Here is an update of a previous post on Erica’s weight loss journey. She is down a total of 37 pounds and her boyfriend Bishop is her personal trainer. I love that!! Here is what she shared with us:
You featured my progress on Valentine’s Day this year and I had mentioned that I wasn’t done yet. Well my official one-year weight loss journey came to an end on June 3. My boyfriend/trainer and I celebrated with a professional photo shoot while vacationing in Vegas during the week of June 3. I have also attached a public note detailing my stats and what they all mean and what this journey has taught me. The stats are important because they show where I started on June 3, 2012 to May 28, 2013.
Stats: June 3, 2012, Sept 1, 2012, May 28, 2013
| Weight: 175.0 157.6 138.0 Waist: 34.0 29.8 27.0 Hips: 44.0 40.0 36.8 Thighs: 26.0 23.0 21.5 Arms (both): 13.0 11.5 (stopped measuring) Body Fat: 42.4% 35.0% 19.0%!!!! (Final goal: 16%) |
Starting pants/dress/shirt size: 13, x-large, large/x-large Ending pants size: 4/5 Starting dress size: 13/14, large, x-large Ending dress size: SMALL Starting shirt size: large/x-large Ending shirt size: SMALL |
I began my fitness journey weighing 175 lbs. with 73 lbs. of my body’s weight being FAT! I lost 47 POUNDS OF THAT FAT. Now, I GAINED 10 POUNDS OF MUSCLE! The addition of muscle fibers helped to burn some of that fat. ***UPDATE: current weight is 133!!*** My ultimate goal is to achieve my racing weight (I run 5ks, 10ks, and hope to run my first 1/2 marathon in March 2014) of 125 pounds with maintenance between 125 to 135.
What I have learned from this one-year journey:
I was in denial about how big I was. Even at my heaviest of 175 pounds, and wearing a size 13, I was still in denial. I carried the extra pounds well, so I guess it didn’t really bother me as much. That was until I saw myself in pictures from our cruise in April 2012. Everything changed from that moment. I saw rolls and muffin tops I had never seen that on me before. That was my dose of reality… wake-up call… lightening bulb flashing. I knew something had to give. All I wanted, at that point, was to simply lose 20 pounds. Little did I know what was in store for me for a whole year later!
It is very important to know what I am eating,what I subject my body to. I truly cherish my body and want to live a long and healthy life. I developed a whole lot of discipline from day one. I gave up a lot of favorite foods and went cold turkey on 85% processed foods, frozen meals, boxed meals, fast food, sodas, juices/sugary drinks, Starbucks, cold cuts, hot dogs, chips, cookies, cakes, pies, red meat, pork, most ground beef (on the rare occasion I will do 93/7 extra lean), non-organic chicken, white sugar, white pasta, breads, ALL FRIED FOODS, etc. For me, I learned what I had to do to make this journey successful and went in full force with no excuses. Portion sizes can make or break you, too. I weigh, count and measure EVERYTHING according to the serving size on the package!!!!
Yes, there were many failures just as there were many successes. There were many injuries that caused me to slow it up big time: knees (from the Insanity and P90x programs), right shoulder blade/rotator cuff (from lifting weights), left elbow (from lifting weights), etc. That’s part of the process of learning to create and maintain a healthy & fit lifestyle. This is something I can carry with me forever and not just for 8 weeks or so. Yes, I treat myself. Bishop (my boyfriend) and I go out once a week… and sometimes twice in a week. But we plan ahead 99% of the time. Other times, we just let it ride because the rest of the time we do eat healthy.
My boyfriend finished out the last 6 months of this journey with me. He was working behind the scenes for the first 6 months because he wanted the focus on me.
I also must note that, although he could have set me up on a plan to lose the weight in 3 months, that was not the goal of this journey. The goal was to create a healthy lifestyle that I could maintain for the rest of my life. There was no rush to lose the weight as there was (and still is) so much to learn and do the right way. It is also VERY important to note that this is a lifestyle, not a fad. There is so much to learn (I am STILL learning) and it is impossible to learn everything in just 3 months.
We work out 4-6 days a week and take rest days AT LEAST 1-2 days a week. People think they HAVE to work out every single day but, in all honesty, they are causing more harm than good by NOT allowing their body to rest and recover. We run 1-2 times a week, hit the elliptical twice a week, do HIIT programs several days a week, and strength training several days a week.
Mindful says
Congratulations are in order. Always love to see the stats. By the way how tall are you? Please continue to keep up the good work.
Nichole says
I’m curious to know her height also. 🙂
Erica says
Hi Ladies,
I am 5’5″. Can’t believe I forgot to include this stat.
Just Sayin says
I have been looking at this site all week and this is by far the fewest comments I have seen. I guess because you were wwhere most of us want to be….BUT CONGRATULATIONS!!! that took ALOT of dedication. I hope to get where you are! Good lookin SIS!
Erica says
Hi Just Sayin,
I am not too concerned about the lack of comments. That’s par for the course. If my story touches just one person and inspires just one person, sharing it is well-worth it. I have learned that, just because someone doesn’t comment, doesn’t mean they didn’t see it or wasn’t touched in some way. I’m glad you took the time to leave a comment on my story. That means a lot and I appreciate you. Just know that you CAN get to where you want to be. Just don’t ever give up, no matter how long it takes!
Davina says
What is the Hiit programs? Oh yeah, congrats I love the discipline and focus.
Erica says
Hi Davina! HIIT = high intensity interval training. Basically, a program like Insanity. HIIT has you doing intense cardio for about 2-4 minutes, rest for 3 seconds, and then pick it back up again. HIIT programs are a beast but they really are better than the typical cardio program.
Lidiya says
Hi Erica! You are truly amazing and I plan to follow your steps to becoming a healthier and happier new me:). I was hoping I could contact you for some advice if that’s alright with you. I am currently 175lbs myself and have the same body structure as well but just a bit shorter than you. I know that I can’t truly compare in order to visualize future results for myself, but I could come close to seeing what it may be like for me. I too get too comfortable every time I lose to what I think is just enough weight and end up eating back up the ladder. I would truly appreciate it if we could talk, you can email me at finkel_lida (at) yahoo (dot) come. Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you:)
Ashleigh says
Congrats on the complete lifestyle overhaul! You look amazing and I bet you feel even better than that!
michele says
First, CONGRATULATIONS! I really enjoyed reading your story. I love the details and how transparent you were. It does take time and it is a lifestyle of great health. Please continue to encourage others to make that change.
Erica says
Thank you all for the kind words! I really appreciate you taking the time to do so. Means a lot!
Lisa says
You look amazing! Thanks for reminding me to be patient.slow & steady wins the race!
Terri says
Wow…you look amazing, you should be so proud of yourself.
Nay says
Hey! Congratulations! U look beautiful before but even more beautiful nd younger now! With the hiit program how many reps do u do with the high intensity cardio? Or for how long ? Can u provide an example if u have time. Thank you !
Working at it says
Loved the story. Congratulations! Hard work does pay off. This has encouraged me to keep working at my weightloss. I don’t want to spend the rest of my adult life trying to loose weight, but actually loose it and maintain the lose. Stories like this is motivating, thanks.
Niecy says
I never leave comments on any forum but I feel so inspired. I am currently on day 10 of the whole life challenge. It is not about the weight but about learning healthy habits and changing a persons lifestyle to maintain the weight loss.
I feel inspired because I am doing very well at it and you were the exact size I am based on the measurements. I am fully committed and loving the results thus far but you just gave me a little more fuel. Balancing nutrition, I go to crossfit 4-5 days a week and want to start incorporating running soon.
I just want to say congratulations and thank you for sharing your story. More than any story i have read, I can related to yours and I hope I can follow in your footsteps.
Lesa Anderson says
I’m on my own fitness journey I need to lose about 30 pounds I love your story and your progress it inspires me to keep going