I love that blogging allows me to give you all the scoop on some pretty amazing things. I’m starting something new around here called “A Scoop of…”. I will be sharing interviews with people and some very inspiring stories. To start things off please read the weight loss story of my friend, Stacie Hodges.
My name is Stacie and I have been on a roller coaster ride of weight loss and weight gain my whole adult life. I lost 40 Pounds and Lost 26.0 inches in 12 weeks! I am still pushing for that extra 5 pounds and hit my official 125 pound goal.
January 9, 2016-
Starting Weight: 170 pounds
My starting measurements: Chest: 42.5″, Waist: 39″, Hips: 40.5″, Right Thigh: 24″, Right Arm: 12.5″.
April 2, 2016
Ending Weight: 130 pounds
Ending Measurements: Chest: 38″, Waist: 29″, Hips: 35.5″, Right Thigh: 19″, Right Arm: 10.5”.
I like to work out and I really like to run. It just seems like life gets in the way so often that I’m too tired or just don’t want to go today. I have done several 5K’s starting with my first in 2009. I even tackled my first Half Marathon, the Kansas City Marathon, in October 2013; only a short 8 months after a major fall down the stairs on a snow day, (I didn’t train much for the 13.1 miles I ran and I was in pain the whole time, but I promised a friend I would run the race with her, and I kept my promise to her).
I tackled my second Half Marathon, Rock the Parkway Marathon, in April 2015. Even with all of my workouts and running, I still never have been able to control my weight. I have tried almost every diet plan that is out there: Nutrisystem, Weight Watchers, Adkins, tons of diets pills bought from various Health and Nutrition stores…Nothing seemed to work, However, I did like Slim 4 Life Plan the best.
I’m embarrassed to even admit that at my highest weight I was 185 pounds. I hated my self-image, I was miserable inside and out. I avoided scales and mirrors at all costs. I worked at a restaurant and ate unhealthy fried foods and rolls. With some diet and exercise over time I got down to 170 pounds which is considered obese for me at 42 years old and 5′ 5″ tall.
My official “last straw” was in September 2015. I started having uncontrollable constant headaches, I could feel my heart beat pounding in my head and temples non-stop. No medication would help the pain go away. Being a stubborn, strong-willed woman that I am, I knew I could handle the pain myself, even when it wouldn’t stop. Finally a month later I went to the doctor and a found out I had very high blood pressure, which I now know was the cause of my headaches and this sign should not be ignored by women. My family has a history of high blood pressure and heart problems, and many of my family members are overweight even worse than me).
I have a wonderful life with 3 beautiful daughters ages 20, 18, and 13, and I want to be around to watch them grow up, begin their adult lives, get married, have children I can love on and play with….All of that flashed before my eyes and it SCARED me! That was IT!! I was 150% determined to change my life right then and there…NO MORE EXCUSES!!! Period! One month later I was diagnosed with: General Anxiety Disorder, Insomnia, and Panic Disorder without Agoraphobia, (panic attacks that happen at any time for any reason at all). It is a completely debilitating disease and stops you in your tracks.
I was always exhausted and too tired to workout, plus my high blood pressure kept me out of the gym until it could be controlled. I finally started feeling better in January so that’s when I got to work! My first step was to weigh myself and get my starting measurements, because I wanted to document my healthy weight loss journey.
I have always heard that your weight loss is 90% food intake and 10% physical fitness.
“A moment on the lips…Forever on the hips…”
I hate that phrase but it rang true for me. I’d grab a quick donut or a cheeseburger from a fast food place, “I’ll workout harder tomorrow,” That’s what I would always tell myself to justify the bad foods I was eating. I used a personal trainer a long time ago and remembered many of the diet techniques he had suggested so I researched what types of foods I should eat and should not eat during weight loss, and I also learned how much food to eat at one time. I went to Walmart and bought a $10 simple food measuring scale and started weighing out all of my portions.
Some examples of my proteins I could intake are:
Healthy meats you can eat unlimited days a week: Chicken Breast 6 oz., Turkey Breast 5 oz., Ground Turkey Breast 5 oz.
My shopping list contained healthy fish servings too 5 oz. a serving of any of these fish: Halibut, Striped Bass, Fresh Tuna, Lobster, Fresh Shrimp, Red Snapper, and Tilapia.
The meats that I found you can have on a limited basis are: (2 times per week): Swordfish 5 oz., Salmon Steak 4 oz. Steamed Crab 5 oz.
These meats are higher in fat and should not be eaten more than 2 times per week and never back to back in days: 4 oz. of any: Arm Roast, Chuck Roast, Ground Sirloin, Club Steak, Round Steak, and Sirloin Steak.
Tuna from a can 4 oz. water packed can be eaten 1 time a week.
I had to limit my dairy intake, no milk or cheese, and “fats” too.
I could have 1% cottage cheese 5 oz. (only 3 times a week max). I could eat 6 eggs a week or Egg Beaters 1/2 cup, 3 times a week.
Healthy fats you can have on your diet is 1 Tbls daily: Diet Margarine, Promise Ultra Lite, Fleishmann’s Lite, Smart Balance Lite, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Vegetables, who doesn’t love tons of vegetables? Well me for one. But I was so committed and determined to reach my healthy goal that I broke down my own barrier and started expanding my food horizons.
Here are some of my healthy choices that I made
(1 cup raw = 1/2 cup cooked) Asparagus, Broccoli, Celery, Cucumbers, Lettuce, Green, Red, and Yellow Peppers, Green Beans, and Tomatoes.
I limited my fruits too 1 of each: Green grapes (I prefer them frozen 10 total), Apples, Blueberries, Lemon, Peach, Pineapple 3/4 cup, strawberries 12 small, and watermelon.
Starches and breads are my complete weakness! I’ve had to cut out pretty much every pasta, bread or carb that I would usually eat.
I am allowed 1 slice of Sara Lee Delightfuls bread 40 calories, Melba toast 2 pieces, 1 diet bread stick, 1 plain rice cake, a half of a 6″ corn tortilla.
Limited starches (3 times a week only) 1/2 small baked potato, brown rice, cooked 1/4 cup.
I drink water constantly at least 88 oz. a day but not more than 100 oz., because your body will actually store that extra water and you don’t want that.
You have no idea how unbelievably difficult it was for me to give up carbs, especially the food love of my life “PIZZA”!
My daily meals consist of eating:
2 proteins
2 vegetables
2 fruits
2 starches
1 fat
3 other small snacks a day, protein based.
Do not eat past 6:00PM if at all possible especially your fruits.
I strictly followed the portion sizes and drank 88 oz. of water faithfully every day. I was constantly challenged with temptations all over the place. At work there were bowls of chocolate sitting out to eat, I always ignored the temptation even though it was so hard. I also endured invites out to eat, which I didn’t go on. I gave up pizza and Mexican food, which was the impossible task. I use my Fitbit Charge HR;
I set a daily step goal of 10,000 steps a day and I did whatever I could to reach my goal.
I cannot explain how determined I was to reach my goal. I was willing to do whatever it took and I was not going to let anything get in my way. My health issues scared me and I absolutely needed to take control of my life. I wanted to share my journey of weight loss to help others who think they can’t do it. I want to inspire others to take the same steps I have taken to get a healthier life. We only have 1 life to live and I want to live mine to the fullest. I want to be happy and healthy on the inside and out.
Don’t beat yourself up if you have a bad day and splurge on a cookie or a slice of pizza that day. If you truly have a cheat day that takes you off track, increase your water intake for the next 3 days from 80 oz. to day one, 88 oz, day two, 96 oz, and day three, 88 oz. of water with lemon. I squeeze 1 full lemon into a 24 oz. bottle of water and then I add one packet of Truvia or Stevia so that it is not too bitter. (Only use 1 full lemon in a day total).
I also take shots of Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar daily which tastes incredibly disgusting. I measure out 1-1 1/2 Tbls of Apple Cider Vinegar then I get a “chaser” of juice or my lemon water….anything to help wash down the horrible taste. I am a wimp, I even hold my nose while I take my shot, (it helps)! Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar has tons of good nutrients that are good for your whole body including skin and hair.
Some people get scared of the scale, but I weigh myself every day, I want to see if I am still on track or if I am retaining a little extra water. Only use Morton’s Lite Salt (it has 50% less salt than regular table salt, and it also contains 350 mg of Potassium which is good for you).
I switched to all salt free seasonings like Mrs. Dash (she has a bunch of different flavors now), garlic powder, onion flakes, onion powder, and veggie pepper, my mom buys for me from out of town. You have to cut out all the “Junk Food” in your life. I don’t eat sugar, candy, sweets, deep fried foods, fast food, cheese, dairy, or carbs, anymore.
This has been one of the hardest decisions I have ever made in my life…But this has also been one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve ever made in my life! I truly am a happier healthier person inside and out.
Believe in yourself! Believe YOU CAN DO THIS!! Fight for what you truly want in life! Do not let anything, any excuse, or anyone get in your way, because you are important and you ARE worth it!
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