Update Sept 2017: Dana has dropped 6 more pounds.
I’m happy to announce that I am down to a size 14 at EVERY store where I shop! I’m so proud of myself for sticking to it and getting back on the wagon whenever I fell off. I’ve gone from a size 18/20 to a size 14 since Summer 2016. I know I could’ve been at my goal by now (170lbs), but I have no regrets for my setbacks. I still have about 50 pounds to go, and I’m taking my time and doing it my way. After all, I managed to lose 50lbs in a year and got to where I am today. I know that I will get the rest off. I’m encouraged and motivated!
Transformation of the Day: Dana lost 44 pounds. She is a proud mom of two boys who was tired of knee issues and being out of breath. As a Mental Health Professional, she recognized that she was dealing with depression and low self esteem. Logging her daily food intake as a major factor in her success. She’s not done, but she is celebrating her progress. Check out her story.
Stats:
Height: 5’5
Starting weight: 269lbs
Current weight: 225 lbs
Pounds lost: 44
Clothing size start: 18/20
Current: 14 (Yeah out of plus sizes!! It has been 4 years since I have been
in a 14!!)
Amount of time: 7 months
Programs/Tools I Used: My Fitness Pal, Spark People and Fitbit Blaze
My name is Dana. I am 37 years old and I have 2 sons who are 18 and 12 years old. 5 years ago, I was down to 152 pounds. I let life and excuses get in my way and soon found myself staring 269 pounds in the face! This was the largest I had ever been, weight wise, in my life. I started to feel that I was losing my self esteem and becoming depressed. Being a Licensed Mental Health Professional, I knew that I needed to do something about it.
I started with monitoring my eating habits. I knew that exercise wasn’t going to be a problem for me, because in the past I really enjoyed it. However, eating has ALWAYS been a challenge. I tried different programs and I didn’t feel like I could stick with any of them. I decided to go back to what worked for me when I was younger, counting calories. I’d already downloaded the My Fitness Pal app and I decided that it was time to start using it consistently. I started recording EVERYTHING I put in my mouth. Liquids and all. I stay within my recommended calorie range most days. I’m still a work in progress. Once I felt like I had my eating habits together, I decided to join a gym (Planet Fitness).
I started my journey in August 2016 at 269 pounds. Today, I weight 225 pounds. I lost 44 pounds in 7 months and went from a size 18/20 to a size 14. I’m 6 lbs away from losing 50 lbs in 8 months and I’M NOT finished yet! My long term goal is to weigh 160 pounds. I have no desire to be skinny. No honey, not me. I want to be slim, thick and healthy.
I am doing this for myself and also for my boys. I am tired of my knees bothering me and being out of breath when I shouldn’t be. I definitely can see and feel the difference compared to how I felt before starting this journey.
If I could suggest anything to someone who is newly on this journey, I definitely encourage them to take LOTS of pictures. Also, find different ways to measure your progress, outside of the scale.
Instagram: @Healthier4life
Delilah says
Beautiful!!