Transformation of the Day: Ashleigh lost 48 pounds. After a wake up call at the doctor’s office, she immediately took action to turn her lifestyle around. She wanted to be healthy and comfortable in her own skin so she took the time to figure out what works for her. “Just because something works for someone else does not mean it will work for you. Try different things and pick what works best for you and your lifestyle.” Check out her story.
What was your motivation?
While in grad school, I had a physical. I had gained a lot of weight, reaching my highest weight at 246 pounds. My doctor did a complete blood work up, as he thought something medical was wrong. When nothing was medically wrong, my doctor told me I was just fat and needed to do something about it. That was my motivation.
At that very moment, I made a post online, looking for a running partner, as I ran in high school and that was a form of exercise that was familiar to me. I made a post on twitter and began running with a friend. My motivation to continue was not feeling comfortable in my own skin, not being able to wear the clothes I was use to wearing, hating to shop at all and the overall desire to be healthy.
How did you change your eating habits?
My eating habits have been all over the place. I have done the JJ Smith smoothie diet, the Joe Cross Juice Cleanse, Herbalife and Plexus. What worked best for me was cutting out one thing at a time. I found that when I tried to cut everything out all at once I would end up binge eating. I am at a point now where I eat mostly organic, but when I crave items like fried chicken I eat it. Now, instead of eating 6 wings, fries and a half and half I will eat 3 wings, salad and water. I do not eat at any fast food restaurants EVER.
What did your workout routines look like?
I workout 5-6 days a week and I am always changing it up. I run, do spin classes, personal training, dance classes or elliptical. I find for me that changing it up often works best because it keeps it fun.
Starting weight/Current weight
I started at 246 pounds and I currently weigh 198 pounds. I am 5’6″
How long did your transformation take?
I started my journey in 2012, four years later I am down to 198 lbs. Over the years, I have lost weight, found it and regained it back. I am finally at a point of a steady decrease. I would still like to lose another 25-30 pounds so check back with me January-ish of 2017!!
What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
Do not look at this a diet, but rather a lifestyle change. When you are starting out, do not share with people what you are doing because judgment from other people makes it hard. If someone offers you something and it is something you are choosing not to eat, just tell them no thank you. Know that you do not have to explain yourself.
Also, please note that not everything works for everyone. Just because something works for someone else does not mean it will work for you. Try different things and pick what works best for you and your lifestyle. Be as consistent as possible and NEVER give up! Do not be hard on yourself either. Remember, slow progress is better than no progress.
Instagram: @Educateddiva2012
Elimination diets are also known as “free-from” diets and include some very popular types of eating plans, like paleo, gluten-free, sugar-free and dairy-free, just to name a few. Similarly, more people are becoming health-conscious about what they are fueling their bodies with and are deciding to eat organically and largely chemical-free, which spurs a diet that eliminates common chemicals and sweeteners in foods.
Qsymia
Green coffee bean extract is made from unroasted coffee beans. The extract is thought to minimize the caffeine content of the bean while preserving the chlorogenic acid levels it contains. It is the chlorogenic acid that has shown promise in early clinical studies in promoting weight loss. The acid acts to increase metabolism and to slow the absorption of fat from food intake. When you combine a supplement with these properties with a controlled diet and exercise plan, you may see an increase in the rate of fat loss. Chlorogenic acid has not been confirmed as enough of an influence on metabolism and fat absorption to promote weight loss without the combined diet and exercise program. Unfortunately, it is often marketed as a wonder supplement that will allow you to eat anything, do nothing and still lose weight. There is no known supplement that can fulfill those claims.
While the three main types of procedures are all priced differently, the overall average cost of any type of bariatric surgery will be about $42,000. The surgery itself can cost from 8 to over 16 thousand dollars, but that is just for the surgery. Bariatric surgery is a term used to refer to the process of preparing for the surgery and the recovery. As a process, this can include extensive testing, therapy in some cases, in-patient recovery, out-patient recovery and follow up procedures. Unlike many surgeries that rely on one type of specialist and a generic support team; Bariatric surgery uses a specialized Bariatric team during the entire process and the whole procedure. This is why it is one of the most expensive procedures.
Colonic irrigation therapy is gaining popularity. During the past 10 years, many doctors are hearing from their patients that they have started to receive this treatment for relief of everything from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), chronic gas, nausea, chronic fatigue and as a catchall detoxifying process. Given that the therapy is neither approved or regulated by the FDA for treatment for any disorder or disease, many people are wondering if there is any real benefit from having a colonic done. Some are even saying that the risks are too great, and colonics can create more problems. Colonic therapy has both pros and cons. Neither side has absolute evidence of either opposing belief and both sides claim anecdotal proof. Before you decide to try colonic irrigation, here are some things you should know.