Sonya Wooten, 41, Customer Service Manager, Cincinnati, Ohio.
How much weight have you lost?
52 pounds and 9.5% Body Fat!
Tell us what the “old you” used to be like.
I was a constant “yo-yo” of about 15 pounds. I would do what I had to do to lose
a few pounds and then I would gain it right back. I hated being overweight but I
told myself “I’m in my 30’s and still look pretty good.” I would reward my weight
loss with fast food… it was a constant cycle.
What prompted your weight loss?
I had just turned 40 in February and I planned a group pub crawl for St. Patrick’s
Day. The entire length of the crawl was 1.5 miles. I had been having problems
walking due to pinched nerves in my back and I was mortified when I couldn’t
even make it to the first pub. I was looking for a bench like my 85 year-old
Grandma. I was so embarrassed that I had to take a cab to each of the locations,
because I couldn’t walk them. The next day I told my husband “I want to be 40
and fabulous not 40 and fat.” My goal was to lose 40 pounds by my 41st birthday.
My first motivation came from my chiropractor (which I went to right after the
embarrassing pub crawl incident). After I saw that I had 19 pinched nerves in my
back and that my weight was a contributing factor I immediately changed my diet
the next day. I DID NOT do what I normally do which is “I’ll start on Monday…” I
think I started on a Wednesday.
How did you lose the weight?
It’s funny because that is a question I get a lot now. I always answer “The hard
way! Diet & Exercise” My best friend makes fun of me because when we go out
to eat, I order a “double broccoli with broccoli on the side”. Initially I started by
eating better and limiting my calories to 1100-1300 per day, 60-70 carbs, and
70g protein. What helped me (which is a little boring and something I’ve never
done before) is that for the first four to five months, I ate pretty much the exact same
thing every day because I knew how many calories, carbs, and proteins there
were in the foods. I started making small changes in my activity and doing lots of
yard work at our new house. In January 2015, Fitz started her Hottie Body Fitzness
Challenges – which had me working out four to five days a week!
How long did it take?
18 months and I still want to lose seven more pounds.
What was the hardest part?
Getting my butt to the gym! I am NOT a morning person and going after work
gets me home pretty late.
Most fun part of your weight loss?
There are so many… the compliments obviously, but I also like seeing my body
change. People are not only noticing my weight loss, but now they are noticing
the definition and muscle I am building. I love when I can do something I couldn’t
do a month or a week ago – like burpees and jump roping. Oh! And shopping!!!
I’ve had to purge my closet three times.
Most rewarding experience?
When I was able to walk the 1.5 miles that I couldn’t walk the year before. Not
only did I walk it, but I did a 5k that same morning and ran my most recent fastest
mile! Oh and when I was able to finally do an Angry Up!!!
Sonya Wooten – Outdoorsy and Active!
Who/what inspires you when you feel like quitting?
The Who – My husband! He is my biggest fan and is constantly telling me how
proud he is of me. The What – When I think about the way I used to feel and see
old pictures of me… that’s enough to keep me going. Trust me, I am not perfect
and have only lost 15 pounds this year, but I keep going. Today is the day I
worried about yesterday…
How has this weight loss changed your life?
I feel great and I have more confidence, but most importantly my cholesterol is
down, I am off all my asthma medications, I found my lost love for running and
working out, and I am able to do things I haven’t been able to do in years. I
recently planned a hiking trip for one of my friend’s birthday – in the past, we
would have gone out to dinner.
Have any advice for others who’d like to lose weight?
Don’t give up, start again tomorrow, NOT Monday or next week. Plan ahead and
if you are doing all the right things progress will happen. Remember you didn’t
gain all that weight overnight… so you aren’t going to lose it overnight either.
Your must-have fitness equipment.
Jump rope and fitness bands
Favorite training song:
Ahhhh… you’re pulling out my inner nerd here. I actually listen to books from
Audible while I work out. LOL!
Favorite healthy food:
Balsamic portabella mushroom- grilled with quinoa and baby spinach.
Favorite not-so-healthy food:
Panera chocolate chip cookies. Did you know there are 420 calories In. One.
Cookie?
Funniest / weirdest/most awkward experience during your weight loss journey.
Ha ha ha… my first workout riding my new bike. I thought to myself “well Fitz has
us doing 10 miles on a bike, I can do that easy!!” I almost died that day… LOL! I’m
pretty sure the neighbors thought they were going to have to come rescue the
poor girl who thought she could. I didn’t even go four miles. When I pulled into the
driveway, my husband thought he was going to have to call 911. Riding a real
bike and a stationary bike – Not the same thing… Not even close!!!
Future goals:
I want to lose 7 more pounds and then maintain that weight. I know that I will
have to work at being thin and healthy; it does not come naturally to me. Running
in more 5k’s with my husband.
Learn the EXACT FORMULA FOR WEIGHT LOSS so YOU can become a success story here.
