overwhelm yourself with drastic changes, that might be setting yourself up for failure. |
HEWLD: What foods and habits were the most difficult for you to give up and change?
Carla: Eating FOOD! I love food! Cutting down chocolates was/is the hardest part for me. I used to eat blocks and blocks every single day! In high school, I found my love for fitness and sports so lost most of my baby weight then.
HEWLD: Diet and exercise - which one help you lose weight faster?
Carla: Diet and exercise goes hand in hand. You can't take on a healthy lifestyle without one or the other, although I believe it's 70% diet and 30% exercise.
HEWLD: You must be blessed with skinny genes.
Carla: Not at all blessed with skinny genes. I was always chubby growing up, got teased a lot in primary school. In High School, I started participating in a lot of sports and became quite fit. When I started Uni, i started to put weight back on due to lack of activity and eating badly. After graduating, I started going to the gym again and got back in shape until hubby and I got pregnant.
HEWLD: Can you share your diet plan and workout routine?
Carla: I don't have a set diet plan. But this is how it will typically look on a daily basis:
Breakfast: Protein shake, Banana (with 2 tbsp peanut butter
Snack: 1 slice of multi grain toast w/lite cheese, low sodium ham and 1/2 tomato and green tea
Lunch: 70g quinoa w/100g protein (chicken/pork/beef/fish,etc) and veggies or salad
Snack: X2 boiled eggs
Dinner: Veggies/salad with 100g protein
Snack: Protein shake
My typical exercise routine:
NOTE (IA) is Insanity the Asylum, my gym sessions will normally only last for 45 mins including 5 mins of warm up.
Monday AM: (IA) PM: Glutes (home)
Tuesday AM: (IA) PM: Back, triceps and abs (Gym)
Wednesday AM: (IA) PM: Chest & Shoulders (gym)
Thursday AM: (IA) PM: Legs/glutes, biceps and abs (gym)
Friday: OFF
Saturday AM: (IA) & abs (home) PM: OFF
Sunday AM: (IA) PM: OFF
HEWLD: How do you find the time to workout all day?
Carla: I don't find time, I make time. I wake up before my daughter and my hubby so I can do my Insanity in the mornings.
 |
| The difference between the pics is about 27kilos/almost 60pounds and they're 4 years apart. |
HEWLD: Do you believe in cheat days?
Carla: I don't believe in cheat days. Personally, once I have a cheat day, I find it hard to get back on the healthy wagon. To be honest though, I do have them once a week now that I've lost most of my weight but I won't advice it, specially if you're just beginning your journey. A cheat meal once a week though is good for the mind and the body.
HEWLD: Emotional eating is common. How do you gain control of emotional eating?
Carla: Emotional eating-this is tough! Not sure if I've conquered this yet. But I always make sure to have healthy snacks around and no junk in the house so I can't turn to them. I've learnt to also channel my brain that when I feel like eating, I drink water or tea first.
HEWLD: How do you make sure you stick on your diet plan at social gatherings?
Carla: Social gatherings is not as scary as it seems. My rule is to only eat the healthiest option on the menu/table. So if there's fried chicken and grilled chicken-i'll have grilled chicken instead. I always bring a bottle of water so I don't end up drinking soda/juice/alco.
HEWLD: How long does it takes to see your weight loss result?
Carla: I lost 20lbs in the first 2 months and slowed down after that. It took me 2 years in total to lose 50lbs.
HEWLD: When you didn't lose weight for a few weeks, how did you keep motivated?
Carla: I stopped weighing myself cause my weight stopped dropping at one point. I then started measuring and inches were coming off so that kept me motivated. Weight loss is not the only basis of getting healthier. If you feel better about yourself, if you're lifting heavier, or doing more sets,if your clothes are loser, if you're running faster/longer on the treadmill-these are only some indications that you're improving.
HEWLD: How do I get a toned midsection?
Carla: Mid section- Fasted cardio, first thing in the morning. I highly recommend Insanity DVDs by Shaun T. I also do a lot of ab exercises such as leg raises, inclined sit ups, obliques crunches, etc. In terms of diet-low sugar, only have carbs from veggies/salads after 5 pm. Walking (even just standing while doing dishes) 15-20 after a meal.
HEWLD: How do you maintain your weight loss?
Carla: I've maintained my weight loss by not giving myself a deadline! This is a lifestyle change, not a quest to lose a certain amount of weight in a certain amount of time. There is no finish line, in fact the line just gets longer as I add new goals to it.
HEWLD: What advice would you give to your "50 pound heavier" self?
Carla: 50 pound self, the journey to a better health is going to be tough! There will be days when you feel like you've failed but "YOU'VE ONLY FAILED ONCE YOU'VE GIVEN UP" as long as pick yourself up the next day and start again, you will reach your goals.
 |
| Carla: "This journey has been long and tough but completely worth it! I've failed so many times but I never gave up." |
Carla: Your body is just a tool, it will do whatever the mind tells it to! Before you start your journey, you have to believe that you can do it first. It's not going to be easy, that's why you should be mentally prepared to physically survive it. Try new things until you find what workouts you enjoy doing-chances of sticking to a workout is much higher if you're having fun. Find a support group-family, friends or even a facebook group-to help you stay accountable.
Thanks for sharing your story with Her Weight Loss Diary, Carla. You can go follow her on Instagram @be_healthytoday for more fitness and weight loss inspiration. If you know any inspiring weight loss success stories or maybe you have your own success story, don't keep it secret. You never know who you are inspiring. Email me healthybeautifulblog{at}gmail{dot}com. I love hearing them!
And as always, I love feedback. Tell me in the comments:
other than success story, what stories inspire you?
Great success story. I need to focus, get healthier. Thanks for dropping by and sharing at the link party. Theresa @DearCreatives
ReplyDeleteWow! She looks awesome! Love stories like this. So Motivating!
ReplyDeleteStopping by from Ladies Only Blog Share Link Party.
Hi Theresa, EstheticGoddess. I love success stories. Just post one more success story today.
ReplyDeleteI like this! I think it well organized and easy to follow. The body is very complex and differences between female and male metabolism can often be frustrating to women. I have plans to implement a couple of your ideas!
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