How I lost 65 lbs through diet and exercise!

Before

Let’s face it, having kids can do some strange things to your body. This is especially true if you do not understand the importance of  proper nutrition and exercise during pregnancy. I was sadly misinformed about how I should eat and exercise during pregnancy.

After having my first child, I weighed 184 pounds. My pants had gone from size 8 to size 15. That was after only a few months of wearing maternity pants! When I first tried on a pair of size 15 pants, I was shocked and depressed.

Some of the weight I had gained came off over the next couple of years because I was so busy taking care of the new baby, working, and not having as much time to eat as I had before. But I was still considerably heavier than I had been. So, I decided to join a gym.

After

Before going to the gym and trying to take control of my weight, I noticed that I would easily get out of breath and that my whole body jiggled, and not in a good way either. Even though no one really said anything to me about it, I felt unattractive, and I was always tired.

When I went to the gym, I did everything … the wrong way! I kept eating whatever I wanted to eat; a lot of chocolate, hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, and anything else that was quick and easy. I spent five days a week and three hours a day in the gym on the exercise bike and on the treadmill, and I was only able to lose a little less than ten pounds. Every once in a while, I would venture over to the weight machines, but I am not sure I ever used them right!

Then, I found out I was pregnant with baby number two. Thankfully, I was only 160 pounds after this baby. I decided that I was going to succeed this time! I was sick of feeling overweight and unattractive. I was ready to get the body of my dreams – no matter what!

About six weeks after I had my second child, I started using a cardio workout video called Hip Hop Abs. I might have gone a little overboard, though. I was doing it two times a day in the beginning! It was so much fun that I didn’t get burned out. And I didn’t injure myself like it is possible to do if you overdo some workouts.

In addition to using the video, I cleaned up my diet in a big way. I started to record calories in a notebook. Everything that I ate, no matter how large or small, went into that notebook. Sometimes, I would have snacks when I started to feel hungry, but even things like chewing gum went on my calorie counting list.

I began to include a lot grilled chicken in my diet. I seasoned that chicken every which way possible. We even had chicken pizza on pita bread!

When I could see what I was doing, by tracking calories, I was able to keep more focused. Having a trainer, even one who is only on a DVD on the TV, helped me maintain my motivation. It is difficult to stay on track by yourself, so I asked some friends to help keep me accountable.

After I had built up some strength by using Hip Hop Abs, I moved on to P90X. When I worked out, I would make sure that I pushed myself to my limit. Muscle failure was a common thing for me. I was afraid that I was going to get bulky.

I learned that women do not have the natural ability to get bulky muscles like men do. What I achieved was lean, beautifully cut abs and arms. Just one year after having my baby, I had slimmed down to an athletic body type, and I had been invited to appear on a Hip Hop Abs infomercial!

Picture this – a 23 year old girl who had only been on an airplane once before, making her way to the big city of Los Angeles all by herself! I was terrified, but I was really excited to meet Shaun T (creator of Hip Hop Abs) since he had helped me shed so many pounds.

The day after I arrived, we filmed parts of the infomercial, and we got to go out to eat at a nice restaurant on the Beach Body’s company tab. I was so sore the day after the work out that I could barely walk, but it felt great! All of my hard work had paid off, and I was in L.A.!

If there is one thing I would say to people that wonder if getting a trainer and working out is worth it, I would say – YES! When you have someone to push you to reach your goals, it is incredibly helpful. When you and your trainer share a moment of triumph after a new fitness goal has been attained, it is highlight of your day!