On my way to my best self...thanks to Jen Widerstrom

Posted on April 1, 2015

I'm 31 years old, 5'8", with a starting weight of 257 lbs. My goal weight is around 140 lbs (healthy and strong)! As of today, I've currently lost 37 lbs!

I started mid-January of this year by committing myself to breaking bad habits one week at a time - unlike before when I would try to stop everything cold turkey and always failed. I began incorporating exercise into my daily routine and going to bed earlier. By February, I was able to cut out pop/caffeine, junk food, and eating too late - it was hell, but easier to be consistent when I did it in steps. I started eating smaller healthy meals throughout the day and stuck to only drinking water (milk as well in cereal, smoothies, etc). Today, I'm doing over 6 km (1 hour) daily on the treadmill and 3 days a week of Jen Widerstrom's Health magazine workout! The snow is finally starting to melt here and after 6 months of winter, I'm so ready to be outside!

I have people in my life who care about me and are proud of me for what I've accomplished so far, but no one to be accountable to. Jen is such a positive and amazing role model for me, setting a great example of what being strong in mind and body truly means. What she represented on The Biggest Loser resonated with me in a big way. She gave me something that I've been missing and needing for a long time. Perspective. To be able to change all of the bad patterns I had fallen into and retrain my thinking in order to move forward. To come from a place of love. Jen's words just clicked with me. Be consistent. Create realistic and measurable goals that were challenging but still attainable. Get uncomfortable! I'm taking the tools she has shared and combining them with my own efforts to change my life. I was a broken person and had lost myself along the way. I've been wanting to face this challenge for so long but could never make it happen on my own. Jen showed me that I can still live, I just need to make better choices. The feelings of frustration and disappointment with myself are being replaced with confidence and self worth, and that feels amazing. I still have some healing to do and a ways to go to reach my goal, but I know I'm on the right path to becoming a better mom, wife, friend and the woman I want to be. I can't explain it, but Jen has become a part of my journey and I'm so grateful for that. I couldn't be doing this without her. Thank you just doesn't seem enough.

I'm looking forward to this new DietBet challenge!

Comment Now!

Fit40

04/30/2015 8:59AM

lol I just looked at your pics I did billy banks too. I love denise austin as well. Consistency is the key

Janelle likes this comment.

Fit40

04/30/2015 8:58AM

Janelle wow blast from my past....after I had my now 15 1/2 year old my doc told me if I was going to raise a healthy little girl I needed to be a healthy mom...I started at 220 and now am 160 have been for years rrrr my goal weight is 145. You can do this and I am here to tell the future you it is worth it ask my sweet 5'4 120 pound kiddo...she is healthy and happy

Janelle likes this comment.

Janelle

Thank you! :) I haven't weighed in yet today, but I'm crossing my fingers I've reached 50 lbs lost. Good job on your weight loss, that's awesome! You can definitely reach your goal! I'm happy to hear you're in a good spot and that you have a happy and healthy daughter. :) It's been a hard road, but I definitely know it will be worth it in the long run. Take care!

Fit40

honestly creating the new lifestyle is hard but once you get the weight off maintenance is better. My husbands advice head down and get it done lol

Sally B

04/07/2015 6:54AM

Great start! Slow, steady and sure! Keep working towards your goal weight. You are investing in your future with each pound dropped, adding years to your life. Don't let anything or anyone undermine your resolve. I'm excited for you and we don't even know each other. I gained weight after pregnancies 30 years, carried that added weight for all these years, and now am finally focusing on losing it. I wish I had tried when I was your age, so I really want to see you succeed. You can do it!!!!!! Yay, you!

Janelle likes this comment.

Janelle

Hi Sally! Thanks for the sweet reply! Good luck to you on your new journey! Hopefully we can help each other out. :) Looking forward to this DietBet challenge!