My Weight Loss Journey ~ Down 115#

Happy New Year Everyone,

I haven't posted as many recipes as I normally do. I plan to start making new cooking videos and posting them here.

Last year I started my weight loss journey. I had to make major life style changes. One of them being spending less time on line and getting outdoors and exercising.

My start weight was 285 # I'm 5'11" I'm now 170#.  I do not have any pictures of me at my heaviest. Some of these photos are close to my heaviest weight.


I was having lots of health issues and needed to lose weight. I have lost 115# now. It has taken me a little over a year to lose this weight.

I began making healthy food choices. I was never a big vegetable eater. I found out that I love vegetables now. I began replacing Pasta with Zoodles and Spaghetti Squash. I replaced Rice with Cauliflower Rice. I am not on a Low Carb diet but I make some low carb choices.
I stopped eating a second dinner late at night. I started drinking lots and lots of water. I eat fruits, nuts and seeds for snack.

 I don't consider myself on any certain diet except for Gluten Free. I now make sure I eat 3 meals a day along with healthy snacks. I am never hungry.

I had knee surgery in March.. part of my rehab was riding a stationary bike. I started seeing weight loss results quickly from riding the bike.  However I got bored riding the stationary bike so I bought a Mountain Bike when my knee was strong enough. I rode pretty much daily from the end of June through  Autumn. It is now winter here in Massachusetts so I'm not riding as much. I can handle the cold,, I got good outdoor gear. I just don't feel comfortable riding on the ice or snow. So on clear days I head out for a ride. Biking has helped in more ways than just physically. It makes me so happy. I forgot how much I loved riding a bike when I was a kid. I will be using my Stationary bike through out the winter.

I go to the gym 4-5 days a week working on strength training. My muscles are very weak. I'm determined to get stronger. I also go for lots of nature walks.

I never would had imagined I would be 115# lighter a year ago.

The best advise I can share with you is.

Be kind to yourself.

There will be some days that are harder than others.. embrace them and remember tomorrow is a new day.

Do positive self talk and affirmations.

You can do this.

Try not to focus all your attention on the Goal Weight. Its one day at a time and one pound at a time.

At the beginning of my weight loss journey the weight came off faster because I had so much to lose. That is normal. You will also hit plateaus .. don't stress when that happens.

I wrote down what I ate and was able to see what was working and what wasn't working.

Find what works for you for exercise,, for me biking helped me so much and I love it.

If you need help figuring out what to eat talk to your Doctor and have them refer you to a nutritionist to get you started.

Do not starve yourself.

Don't skip meals.

Drink lots of water.

Eat food that you like and are healthy. If your forcing yourself to eat foods that don't satisfy you ,, you will end up making unhealthy choices.

Everyone losses weight at different rates.

Get plenty of sleep.


This is an example of a lunch I eat. Its chicken salad served on Romaine Lettuce in place of Bread or a Wrap.

There are lots of free great workout videos on You Tube that have helped me so much.
You can do them in the comfort of your own home with out any special equipment.


My favorite You Tuber for fitness videos is:

https://www.youtube.com/user/AllAgesFitness   

Check out:  Debra Atkinson she is amazing and gives so much of herself to the community,

Recently I won a NutriBullet from Debra. This is a great way to add more fresh vegetables, fruit and protein.

She also has a great Facebook page which she shares lots of videos and does live broadcast.

https://www.facebook.com/Flipping50TV/?fref=ts

I'm not a dietitian or an expert. I'm just sharing what works for me.

                                                          I'm a work in progress

Thanks for reading my blog.

Peace ~ Love and Joy
Always be humble ~ Always be kind
Brenda Bradley ~ NaturesFairy

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