Name: Rachael
Age: 23
Family Status: Single
Occupation: Personal Trainer
Location: Michigan
Height: 5’2″
Starting Weight: 160 pounds
Current Weight: 140 pounds
Pounds or Inches Lost: I lost 20 pounds!
Rachael’s Weight Loss Story!
I’d like to share my story with you so you will know everyone has to start from somewhere. People do not just wake up and “be awesome”, as much as we would like to pretend we can do that, there is no such thing.
All throughout high school I was a 3 sport athlete; 2-a-day practice was my thing. My senior year of high school I became a member of Snap Fitness in Belmont, Michigan. I got into a great routine and every day after school I would head to the gym. I would stay on ANY cardio machine for at least 45 minutes and make my round on the machines and then be on my way. I lost a few pounds here and there but was mostly using the gym as my “get away” time for a stress reliever. I soon moved out of my parent’s place and into my cousin’s house in Hudsonville which was right across the street from the Georgetown Snap Fitness location!
At the time I also changed jobs and my routine quickly went from going to the gym every day to paying the gym for 2 complete years and not going more than 3 times (WITHIN 2 YEARS!). I was the member the gym loved; I paid my monthly dues, but never came in! I was working at a bar in downtown Grand Rapids and was working night shifts. The gym was open 24/7, but who really wants to work from 4:30pm to 5:00am and then go workout for an hour. Trust me, I’ve tried it and it ain’t happening! All I wanted to do was go home and sleep, wake up and repeat. Because of this way of living, on came the pounds.
A little over 2 years ago I was on my way home from a road trip with my brother and couldn’t fit into any of my clothes. Again, I lived across the street from the gym, paid the membership dues but never went. Coming home from a southern state where you are always wearing shorts, tank tops or even swimsuits, you’re always revealing a lot more skin than normal. That’s when the judging began, not from others but from myself. I couldn’t fit into anything! I’m young and I should be able to run a mile. I thought maybe if I just don’t eat I could get down to the weight that I wished to be. Maybe then guys would be interested in me. I judged myself up and down. About 5 hours away from the Michigan line I got on Facebook and messaged the Georgetown Snap Fitness about personal training.
Within a few hours I got a response back from the gym. I setup an appointment and was ready to rock-n-roll. This began my training journey. I met with Jeff twice a week, but going back to where I was in high school thinking, “I know how to workout, heck I played three sports, practiced twice a day and even on the off season” so BRING IT!” At my first session, about 15 minutes into the workout I THREW UP! I never threw up during a workout before! I gave Jeff one goal, I wanted to be able to run a 5K. I’m in my 20’s and I should be able to run a 5K no problem! I was also 32% body fat, and weighed about 166 pounds. This is the heaviest I have ever been! A goal weight for myself, at the time, was 135 pounds. That means I had to lose AT LEAST 31 pounds to just meet my goal weight. I had not seen 135 on the scale in YEARS.
About 9 months later of pushing myself day in and day out with workouts in the gym, changing what I was eating, and doing extra work outside of training, I finally hit the 20 pound loss mark. Long story short, I went from not being able to run a mile to now training for my second marathon (26.2 miles). I’m down to 18% body fat and I now weigh 140 pounds. I still have not met my 135 pound goal weight, but my goals for training have also changed.
I share my story to help all of you who are on your own weight loss journey to understand that goals DO NOT COME OVERNIGHT. I’m 2 years into training and STILL have not met my goal weight. I struggle with diet and exercise just as much as all of you! Although I am a trainer, I am the furthest away from being any super hero, although I may think I am at times, I’m not. I would like each and every one of you to know that I have been through exactly what you are going through and I am here for you at any time, any day of the week! Goals take time to meet and being awesome does not come overnight! If you have a goal weight, a race or a competition that you would like to compete in, then GO GET IT!
Rachael’s Weight Loss Interview!
When did you become unhappy with your weight?
I was on a spring break trip with my younger brother when I was 20 years old and could not fit into my clothes.
What made you decide to lose weight?
Feeling like I was being judged. Also not being able to fit in my clothes. The scale was 40 pounds away from being 200 pounds! At the rate it was moving up, I would have been that heavy in no time!
What were the most important changes you made to lose weight?
Going to the gym on a regular basis and watching what I eat.
What was most challenging about losing weight?
Keeping a food journal and not eating when I am bored, upset or mad.
How long did it take you to start to see results?
A little over a year.
How long did it take for you to reach your current weight?
Two years.
How long have you maintained your weight loss and how do you do it?
Going on 3 months. I stay consistent with eating clean and working out.
What keeps you motivated to continue your weight loss success?
My personal trainer, friends, family and pictures of where I want to be in the fitness industry.
How has your life changed now that you’ve lost weight?
I’m happier and I have more confidence. I think differently about what I am putting into my body.
Do you have any advice for others who are trying to lose weight?
Just keep going! Weight loss is not a straight shot and you will go up and down, so keep going. Also, YOU are the only one keeping YOURSELF from your goals, LOCK IT UP and push it!
How did ShapeFit help you reach your weight loss goals?
ShapeFit’s weight loss stories are very inspirational.
Rachael’s Weight Loss Tips!
Weight loss tip #1:
Lock it up.
Weight loss tip #2:
Just do it.
Weight loss tip #3:
Keep going.
Weight loss tip #4:
You against you.
Weight loss tip #5:
Always give your 100%.
Rachael’s Weight Loss Eating Plan!
Breakfast:
1 cup vanilla Greek yogurt, 1 nectarine, 3 strawberries, 1 package of oatmeal.
Lunch:
2 ounces of ground turkey, 1 sweet potato, 8 ounces of milk, 1 scoop whey protein.
Dinner:
2 ounces of turkey or a lean meat with veggies.
Snacks or Mini Meals:
Raw almonds, PowerBars.
Nutritional Supplements:
CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid), 4 daily C4 (pre-workout), whey protein.
Rachael’s Weight Loss Workouts!
Weight Training:
I workout 3 times a week for 1.5 hours and I do full body weight training.
Cardiovascular:
I do full cardio training 3 times a week for 30 minutes. I used to not be able to run a mile (2 years ago) and have now completed 2 full marathons
