Weight Loss Story: It can be hard to get on track with healthy habits and lose those last few pounds after having a baby. Shanta lost a little over 20 pounds in 4 months by embracing working out at home and learning to indulge with moderation when it comes to food. I hope her before and after inspires those who have 20 pounds or less to lose and feel like they are making no progress. There is hope. You just have to find what works for you.
Here is what she shared with us about her journey…
I’ve had a tricky relationship with food and working out all my life. Food and exercise have been abusive—I’ve used them against my body, rather than for it. I loved being active–and losing the weight successfully after having my daughter became an obsession. I lost a little doing what I’d always done, but was no where near where I wanted to be.
Since the birth of my daughter in 2013, I was struggling to find my way back to healthy eating and a fit lifestyle. I work full time, and was exhausted. I’ve been a vegetarian for 17 years, but my sweet tooth and love of carbs was out of control. Sugar to pick me up! Sugar to keep me steady during the day! I love sweets and bread and rice and potatoes and pasta and cheese! Keep in mind that I still do, but I’m able to eat them in moderation now without immediate guilt or negative self-talk.
I learned about Beachbody Fitness through a colleague, who lost over 20 pounds in a (seemingly!) short time. As a previously fit person, I was reluctant to take suggestions and change my habits. Amazing, right? I still didn’t want to follow what was clearly a winning path. Stubborn, I am!
Still, I joined a Challenge Group. With accountability and working out, I saw changes. I work out 6 days a week with the videos. I fell in love with Sean T from Insanity, and learned there were so many other videos. It feels a little silly saying that I follow workout DVDs, but if it’s crazy and it works, then it’s not crazy!
I’ve lost a little over 20 pounds, and am still moving forward. Now, I’m a Beachbody coach, I’m staying accountable, working out, and seeing clients make the same changes I did! It’s amazing! My sweet tooth did not go away. My love of carbs is still strong. What is stronger, though, is the love of myself and the backing of my team. I now have a solid foundation, which motivates and inspires me to be better for my family, and myself.
I’d love to make friends more fitness friends. You can reach me through my Facebook account, Shanta Wilson, or maleficent70@yahoo.com (I’m a Disney fan, haha). We all need each other to thrive!
Hi, My weight loss started when I was doing a 4 month course. That was last year in May. We were doing physical training three times a week. My weight when I started was 105 kg (231 pounds). At the end of the course i was 95 kg (209 pounds). However, I relaxed and did not exercise anymore. On Dec 6, 2013 I decided to register with the gym and I haven’t stopped since then. I even join their classes; spinning class which starts 5:30 in the morning till 6:30 and a 30 minute abs classes. I workout 3 times a week at the gym, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 1 day for spinning 2 days I would do cardio and strength, including abs. Now, I jog when I get a chance on the weekends, do TaeBo, skip rope and use an ab wheel. Today, I just bought 10 kg (22 lb) sets of dumbbells. I’ve invested a lot in home equipment like a skipping rope, an exercise ball, ab wheel and women’s health dvds. I’m currently going to the fitness house (gym) 3 times a week and I’ve joined endurance class which is spinning. When I started working out again at the gym I was 98.5 kg (217 pounds) and my body fat was 43%. The last time I checked my body fat it was 32%. I’m not sure what my percentage is now because when I want to check it the machines are always offline. My current weight now is 79kg (174 pounds). My height is 5’5″. My motivation to want to lose weight was because of my health. I’m a diagnosed asthmatic, so I would struggle with breathing and easily get tired. As a person who works in the medical field, I knew that if I didn’t do anything about it I would not live long enough to see my 3 beautiful baby girls group. My Eating Habits: I’ve cut all junk food like fried chips and soda drinks. I avoid eating too many carbohydrates and sugary stuff. My meals For breakfast I always have high fiber cereals, with fat free milk or plain yogurt. Mid day – Fruits, nuts, raisins Lunch – I can chose to eat my Low go bread which is also high in fiber with no sugar or salt added with peanut butter and boiled eggs Dinner – Brown rice, 2 servings of veggies with grilled meat (chicken, turkey or fish). Sometimes sweet potatoes with any meat or High fiber spaghetti Don’t forget the greek salad as well. The discipline that is most important is food portion control. You can use food scale or just a palm of your own hand. It works. Also, eat before 6pm in the evening and try not to stress a lot as you know stressing too much decreases ones digestive system. For those who want to lose weight, I suggest you start a motivating routine and set a realistic goal. Find a weight loss partner or group, this will help you cut down a mental strain by sharing what you going through with someone. Start an exercise log because writing down your progress makes everything concrete. Find an old photo where you look good and post it on your fridge. That will remind you how you used to look and see that what you want to be is attainable is motivating. Lastly but not least, set up a reward, think positively, pace yourself, keep it fresh and have fun.
