I want to share this with all of you. Yup, this is me AFTER I had my second daughter! I weighed a little over 200 lbs right before I gave birth to her. That's right, 200! I'm only 5'4" btw! This photo was taken about 3 months after my lil' Pork Chop was born. (as we affectionately called her when she was born at 9 lbs.) I was at my daughter's preschool, my behind barely fitting in those school kiddie chairs. I was feeling lousy, not eating well, was sleep deprived and now looking back at it, I know I suffered from a bit of postpartum depression. I'm not going to sugar coat it, things really changed for me after I had my children. I did not have the support, energy, or desire to even think about incorporating a diet or fitness plan in my life. Heck, I was just trying to figure out how to take care of my babies and family the best I could. Just getting in a shower was a luxury.
I'm an "all-in or all-out" kind of person. When I decided I needed to "do something" to lose weight, you name it, I tried it. I was looking for the magic pill, the miracle diet, someone to give me the answer, divine intervention! Basically, anything that could help me, and help me fast. It took me YEARS to get over this "dieting" mentality that I struggled with. It took a long time to find balance and my transformation had to take place in my head first, which sometimes can be a scary place to be. I had to change the way I thought about MYSELF! Why I ate what I ate, what I thought about exercise, and what my real motivation was. This "transformation" did not come easy and took a lot of soul-searching. I came to the conclusion that no matter how great the diet, or how wonderful the fitness program was that I started, I would inevitability fail and beat myself up about it again and again if I didn't change my thinking. (insert "aha moment" here)
When I made the decision to get serious about weight loss, and more importantly to becoming healthy, it was because I realized that not only was I unhealthy but so was the way I thought about it. The two biggest changes I made was my "all-or-nothing" approach and the "no-pain-no-gain" mentality. This was not easy, remember I'm an "all-in or all-out" kinda gal.
So fast forward a few years of extreme diets, unrealistic exercise routines, and ridiculous supplements and I have found that incorporating some simple lifestyles changes as well, clean eating, and moderate exercise has kept me in better physical shape than I've ever been in my life! I've been maintaining this healthy lifestyle for over 10 years now. Am I always perfect and is this easy? Heck no! But I am pretty darn consistent.
My experience has shown me that the most important reason for my success has been changing how I think about being healthy and fit, and the commitment to make the small manageable changes that I do each day that truly add up.
Do you want to know a big liberating secret? Losing weight and being healthy does not have to be complicated, extreme, expensive, or time-consuming! Here is my formula:
Simple Changes + Clean Eating + Moderate Exercise + Accountability = Success.
Yup, really is that simple. That's all I do, and this is exactly what I help and support people with every day.
To say that my life changed in such amazing ways when I made this commitment to my health would be an understatement. It’s not just about getting my body back, it’s so much more. I am forever changed by this transformation, and all the opportunities and the incredible people that have been brought into my life. I have created a successful Health Coaching business because I truly enjoy partnering with others to empower and support them in achieving their personal goals related to optimal health and wellness. Acknowledging the interdependent roles of mind, body, and spirit, and the innate healing capacity within each person.
What I know is this: You have to go from wanting to change your life to deciding to change your life and by working together we can achieve it! If I can do this, so can you! The question is, are you ready?