Name: Tami
Age: 28
Family Status: single
Occupation: Representative FT, work for a gym PT
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Pounds or Inches Lost: I lost 40 pounds!
Tami’s Weight Loss Story!
When did you become unhappy with your weight?
I became unhappy with my weight when someone asked if I was pregnant and not being able to wear clothes I had.
What made you decide to lose weight?
I decided to lose weight when I went for a doctor visit and realized the scale was not lying to me after I stood in shock seeing I was at the heaviest I had ever been.
What were the most important changes you made to lose weight?
I changed my eating habits first and then gradually made other changes, such as implementing exercise.
What was most challenging about losing weight?
The biggest challenge was willpower at first and staying motivated until I reached my goal.
How long did it take you to start to see results?
It did not take very long to see results, I would estimate about two months.
How long did it take for you to reach your current weight?
My current weight differs from my original weight loss goal as last year I began a strength training program. Losing 40 pounds took more than a few months but not more than a year..as I gradually made changes.
How long have you maintained your weight loss and how do you do it?
I have been at a healthy weight for five years. I maintained my weight the old fashioned way with proper diet and exercise.
How has your life changed now that you’ve lost weight?
I am confident, I love to wear clothes I never would have before, I have a better personal life. I find myself participating in outdoor activities and sports whereas before that was rare. I don’t mind bathing suit shopping! It is amazing how many new friends I have met from the gym.
How did ShapeFit.com help you reach your weight loss goals?
Shapefit has actually helped me more recently with my strength training program to incorporate different techniques and exercises.
Tami’s Weight Loss Tips!
Weight loss tip #1:
Increase your knowledge by reading about how to burn fat, cardio, strength training and nutrition. How much protein do you think you need a day? How much water should you drink? What is glycemic index?…DO YOU KNOW??
Weight loss tip #2:
Something is better than nothing at all, doing nothing won’t get you results.
Weight loss tip #3:
Join a gym. I wish I would have joined sooner. There is so much variety available that offers flexibility to your routine.
Weight loss tip #4:
Don’t use the scale too much to define how you are progressing. Getting discouraged can have you making choices you’ll have to change again. Go by how you feel.
Weight loss tip #5:
Minor adjustments can make all the difference: soda to water, light and low-fat, low sugar, low carb, whole grain not white, wheat pasta, good fats not fast food, half bun or not at all, smaller portions with more meals throughout the day.
Tami’s Weight Loss Eating Plan!
Breakfast:
Some days I may have egg whites with turkey sausage. Rice cake with almond butter/low sugar jam and hard-boiled egg whites. Yogurt mixed with protein, berries, fiber and honey. Oatmeal with protein powder and a tablespoon of peanut butter or add flaxseed meal.
Lunch:
I generally eat lean proteins, with veggies, and some form of carbs.
Dinner:
I generally eat lean proteins, with veggies, and some form of carbs. I typically chicken, fish, turkey, and soy burgers.
Snacks or Mini Meals:
Low fat cottage cheese, low-fat yogurt, protein shakes, green apples as examples. I’ll have cheat meals, not cheat days.
Tami’s Weight Loss Workouts!
Weight Training:
I did not do much weight training until last year. Currently I train at least every body part once a week with some twice as long as there is adequate rest time in-between. ShapeFit is a good source for ideas on how to begin your training. I also found getting a workout partner was great for sharing ideas, pushing yourself and getting results.
Cardiovascular:
The most common questionable piece of weight loss…how much, what intensity, when and what. There is so much available that I today do not get bored. I lost the majority of my weight walking, now I implement my cardio into splits…morning and evening session. I switch my cardio up, low intensity, high intensity, and HIIT cardio training.
