Below is a guest post from one of
Lexy’s & Carrie’s friends, Samara. She is an avid follower of the blog and
has had some exciting progress in her “get healthy” journey. We hope your enjoy
her story as much as we have. She's also a true fashionista, and is already working on a follow-up post about how to present your best self in regards to body shape & size. It will definately be a must read!  |
| From Frumpy to Sexy for my 30th Birthday! |
About a year ago, it seemed all of my friends went
of some sort of a fitness/health kick (including Lexy & Carrie). I had
been, "going to the gym" to get fit...but "it just wasn't
working". (Secret was, your menu has 95% influence whether anything is
going to "work".) But, anyways my friends would lose weight it seemed
pretty fast...and I was getting nowhere it felt like! Then I'd binge and eat
heavy meals and I would have to start all over again. I couldn't understand how
they'd be making changes in their lives and they'd see a difference so quickly!
Getting a desk job was giving me "secretary's spread" across my booty
and my pants were not fitting & my tops were becoming too tight too! Then,
all my friends were giving me their clothes that were too big for them! (Even
some people who I had thought were bigger than me previously!) Normally I love
getting new clothes, but this was starting to hurt. Don't get me wrong, I
needed them (& thankfully some things were too big) but I felt like I was
being left behind...yes, I threw another pity party...but things started
changing in my head. I was honestly and truly happy for my friends, I always
had been...but now I was going to make changes in my life for me, not because
everyone else was or because that's what I knew I was "supposed to
do". Besides my clothes not fitting, I wasn't being me, really. I was too
self-conscience to be myself & wow I felt old & tired!
I still used my friends as sources of encouragement, because man they are
hardcore, have great ideas and let's face it, I'm competitive. However, I
wasn't going to be upset when I wasn't seeing the same types of results.
· Breakfast:egg whites with red & green bell peppers &
tomatoes/plain oatmeal (then I add truvia & cinnamon)/ sometimes I do a
protein & meal replacement shake – which is great b/c it satisfies my
constant desire for ice-cream!
· Lunch:
baked/grilled chicken/fish/turkey, rice/sweet potato &
veggies (I use sodium free Mrs. Dash for flavor, and maybe a teaspoon of olive
oil to cook with!)
· Dinner:normally a protein (like chicken) and veggies.
· Snack:2 rice cakes or 2 small (thumb sizes) pieces of dark
chocolate!
· If
you want fruit…earlier is better & berries have the lowest sugar count…but
honestly I would eat SO much that my sugar count was way too high (natural or
not!)
But from eating from a
set menu – with specific items (sized and set in a certain
calorie/sugar/sodium/protein regiment). I know what my body is saying to me. I
know when I’m actually hungry, and when I’m just thinking about food b/c I’m
bored. I also have self control! I used to have a “cheat” meal or a special
treat…and once I started eating whatever it was, I wouldn’t stop till I was
basically sick to my stomach! Now, I can have a little bit of whatever it is I
was craving…and be satisfied & not gorge myself!
Cardio-I started by doing 1,800 calories burned each
week (about 1 hour/3 times a week) and worked my way up. Now, I do about 1 hour
/5 days a week, which is between 3,000-3,500 calories burned. It's not always
easy, I had to find things that worked for me to keep me going for an hour! The
more cardio I do, the more weight I lose. Eventually, when I hit my goal, I can
cut back to 3 times a week just to maintain, instead of losing.
My indulgence-I
have a personal trainer. He is amazing....and I work out with him twice a week
for 30 minutes each time. (I gave up the random spending for this one!) I don't
like lifting on my own, and won't force myself to do it. I have been trained
before and know how, I’d just rather not if I’m not pushed. I also wanted
someone who was unbiased to encourage me and keep me on track. If you do want
to go this route, I think it's important that you have a good respect for that
person and you like them! I like mine because he told me up front, “Look I will
work hard for you, and I want it for you, but you have to want it and work hard
too. And if you don't, I will fire you as a client. I don't want you to waste
your money, and I don't want to waste my efforts either.” At first, I was kinda
scared...but ya know what, I pushed myself to show him he didn't have to worry
about that, I was going to work hard and I truly did want this for myself! I
will say that a personal trainer is not the only way...there are lots of other
ways too...group fitness classes, running clubs, free fitness events in your
city, workout videos (I have my favorites!)& lots of stuff online & on
YouTube!
I didn't weigh myself for the first month.
That doesn't work for some people...but I honestly didn't lose a bunch of
pounds at first. But, after a few weeks I could see a difference in the way my
clothes were fitting and I had more energy! Then I weighed myself and lost
16lbs. and now I've past the 25lbs point! I'm not were I want to be yet. But, I
do have a realistic healthy goal of what I know my body can be at!
So,
don't give up! It'll take time before you're able to see the results, but they
will come with a vengeance! (They say that sweat is fat crying...and man let it
cry goodbye! Oh, and I don't really enjoy sweat..but when I think of it that
way...) Remember, the weight crept up on you over a long period of time, it
just happened that one morning I woke up and went to put on my jeans, held them
up and said...my butt is not this big...and low & behold...is not this big...and low& behold... my booty
was that big…and those jeans were not too big at all! That was another one of
those moments where I was like, wow I’ve gained a lot of weight! So, the change
will happen...don't give up, don't compare yourselves to other people as
hard as it is...some people lose it fast in the beginning and then plateau and
others are slower starting and then all the sudden you've dropped a ton of
weight! You're not alone on this journey and we are all in different places!
·
Take Control!
·
Make your goals (weekly, monthly and
long term-allow them to change as you and your body evolve!) Mine went from,
just getting my cardio in for the week, seeing a little difference in my
clothes, wanting my work clothes to fit properly again, wanting to wear
something scandalous ;) for my 30th in Vegas to wanting to be swimsuit ready!
·
Keep a positive and encouraging
outlook..whatever you have to do!
·
Push yourself a little more than what
you thought you'd be able to do today!
·
Don't give up!
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| Samara & Lexy Pre-Healthy lifestyles! |
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| Samara & Lexy-Healthier & Happier |
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