Always waiting…
I think that I’ve always been waiting for the right time to lose weight: a wedding, an event, a dress, another vision board filled with things I don’t have, feeling less because of the things I am. Towards the end of 2018 I discovered that the “right time” might as well be my mythical unicorn creature, because for years it never came. I hit rock bottom in December of 2018, $0 on both of my accounts, trying to get out of a very toxic relationship and no hope in sight. I made the decision then to get a second job so I could save money and get out of my house, the one I worked for and bought.
At the end of January, I started working 7 days a week and found that my blood pressure had gotten dangerously high. That was the day I accepted the fact that the road to better health takes work. There’s no miracle, there’s no magical concoction, just work. I started by following a low-carb diet, simple but tasty meals, and walking for 15 minutes. I paid attention to my finances and started cooking my meals at home. I also added balance to my life, so once a month I had a girls night out that could include a non-low-carb item as a no-guilt treat.
Four months after I started my new lifestyle, I moved out of my house, leaving most of my belongings behind. It was one of the most courageous and painful things I’ve had to do. I was already 50 lbs down at this point. Fast forward eight months and I’m down over 95 lbs, I can jog 4-5 miles and I still have a good 50-60 lbs to go, but I take each day as a reminder to be grateful for my body and what it’s doing for me. I also learned to find things that bring me joy, so I learned calligraphy and write encouraging notes to friends and co-workers, and I’m now leading a group of 12 women on their own healthy-eating journey as a way to pay it forward.
Weight loss is not only exercise and food, it’s truly a journey of self-love, being able to speak about yourself with kindness and love. Acceptance of yourself and your shortcomings, and having the courage to change what you can change. You have the power to change your life. Weight loss is not a happy fix, you have to take chances, be willing to be honest and uncomfortable and have adventures, enjoy the fun today, stop waiting.
I started at over 321 lbs, size 28 and 4X. I’m currently 228, size 14 and XL. This is an ongoing adventure and I can only hope that it’s one filled with love, self-love. Life is filled with unexpected turns, tomorrow is not a day… all you have is today. I have not been able to buy new clothes, so this is another chance to believe in the magic of new beginnings.
1. What tactics did you employ to help you get to your goal? What did you find helped you get to your goals best?
I made a chart with my emoji to keep me accountable when I lost or gained. I reward myself with every 5% loss, but also for packing my lunch 15 days in a row, which makes it fun. Meal planning and having backups ahead of time are very helpful.
Weekdays I kept it as simple as possible: easy recipes for lunches and weeknight meals, and more elaborate ones for weekends. I have one or two meals I like to eat from every fast food restaurant close to work or my kids’ school so I would not have any excuse. A bunless burger wrapped in lettuce is accessible anywhere. Having a plan and sticking to it is key. It was also important to do fun things and have activities every month.
2. What is the most impactful change you’ve made to your diet and why do you feel it’s been the most important?
The most impactful change I’ve made to my diet has been developing an awareness of what I eat, what’s available and the quality of the food. I’ve also learned to not apologize for the way I eat or be embarrassed to ask for the food the way I need it.
Eating low carb helps me feel my best. In the past I had developed a peanut and shellfish allergy, and found that eating this way made me feel better.
3. What is the best single piece of advice you can give to someone that is just starting out?
You can do it. Start one meal at a time. Take the time to set up your kitchen and research recipes and ideas that align with your lifestyle. What works for one person may not work for another. Be excited about your progress when you lose .2 or 10 lbs. Weight loss is a wonderful consequence of eating better for yourself and your health. It’s so much more.
4. How do you feel your life is now that you’re close to your goal?
I feel like I’ve started to live life again. I’m more than what I weigh. I invest equally in the social and emotional parts of my life. I’m excited to experience life and have adventures. I’m celebrating living with a trip to Italy.
5. What do you consider the biggest change in your day-to-day life?
The biggest change has been the way I talk to myself. Changing the narrative in my mind to love and accept myself for who I am. I no longer apologize for the space I take.
I can now run 4-5 miles in an hour, and when I started it used to take me 40 minutes to walk 1. Every day I’m grateful for this new chance at life, and every day I’m proud for showing up for myself.
6. What did you do to find support throughout your journey?
It’s important to find people you love to support you and encourage you. As a lifestyle change, you must live your life, you can’t hide and not eat. I let my best friends know my dietary changes, and even at restaurants or favorite pubs they would eat the bread and I the meatballs or wings.
You need to have fun and be with people you love. Eating is not the only thing you can do. You can go to school functions, sporting events, bowling, etc. Life is about those you love. Food had taken so much space.
7. What do you currently do to manage your day-to-day diet?
Planning my meals is what assures success. I write down what I want and make a shopping list out of it. I cook most of my meals at home. If I have work meetings I make sure to give suggestions (like get subs instead of pizza so I can make a salad with the insides). If you work, planning your lunches is just as important.
I take care of my work lunches first, as they can be the most challenging. If I forget my lunch I have tuna pouches and other plans. Sundays I cook two big meals and package them to have during the week.
8. What is your favorite keto recipe from www.ruled.me that’s become a staple?
I love Ruled.me! I stick to my Bacon & Mozzarella Meatballs or the Baked Italian Meatballs. For lunches I love the Buffalo Chicken Jalapeno Popper Casserole, Tex Mex Casserole or the Keto Skirt Steak Fajitas. When it’s cold here, the Slow Cooker Steak Lovers Chili is on repeat.
These are all easy, usually one pan (less dishes) and not too many ingredients. When I have people over I love making the Bacon Wrapped Chicken Cordon Bleu with a salad and cauliflower rice, or my ultimate favorite, Enchilada Skillet Chicken. I cook for my family so I’ve adapted ways for all of us to eat close to the same.
9. If there is one thing that you could do differently during your journey, what would it be and why?
I wish I would’ve had a plan and organized my kitchen and pantry, especially my shopping lists. It took some stumbling and figuring things out. I continue to adjust and have to balance my lifestyle with the things I can eat.
You don’t need special equipment, but a good pan and a good knife go a long way. Preparing your space is as important as the food. It’s so easy to get overwhelmed. I also wish I would’ve started sooner, and taken measurements and weighed myself. The scale is my friend, it helps me not only to see progress but it guides where adjustments need to be made.
