Name: Amber
Age: 31
Family Status: Married
Occupation: Radio Personality
Location: Mesquite, Texas
Height: 5’5″
Waist: 32-34″
Starting Weight: 308 pounds
Current Weight: 183 pounds
Pounds or Inches Lost: I lost 125 pounds and dropped many dress sizes!
Amber’s Weight Loss Story!
When did you become unhappy with your weight?
I have been heavy all of my life. I was the chunky kid!
What made you decide to lose weight?
By 2007, I was at an all-time high of 308 pounds and years of crash diets did nothing to help control my weight. With the scale stuck at 300+ pounds, I was completely overwhelmed by how much I needed to lose. I was ashamed of letting myself go that far and had to do something about it. I would go shopping and always hated it because no matter what store I visited, I could not find any fashionable, nice, and flattering clothes to complement my shape. I started to think that there weren’t any fashion designers who acknowledged people like me. Maybe it’s because they don’t believe people my size exist, at least that is what it felt like when I was trying to shop for clothes. Then in December of 2009, my younger sister who also had a chunky childhood, decided to have a gastric bypass surgery and her weight began to dissolve but I was still in my mind, huge! I was not going to be the “fat sister”, so I committed to fixing my weight problem for good.
What were the most important changes you made to lose weight?
Instead of eating out, I started cooking healthier versions of my favorite foods, boosted my veggie and protein intake, and swapped red meat and pork for chicken and fish. I also started going to the gym with my significant other. We would workout 5 days a week for 1-2 hours per session. I began with a group workout and eventually moved to working out on my own with programs that blended cardio and circuit training.
What was most challenging about losing weight?
Adjusting to the commitment and staying focused on my disabled daughter.
How long did it take you to start to see results?
7 months.
How long did it take for you to reach your current weight?
2 years.
How long have you maintained your weight loss and how do you do it?
1 year. I maintain by watching what I eat and staying committed to the gym and not allowing food to control my life.
What keeps you motivated to continue your weight loss success?
My results and the fact that I can go into any store and find clothes that are fashionable and that fit me properly!
How has your life changed now that you’ve lost weight?
As I shed my weight, my self-confidence grew and grew!
Do you have any advice for others who are trying to lose weight?
Everyone’s weight loss plan is different. My body reacts totally different from the next person and you have to tailor a plan for you, not anyone else.
How did ShapeFit help you reach your weight loss goals?
I read ShapeFit’s articles, fitness tips and weight loss success stories which helped me because I was able to see the results from people going through the same thing as I was. Hearing other people’s real life stories about how they committed to losing weight allowed me to see others who were going through the same situation. I also got some great tips for workouts and dinner ideas.
Amber’s Weight Loss Tips!
Weight loss tip #1:
Create a workout plan tailored to your body!
Weight loss tip #2:
Be active!
Weight loss tip #3:
If you workout and you are not sweating or your muscles and limbs are not feeling the burn, you did not workout hard enough!
Weight loss tip #4:
Try to move away from red meat and pork. Focus on eating chicken and fish for a couple of months and see how you feel.
Weight loss tip #5:
You have to really want it because just thinking about how much you need it will not help you truly work for it.
Amber’s Weight Loss Eating Plan!
Breakfast:
Oatmeal, turkey bacon, bagel with peanut butter, orange juice.
Lunch:
Baked chicken, steamed veggies, water.
Dinner:
A bunch of veggies, water.
Snacks or Mini Meals:
Cheese, peanut butter with crackers, pita chips, popcorn, fruit.
Nutritional Supplements:
Advocare products.
Amber’s Weight Loss Workouts!
Weight Training:
I did not incorporate weight training until I was satisfied with my weight because I wanted to construct the body I was truly happy with.
Cardiovascular:
1.5 hours of blended cardio and circuit training per workout.
