How I lost 30 lbs in a year…

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Yes, I did it. I lost 30 lbs in a year.

And I’ve kept it off!!

Here I was. Not knowing myself when I looked in the mirror. I was at my heaviest and had quit weighing myself because I just didn’t want to know. My triglycerides were sky high and my LDL cholesterol was soaring. I was a candidate for medication. I was launching into prediabetes. I was even having ridiculous hypoglycemia episodes that made me sick and lasted all day.

I started simple.

I got a Fitbit. Seriously that is all I did. I asked for one at Christmas. It was just awareness of how much I moved. It was so shocking to see there were days I only moved 500 steps. (Yes, I’m hanging my head in shame.)

(Just a little bit on the Fitbit.  I started with a Charge.  Now, I have an Ulta, which is a bit slimmer and has a smaller interface.  The only difference I’ve noticed other than size is that my Ulta doesn’t do a step climbed count, and my Charge did – it would tell you how many flights you climbed.  It’s honestly not a feature I used or miss.)

Over time, I tried to meet my steps and simply MOVED more. Just the simple change of moving more inspired me to try and change my eating habits. I started using My Fitness Pal, a downloadable app for your phone.  (It is downloadable on both iPhone and Android).  I used the calorie goal it gave me and logged every single thing that I ate.  It didn’t matter if it was the Hershey Kiss from a coworker’s candy bowl, it got logged.

In April, I had lost 10 lbs but felt stuck. A friend suggested Advocare. I didn’t know if I could do it. I was actually SCARED to give up Coca-Cola. I was down to one a day, but it was my only source of caffeine. (Yes, I was totally addicted.). She explained Spark was caffeinated and would replace my Coke. Ok – I needed this. I was going to try this 24-day challenge.

We can do anything for 24 days, right???

And so, after 24 days, I was soda free. And down another 10 lbs!!!

What else could I incorporate? I was moving more, not drinking soda, and eating the best I’ve ever eaten.

That’s when my friend, Sam, said: “Do CrossFit with me”. At first, I said no. Said I would never ever do it. She said, “Just do the 101 class and you don’t have to stay long term”. Finally, I caved. I wouldn’t leave my friend alone to brave this new gym alone. “But only for the 101 class!!” I was adamant.

Day One of Crossfit 101

We walk in and the previous regular class was in session. Multiple guys with shirts off, obvious muscles and some seriously badass girls all lifting these huge weights overhead like they were light as rag dolls. I looked over at Sam and said: “Why did I agree to this?”

I did stay. We did the first 101. The warmup was burpees (whyyyyy?) and the course involved basic mechanics of an air squat. Uhm, I couldn’t get into a full depth squat. I had ZERO mobility. A little humble pie when you are 37 and can’t even squat. I also couldn’t jump rope. I had to do my first official wod jumping over a crack in the floor.

Over the course of 101, my confidence soared. I was doing things I would not even imagine doing. I lost another 10 lbs over the course of a few months and lost TWO dress sizes.

In June, I’ll be doing CrossFit for 2 years. Is it a lifestyle change? Absolutely. But it’s an amazing, rewarding one. My husband and child all do CrossFit (yes sir – my 8-year-old learned to jump rope in Crossfit kids)!

My diet is always under my scrutiny to improve – we all fall off the wagon and have a bad eating day. But overall, my eating habits and even taste buds have just evolved with time. (Heck, I chose salmon, rice, and broccoli at a restaurant last night because I thought it looked the tastiest!)  You can start with some simple breakfast swaps.

Here I am – maintaining my weight for a year now. Happier and healthier than I’ve ever been in my adult life. (Oh and not only can I jump rope now, I’m doing double unders!)

What do you plan to do to get moving and start eating better? Can I help you? Can I motivate you??? (I am an Advocare distributor and would be happy to send you to my site if you send me an email! (manda@thekitchenchair.com)). I’m happy to discuss CrossFit, healthy foods – just ask !! I want to see you get healthy!