La Shon lost 41 pounds

Weight Loss Story of the Day: La Shon has lost 41 pounds since March 2014.  What I love about her story is that her whole family is participating on this journey to lifestyle change and supporting her efforts.  She has seen her health improve and she has challenged herself to live her best life.  Check out what she shared with us:

Hello, my name is LaShon Driver and I am 39 years old. The day I begin my weight loss journey and my commitment to a healthier me was March 30. 2014 weighing 252. On that day, I decided to take back my life and health. I’ve always had weight issues but didn’t understand why. I’ve learned that to much of anything is not good for anyone. It is okay to have “junk food” but it needs to be done in moderation or rarely in my case. That’s when you begin to understand what fuels your body and good habits will follow.

I started by writing down things that I wanted to accomplish from being a healthier me. From that point, I committed to small challenges and goals. For example, the first 2 months I committed to only drinking water, no sweets, and having white carbs only twice in a week. I started having breakfast every morning, that being oatmeal, veggie omelet, or a fruit and veggie smoothie. I also incorporated exercise into my commitment by walking for 30 minutes at least 3 days a week. Just from those small challenges and goals, I now drink at least a gallon of water a day and I’m jogging (YES JOGGING) 40 minutes 5 days a week. I try to incorporate weight lifting twice a week but I really have not committed to it. This will be my 6 month challenge for myself. My meals consist of smoothies with protein powder for breakfast, fruits and veggies for snacks, lunch with baked chicken or turkey with some veggies and sometimes brown rice or wheat pasta, and smoothie for dinner with a salad or poultry. I’m not (past or present) a “big eater”, just in the past I was a “bad eater”.

My inspiration was my family and not having to take medicine for hypertension. I have 2 handsome sons, 2 beautiful daughters, and a wonderful husband who has supported me throughout my commitment. 99% of my exercise is done at home with them, because when I’m jogging in the neighborhood they are leading the way on their bikes. My husband provides me with weight training with his free weights. He has also jumped on the bandwagon with providing a better food choice for our family. In the past, our cabinets consisted of chips, cookies, and candy but now he is buying more fruits and vegetables. Every week he is bringing home a new fruit for us to try as a family. By being a healthier me, I’m able to concentrate on God’s purpose for my life.

When I begin my journey to a better me I weighed 252 pounds and as of July 30, 2014 I weighed 211 pounds. That is 41 lbs. down. I am no longer on blood pressure medicine and my attitude has changed tremendously. By March 30, 2015 I hope to reach my goal of 165 lbs. So, I’ll be back.

My advice to others who want to lose weight is first ask God for help. We ask God for help with financial issues, family issues, etc., so why not incorporate God into creating your purposeful life. Secondly, create challenges for yourself and know if you are not trying to complete them, you are only cheating yourself. Also, push yourself beyond your target. I will tell myself I’m only going to run 40 minutes but if I have a little more in me I’m pushing to 41 minutes or 15 more steps. Understand the battle is within and you have to pursue happiness within. Yes you will have those “Oops Days”, but that does not take away from your current progress. Finally have that support system that exercises with you (thanks Dena), helps with nutrition, or that just says “you are looking good”. Everyday will be a challenge, but creating your own challenge and completing it makes it more rewarding. God bless you all and I wish everyone much success.