The scale no longer defines me! ~ Joan’s story
Other than my weight gain after pregnancy, I’ve never had a major weight problem. Most of the time I was careful to eat very little, and stay active doing some type of cardio. Usually riding a stationary bike or walking.
In May of 2011 at 5’7″ And weighing 141lbs, I wanted to lose about 8lbs. My body wasn’t looking like I wanted it to. I thought losing more weight was the answer. Wow, was I wrong. I joined a calorie counting website: ate 1400 calories, did cardio everyday, went to bed hungry and…yes, I quickly met my goal of 133lbs! But whenever I would eat over 1400 calories I gained weight! So, for almost a year I ate 1300-1400 plus LOTS of cardio! And my body still didn’t look like I imagined it would. Another crazy thing is, that during that year I fired my hair dresser because my hair was failing out and I thought it was her fault! I now know it was my under eating and poor nutrition that caused it to fall out!
But I was skinny. Yes, skinny…with no booty and thinning hair!
On about March of 2012, I befriended an angel named Lucia! She told me about “Eat More to Weigh Less,” lifting heavy weights, eating TDEE, and macros (protein, fat and carbohydrates) — all these things I had never heard before. (Although…she already had my attention at “eat more to weigh less!”). She sent me an invite to the (then) newly founded EM2WL group on MFP. I upped my calories to 1700 over time, then to 1850. I set my macros to 40% carbs, 30 % protein, and 30% fat. Eating 300-450 calories more a day! I was like WOW!! At first it was hard. I started by having an extra protein shake for a snack, or eating one ounce of nuts. Then, I think around a month or two later, I met another rambling angel — Kiki! She led me to Cathe Friedrich strength training workouts. My first DVD purchased was Muscle Max. I dusted off my son’s weight bench, bought some 10lb dumbbells, then 15lbs, then 20lbs, a barbell, and now I have my own weight room! In October 2012 I joined the Catheletes and did STS total body strength training 3 month workout. I did deadlifts, squats and bench presses, oh my!! I was in love with weight lifting!! And now STS is an annual October 3 month session for me. Yes, the scale did go up, but over time the tape measure went down and down! I now can enjoy healthy meals and not feel deprived.
I am lifting weights and building the body I used to dream of having in my 20s and 30s — NOW at the age of 49!
I work out 2-4 days a week, lifting weights or doing HIIT, depending on my schedule. I’m eating more, and still wearing a size four! But more importantly, I gained strength and confidence in myself. Now, I wear my hair short because I want to, and I have a booty! The scale no longer defines me. I didn’t have to starve to reach my goal, and I don’t have to starve to maintain it. And neither do you!
Thank you EM2WL! I’m so proud to be apart of this family!
Recent Comments