Weight Loss Story of the Day: Erica lost 55+ pounds. After finding motivation and results with a workplace weight loss contest, she found herself giving up when it was done. She checked herself, regained her motivation and has been on her weight loss journey for a year and a half. Check out what she shared with us about how she lost the weight…
I have been overweight all my life so it was something I just accepted. I thought that’s the way it was going to be, until I started a new job and entered their Biggest Loser competition. I was totally in it for the money, but once I saw the difference in my body physically and mentally I had to keep going ! So, here I am 50+ pounds lighter and 50 times happier
In the beginning I was purely motivated by the money from the contest. After the contest ended I kind of lost motivation. However, once I realized how badly the “unhealthy” food I was eating was altering my mood and physical appearance I kicked myself in my butt and regained motivation. I changed my eating habits drastically when I first started. Very limited eating of processed foods and I had lots of chicken and salads. As my journey continues, I have learned TONS of new information on eating along the way and I am not as restrictive as before. That being said, I still only eat little processed food and lean meats.
I do A LOT of cardio but now I am incorporating strength training and I love it. I do the gym early in the morning before work and it makes my day so much better ! I do about an hour of cardio and 30 minutes of weights a day.
My starting weight I was tipping the scale at 315+ pounds, right now I am roughly 260 pounds give or take. My ultimate goal is to get to 160 pounds! (I am 5’6″). I have been on this journey for about a year and a half, although there were a couple months after the biggest loser that I just quit :(.
MY ADVICE : DO NOT QUIT ! This is by far one the hardest things I have had to do. After living so unhealthy my entire life, it is not easy to break those terrible habits. I still struggle but seeing positive changes makes my choices a lot easier. ALSO, don’t hate yourself if you do break down and “cheat” or miss a workout here or there. It’s okay. Enjoy that meal then get up and get back to it! It’s just a bad day…not a bad life !
Denise says
Your story really inspired me to keep on working toward my goal.
Pam says
Keep up the good work. Yes it is hard! But stories like this make me push even harder