Ajima Jackson

Update – One year later, Sharette is still going strong and still posting her daily workouts on Instagram. She’s lost 41 more pounds for a total of 115 pound released. Check out her update and the details of how she did it below.

I wanted to give an update on my “Getting Healthy Lifestyle Journey”. I am someone who does not obsess over the scale. I really don’t get on it at ALL. I know that it can really mess with your head. However, I recently felt that it was important that I step on it and acknowledge the progress I’ve made since last year when I did my big reveal and shared my story of losing 74 pounds [read her story below].

Once I did step on the scale, I quickly became upset and a little defeated, because I did not see the numbers that I wanted to see. The scale showed that I’d lost 41 pounds. I let the numbers on the scale control my emotions and take away every positive feeling I should have felt about how hard I worked and what I did achieve. I stayed in my feelings for a whole day… which I think is OK. We should be allowed to go through our emotions. However, please don’t just stay there in your feelings! That’s the key. The next morning, I threw the scale under my bed and it remains there NOW!

Regardless of what the number or the scale said, it never said that I can now wear a size 18 when use to wear a size 28 two years ago. It never said that I’ve gone from a size 10 to a size 9 in shoes because my feet are no longer ‘wide width”. It did not acknowledge how good I feel about myself when I pass a mirror and how I tend to look a little longer, instead of running pass it. The Scale does NOT tell me how blessed I feel when someone says that I have inspired and motivated them. So, today I celebrate 115 pounds total weight loss. Check me out online. I always post my progress and workout daily on my IG: @retterette

I often get asked, “What is easier, working out or eating Healthy? My answer has not changed in a year. I say that working out is so much easier for me. Today, I work out 5 to 6 days a week. I started at my local park, and I am still there. (Easy access and it’s free). My daily workout lasts about an hour to an hour and a half, doing anything from “walking” to jumping rope, to walking the bleachers. I also get my grove on in Zumba class, which happens to also take place at the same park. If you follow me on my IG, you will know I LOVE monthly challenges. I get challenges from BWLW or other friends. They are great for those who are not sure what to do or where to start.

As for eating habits, I am taking “One step forward, two steps back!” I can go for a few weeks or longer of clean eating and having green smoothies. I can do a 10 day stretch of going meatless or staying away from the carbs and junk food. However, occasionally, and without even realizing, I give in to that piece of  fried chicken (my weakness) or that slice of pizza. So, I can only say that I am definitely still a work in progress when it comes to that part.

What I do know for sure is that no matter how many times I stumble, I will continue to get back up and keep going. I don’t beat myself up anymore, or let guilt take over and erase all the progress that I have made. This is my journey and only I can see it through.

June 2015 – Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Sharette lost 74 pounds. Sharette is one of our favorite Instagramers who posts all about their journeys to help motivate others. She took the time to tell us about process that led her out of years of being overweight, out of depression and into her lifestyle change. We are so happy that she shared her story with us…

My name is Sharette Smith. I am a wife and a mom of 4 and I just celebrated my 44th Birthday (Taurus Girl). I have been overweight ALL of my life. People have told me “You have such a PRETTY face” more times than I can remember, but it stopped just short of that. I feel like I have always been strong and confident in my self and have had a personality which allowed others to see past the weight.

About 3 years ago, I was in a state of depression that really left me lost and alone. In 2013, I let my weight get to a point where my health was a major concern for my doctors, my husband and myself. Being told that you can have a “stroke” at any time was definitely a “rude awaking”. Even though I was told this very bluntly and honestly by my doctor and encouraged to change by my family, It didn’t make me want to change. If anything it put me more in the darkness that I did not want to face.

My husband would drop my daughter off to school and would take 45 min to an hour at the park, just to walk and clear his head (as he puts it). He would come back home and I would still be in the bed saying to my self, “I could have walked with him and been back home by now”. At the end of 2013, I decided to get off my butt and just try. I could not even walk a lap. I was very angry with everyone from my doctors to my husband, but of course I was really angry with myself.  I started and gave up many times.

In January of 2014, I bought a scale that was able to read up to 440 pounds. because prior to that I would never get an accurate reading because the scales in the doctor’s office only went up to 350 pounds. When I got on and the numbers flashed 378 lbs. (I am 5’4″ tall) I was beyond ashamed and embarrassed. I didn’t even let my husband know what the actual number said. I took out my phone and wrote 378 in my notes along with my feelings that day. It was and still is today a reminder of what I let myself get to.

February 2014 is when everything clicked for me and I realized that by just making the effort to get out of bed and out of my own head, I was making a change and was enjoying the process. One lap became 2, 2 became 3 and 3 became 4. By the end of 2014, I was committed to 5 days a week at the park, walking 12 laps a day (3 miles). It’s very fortunate for us that our parks have exercise equipment and machines, so there was no need for me to have to go to a gym or pay a gym fee every month. I have NO EXCUSE for not working out!

As of today, I weigh 304 pounds. 74lbs gone!! Words can not express or describe the victory that I feel. My biggest struggle is finding a meal plan that works for me. I know they are a ton of resources out there including some from BWLW. I think for me this is a “Mental block” that I need to and work to get over. I have given up sodas, sugary drinks, sugar, fast food, and junk food. Even though I try my best to stay on track, I mess up sometimes. However, now instead of using that as a way to fall back in to old habits, I just say #SOWHAT! If I mess up today, I say tomorrow is another chance to make it right. As long as we have another chance to make it right, that’s all that matters.

My advice for everyone is; we are not in a race with anyone. There is no rush to this process. We may not even see a finish line, but this is your journey to take. No one else can do it for you. Take the time to enjoy it, find out who you really are and just how far you can push yourself if you just try. Always remember, “One foot in front of the other. One day at a time.” My daily motto is “Keep pushing!”

I would like to give a special Thank you to BWLW I just LOVE this group. I have been following along with the success stories and challenges (especially the exercise calendars) for about the last 6 months now. I want to say thank you to all my family, friends and supporters on FB and IG. Your motivation, support and encouragement are one of the key factors for my progress. If you all would like to follow me on Instagram my username is @retterette. I log my workout, goals, and non goals daily there.