Name: Erica
Age: 41
Family Status: Divorced
Occupation: Self-employed
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Height: 5’5″
Waist: 27″
Starting Weight: 175 pounds
Current Weight: 135 pounds
Pounds or Inches Lost: On June 3, 2012 I weighed 175 pounds and a year later on June 3, 2013 I weighed 135 pounds for a total of 40 pounds lost! Along with losing fat, I also gained 10 pounds of muscle!
Erica’s Weight Loss Story!
When did you become unhappy with your weight?
I became unhappy with my weight when I realized that size 13’s were getting to be a little bit too snug. I knew something had to give. I was on a roller coaster of trying to start, but then I would lose motivation because I had no clue of how to really lose weight. It was so depressing!
What made you decide to lose weight?
The turning point was seeing the pictures from our cruise back in April, 2012. I was in denial for so long about how much I had gained. Seeing those pictures, with rolls and muffin tops, convinced me that I am, indeed, overweight.
What were the most important changes you made to lose weight?
The most important change was my diet and overall nutrition. On my one year weight loss journey, I learned very early on to develop the discipline that I would need in order to succeed. I knew that I would have to give up a lot of my favorite foods and cut back on others. I had to learn to eat healthy. I had to learn the proper foods to eat for burning fat and nutrient timing.
What was most challenging about losing weight?
Learning how to bust through the fat! It wasn’t until the last 3 1/2 weeks of this year-long journey that I made the most progress with losing body fat. Eating cleaner and cutting out meat is really what pushed the burn over the edge and allowed me to go from 28% body fat to just 19%. Fresh fruits and vegetables, salads, and the right supplements pushed it to the max!
How long did it take you to start to see results?
I started to see results after about 60 days. I started my journey with the Insanity program, which helped me to lose 17 pounds and a few inches.
How long did it take for you to reach your current weight?
It took a full year to reach my current weight. I had a great trainer who COULD have planned for me to lose the weight in 3 months. However, he wanted to create a plan that was healthy and sustainable. I had a lot to learn and he predicted that it would take at least a year to do it right. He was on point!
How long have you maintained your weight loss and how do you do it?
I just reached my goal on June 3. I am maintaining by continuing to eat clean and healthy and workout 4-6 days a week with HIIT programs (high intensity interval training), running several times a week, hiking, and strength training.
What keeps you motivated to continue your weight loss success?
My success keeps me motivated. Inspiring others also keeps me motivated. Knowing that I can help someone start their journey is so rewarding!
How has your life changed now that you’ve lost weight?
I can now wear a size SMALL in everything. I can wear a size 4/5 in pants and shorts which is something I haven’t been able to do since I was 13. That’s 28 years ago! I am more confident and happy. I have much more energy and I sleep better. Health issues are non-existent.
Do you have any advice for others who are trying to lose weight?
Losing weight starts with what you put in your mouth. You can kill yourself with cardio on the treadmill all day every day but you won’t see much progress until you clean up your eating. You want abs? Eat clean! You want tight glutes and thighs? Clean up your eating. Remember this saying:abs are made in the kitchen!
How did ShapeFit help you reach your weight loss goals?
ShapeFit has great articles for losing weight. I am always reading articles on weight loss, building muscle, and eating better. I love websites that offer a wealth of information. ShapeFit.com is one of those sites. There are a ton of articles to peruse, sample workouts, exercises and videos. It’s a great place to go for information and help!
Erica’s Weight Loss Tips!
Weight loss tip #1:
Eat fresh fruits and veggies daily.
Weight loss tip #2:
Drink at least half your body weight in water daily.
Weight loss tip #3:
Get at least 80 grams of protein in daily.
Weight loss tip #4:
Eat a lot of homemade salads.
Weight loss tip #5:
Buy organically grown lean meats.
Erica’s Weight Loss Eating Plan!
Breakfast:
2 servings of whole grain Cream of Wheat, 1 banana, 2 mandarins, 1 scoop of protein (not a shake), liquid multi-vitamins, liquid CoQ10, liquid vitamin B12.
Lunch:
Homemade salad (about 4 cups), 2 tbsp of Anutra (Omega 3s), 2-3 tbsp of Bolthouse Farms yogurt salad dressing, 1 ounce of non-fat President feta cheese.
Dinner:
Same as lunch but I might add in 4 ounces of organic chicken.
Snacks or Mini Meals:
Mandarins, organic apples, bananas, fresh watermelon, fresh pineapples.
Nutritional Supplements:
Liquid multivitamin, liquid vitamin B12, liquid Coq-10, Anutra Lifetime plant-based protein, Silk, amino acids, Cliff shot blocks.
Erica’s Weight Loss Workouts!
Weight Training:
3 days a week using various dumbbells and a program by Rachel McLish.
Cardiovascular:
Running 3-5 miles 2-3 times a week, elliptical 1-2 times a week, hiking once a week up and down a mountain, using programs from Fitness Blender, using challenge videos. I also wear sauna suits and a 20 pound weight vest during workouts.
