30 down & 20 to Go! WhooHoo - Almost there!

pellenga

I love reading everyone story & decided to make a post of my own.

Life can be so crazy busy when your married with kids. My husband and I have a total of 5 kids (ages, 22, 20, 17, 4 and 1). Three of them live with us full time (22, 4 and 1). We both work full time and I'm finishing up my MBA this semester. In addition, I'm (trying to) do Zumba 2X a week and a nutrition class 1 Day a week for my own health. This sounds like A LOT, But I love a busy life and it's rare that I found another person with the same amount of multiple things going on.

In 2010 (when I only had 2 kids, no Zumba, no Wed class, and No MBA) I was so frustrated and struggling. My life was a continues juggling act. I wrote a blog in MFP seeking help but I didn't get one response. Not one. I was gaining weight and couldn't seem to get it all figured out. (I'm much better now but still a work in progress.)

Since then I had 2 more kids and gain another 40 lbs from the day I "thought" I was fat!!! I finally had enough. A friend of mine introduced me to a lady, who teaches health classes in Macomb County Michigan to regular normal people like you and me. I've been taking classes pretty consistently since 2013 but really put what I learned into motion just last year. (1 year after the last baby).

Within 12 weeks I was down 30# and I've kept that off. I just recently started working on the additional #20. I'll tell you it never gets old hearing people I haven't seen in a while tell me ...wow you look great, you lost weight.

How did I do it? Well... the easy answer is that I changed my lifestyle but that doesn't really say much, does it?

So the more realistic honest answer is that I make sure to do my best to drink my water (64 oz min) daily. I eat 95 grams of protein a day broke up into 5 meals (3 meals a day, each with about 25 grams and 2 snacks at about 10 grams) and most importantly I plan what I'm going to eat for the next day. I try to utilize my crock pot as much as possible & I bring my lunch to work (or eat subway salad). Lastly – I need an accountability person so I made a Facebook group for Women on the Go Fitness support so we can help with other and continue motivation.

As much as I would love to, I found that on my Mon-Friday mornings - I just DON'T have time to cook breakfast. The routine is get up – get ready – get kids ready – let’s go, go go.

Personally I what I found effective is. I bought an $8 shaker at Walmart. I quickly poor in 8 oz of fat free milk & two scoops of Herbal Life Meal Shake and I'm out the door. (my best version of drinking and driving, ha-ha). I tried a lot of shakes and it’s the best tasting one I can find – that also has the correct type of protein. On the weekends when we have more time we do some eggs in the morning but this is the only way for my Mon-Fri fix. (Being able to cook breakfast during a weekday is like a dream to me.)

My profile pic on the left is of me last May before I started getting serious (note I was trying to take the May pic from high up to look thinner....look at it now, it didn't help me too much haha). The other pic is of me now.

If you need advice on how to balance your family to make time for you let's chat. Also feel free to add me as a friend on MFP (My Fitness Pal) and I'll be happy to share what I'm eating with you.

Or feel free to join our FB group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/WomanOnTheGo/

If you have a fitbit – feel free to add me. I love challenges! //www.fitbit.com/user/3N2HH3

And if your interested in trying out the Herbal life shake let me know and I’ll see what I can do to get you a sample to try it out.

(sorry if I sound like a commercial - not trying to - I just really had great results and love the product.)

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/pellenga

KatieBaack

That's quite the accomplishment with that full of a plate! I've got about 35# to lose, and I think my plate is nearly as full. Full time work (with a 30 mile commute 1 way), 13month old daughter, 6 year old step daughter, hubby, dog, and a 2nd job teaching karate 3 days a week (and doing the bookkeeping for the school). Hoping that a few key changes (portion control, bringing healthier lunches, & adding an intentional walk daily at work) will help me drop those pounds!

Afura

I'm exhausted just reading about your life, phew. Congratulations on your current success, and here's to more of it!

MountainHiker48

Congrats on the great progress and keep up the good work!

pellenga

Afura wrote: »

I'm exhausted just reading about your life, phew. Congratulations on your current success, and here's to more of it!

Thank you...

pellenga

MountainHiker48 wrote: »

Congrats on the great progress and keep up the good work!

I took me a long time to gain it. I guess I can't expect it to all fall off in one day. Thanks!

pellenga

KatieBaack wrote: »

That's quite the accomplishment with that full of a plate! I've got about 35# to lose, and I think my plate is nearly as full. Full time work (with a 30 mile commute 1 way), 13month old daughter, 6 year old step daughter, hubby, dog, and a 2nd job teaching karate 3 days a week (and doing the bookkeeping for the school). Hoping that a few key changes (portion control, bringing healthier lunches, & adding an intentional walk daily at work) will help me drop those pounds!

Wow Katie - thats a lot. You have me beat on the commute. I used to drive like that but now I'm only 10 minutes from home on a bad day. The commute makes all the difference in the world. You sound likes someone that might fit our "women on go" facebook group. You should check it out if you havn't already.