A second chance at life! From morbidly obese to amazingly fit!
My story:
In 2002, I was a 23 year old professional and mother of two who weighed in at about 360 lbs! Lots of meat for a 5 foot 6 frame! I really had no idea how much I actually weighed, didn't even own a scale! I just ate emotionaly and to no end, and from an active teenager, I had morphed into a fat, sedentary, out of shape adult!
A coworker of mine had started the weight watchers program but got pregnant and figured she did not need to follow such a program, so she handed me the booklets and tools, and said have fun!
In Nov of 2002, I quit smoking, started following the WW points program, bought a scale that put me at 357 lbs and had lost 60 lbs within the first 3 months! A little over 100 pounds were gone by Jan 04. I was content and thrilled, my life had changed already!! I could play with my kids, do laundry or go shopping without feeling like my back was going to give out on me! I LIVED !
I drove by a gym in January 2004 and walked in out of nowhere. I was signed up and was back (I was an avid weight lifter in my teens) in the gym the same night, huffing and puffing at 2 mph on the treadmill!
In no time, I entered a BFL challenge at 230 pounds and 36% bf. I followed the program to perfection, attended every seminar, learned to eat to fuel my body instead of pure pleasure and became a total addict to the lifestyle. I ended my 12 week BFL at 190 pounds, and 24% bf. Needless to say, my body had completely changed!
I have never stopped thriving since then, learning, training, eating with goals, focus and a second chance at life!
I am now a certified personal trainer and sports nutritionist, have no problem outrunning both of my pre-teens or keeping up with my very active spouse!
Diet principles:
WhIle I started my journey using the Weight Watchers principles, my eating and lifestyle habits are now much more those of a fitness or bodybuilding athlete. I eat 6-7 meals per day; those vary depending on my goals at any specific time: maintenance, lean mass gains or fat loss.
I am a definite carnivore and eat lots of meat. Nothing like chicken and oatmeal for breakfast! CARBS ARE NOT THE ENEMY! I eat tons of fruit and veggies, whole grains, etc. Good, healthy fats such as nuts, avocado, olive oil, peanut butter are also staples in my diet!
Once a week, I give myself what I call a ''window of opportunity'' which consists of a time frame during which I am free to endulge in whatever I want. This makes room for dinner with friends, a cold brew while watching the game or simply a break from the structure and schedule for a few hours!
Exercise principles:
I lift weights 5 times per week and do post workout cardio 3-4 times per week, or on my lunch hours.
Ive had the most success working in a 4-10 rep range with much hypertrophy happening in the 6-8 range.
I work on a body part split, 2 days on - 1 days off. I love to be in the gym!
Supplements and Vitamins:
Multivitamin, Superpump 250 pre-workout
Fish oils, whey
DVDs used:
None specified
Exercise equipment:
THE GYM! Lifting heavy weights!
Books:
None specified
(2 votes)
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You are an inspiration!
I have reached my satuaration point and have joined Weight Watchers and reading your story has inspired me to finish what I started. You look terrific!! I hope to have my story up in two years and hopefully inspired others!
Thanks and God Bless!
What an amazing turnaround - you look great!!!
Wow - Very inspirational!!! Well done on all your hard work. I think you'll be a great role model for people wanting to improve their physique and turn their lives around. Superb!!