Ah’ree lost 62 pounds

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Ah’ree lost 62 pounds.  She used Weight Watchers to start and eventually learned how to use various tactics, many that we promote at BWLW, to more effectively lose the pounds.  Here are her before and after photos and the details that she shared from her journey:

“Hi my name is Ah’ree and I wanted to submit my story.  First of all, let me say that I have been tremendously inspired by your page. It is one tool in my arsenal of weight loss techniques.

I was inspired to lose weight after I had my second child, Fall 2012. The pregnancy was hard on my body. Weeks after the birth, I could barely stand up right for longer than 20 minutes. My core/back was so weak. Then a friend posted a pic of me on Facebook and I was so embarrassed at how I looked. I didn’t cry though. I got ANGRY and decided “NO MORE”!

As a kid I had always been active, running, playing soccer, and dancing. I wanted to get back to what I was before “the freshman 15”, years of bad eating, and apathy took its toll. I had the knowledge and the tools to lose weight so there was no excuse.

I started out doing Weight Watchers and had a satisfying amount of success. The weight really started coming off when I added exercise into the mix. I did a combo of different things, P90x, TurboFire, etc. I also like to roller skate. Eventually I let go of WW and started using a phone app My Fitness Pal to keep track of my calories. I also make an excel sheet planning all my meals and snacks for the week.

I dont deny myself anything. If I want to eat something I will have it, but I eat ONLY the portion listed. I eat clean 85% of the time. Nothing processed. canned, fried, or “fast”. Packaged snacks are only healthy alternatives and I find them at Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s. I only eat things with ingredients I can read or identify. I try to weigh everything I eat. I’m very mindful. For instance, if I know Im going out with friends on friday, I will save my “cheats” for that day. I don’t drink my calories. No juices, sodas, etc. If I’m craving some juice, I do a 3 parts water, 1 part juice. I drink green smoothies everyday as well, with kale, spinach and various fruits. I eat a ton of fresh fruit and veggies and use recipes to find creative ways to cook my family’s food. Everybody is on the “team fit” bandwagon in my house. They eat what I eat and support my the healthy substitutions in place of junk food. Doing the weekly meal plan and meticulously keeping track of what I eat helps A LOT!! Many of us have no clue how much and what we are actually eating. I make recipes with fresh ingredients. I now have to grocery shop once a week instead of once a month, but that’s the price you pay for fresh food.

Initially I was happy with working out only 3-4 times a week. About 2 months ago I hit a pound plateau so I begin adding weights to my repertoire. I do cardio 5 times a week for a MINIMUM of 25 minutes. I lift weights 3 times a week. On Sat or Sun I do a 40 minute Barre or Pilates routine. I take one day a week off. No matter what, I exercise AT LEAST 5 days a week.

The most frustrating part of this journey is the slowness of change and the illusion that progress isn’t happening when you don’t see that scale changing. However, its worth it because I feel SO MUCH BETTER. I have tons of energy, I sleep better and my mood is better in general.

I started this journey Nov. 2012, at 250 lbs. Now at Feb. 2014, I am 188lbs. Thats a total loss of 62lbs. I do want to lose 10-15 more but currently I am not weighing myself as I am more focused on toning and strengthening. I am just now starting to see little muscles peaking through the surface and I love it!

Remember ladies, Slow and steady wins the race! MAKE YOUR FITNESS YOUR PRIORITY. It has to be a LIFESTYLE CHANGE or you will surely gain back. Dont let all the hard work go to waste. Focus, speak it, claim it and YOU WILL SUCCEEED!!!! BE ENCOURAGED!!!”

Check her out on Instagram: @doverider