by: Suzy Fiat
diets. Some worked. Others didn’t. And many of the ones that worked, only lasted for so long. I would gain it all back, sometimes even more. I would cry many times because of my appearance. Boys would
never notice me as anything more than just a friend. My confidence and self-esteem were pretty much non-existent. At one point, I even resorted to starving myself and even throwing up.
I found myself at the age 24 and a height of 5’4”, weighing 254 pounds...I was OBESE!
birthday, I was weighing about 220 pounds. However, that wasn’t enough. I knew I had more in me. I
could lose more than that.
On my 27th birthday, I made a promise to myself to lose more weight. I really started paying attention
to my food intake and reading the nutrition facts. Eating 5-6 meals a day to speed up my metabolism. Started adding more exercise. Trained for a 5K and took a huge liking to running. It was such a great escape from the world and my negative thoughts about myself. Also jumped into other exercise classes with friends or even on my own. I finally learned I didn’t need a buddy to go exercise. I started
feeling better. Had more energy. And the physical changes were noticeable. Very noticeable. And I am happy to say that a year later, on my 28th birthday, I am weighing 185 pounds. In one year, I lost 35 pounds! That is the same amount I lost in 3 years. I was able to do it! 28 years old and looking better than ever! I feel better. I am happier. My self-esteem and confidence has significantly improved. I’m getting noticed......All things I am experiencing for the first time.
NOW, I have a new goal! This year I want to drop 40 more pounds. I know I can do it. I almost did last year. One thing I've learned is that I don't need a new, better, or magical diet to get me down the rest of the weight I want to lose. I need a LIFESTYLE makeover.
The fat girl in me is incredibly terrified. She has doubts and fears that it’s an unattainable goal. What if I quit? What if I can’t do it? What if my work schedule gets in the way? Is this really a feasible goal? All I know for certain is that I don’t want to go back to 254 pounds... ever again!
With the help of my best friend (and now my life coach), I am hoping I can reach this goal and learn to make some adjustments in my life that are more permanent! This isn't a new diet I'm trying out---this is a new LIFESTYLE I'm going to start living.
I’ve signed up for the Miami Half Marathon on February 2nd and began training this Monday. This should help in reaching my -40 pound goal. I am watching what I eat, and will be using the Challenge 24 Herbalife products to help me out. Like any human I will allow cheat days here and there, and expect some ups and downs throughout this process but the healthy girl I'm discovering in me is telling me I can do this! Let’s see where this journey takes me!
Wish me luck!