Weight Loss Stories – Michelle Wells Lost 103 Pounds and 45 Inches

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Name: Michelle
Age: 34
Family Status: Single
Occupation: Director
Location: Norman, Oklahoma
Height: 5’7″
Starting Weight: 256 pounds
Current Weight: 153 pounds
Current Waist Size: 32″

Michelle’s Weight Loss Interview!

How much did you lose?
I lost 103 pounds and went from a dress size of 20 down to a size 6 (size 8 in pants)! I have lost a total of 45 inches from my waist, hips, arms and thighs!

When did you become unhappy with your weight?
I gained the weight in my late 20s. I stopped being active and started to eat out more. I enjoyed lots of fast food and lots of snacking.

What made you decide to lose weight?
I was really starting to feel run down. I lacked energy and would easily get winded. I used to be very athletic so that was hard for me to deal with. I saw a picture of myself that shocked me and I just knew I had to do something about it.

What were the most important changes you made to lose weight?
I joined Weight Watchers and stared using their Smart Points plan. I started cooking my own meals at home and paid close attention to portion sizes. I also started drinking water constantly and started taking the stairs at work instead of the elevator. I just started to actually pay attention to what I was doing, instead of going through the motions of life.

What was the most challenging thing you had to deal with during your weight loss journey?
I don’t eat vegetables (except green beans) so there was a huge learning curve for me. I’ve found some ways to sneak vegetables into my diet (homemade marinara, cauliflower rice, spaghetti squash) and have worked to increase my fruit intake.

How long did it take you to start to see results?
I lost 11 pounds my very first week, so it was immediate on the scale. I started to physically see changes in my body and how my clothes were fitting after losing about 20 pounds. That is about the time that others started to notice also.

How long did it take for you to reach your current weight?
It took me about 10 1/2 months to reach this weight.

Did you have any issues with loose skin after losing the weight? If so, how did you deal with it?
I have been pretty fortunate in that my weight loss stayed fairly proportional. I have a little bit of loose skin on my arms, stomach, chest area, but nothing that I feel will require surgery.

How long have you maintained your weight loss and what are the most important factors for keeping it off?
I have been around my goal for about a month now weighing in at 156 pounds with 100 pounds total lost. I have the Weight Watchers maintenance plan to keep me in check and keep the weight off.

What keeps you motivated to continue your weight loss success?
Losing the weight has not only changed my physical appearance, but has also had a huge impact on how I feel on the inside. I am more self-aware, more confident and more outgoing. I never want to go back. Feeling good about how I look in clothes is a huge bonus!

How has your life changed now that you have lost weight?
I have made lots of new friends, specifically in the weight loss community. I put myself out there more and it has opened so many doors. I’ve had great success at my job, thanks to my new confidence in myself. It has been completely life changing.

Do you have any advice for others who are trying to lose weight?
Start right now! Surround yourself with people who are doing the same thing, like the Instagram community. You’ll find recipes, snack ideas, clothing tips and workout plans! Set small goals for yourself along the way and plan non-food related rewards. Also, drink lots of water and get your steps in!

How did ShapeFit help you reach your weight loss goals?
The success stories on ShapeFit.com have been so inspirational! It’s so helpful to see others who have been down the path before me and know that it can be done, if you just put in the work.

Michelle’s Weight Loss Tips!

Weight Loss Tip #1:
Meal preparation is key! Figure out how many portions the recipe makes and then serve yourself a portion and immediately separate the remaining portions into individual leftover containers for future meals.

Weight Loss Tip #2:
Drink lots of water! I make sure to have an ice water by my side at all times.

Weight Loss Tip #3:
Be active! Whether it’s walking in place in front of the TV at night, jogging around your neighborhood, or biking trails, make activity a priority. Use a fitness tracker like the FitBit to keep you motivated.

Weight Loss Tip #4:
Snacks! Have individual sized snacks at the ready. If I buy a box of crackers or a bag of chips, I immediately weigh it out on my food scale into individual portions and bag it. I have a stash in the pantry for easy grab-and-go snacks!

Weight Loss Tip #5:
Get quality sleep! Before I lost weight, I suffered from insomnia. I would stay up until all hours of the night, usually eating. When I started Weight Watchers, I imposed an 11pm bedtime for myself on weeknights. This curbed the late night snacking and soon changed my entire sleep routine. When I get more sleep, I feel so much better the next day.

Michelle’s Weight Loss Eating Plan!

What do you normally eat for breakfast?
I meal prep center-cut bacon every weekend. I cook it in the oven and then keep it in the fridge. For breakfast, I’ll have a few slices, plus a bagel, or a protein doughnut. I sometimes add a light string cheese. I also usually have a cup of naturally sweetened applesauce.

What do you normally eat for lunch?
I will usually have leftovers from the weeks’ meal prepping. Occasionally, I’ll make a sandwich or a wrap.

What do you normally eat for dinner?
I cook recipes a lot for dinner, so I’ll have lunch and dinner leftovers. I also make pita pizzas, quesadillas and other convenience meals.

What do you normally eat for snacks?
I like to eat turkey pepperoni, string cheese, crackers and Laughing Cow cheese, apples, popcorn and other easy snacks.

What type of nutritional supplements do you take?
I take Olly Women’s Multivitamins every day.

Michelle’s Weight Loss Workouts!

What do you do for weight training?
I do some free weight exercises at home, specifically arm exercises. I intend to work on weight training soon.

What do you do for cardio training?
I concentrate on getting my steps in each day. I join FitBit challenges to motivate me to get more steps. I also worked my way through the Couch To 5K app (C25K), so now I’ve added jogging to my exercises.

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