1 Year + 1 "Trick" = -1 lb/week

ShelleyElise

A little over a year ago around my birthday, I had a week-long vacation to London with my husband and some friends. It was absolutely wonderful and amazing, except for how terrible I felt. All of my joints were aching, I was incredibly fatigued, could not think clearly/remember things, and had such terrible digestive pain/distress that I had to leave the music festival we had planned the whole trip around before the main band even came on.

When we got back home to Texas, I knew I had to take my health more seriously. I was sliding into a new age bracket, and the way I felt was not the future I wanted as I got older.

I thought of the movie Moneyball, and how the biggest factor of winning was getting to first base. The most basic element of that game is what indicates you win when you look at the statistics. I have been chubby/heavy my whole life, and have tried many different diets and programs. So, for this recommencement of “the game,” I realized there was only going to be one way for me to do this, the one way that had given me success in the past: tracking absolutely everything I consumed, and this time I was going to be consistent about it.

Everything: every oz of any drink, every supplement, every medication, every little Jolly Rancher, every food I knew hardly had any calories anyway. Tracking these things and then paying attention to how my body reacted allowed me to discover some food sensitivities/inflammation I had not realized before. I now have certain things I know I shouldn't eat (gluten, large amounts of fructose, more than a few sips of alcohol, and artificial sweeteners) because my body cannot handle them well.

How I feel today is a complete 180 from how I felt one year ago. My joints don't ache like they used to, I can think more clearly, my hair/skin/nails are so much healthier, I’m no longer anemic nor in a vitamin deficiency, etc.

There were days I did not eat at a deficit, days I was not within my macros, days where I did not eat any vegetables. There were very few days I was perfect and followed all the guidelines. However, I did, every day, record what I put in my mouth.

I’m down 51.6 lbs.—about a pound a week (although that is NOT how it went). I’m excited as I feel good enough that I am going to start a Kenpo class in August and when it gets cooler again, weight lifting. Now for some pictures –

quiksylver296

Awesome! You look terrific! And that dress in the Fall 2016 picture?!?

vkmango4

You look fabulous! I Love the dress in spring 2017!

debisjazz

Awesome! You look amazing, and healthy.

MysticGoalie

Fantastic

jpiccolo0609

Thank you for sharing your story! Very inspirational. Congratulations on your success. You look great!

mylifeisbeautiful

I love your approach- it is very inspiring to me. Thank you. I also love the fall dress!

cbeutler

Great job

MidModJenn

Congratulations! And love your style -- the Spring 2017 dress is totes adorbs!

chubhon

Good for you! I'm looking for inspiration and found it in your story!

IdLikeToLoseItLoseIt

Thanks for sharing your insight and great work on the weight loss!

Debmal77

Amazing! Way to stick with it!!

MyLovesMyLife

Great job! I too think of my weight loss averaged out even if it didn't happen that way.

Amyfinch0

Great work!

bri_fitnessjourney

You look amazing girl! Keep up the great work ☺

SueFlanaganVT

Congratulations. Your approach and realness is refreshing and admirable. The "tip" and your success has inspired me. I have tracked for 82 days straight and I am proud of that. I think your plan of EVERYTHING is my next step. Tracking has been my No. 1 tool in losing over this time and I am ready for the next level. I have lost weight in the past and wonder if always tracking, even after goal, will be the key to maintenance. Again, you have inspired me and I thank you.