LaVerne lost 38 pounds

Weight Loss Story: LaVerne lost 38 pounds. Facing an empty nest, this 48 year old mom of 3 decided that it was time for a lifestyle change.  She began taking action on her weight loss journey in April.  Here is what she shared with us…

I wanted to share my story. I am 48 year old wife and mother of 3 grown sons. My youngest son turned 18 years old in May. That is when I realized that I had to start living for me. He would be going off to college and there were be no children in the house. I decided in April 2015, I wanted to make a lifestyle change to be more healthy.

As a teenager I was thin and I suffered from bulimia trying to stay thin. Food was always a constant struggle for me. Once I became married and had children, the weight slowly creeped up. Being that I am 6 feet tall, people would always tell me that I carried the weight well. I did not like the way I looked, but most of all I didn’t like the way I felt.

In April, I started going to the gym.  Initially, I could on walk on the treadmill for about 15 minutes. I was so out of shape. I built my stamina up to going to the gym 4 to 5 times a week. Now, I do cardiovascular and weight training. To change my eating habits, I cut out all, sugar, bread , sweets, and starches. Water became my new best friend. I also started eating more protein and vegetables. I do have one cheat day a week, which is usually on Sundays. That’s when I eat something I use to crave, like a piece of cake or ice cream. Moderation is the key.

Over time, I began to feel better physically. The key is to make your lifestyle change into a lifelong  habit. You can’t look at it as a diet or you will set yourself up for failure. A diet is a temporary fix and a lifestyle change is for the duration. I have been on this weight loss journey since April 2015 and presently I’ve lost 38 pounds. Losing the weight is great, but feeling healthy is the best. I hope I can be an inspiration to at least one person. I have a FB page called Healthy Me where I give healthy tips and advice about being healthy and staying positive. Good luck to everyone on their journey!