When I started my life change, I weighed in at 280 pounds. I have tried all the fat burners, the HCG, the phentermine, the full bars, the JUNK. And I would lose a pound, maybe 2. Then I would binge eat, and gain more. Being obese is a disease. I truly believe that you have to RE-brainwash yourself to lose weight. It's just a fact. Mine came about like this. I have a then 8 year old daughter who asks me to teach her to play baseball. Being the high school softball player, I agreed. I pitched, and she smacked the crap out of the ball. I chased it, and quickly realized that I couldn't chase it again. So WHO was chasing the ball after it being hit? My 8 year old. What a crappy parent I am. After a few hit balls and chasing them, she lost interest. I can't blame her. I didn't make it very fun since I was so winded from chasing the first ball.
I went into the house where Darlene was preparing dinner. I told her that I didn't want to eat the same anymore, and that I can't live like this. I told her that I wanted all the processed foods out the door and I wanted to get back in the gym. I could see that she was relieved to hear me say it as she made concerted efforts in the beginning of our relationship to make these same changes. She agreed, and I am forever grateful for that.
Step 1: We ditched all intentional carbs and soda. No more bread, pasta, potatoes, chips, tortillas, and all that delicious stuff. It was hard. But 21 days later, I didn't want bread, or anything like it. We downloaded my Fitness pal on our phones, and started off with a 1600 calorie tracking (decrease by 50 every week until you reach 1200--DO NOT go lower than 1200). Notice I didn't say diet? Tracking. As this was a lifestyle change. Not a diet. Within the first 7 days I was down 10lbs.
Step 2: High protein, low calorie, low carb. This is the name of the game. Once you ditch the intentional carbs (there are carbs in almost anything, it's the obvious ones you need to avoid) any other changes seem fairly small. Chicken and Fish are your best friends. They are lean in fat, contain high protein values, and low calorie. Red meat is good as long as it is grass fed, but this should be occasional.
Step 3: Cut the dairy, and low sodium. Salt is the enemy. So is anything that will plug you up. Dairy is awesome. High calcium, and cheese taste so AMAZING. Problem: it plugs you up. You need a decent amount of fiber in your day, or a great probiotic. Supplements are good, just be sure that they are all natural. Salt helps you hold things in your body. Get away from it. If you can ditch the majority of the sodium, you will be better off.
Step 4: Purchase 1 ingredient foods. This means money. Sorry folks. But if you're overweight you didn't get there by purchasing 1 ingredient foods. You got there by purchasing the crap that every major retailer peddles. Get rid of it. High sugar contents, and some even contain GMOs which are Toxic to the body. Your meal may have several ingredients, but it should come from 1 ingredient foods that you create. I made Chipotle sweet potato tacos with kale slaw. All 1 ingredient items to make that. Trust me, you need to know what you're putting into your body.
Step 5: WATER. You must drink water. Water is another BFF. At least 120oz a day. It keeps your body from mistaking dehydration and hunger. It purifies, it cleans, and once you start it's hard to stop drinking it.
Step 6: Weigh in once a week. On the same day, right in the morning after using the bathroom. Document everything. Be honest about your weigh ins and keep tracking on the fitness pal app. It is vital to notate your ups, your downs, your accomplishments, and your room for improvements.
Step 7: Get in the gym 5 days a week for at least an hour. Can't get to the gym? Get to the park. Bike, skate, run, jungle gym, get ACTIVE.
Once you hit the 1200 mark, hold on tight. The weight will fall off without you realizing. No weekly cheat day until you have surpassed the 90 day mark. This is seriously for your own good. If you must eat out. Eat smart. If you don't, your body will know it and go on strike. You do not want your body to go on strike.
It is equally important to stay motivated. Just like an addict, don't put yourself in positions to fail. Don't attend buffet night with your buddies, or a taco festival. Be smart. Stay motivated. Follow fitness gurus on instagram. Sign up to receive free healthy recipes, and talk to the people in your home about it. It's always better if you have people in the house with similar or same fitness goals.
Last but not least, do not gloat on social media. Do not tell people what to do either. The first year is show and prove. It's ok to post progress pictures every 6 months. Any more frequent than that is just plan annoying and people will look at you as if you are on a very high horse riding into town. Trust me.
Good luck. Here are some progress pics so you know that it works, and this is with no fad diets!
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