Another Sunday Success Story - OMG! Heather Lost 130 Pounds!

Wow! These kind of success stories are super motivating and inspiring to me! If any of you are tempted to believe the lie that getting your weight off and getting your body back is impossible, you have to read Heather's story. She lost 130 pounds and has kept it off for almost 2 years now! That is incredible. Check out her story here:

First Name: Heather
Age: 23
Family Status: Married
Occupation: Stay at home Mom
Hometown: Lexington, South Carolina
Pounds or Inches Lost: I lost 130 pounds and I went from a size 20 down to a size 4!
Height: 5'6"
Waist: 25 1/2"
Starting Weight: 254 pounds
Current Weight: 124 pounds

Heather's Weight Loss Story!

When did you become unhappy with your weight?

After the birth of my second son. I have two little boys ages 2 and 4. I was unable to keep up with them.

What made you decide to lose weight?

I decided to lose weight for my health and for my two little boys. I wanted to be able to play with them without being out of breath all the time. I looked in the mirror and hated what I saw. I knew I had to do something about it. One day I woke up and I had this drive in me and ever since then the drive has remained. I love my new fitness lifestyle.

What were the most important changes you made to lose weight?

First off, I started keeping a journal of everything that I ate. I started eating small meals throughout the day and I tried to follow the Eat Clean diet book as best as I could. I also started drinking nothing but water. I started walking at first and then I started doing a lot of weight training.

What was most challenging about losing weight?

My body hurt all of the time. My muscles were so sore but I knew I had to keep pushing myself because the results would be worth it.

How long did it take you to start to see results?

I lost the weight really quickly, to be honest. I think being young had a lot to do with that factor. I'm also the type of person that when I put my mind to something there is no turning back. I was able to have major will power and turn down sweets or any other temptations. I was bound and determined to get the weight off and nothing was going to hold me back.

How long did it take for you to reach your current weight?

It took me a little over 8 months.

How long have you maintained your weight loss and how do you do it?

I have maintained my weight loss for almost 2 years now. I continue to eat clean and I continue to exercise 6 days a week doing both cardio and strength training.

How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?

I am such a happier person. I have tons of energy and I am able to be the mother I am supposed to be to my baby boys. Losing the weight was not an easy process but it is the best thing I could have ever done for myself.

How did ShapeFit help you reach your weight loss goals?

Just being able to see other people' s weight loss success stories during my weight loss journey. It was the motivation I needed when I wanted to give up so many times. I really do not think people understand how hard it is to lose that much weight unless you have been in our shoes. It is a big struggle and I am so thankful I did it. Being able to read ShapeFit's success stories when I have felt discouraged or wanted to give up so many times has helped me be where I am today. I really appreciate ShapeFit.com for posting these stories of people who have once been in our shoes and succeeded. Reading inspirational stories I think is really motivating and I hope that my story can motivate others too!

Heather's Weight Loss Tips!

Weight loss tip #1:

Be patient. You did not put on the weight overnight and you will not lose it overnight either.

Weight loss tip #2:

Set goals. Start by making small goals at a time so that you do not easily feel overwhelmed.

Weight loss tip #3:

Keep your body guessing by switching up your workout routines to help avoid plateaus.

Weight loss tip #4:

Do not overtrain! You can only push yourself hard for so long and overtraining will only wear you out and possibly cause injuries.

Weight loss tip #5:

Whatever you eat, always ask yourself whether or not it will help you reach your goals. If not, it is not worth eating.

Heather's Weight Loss Eating Plan!

Breakfast:

Oatmeal, egg whites, fresh fruit, lots of water.

Lunch:

Grilled chicken and veggies or a Lean Cuisine meal.

Dinner:

Always a lean protein with lots of veggies. Sometimes I have brown rice or a sweet potato also.

Snacks or Mini Meals:

Kashi cereal, cottage cheese, fresh fruit and protein smoothies after my workouts.

Heather's Weight Loss Workouts!

Weight Training:

I do a lot of full body strength training. I also focus on arms one day and legs the next. I always switch things up.

Cardiovascular:

Anything from HIIT cardio training (High Intensity Interval Training), running, step aerobics, etc. If it can be done in my living room, I do it!

If Heather can do it, so can we!!!

I find Heather's story so amazing! I especially love how her 5 Weight loss tips really go along with the mindset that we are embracing and encouraging our readers with here at the 52 club. I would encourage you to take from Heather whatever tip(s) that you feel that you can begin to implement in your new long term lifestyle changes and remember, be patient with yourself. We are taking our body back, one pound at a time!

Until next time ~ sweet and slender dreams!

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Don't Worry - Be Happy!

Jump for joy...and protect your health in the process

Are you happy? Do you focus on what you DON'T have verses what you DO have? And, how does being happy (or unhappy) effect our bodies, our health and our weight? Somehow, somewhere way back, early on in my life, I learned to try to always look for the positive. You know, the glass is half full vs. half empty. I thank God for whatever caused me to look at life that way. Hey - I am not saying I did or do it ALL of the time. But, I will say I do more times than not and that I think it has played a big part of enjoying my life more fully and being happier.

I got to thinking about "being happy" today. I started considering the correlation between the happier I am and the more grateful my heart is that the better my likely hood of reaching my long term goal of taking my body back would be. You know, instead of looking at how did I get so out of shape, looking at how glad I am that I am doing something about it now. See the difference? And, instead of looking at how far I have to go, looking at any and all small progresses and being happy and grateful for those. =)

Anyway, I just thought I'd share with you guys my thoughts and jot them down for myself as well. I read a great article today that really confirms this philosophy. Here it is if you want to take a read:

Today's lesson: be happy, live longer. Now science seems to back the glass half-full approach.

A review of more than 160 studies on the connection between a positive state of mind and overall health and longevity has found "clear and compelling evidence" that happier people enjoy better health and longer lives.

In fact, evidence linking an upbeat outlook and enjoyment of life to better health and longer life was stronger even than that linking obesity to reduced longevity, according to the review published on Tuesday in the journal Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being.

"I was almost shocked, and certainly surprised, to see the consistency of the data," said Ed Diener, the University of Illinois psychology professor emeritus, who led the review.

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While Diener said a few studies he reviewed found the opposite, the "overwhelming majority ... support the conclusion that happiness is associated with health and longevity."

The review looked at eight different types of long-term studies and experimental trials of both human and animal populations.

For example, 5,000 university students studied for more than 40 years provided evidence that the most pessimistic students tended to die younger.

In the laboratory, positive moods were found to reduce stress-related hormones, increase immune function and help the heart recover following exertion.

Animals who lived in stressful conditions such as crowded cages had weaker immune systems and a higher susceptibility to heart disease, and died at a younger age than those in less crowded conditions.

Diener noted that while current health edicts focus on obesity, smoking, eating habits and exercise, "it may be time to add 'be happy and avoid chronic anger and depression' to the list."

Reuters

I hope all of you are staying motivated and inspired to be the best you that you can be and are continuing towards making small, permanent lifestyle changes that can ultimately and in the long run help you take your bodies back. And now, with it being only 3 months until summer, let's try not to focus on how far we are from our long term goal, but that we have 3 months to be that much closer to our goal. And, if this summer we aren't at our ideal weight yet, at least we are heading in the right direction!

I want to leave you with a wonderful and inspirational song, and encourage each and everyone one of you to not give up on yourselves and to focus on the positive. Don't worry about where you aren't, but BE HAPPY about where you are going!

Until next time ~ mucho love and happiness!

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