Photograph courtesy of Stacy Larson
The process started with an initial weigh-in. I hadn't stepped on a scale in years, and when I learned that I weighed 206 pounds, I was surprised but not ashamed. "This is OK," I thought. "I can change my lifestyle now for the better."
The first step was revamping my diet. Devouring pizza, bagels, and Mountain Dew every day wasn't going to get me anywhere, so I cut out those weaknesses, plus bread, sugar, and diet soda in general. I actually threw away my toaster to get rid of the temptation for carbs staring back at me every morning. I started having scrambled eggs (one whole egg, one egg white) with fruit for breakfast. For lunch, I'll have a protein like chicken or fish with some veggies, and dinner is usually protein again with some quinoa and even more veggies. Throughout the day I like to snack on any kind of fruit I can get my hands on (I love strawberries and oranges), or I'll have something crunchy like celery. And I drink water all day long.
I made exercise a part of my daily routine, too. When I first started out, I would get winded after just a few steps; all I wanted to do was be able to take a walk. Now I work out 5 days a week for 60 minutes each time. At the gym I use the elliptical, I walk on the treadmill, and I spend a good 10 or 15 minutes just stretching out afterward to give my muscles some TLC. And all of this happens in the morning before work because I know by the end of the day I'll be too exhausted to lace up my sneakers.
I'm on week 34 of this journey and I've lost 70 pounds. I just recently cleaned out my closet and gave away my old clothes. I'm never going back to that weight because now I know what I'm capable of. I just started wearing a size 8—I haven't been a size 8 in forever! And instead of covering up in black clothes all the time, I finally feel comfortable showing my more colorful side—I love wearing pink, green, and even patterns now.
Photograph courtesy of Stacy Larson
But the most exciting part of this journey—other than reaching my goal weight and finally wearing clothes I love—is how I feel. Being healthy is my lifestyle now. I feel better about myself, and I have more energy. I actually want to get up in the morning, whereas I always used to want to sleep in. We have a lake trip coming up, and I'm looking forward to wearing a swimsuit (I wouldn't have been caught dead in one a year ago).
My family and friends have been so extremely supportive, too. And I think my weight loss has inspired my coworkers to give our company's Prevent program a shot. When they ask me how I lost the weight, I tell them you just have to set your mind to it and never look back. It takes so much courage and willpower to change your life, but if I can make these changes, anyone can. I just feel good about myself now; I'm finally in a happy place.
