Transformation of the Day: Roxanne lost over 40 pounds. When she saw her loved ones suffering from health issues that were preventable and weight-related, she decided to break the family cycle. Facing ups and downs, law school and thyroid issues, she didn’t give up. It took the time to figure out what works for her but she didn’t give up. Check out her journey.
What was your motivation?
I was initially motivated by seeing the highest number I’d ever seen on the scale. At the same time, I was being told by my doctor that I really needed to start exercising and eating well. If I didn’t, I’d not only have to take medication for my hypothyroidism and high blood pressure, but for high cholesterol as well.
I didn’t truly adapt to a healthy lifestyle until I started seeing loved ones suffer (and some die) from weight-related and preventable health issues. This is what really pushed me to make a change because I was tired of losing loved ones and seeing them suffer and I want to break some cycles in my family so we can be healthier.
How did you change your eating habits?
I started slowly. In the beginning, I was eating a pint of Haagen Dazs almost every night, drinking soda every day and not really concerned with the quality of my food. To start, I stopped drinking soda and started drinking more water and juice. I also stopped eating as much ice cream. Switching from regular pasta to whole wheat pasta, white to brown rice and eating more fruit helped too.
Then, I learned about clean eating but what really hit home was learning about intuitive eating. Clean eating was a bit too restrictive for me and hard to stick to long-term, but it helped because when I lived on my own during law school. I got to try out new healthier recipes and healthier methods of
cooking which built the foundation for my more balanced way of eating now.
What did your workout routines look like?
My workouts in the beginning consisted of going to the gym here and there for a few weeks and then not going back for a few months. I canceled and restarted my gym membership multiple times until I learned about working out at home. In law school, I didn’t have a lot of time on my hands but knew that I could squeeze in 15-30 minutes of exercise in before or after class. My first workout program was Hip Hop Abs by Shaun T. That program really made me realize that I could actually have fun while working out and that it didn’t have to be a chore. Working out at home eliminated my time and money excuses so I was better able to stick with a routine. I then switched to ChaLEAN Extreme where I learned about weight lifting using resistance bands. I didn’t finish it the first couple of times I tried. However, on January 5, 2015 I recommitted to my goals and stuck with the 90 day program, working out 5-6 times a week. I really loved how strong strength training made me feel and now it’s my main (and favorite way) to stay active. I currently workout 4-5 times per week.
Starting weight/Current weight
My starting weight was about 180 pounds (but I may have weighed more, but I stopped weighing myself after I saw that number). Currently, I fluctuate between 139-142 pounds. So, I’ve lost over 40 pounds and lost over 62 inches off my body. My height is 5’3″.
How long did your transformation take?
I started my journey at 180 pounds in 2009, but I wasn’t serious about it. My weight went up and down due to my thyroid meds being out of whack and inconsistencies with my eating and exercise. I did get down to the 130-140’s during law school (around 2013), but again I wasn’t always consistent when law school got too busy or my personal life got in the way. After I graduated from law school in 2014, my weight crept back up to 160.6 pounds due to bar exam pressure, losing my grandmother.
I recommitted to my journey on January 5, 2015 and my transformation has been progressing ever since (“progress not perfection”). Overall my transformation has taken 7 years, but the true inner and outer transformation and commitment to consistent healthy living for me has been about 2 years.
What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
Be patient with and kind to yourself. You didn’t get where you are overnight so you won’t get to your goal overnight either. Take it one meal, one workout, one day at a time. Let go of perfection. It’s ok if things don’t go as planned, if you eat more than you intended or skip a day or two (or a week) of exercise or if you slip into negative thinking. Just try to do better the next meal, workout or think more positively the next day. One rough day (or a few rough days) is not an excuse to give up on yourself! Work on your mindset and belief in yourself. Find your true reason and motivation for living healthier. Think of it as a lifestyle, not just a workout or eating plan to follow for a wedding, birthday or summer vacation. Quick fixes are tempting with temporary results, but they’re not sustainable. If I
can do this, so can YOU!
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EJ Phipps says
Great job!