Amber lost 40 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Amber lost 40 pounds and has competed in four bodybuilding competitions. She loved her journey so much that she decided to go back to school for a master’s degree in exercise science and nutrition so that she can help other people transform. Check out her awesome story.

Every morning, I woke up in a caffeinated blur, rushed to work and put in long hours for my corporate job. Although I was successful in my job, I sacrificed my health to keep the ship running. Eventually it all caught up with me.

When I turned 30, I aggravated a muscle in my neck that was the result of weak posture muscles. The doctors told me it was from sitting at a desk all day long slumped in a bad posture position. That wasn’t enough to jolt me to workout though. That change didn’t happen until I received an $800 dollar bill from the doctor’s office, and unfortunately for me that was after my insurance paid its portion of the bill. That money could have been used to buy a 7 year gym membership at Planet Fitness. Or I could have purchased groceries for several months.

I knew the only solution was to get in shape or spend the rest of my life running back and forth to doctors that both couldn’t help me and were more than willing to charge me through the roof. Determined to never ever lose money because of my health, I purchased a bench press and started, little by little, working out. At that point in my journey, I was too insecure to work out in the gym, so I worked out on my own in my living room.

Fast forward to today, I have lost 40 pounds and successfully kept it off. I have also competed in four bodybuilding competitions. Even better, I enjoyed this journey so much that I quit my corporate job and went back to school to get my master’s degree in exercise science and nutrition (I’m graduating in August 2018. FINALLY…LOL), so that I can help others make the same leap. I’m a much different woman today because of that small step I made two years ago. I hope this inspires others to do the same. We are all one medical bill away from being broke. Don’t be like the old me.

How did you change your eating habits?
I have always followed a moderate macro diet. Meaning, I don’t do anything extreme. I do not restrict my carbs or fats excessively, but I do eat high protein for muscle building. The only things I stopped completely were sodas and alcohol. Everything else remains in my diet, but I restrict my high calorie items to my cheat meals once a week.

What did your workout routine look like?
From the start, I went with a weight lifting protocol and a few days of short cardio sessions five days a week. I tried boot camps and cardio intensive programs in the past. Slthough I do find those to be effective, weight lifting helped me to preserve my curves and it boosted my metabolism… much better than the other options.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight was 160 pounds. My current weight fluctuates between 120 pounda and 130 pounds,  depending on whether or not I’m prepping for a competition. My height is 5’1”

When did you start your journey? How long did your transformation take?
I started in December 2015. I got down to my current weight around December of 2016 and I have maintained the weight since then.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
In everything, do it for yourself. Do not tie your goals to other people or other things. People will fail you and circumstances will happen that if we tie our goals to it will ruin our progress.

Also, when you fall off course, don’t fret. You can always get back on. You will have days when you ruin your diet, you will have days when you miss the gym. However, just as surely as the sun will set, we know that it will rise again tomorrow. Do the same. If you fall off, simply get back up.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
Enjoy the process and be patient. We can only attract the things that we FEEL. Being happy, even at a place you are dissatisfied, will do wonders for helping you manifest your ultimate goal. In all things, be happy and be patient.

Instagram: @AmberFerchaud
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