My weight struggles began with each pregnancy. After I had my last child I lost weight and thought my struggles were behind me. I even opened a weight loss company and did tea well. Until I got really sick and my health was failing! Every year past and I just kept gaining weight and doctors couldn’t figure out why I was sick or didn’t believe me and blamed everything on my weight. I believe my weight problems really started with my mental health, then rolled into my physical health until it was out of control.
NAME : Sommer
BEFORE WEIGHT : 274
AFTER WEIGHT : current weight 202 and still going
POUNDS LOST : 72 so far
HOW DID YOUR WEIGHT AFFECT ANY ASPECT(S) OF YOUR LIFE? My weight gain absolutely made me isolated in every area of my life. Especially, around family because I didn’t want them to judge me. I also got really depressed from my weight gain and my physical health continued to deteriorate. I was a mess no work, social life, didn’t want sex! Ashamed!
WHAT WAS THE “TURNING POINT” THAT GOT YOU STARTED ON YOUR WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY? First my doctors refusing to believe my health issues were not related to my weight. Then, I saw a picture of myself at my grandsons birthday party and I was mortified. The final straw not being able to fit in the MRI machine I was so embarrassed absolutely humiliating.
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED? My very first step was researching all my medications and getting my the right doctors on board to support me. My second step was to go back to my health and wellness training and create a nutrition & fitness program that I new would work for me. Finally I researched health products that would be safe and help me jump start and support my journey!
HOW LONG AFTER YOU STARTED DID YOU BEGIN TO SEE RESULTS OF YOUR WEIGHT LOSS EFFORTS? I saw results In the first week and continued from there on!
WHAT WAS THE HARDEST PART? My biggest challenge was my pain and my health. Also not having a lot of support outside of some facebook groups. Also my husband is a huge enabler.
DID YOU EVER WANT TO GIVE UP? WHAT KEPT YOU GOING? No! I refused to give up.. Just being better kept me going celebrating all my victories no matter how small kept me motivated!
DID YOU HIT ANY WEIGHT LOSS PLATEAUS? HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM? Yes! I went through a plateau for 2 months! I was ok no gain so I let it run it’s course continued on my plan went back to basics changed up my meals some and I overcame it!
HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO LOSE MOST OF THE WEIGHT? It’s taken just less than a year to lose 72 lbs
DID YOU HAVE ANY NON-SCALE VICTORIES? Absolutely! My clothes are falling off! I can walk 4 miles at a time without stopping. I can easily fit in an MRI machine. My pain has reduced significantly. I’m definitely stronger physically.
WHAT DOES YOUR DAILY DIET LOOK LIKE COMPARED TO WHEN YOU WERE HEAVIER? My eating habits were difficult because I was always sick so I wasn’t eating enough. I was constantly nauseous or throwing up. When I could eat I definitely binged because I didn’t know when I would be able to enjoy another meal! What I ate was quite healthy because I cook at home rarely ate out but I was often overeating when I wasn’t sick.
HOW DOES YOUR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY COMPARE TO WHEN YOU WERE HEAVIER? Once I was diagnosed wit Spondylitis and Fibromyalgia I am now treated and my pain is reduced I got an Apple Fitness watch and I began the fitness training a little at a time combined with my nutrition I was having great success.
HOW DID YOUR EATING HABITS CHANGE? My eating habits really change once I was diagnosed with gastroparesis (paralysis of the stomach) I began by doing process of elimination learning what foods my body can handle and what triggers an attack. Then I moved on to weekly meal planning and prepping a week in advance. I track everything in a journal. The program I created for myself is more based on portion control and the food pyramid selections.
ARE THERE ANY PEOPLE, SERVICES, BOOKS – EVEN QUOTES, THAT UNKNOWINGLY HELPED YOU ON YOUR JOURNEY?
Definitely! My friends on Apple Fitness Group on facebook challenge me to do better they kick in my competitive nature! My thrive products gave me an incredible boost of energy, improved my sleep, and helps control my appetite! No more binge eating!
WHAT DID THIS JOURNEY TEACH YOU ABOUT YOURSELF?
I am confident, and I am pretty powerful! I commit and I don’t give up! I’ve definitely kicked fears over failure and I have learned to advocate for myself be the ultimate body boss!
MY WEIGHT LOSS TIPS & TRICKS
- Mindset- Created mental achievable habits to keep my focus strong
- Nutrition- Setting meal plans weekly and commitment
- Drink Water 64-90 oz
- Sleep- regular sleep schedule
- community find like minded people who support my journey
