Fitspiration Friday: No Surgery! Adry Unlocking the Secret of Her 150 Lbs Weight Loss

Inspiration time! Seems that I'm a little late again getting Fitspiration Friday post out. Well, I get asked few times by you readers to share my own story but the truth is... I'm not a success story yet. I am not at goal yet, I still have a long way to go. But wait, I am a work in progress. To quote Winston Churchill who said "success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm."

I conditionally give myself permission to succeed in all that I do. 

For now let's get inspired by Adriana Isabel. I get to know her through her Instagram account @adry_bella and she is such a lovely inspiring person for millions of people struggling with overweight and obesity.

READ: Top 12 Most Inspiring Weight Loss Pictures on Instagram

She lost an incredible 150 lbs – that's 68 kg –  in 2 years time, isn't that awesome? And her success in conquering bad habits, getting out from her comfort zone to reach weight loss success have influenced her followers positively.

Talk about her wake up call to lose weight, it's began due to health issues. Adry stands 5'2 tall and was almost 300 lbs when she began her weight loss journey. Her feet were swelling and her heart was over working causing her blood pressure to rise giving her constant headaches. "My legs were swelling, my lower back was always killing me, I suffered daily headaches, and was always tired and out of energy. Being in the medical field I knew that the swelling in my legs and feet was so not a good sign," she said in one of her Instagram post.

Kick starting weight loss is a real challenge. If you are looking to kick things up a notch in the weight-loss department, here's Adry's top 3 tips!

1. Jan.2012 started walking 1 mile 3-4 times a day. 

Then became a runner. "If you want to lose weight, cardio is the best answer. Whether it's on the elliptical, gazelle, treadmill, stationary bike, or riding a bike. It all works."

By the end of that year and though the year 2013 she was running and added P90X workouts.

2. End of 2013 and through the beginning months of 2014 she was at her ultimate goal weight.

She said, "I wanted to tone my skin and found the courage to start BEACHBODY'S INSANITY. Somedays, when the DVD didn't seem hard enough, I would also run a few miles to burn some extra calories. It was definitely the hardest challenge I've had to push myself thorough, but I did it! I cried on my last day, never in my dreams did I ever imagine that I, Adry, the once obese-very slow-I hate anything that requires physical activity-girl would ever have the stamina to complete the program."

3.  Monitor what you eat.

Focus on complex carbs rather than simple carbs. Drink LOTS OF WATER, leave the sugary drinks, and no snacking on chips or cookies. Eat grilled/baked rather than fried, have 3 small meals, and 3 healthy snacks everyday. Keeps your metabolism working and you lose more calories.

Weight loss motivation. I believe some people struggle to lose any weight and others struggle with weight loss motivation or approach. What advice can she give to others struggling to lose weight?

A synonym for motivation is the word "reason". So what is my reason for working out, for eating healthy, for day after day avoiding the temptation of consuming the yummy sugary high carb foods I love? My motive | my reason | my motivation is simple. "Health/Happiness."
I will take being healthy/happy any day VS giving into a minute of pleasure.

IMAGINE you walk into a room. You look in front of you and there's a cookie . It's your favorite kind. You know you shouldn't, but it's freshly baked and it smells divine️. You grab it and devour it in less than a minute! To burn off that 150 calorie cookie you would have to run on the treadmill for at least 15-20 min. That doesn't seem so worth it, does it?

To be back to that girl that would satisfy her EVERY SINGLE CRAVING, but was obese, sad, depressed, and had low self esteem...OR...to be the girl that resists temptations, that eats healthy, takes care of the only body she's got and limits (NOT COMPLETELY CUTS OFF OR RESTRICTS) the sweets and high carb goodies...well, I'll take the healthy girl ANYDAY.

I question my motives/motivation on a daily basis.

I have to constantly remind myself why I'm doing this, the struggle is still within me. I still have cravings just like every single one of you, but I learned to train my body and my mind. It took time and practice. I still lose to temptations once in a while, but the fact that I don't let that urge take a hold of me is because I have fight inside. I will not go back! That fear---the fear of being Adry 3 years ago---is what keeps me on my toes. The sadness I left behind is my REASON to continue what I've done this far.

Excess skin. After significant weight loss, many individuals are concerned about excess skin in the abdomen and other areas. Excess skin is a common problem after weight loss. I saw Adry address about this in a reply to one of her followers on Facebook. She said, "All bodies are different. I can't sit here and tell you that your body will turn out like mine. A lot of factors take effect in a persons results. Age, height, genetics, body type, how long it takes you to lose the weight, what exercises you do/did to lose the weight."

Negativity. She also took a swipe at 'haters' who have questioned her amazing weight loss transformation. In one of her Instagram posts, Adry explained that she did not do any surgery or pills. All done natural.

"I'm so fed up with comments saying how I SIMPLY MUST have had surgery or else where did all the excess skin go? Assumptions of such nature are normal, I suppose, but the main reason why my profile remains UNPRIVATE is because I am 100% honest about my journey. I have videos showing my stomach, endless posts talking and displaying my excess bits."

"I have never resulted to surgery, and if I ever do in the future you better believe that it will be shared with you ALL. There is no secret to my weight loss. I have shared my transformation since day one."

"I started with walking and incorporated small at home workouts. Crunches, push ups, side kicks, sit-ups. Eventually increasing the number of sets as the months went by. As I shredded the weight I also grew my stamina and resistance to the point where I began running for a short period of time, then walking for a short period of time and repeat. Little did I know that by month 7 I was running straight for 2 miles!!! I added P90x, then finished the INSANITY CHALLENGE. ️ It wasn't until early this year (2014) that I ever joined a gym."

"What my body has been through shows in the mirror and stares back at me every day. I am not ashamed, I take every stretch mark, every pound, every ounce of saggy skin as a trophy. I'd much rather be here than where I started! And until you don't personally struggle and go through what I've been through, sadly, you will never understand. I'm humbled by those who support me either way. And to those that just criticize, please don't waste your time with your unnecessary comments that will just get ignored."

Adry's weight loss journey is so relatable. It is really inspiring to know that she went through this and managed to keep her willpower. She is a living proof that achieving weight loss goals is possible with dedication and support.

"We love to see success stories here, it gives a lot of hope to others. It hurt so much, every night I fell asleep thinking the same though 'I wish I was thin. Why can't I lose weight?' I cried myself to sleep plenty of nights. I never thought I'd be here, I thought I'd always be big, unhappy, depressed, unhealthy. It's due to all the weightloss shows, the commercials, the advertisements of all these magic slimming products--it's because of all that junk that we get confused and lost in what should be a journey of self discovery. They promise you things and show "success stories" to pull people in. I remember watching and asking myself if those stories were real. I chose not to believe, and instead, tried my own approach. Lowered my calories and ate healthier, started walking and eventually became a runner. My journey is not a SUCCESS STORY..it's MY STORY. The only thing I've succeeded on so far is at becoming a healthier person."

- Adry speaks about the 'I can't lose weight' syndrome.  

All pictures are copyright to Adry. If you need a daily boost of motivation, do follow Adry on her Instagram @adry_bella. Her post will motivates you to get up off the couch and lace up your shoes.

Do you have a success story that you would like to share with the Her Weight Loss Diary community? If you'd like to share a story, contact us. Can't wait to hear your story! 

Read more

'Can You Drink? You Shouldn't Be Eating That' ...and 10 Other Annoying Things People Who Try to Lose Weight Are Hate of Hearing

I spent my weekend at my parents last week. It was one very hot day when my husband came home from golfing and he brought with him a big container of ice cream. And my father gave his usual reaction when I took two to three scoop of it. Only this time I am thankful he did not utter it directly like he always did. But still his eyes scream at me, "I believe you shouldn't be eating that!" Papa, I know you have no idea that I saved up enough calories to enjoy this moment.

At other time, I asked a favor from my sister to stop by my friend's house whom also my diet buddy to pick up something and upon passing the things to me my sister said, she was eating when I arrived. Funny, right? When you tell friends and family you're trying to lose weight, they somehow expect you not to eat. Just because you say you're on diet doesn't mean you stop eating.

If you've been trying to lose weight, then you must be familiar with these most annoying things people always say about your effort.

1. "You don’t need to lose weight, you look great." 
Do you mean my dieting is working? Or do you mean I am looking thinner from a distance? Sarcasm much? Well, if you're trying to be nice to me, I appreciate that. But no, thank you. I know what my ideal weight is and I am clear about my weight loss goal. I am doing this because I want to feel good about myself. Staying motivated on this diet is taking every ounce of my willpower. So please be kind and pass me a bottle of water, will ya?

2. "You don't need to diet, you will never be a size zero." 
I know. And I know I don't have to be a size zero to make a positive healthy choices. If you have nothing good to say, please don't say it at all!

3. "Have you lost any weight yet?"
No. Why are you so bothered?

4. "Have you tried the Atkins diet [or insert other diet here]?" 
No, but thanks. I’m trying this diet that I’m currently on.

5. "Why don't you try yoga instead?"
Thanks for the suggestion. But I have been doing this circuit training at home for weeks and feel great.

6. "You're limiting yourself so much, but you're still fat."

Hey, I'm NOT in competition with anyone. I run my own race. I am not interested to play the game of being better than anyone. I just aim to be better than I was before.

7."You can have A LITTLE cake. I made this. One tiny piece won't hurt!"
For some people moderation is the key to weight loss. But the weight loss mantra is not necessary for everyone. I'm avoiding because just one piece of cake or whatever the trigger food was at the moment, will leads to another and another. Not worth it. Please understand. Respect.

8. "You know 90% of people gain all the weight back after three months right?"
Yes, but 10% DON’T.

9. "I don't understand why people starve themselves."

Yes, I know that my diet would mean starvation to you. I am a 30+ year old woman who stands 4'10" tall and has a slow metabolism that makes it very hard for me to lose weight, while you are a 22 year old young man who stands 6'4" and is absolutely made of muscle. Please. Shut. Up. Now.

10. "You're on a diet? Ugh, I've been trying to gain weight."
Did I ask you?

Isn't it nice if only those annoying comments could help you shed kilos... 

What's the most annoying thing someone's ever said to you while you were trying to lose weight?

Read more

Dieting and Mental Health: What’s the Connection?

The following is a contributing post by Kristeen Cherney. She is a freelance health and lifestyle writer who also has a certificate in nutrition. Her work has been published on numerous health-related websites. Previously, she worked as a communications and marketing professional. Kristeen holds a BA in Communication from Florida Gulf Coast University, and is currently pursuing an MA in English with a concentration in rhetoric and cultural studies. When she's not writing or studying, she enjoys walking, kick-boxing, yoga, and traveling.

Your mind play a role in your diet success but it can also play tricks on you. Find out as Kristeen elaborate here how to reshape your thinking to create diet success.

Whether you’re new to weight loss or not, you’ve likely heard the old adage that success is dependent on using more energy than you can take in. (In other words, eat fewer calories and burn more calories by exercising). Yet for most people struggling with their weight, the situation isn’t so clear-cut. Being overweight is often about more than just eating too much and sitting around. For some, underlying health conditions like diabetes or hypothyroidism can cause even more challenges.

Perhaps an even more complex aspect of weight loss is your mental health. Dieting takes a big mental commitment, and failing to set realistic goals can take an extreme emotional toll. On the flipside, other dieters form their goals based on their emotions rather than in a healthy way. For long-term dieting success, discover how you can tap into your mental power the right way without doing harm.

Dieting and Brain Power 
The brain signals everything in your body, including when and what to eat. Your appetite is controlled by the hypothalamus, a fancy term that refers to a small gland located near the pituitary gland in the brain. The hypothalamus plays a key role in the endocrine system because it creates hormones. There is a misconception that thoughts alone control your appetite—in fact, the hypothalamus is partly responsible. It creates hormones that help produce corticotropin, which in turn controls your appetite.

The brain also controls dieting habits in other ways. Adrenaline production from the adrenal glands can cause “on-the-go” feelings, which can also decrease your need to eat. Also called epinephrine, adrenaline is actually controlled by the brain.

When you go on a diet, you can’t necessarily switch the production of corticotropin and adrenaline into high gear. Still, it’s important to be mindful of your brain’s role in dieting so you can better prepare yourself to have will-power against cravings and emotional eating.  

How Emotions Affect Your Eating 
As your body starts going through its transformation, it’s normal to get emotional from time to time. Losing weight is a serious accomplishment that you have the right to get choked up about! With that being said, your emotions can also present some unwelcome challenges during the dieting process.

Emotional eating is most prevalent among women, and is thought to be attributed to high levels of cortisol in the body. Cortisol levels also peak when you’re stressed. Stress- or binge-eating can be a dieting nightmare because a large amount of calories can quickly undo any progress you’ve made.

Serious Health Concerns

When you start a new diet, the prospect of getting your dream body is exciting. Patience can also be difficult at this stage because you want to lose extra weight now. Some dieters start out with good intentions but may let their emotions and impatience get the best of them. This is when unhealthy eating habits can form. Eating too little can put extreme stress on all parts of the body, and even cause disruptions in hormones and metabolism. In fact, many people who go off of their diets end up gaining weight back for these reasons. In more serious cases, eating disorders can cause health problems.

It’s also important to note that eating disorders are more prevalent among dieters who suffer from depression. Low self-esteem and self-worth are signs of depression, as well as a lack of interest in normal activities. Take a step back and determine why you’re dieting. Do you want to feel better and gain better health? Or are you worried about how others view you?

Solutions for a Better Dieting Mentality

Your brain affects everything, including your attitude. It’s time to utilize your mentality to gain better dieting habits and reach your goals in a safe, effective manner. Consider the following solutions to help keep your mind focused while also keeping your body healthy as you reach your weight-loss goals:

• Start out slow, and aim to lose one to two pounds per week.
• Try eating a larger breakfast and a smaller lunch.
• Count the number of bites you eat at every meal. This will help keep your brain focused and prevent mindless eating.
• Go for a walk or call a friend when cravings strike in order to prevent binge-eating.
• Add more movement to your day, but keep workouts to 30 minutes at a time. This will prevent eating too much to compensate for a massive loss of energy.
• Give your brain and your body enough rest: aim for at least seven hours of sleep per night.

Finally, sharing your dieting goals with a friend or dieting network can keep your mind focused on your goals while also providing emotional support. Dieting alone can get boring after a while, and can also make you feel isolated. Don’t be afraid to share your successes with the world too—you deserve the attention.

Now, it's your turn...share in the comments:

How do you stay mentally strong and what is your strategy to win the weight loss battle?

Resources
• Mind-Body Medicine Practices in Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2013, March 29). Retrieved from http://report.nih.gov/NIHfactsheets/ViewFactSheet.aspx?csid=102
• Seven Proven Tips for Weight Loss Success. (2012, September 12). Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-mindful-self-express/201209/seven-proven-tips-weight-loss-success
• Why Stress Can Cause People to Overeat. (2012, February). Retrieved from http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/harvard_mental_health_letter/2012/february/why-stress-causes-people-to-overeat

Read more

Weight Loss Motivations: 5 Unimaginable Signs You're Losing Weight

Happiness for me is... when someone notice my weight loss.

[ source ]

"Wow, you look like you’ve lost weight!"

"You don't need to lose anymore weight, you look good."

"You look slim."

Sometimes it's difficult to notice the subtle changes in your body in the midst of weight loss process. I know it takes time to lose the weight and for people to notice, but staying on track and not giving up is hard if you are having a slow weight loss, and you are not seeing the results. Even though no one notices that you've lost weight, there are obvious signs that your body is on its way to becoming what you've always wanted.

Here are a few signs that gives you motivation to keep going, sign that indicate you’re on the right track to accomplishing your weight loss goals:

1. Increased Energy
Losing weight is supposed to make you feel good. With improved diet and exercise plan you're likely to experience an increase in energy. The right diet can help fuel your body and keep your energy levels from flagging throughout the day. Exercise keeps your metabolism functioning properly.

2. Improved Lovemaking
According to WebMD, losing a little weight, even 10 pounds can stimulate sex hormones. Andrew McCollough, MD, director of sexual health and male infertility at NYU Medical Center in New York says that Medical conditions such as high cholesterol and insulin resistance [an early indicator of type 2 diabetes] do have the ability to impact sexual performance, which in turn impacts desire, particularly in men. You may also find that you gain back your confidence and self esteem, both of which can give your sex drive a kick.

3. Improved Sleep
Healthy weight loss may bring better sleep. Being overweight and sleep apnea are closely linked. Sleep apnea is a condition in which the upper airway collapses during sleep. This can lead to serious consequences like stroke or sudden death. By eliminating the extra pounds, you can improve your breathing and general health.

4. Fitting Back into Old Clothes
Do you have indicator clothes, the clothes that scream at you that you are gaining weight? Take out clothes that fit snugly before you began your new, healthy habits. Is it now a little loose around your waist or arms? This is a sure sign of progress toward a leaner you!

5. Flabby Skin 
When you lose a lot of weight you may develop loose and sagging skin as a result. I had read years ago that slow, gradual weight loss does not result in excess flab because it's easier for a person’s skin elasticity to sort of snap back into place. Sagging skin is the things I fear most about losing weight. But I'd rather have a liitle bit sagging skin than be fat forever. Furthermore, there are toning exercises that can help tighten skin after a significant weight loss.

What is the most difficult challenges for you about losing weight?

Read more