Down 125lbs! If I can do it, you CAN DO IT! Thanks myfitnesspal!!

I’ve decided to share my weight loss story in hopes that it will help someone who is struggling with their weight and trying to live a healthier lifestyle.

In the last 4 years I have lost 137 lbs. Before starting my journey I was 270 pounds, almost type 2 diabetic, and I was morbidly obese. I was depressed and miserable in my own skin. I coped with life by taking medications and self-soothed with food and candy. I started on anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds at 15 years old. Medications and doctor’s appointments became my life. I learned how to numb out life at an early age with all these meds… and I became extremely addicted to prescriptions. My weight and lifestyle were slowly killing me, and I didn’t see it until I had a BIG reality check 4 years ago. That is when my life changed. I knew it was time to change and started to rebuild my life. I decided on my own that I wanted this. I knew it was going to be hard, but I was ready to fight for it. I wanted to be healthy, I wanted to be happy again, and I wanted to be the wife and mother my family deserved. Those things combined gave me the final push I needed to change my lifestyle.

To start this process I went and got help for my addiction. After being tapered down off all the meds I really started to see the damage I had caused. That also motivated me to change my life. I didn’t follow a specific program or go through weight loss surgery. I swapped all my sugar loaded drinks for water, started tracking my food, and added exercise into my daily routine. Adding exercise was just the mental boost that I needed. Every time I exercised I would feel balanced and happy, and for the first time I was proud of myself! I wanted to change my lifestyle so this would become a permanent way of life. I started with small, achievable goals so I didn’t get overwhelmed with how much weight I still had to lose. Honestly, when I started I was exhausted just walking around the block. In September 2014 I finished my first half marathon!

Having support has been a huge part of my journey. My husband has been amazing through this whole process. He started tracking his food first, and I was inspired by him! I watched as he started dropping pounds, and I decided it was time to track my food! Tracking held me accountable, and I needed that! He also helped me find healthy foods to eat, and put up with all my complaining when we first started exercising together

I hit a plateau after losing 100 pounds. I joined a small, family owned gym and I discovered a whole new passion for fitness. I reached out and found other ladies to work out with at the gym. We encourage each other, hold each other accountable, and have fun! When one of us struggles, we help each other. I started personal training and improved my strength, lost more weight, and melted away body fat. I have been able to accomplish things I never thought possible, and I have learned to believe in myself! As the pounds have dropped I feel like I have shed emotional baggage with them. My old life melted away 1 pound at a time. Please know that weight loss is a journey and it takes time. If I can do this, you can do this! I finally have my life back and I feel great!

Tips:
-If you are struggling with addiction… reach out and ASK FOR HELP.
-Track your food
-Don’t drink your calories… Drink water instead!
-Get up and move! Even if it’s 10 minutes a day… get some exercise! Anything is better than nothing!
-Eat your veggies, the greener the better!
-Add protein into your diet. Chicken, Turkey, and Tilapia are some of my favorites.
-STAY COMMITTED to a healthy lifestyle
-Be patient. It doesn’t happen overnight. You will have bad days. Don’t beat yourself up! Let the bad days go and don’t let a bad day turn into a bad week.

If you are looking for meal ideas or inspiration you can friend my on myfitnesspal, or you can follow me on instagram at katiehugfitness!