Team Beachbody Guest

When I first started out I was pretty heavy. I was well over 275 pounds and probably close to 300 at my heaviest, but when your weight gets that high you don't really want to know. I just started trying to avoid food that I knew were bad for me and reading about the right kinds of foods to eat. I drank a lot of water and really upped my fiber intake. I started working out with basic kick boxing videos and worked my way up to more advanced. At first it was really hard to see my weight loss, but after about 30 pounds people started noticing. The more they noticed the easier it was to stay on track. I hit plateaus and eventually broke through them by lifting weights and then lifting heavier weights. I walked, I ran, I aerobicized, I lifted. I always tried to do different things to keep my body guessing. This really worked for me. I was feeling invincible. Then I hit a big platea at 208 pounds. I stayed at or around this weight for about 6 months which was maddening! I was totally convinced that I would never be any lighter. I ordered the Power 90 progam at that point and was able to break the 200 barrier! I dropped about 25 pounds and hit another plateau so I ordered the Slim in 6 program and dropped all the way down to 168. With combinations of both programs and supplementing with walking, I was able to reach 158 pounds. Since that point I have stayed between 158 and 165. The funny thing is that people don't believe me when I tell them how much I weigh. I attribute this in part to body type. My shoulders are broad and line up well with my hips, but mostly I give the credit to resistance training. If I weighed what I weigh now and did not lift weights I would look like I weigh more than I do. Because of resistance, my shoulders are squared off and more contoured. This makes my hips look smaller and that's a great perk since I carry more weight in my lower body! Still, I would like to shape up the legs more and slim the hips more. I had 2 C sections so my belly, even though it is much smaller than it used to be, doesn't look like I would really like it to look. Being as big as I was really stretched out my skin around my lower stomach and hips. Losing the weight there left a lot of skin unfilled, but that's okay. My husband still thinks I am beautiful just the way I am and he loves my body. I love my body. I would not go back to the way I was for a million dollars. I would not go back for all of the money, cars, houses, jewelry, fame or notoriety in the known universe. I would have to sacrifice my self respect and that is something I could never part with. It took me far too long to find it. I look forward to this next part of my journey. My original goal was 150 pounds, but I think 145 or 142 might be better for me. I guess the numbers don't really matter. I'll know what's right for me when I get there.
June 17 2008
I wanted to let all my buds, especially TurboMomof3 and aschwartz as well as new buds like Highstrung and GJK440 how much I appreciate the extra boost they give me. You all really make me feel like I'm part of something special. Thanks to you all, all buddies!!!