Tuesday, June 10, 2014

How I lost 17 pounds and dropped 2 pant sizes!

This is a blog post that I’ve started to write about 18 times.  The picture below that a friend put on facebook last week prompted comments and personal messages asking what was up with my weight loss.  Writing and talking about myself is so hard for me but I so badly have wanted to share a new journey I have been on and the successes I've had.  So here goes try #19 – or so!


At the end of March I started hearing through a couple of blogs I follow about a 2 month fitness challenge.  The challenge was called the “1800 minute challenge” and the goal was to get active, log minutes of exercise and see if each participant could reach a total of 1800 minutes for the months of April and May.  Since I became a mom over 14 years ago I’ve struggled since then to get my weight down.  With each baby brought more and more pounds.  I also have a secret about myself – I don’t like to always follow the crowd and can be oh so stubborn.  So when my parents started getting fit a few years ago and always talked about their exercise and weight loss?  That threw me into an obstinate routine of wanting to eat more.  Yep – just imagine how I was as a teenager! 

But April 1 something changed for me and I honestly don’t know what was different this day than any other time I got on an exercise kick.  But 30 minutes a day turned in 60 and I wanted to push myself harder and harder.  Running and working out became something I looked forward to, especially when my husband joined in – I definitely don’t want to be outdone by him!  By mid-April I was in a new routine but wasn’t seeing physical results other than feeling better.  That was when I stumbled upon a DVD series put out by Team Beachbody called Slim in 6.  It was ½ off (still is) and I ordered and was so excited when it came!  A six week commitment to finish these DVDs?  I thought I’d at least try.  Worst case scenario it’d end up on the dusty bookshelf with all of the other workout DVDs I’d tried over the years with no success.

I don’t think I have ever been so sore in all my life.  I vividly remember Zachary had a doctor appointment at Children’s Hospital a few days into my program and I could only slowly hobble out of the parking lot and into the building.  I kept pushing play every day, worked through the pain, and was amazed at the things that once seemed hard were becoming easier and easier!  I sweat A LOT, yelled through some of the moves, and sometimes prayed for Jesus to save me from this torture I’d put upon myself.  Believe it or not I slowly began to enjoy squats and lunges!

I am living proof that this program works.  It’s legit people.  Those infomercials for Beachbody programs whether Slim in 6, Hip Hop Abs, P90X, etc. that you see when you can’t sleep in the middle of the night?  They really work!  In 6 weeks I lost 17 pounds, over 8 inches, and dropped 2 pant sizes.  Serious! There’s a lot of research and science behind those programs and they really work if you put forth the effort. 

The exciting thing is I’m not stopping at 17 pounds.  In fact this week I’m so very close to making the 20 pounds lost mark!  I have Peter on board with me now and last week we began P90X3 – 30 minutes of insane working out but oh so fun.  Every day is a different workout so it doesn’t get boring.  At all.   
I have a few things that have most definitely helped me on this journey:    
  • ACCOUNTABILITY. Having Peter do this with me has made a huge difference.  When I don’t want to work out, he does.  And when he doesn’t want to, I’m dragging him into the living room.  (I also have this thing where I don’t want him to lose more than me – so I regularly try to get him to eat cookies and ice cream.  But so far his willpower is staying strong!)
  • NUTRITION.  I’m eating and planning meals differently than I ever have before.  I’m eating as much fresh foods as I can and am trying to stay away from anything that comes in a box – especially those with ingredients I cannot even pronounce!  My goal is 50% protein, 30% carbs, 20% fat and I use the My Fitness Pal app to track my food and calories.
  • COACHING.  So those DVD programs you see?  One thing I didn’t realize is there are people out there to coach you along the way!  Not to necessarily sell you products (even though you can buy the programs through them) but to encourage you.  About a week into my Slim in 6 program I learned a close friend from when I was that stubborn teenager  – a friend who was like my big sister – had just become a Team Beachbody coach!  She helped me learn how many calories I should be getting, taught me about that 50%, 30%, 20% ratio for my food intake and has just encouraged me when I would get discouraged.  Between Kim & her husband they have lost 177 pounds!  I know, right?  Crazy!
  • FACEBOOK GROUP.  Kim added me to a summer slim down challenge group on facebook.  It’s a whole bunch of people who are keeping each other accountable and encouraging each other with every workout we do.  Checking in and saying “yes – I worked out today” makes me want to keep pushing play on that DVD.

So here’s why I’m telling you all this.  If I can do it, seriously anyone can.  You can!  I can’t believe how much better I feel and the energy I now have.  It’s really amazing.  And I can’t wait to see how much more success I will have during my 90 day commitment with P90X3.

Do you want more info on Slim in 6 and want to purchase?  All you have to do is contact my friend Kim.  Drop her and email at naturallyyoursdoula@live.com.  Tell her I sent you!  Kim will help you get started and moving, and don’t forget Slim in 6 is still ½ off – I don’t know how long that will last.  Slim in 6 is low impact and was definitely the best way to get my body ready for the insane P90X3.



Let me know if you want to make your own commitment!

Oh and my minutes for April & May?  2,620 minutes!

3 comments:

  1. So proud of you, Jess! This. is. awesome!

    Abbie from M is for Mama

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  2. Love this post and your excitement! Great job, dear friend!!

    Love ya,
    Sarah

    ReplyDelete