My mom's death sparked my weight loss of 110 lbs.

laceylovespink

You look amazing.....thanks for sharing, I love looking at all the progress pics!

LtAngela

Today would've been my mom's 53rd birthday. She died at the age of 47 from a massive heart attack. She didn't eat well at all, ate out most days of the week usually twice, and she smoked about 3 packs of cigs a day. All of that, as you can imagine, led her to have a heart attack. She died when my oldest was only 8 months old and just three days before her second grandchild, my nephew, was to be born. She has missed so much in our lives, BUT I took her death on as my motivation to lose my weight. I didn't want my kids to go through the loss like we had. She died way too young, and I WILL NOT do that to my kids!

Here are some pictures followed by my "how I did it"...

260 pounds


245 pounds


180 pounds


150 pounds


Check out my profile pic for another B&A.


And because some might ask how I lost my weight, I will just go ahead and post it now.

First of all, while I didn't count calories in the beginning, I did look at other numbers...fruits/veggies servings, water ounces, minutes of exercise, "cheats," etc. I journaled everything I put in my mouth and eventually did post it online. I didn't want others to see me eating poorly, so I tried not to eat that "bad" stuff often (which is why I think having a public food journal on here is kind of important). I upped my water ounces to an average of 96/day, I aimed for at least 5 servings of fruits/veggies daily, I limited carbs (empty carbs, that is, and went for whole grains, not just eliminating all carbs), I choose lean meats, lowfat dairies, and add more healthful options to my menus. I added in more beans, different whole grains, veggies and fruits I hadn't really ever tried, and I LOVE taking a recipe and making it healthier/more beneficial.

Basically, I eat pretty "cleanly," and I try to think about how the food I put into my body is going to affect my body. If I have too many "off days" or cheats, I can definitely tell. I crave healthy foods. This took me about 30 months to do with 2 pregnancies in there. It may have taken less time if I had counted calories.

As far as exercise, I started out walking and doing Walk Away the Pounds dvds along with the first Biggest Loser dvd. I eventually added in Turbo Jam and other dvds. Over time I started running, doing Turbo Fire, and doing ChaLean Extreme along with other videos. I crave exercise also!

Hope this helps someone!


(By the way, if you do try to look at my food dairy, and it's blank right now, I am recovering from sinus surgery, and I can't eat much now or exercise, hence a journal not being posted right now.)

ETA: Before my sinus surgery this past Friday, my resting heart rate was only 54. The nurse was a bit baffled until I told him I exercise a lot. I try to pay special attention to my heart because of my mom (and my dad's constant health problems as well).

Here is RESULT!
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/288131-compare-my-photo-before-and-after

thinkpink4hope

Wow oh Wow!!! What an inspiration!

Amy_B

Thank you all for the nice words!

Tangerine302

Congratulations to you! I'm sorry about the loss of your mom. It's so good that you are taking care of yourself. Your good health is a wonderful thing. Hope you feel better very soon from your sinus surgery.

Setof2Keys

Like most Mom's she gave her life for the safe of her children. I think this was the best thing to come out of her death. Way to turn a negative into a positive. She would be VERY proud of you.

Jade_Butterfly

You're amazing sweetie. . Love you.. .And with me too..Losing my dad due to bad choices is spurring me into taking care of business! You inspire me as well. . Thank you for being you!:bigsmile:

debussyschild

You look FABULOUS!!!!!!! What an inspiration to all of us here on MFP. Congratulations on your success and your new way of life!

Countrymade

I am sorry for the loss of your Mom. She is celebrating her birthday with the Angels.
Thank you for sharing your amazing story. Such an inspiration.
I am sure your Mom was watching over you from the heavens and giving you
the strength to reach your weight loss goals.

mishamae

Beautiful story, thank you for sharing

shannonpatton

Wow!!! So inspirational Hun. Wtg!!!

Elizabeth38NC

Thanks for your story.... I also lost my Mother to a massive heart attack. She was only 60 and she died in my arms.... it was devastating and I wanted to die with her... it spiraled me into a deep depression and self loathing and not caring if the sky fell on me... that is when my weight gain began.... I promised myself I would do better and get healthy and every anniversary of her death I feel guilty that I didn't... but this will be my year ... I just know it... thank you for your story... God bless.

Amy_B

Thanks for your story.... I also lost my Mother to a massive heart attack. She was only 60 and she died in my arms.... it was devastating and I wanted to die with her... it spiraled me into a deep depression and self loathing and not caring if the sky fell on me... that is when my weight gain began.... I promised myself I would do better and get healthy and every anniversary of her death I feel guilty that I didn't... but this will be my year ... I just know it... thank you for your story... God bless.

I am so sorry to hear that this happened to you. Hugs! I'm glad you are finally able to take this experience and turn it into a positive was well.

Thank you, everyone!

healthyjen342

So sorry for the loss of your mother

. and CONGRATULATIONS on your succes! :flowerforyou:

Janworkingitout

Thank you for sharing your amazing story! You are an inspiration!

imaprncs

Congratualtions, you look fantastic. Kepp up the great work, you are almost there!

jenbusick

Awesome you!!

ShyBreasts

You are inspiring! X

Melsy7

You look amazing!! Great job!

Cnava01

You look amazing!!! Congrats to you!

JackieJ13

very inspiring! thanks for sharing!

sarahcs424

WOW your amazing! You've done so good I know your mother is very proud!

NikkiTaber

Wow! You are such an amazing inspiration. You look fabulous!

Christina269

YOU. Are. AWESOME.

valeriaehines

CONGRATS TO YOU!!!! AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK

I lost my mom 10-27-10. In April 2010 my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. She had high blood pressure for years, and a heavy smoker for years. My mom did not eat healthy and was not in good spirit. She did not want to worry us. So she kept everything to herself. She complained about going to the doctor until one day my brother noticed that my mom did not look right. My family and I took care of my mom 24 hours a day. My mom lived in Illinois and I live in Milwaukee. I would drive down on Friday night and stay til Sunday evening to help take care of her. When my mom died on 10-27-10 my body took a wake up call. ( it is time to get healthy and eat right). My blood pressure range was 160/100 since i joined MFP my blood pressure range now is 104/74 and 23 pound lighter. One thing I learned from my mom is " Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. I will always love and miss my mom Laura Jane Mack RIP.

Amy_B

CONGRATS TO YOU!!!! AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK

I lost my mom 10-27-10. In April 2010 my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. She had high blood pressure for years, and a heavy smoker for years. My mom did not eat healthy and was not in good spirit. She did not want to worry us. So she kept everything to herself. She complained about going to the doctor until one day my brother noticed that my mom did not look right. My family and I took care of my mom 24 hours a day. My mom lived in Illinois and I live in Milwaukee. I would drive down on Friday night and stay til Sunday evening to help take care of her. When my mom died on 10-27-10 my body took a wake up call. ( it is time to get healthy and eat right). My blood pressure range was 160/100 since i joined MFP my blood pressure range now is 104/74 and 23 pound lighter. One thing I learned from my mom is " Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. I will always love and miss my mom Laura Jane Mack RIP.

Awww. I am so sorry for your loss as well. I am glad we both learned something from these sad events.


Thanks, everyone!

IsMollyReallyHungry

So sorry to hear about your Mom.

CONGRATS!! YOU LOOK AMAZING!!! thanks for sharing with us Amy!!! I really appreciate the point you made about making our diaries public and I know I do better when I make my diary public or at least share it with my friends.

Keep up the good work!!

Amy_B

So sorry to hear about your Mom.

CONGRATS!! YOU LOOK AMAZING!!! thanks for sharing with us Amy!!! I really appreciate the point you made about making our diaries public and I know I do better when I make my diary public or at least share it with my friends.

Keep up the good work!!

Making so my friends can see my diary DOES really motivate me to not eat poorly.

tashjs21

I am so sorry for your loss. Good for you for changing the pattern and setting an example for your children. :flowerforyou:


You look great! :drinker:

renaegonz

Sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. Motivation to be healthy for your children is an awesome attribute....and I must say you look absolutely amazing. ~ Be blessed.~