Barbara Hammond, 41, Former IT Business Analyst, Watsonville, CA
How much weight have you lost? 134 pounds
Tell us what the “old you” used to be like. Tired most of the time. Worked my day job (sat at a desk most of the day), and came home. Too tired to cook, so I did a lot of take out. Ate most meals in bed. Laid in bed a lot. Just exhausted all the time.
What prompted your weight loss? I had high blood pressure after my son was born in 2012. And my husband had a health scare at the same time. We decided it was time to get healthy. For us and for our kids. (I kept at it, he did not).
How did you lose the weight?
Short answer? I learned to eat better, and I moved more. I did not “diet”. I did not take pills. I did not have weight loss surgery.
Longer answer? I use MyFitnessPall to track what I ate and how I moved or rather didn’t move. I started walking; parked further away, climb stairs vs. elevator… That sort. Major baby steps. I learned to eat better. Not less, initially, I just made better choices like Subway instead of McDonald’s. I’m losing slowly. About a pound a week on average. Been doing MFP for 800+ days now. Before c25k I was using my Wii Fit and bought a Zumba game, and Just Dance. These get me moving in my living room. Without an audience, I could look silly without embarrassment. I also got the Nickelodeon Fit game (Dora, Backyardigans, etc) for my daughter, so we could do these together too. She’s very thin, but what kid doesn’t benefit from moving? I also started wearing a pedometer. Tracked my steps, and encouraged me to get more steps in each day.
I am doing all of this so I can keep up with the kids and be the mom they need me to be. It took me years to gain it, and I accepted it would take years to lose it too. I’ve eaten the donuts, the ice cream, the chocolate Easter bunny … and when I ate “bad” foods, I still logged it. I was truthful with myself. If I had a “bad” day, it was okay. On average, I was still doing well. I became open to try new foods and new recipes. I’m surprised how good some of that “healthy” food was. So I ate better, and continued walking and running.
After a year of this, I was down around 80 lbs. At that time I decided that maybe I should meet with a nutritionist. She was fantastic. She taught me even MORE about food and nutrition and helped explain how while I was doing great with cardio, I really should also start adding in strength training. She set me up with a free month at the local YMCA plus gave me three personal training sessions. At those sessions the trainer showed me how to use the cardio equipment (day 1), the weight machines (day 2), and resistance bands (day 3). He gave me some print outs so I could do the exercises at home. I know I do better following someone, so I can perfect the steps/moves and get the benefits of the exercise. So I purchased some home DVD workouts (Ten Min Trainer and TurboFire) which came with everything I needed; equipment, recipes, and instruction. Now I’m doing some PiYo and loving it. I fell in love with these Beachbody workouts, and was having great results, so I became a coach too. It’s important to note it’s not a one size fits all solution. What worked for me may or may not work for others. All I can do is share what I did, and that’s what I do. The cardio my first year helped lose a lot of pounds. The strength training in the second year helped tighten up this loose skin and gave me muscles which in turn boosted my metabolism, which in turn helps me burn the food I’m eating more effectively.
How long did it take? I started in July 2012, but really kicked it into gear September 2012, so it’s been just over two years now.
What was the hardest part? Doing it alone. My husband and I had decided to do this together, and about two weeks in, he stopped. I had to find other places for support and encouragement. I found the online community to be especially helpful, and joined a few groups. One group in particular was an accountability group and I loved it there with the daily tasks, goals, challenges, and sharing.
Most fun part of your weight loss? Buying smaller clothes! So much fun!
Most rewarding experience? Getting results and sharing my progress as I’ve gone along. Working out with my kids! Having more energy now, so much so, the kids struggle to keep up with me! Getting my life back and being able to do and enjoy many adventures with the family.
Who/what inspires you when you feel like quitting? I’ve never felt like quitting. I suppose I just keep my eye on my prize, which is more than a size smaller or bigger muscles. It’s being able to be a better mom, a better wife, a better friend. Why would I want to give that up now?
How has this weight loss changed your life? It gave me my life back. This is the life I want to live. It’s a lot more fun here.
Have any advice for others who’d like to lose weight? Some tips that helped me when I started all of this was taking it slow and being realistic. I made goals that I could actually hit. And I realized it wasn’t going to come off fast. It took me years to gain it after all. On purpose, I wanted to lose slowly. It is the best way to lose it and keep it off. Not a diet, but rather a lifestyle change.
Your must-have fitness equipment. DVD player (most of my workouts are now Beachbody DVDs), resistance bands, yoga mat, balance ball, and a variety of hand weights up to 10 lbs.
Favorite training song: You Fckn Did It (Jason Mraz)
Funniest /weirdest/most awkward experience during your weight loss journey. When I started Ten Minute Trainer, I had lost a lot of weight already and had a lot of loose skin. Once, while doing the workout, my daughter was in the room and my skin slapped against itself. Made the loudest sound and she just started laughing in hysterics at me. At first I was super embarrassed, but then I figured whatever! I look silly. So what. At least I’m moving! Still have that attitude today. I think sometimes we take ourselves too serious. I am moving. That’s really all that matters. (We LOVE this, Barbara! We wish everyone had your amazing.)
Future goals: Lose the final 10, and then maintain. The final 10 pounds are notoriously the most difficult to lose. And that’s where I am now. Before … I never had a weight goal, and now it seems I do. I’m investigating going back to school to get my dietician license as well. And I plan to keep helping, motivating, and holding those that ask, accountable on their journey to getting healthy too.
One more thing: I’ve been blogging (http://bwarsh.blogspot.com/ ) my journey every step of the way so that others could see how I’ve done it and I recently launched a FB page too (fb.com/UnderConstructionWithBwarsh), to connect my blog and my story to even more people. I’m an open book. I’m approached all the time with questions on how I did it. I’m told that I inspire others. That my story is one they want to be part of too.
Congratulations Barbara! We’re inspired by your healthy new body and hope you enjoy years of fun shopping trips to come! Fitz and the entire team and Fitzness.com
