Hey Friends,
Just a little bit about myself…
I have been on a weight loss journey since April 2009. So far I have lost over 40 lbs. I started my journey at a weight of 194.3 lbs and I currently weigh 150 lbs. I have been documenting this journey since April 2009 on YouTube. I am currently in the process of living a more healthy and sustainable life. I am a doctoral student with a major in health education/promotion. Ironically, while this is my educational field and I have been a vegetarian for a number of years, I have been quite unhealthy for a long time. Through motivation and inspiration I found on YouTube, I made the conscious decision that I could no longer live like this. I also joined Weight Watchers in April 2009. I am making positive changes not only with my diet and exercise habits, but also in other areas of my life like how I can be more “green.”
Here is a quick FAQ I get on YouTube that I think is helpful in understanding where I am coming from:
How much do you currently weigh? 135 lbs
How tall are you?
I’m 5’7
What size do you wear?
When I started this journey, I wore a size 18. Currently, I wear a size 6 and a small or medium in tops.
What do you eat?
I am a vegetarian. I try to avoid eating anything that’s processed. My diet usually consists of a lot of fresh greens, vegetables, fruits, soy, and legumes. I love yogurt, hummus, granola, oatmeal, and cheese! All in moderation. I also drink lots of water.
What exercises do you do?
I usually work out 3-4 times a week.
I do a lot of cardio including the treadmill and recumbent bike. Usually I use these exercise machines for about 30-45 minutes at a time and use intervals in the intensity of the workout. I also do a lot of calisthenics which include balance ball full body workouts, Pilate’s 100, push-ups and ab crunches. I am also a big fan of Gaiam workouts: http://life.gaiam.com/
Is Weight Watchers hard?
In my opinion, no it isn’t but everyone is different. It works for some and not for others. I think each person needs to try out different options and see what fits them the best. There is “no one size fits all” diet for everyone. However, for me, Weight Watchers lets me eat anything I want as long as I eat it in moderation and I stay within my daily points. I am a huge fan of WW!
What do you do when you get cravings?
I usually eat what I crave because if I don’t I will end up eating lots of stuff as a substitute and I’ll end up eating more calories than I would have if I had just eaten what I craved. I am also a huge fan of eating Jolly Time popcorn, dark chocolate or pickles when I have cravings. Their tasty and filling.
Where do you shop for your food?
I usually shop at my local farmers market and supermarket. I also like Citarella and Whole Foods but they can be quite expensive for my budget. Hence, I recommend shopping at your local market that probably offers fresh food at cheaper costs.
What is your goal weight? Do you have any other goals?
My goal is to be a healthy weight in the 130s. I also hope to lower my body fat % and tone and sculpt my body through conditioning.
Do you track your calories? What applications do you use to track your weight loss?
I try to as much as I can. I usually track my calories on my Iphone with the application “Lose It.” I also keep an electronic food diary using CalorieCount.com and track my daily points on Weight Watchers online.
Questions?: Email me @ losingthefatnow@gmail.com
