Shameek Jones, 28, Stay-at-Home Mom, San Antonio, Texas
How much weight have you lost? 115lbs
Tell us what the “old you” used to be like. I did not like to work out or eat healthy. To be honest, the “old me” laughed at working out and eating right and would say, “I’m supposed to be a big girl.”
What prompted your weight loss? I had a friend who was a Zumba instructor and she would always ask me to come to her classes. Finally, I caved and went to one of her Zumbathons. After that one night of doing Zumba for four hours, I decided to attend classes more often. I didn’t get serious about my weight loss until I started to see major results from going to Zumba two or three times a week. With that and the fact that my friend/Zumba instructor was having a biggest loser challenge I said, “Game on”. I didn’t win that competition, but I did lose 30lbs and was in great shape. Without my friend/Zumba instructor I wouldn’t be where I am today.
How did you lose the weight? Zumbathons and using the MyFitnessPal app. Now I do 30 day challenges at home and I’m using the C25K app to train for a 5k.
How long did it take? It has taken me two years to lose 115lbs.
What was the hardest part? Not seeing results when I’ve busted my butt in the gym. I’m sometimes hard on myself and I have to retell myself that this is a journey not a sprint. I’m in this to keep my weight off and to live a healthier life style.
Most fun part of your weight loss? Seeing my body change and seeing the reactions that my loved ones give me when they see how much I have changed.
Most rewarding experience? Every time I surpass a goal I set for myself. I did not set out to lose this much weight. I thought the most I could lose and maintain would be 40lbs, but as the numbers on the scale keep getting lower, I kept setting more goals.
Who/what inspires you when you feel like quitting? Looking at my son and knowing that I need to keep up with him. He has so much energy to be so young and I don’t want to be huffing and puffing trying to keep up. Also, seeing my before pictures. I never want to go back down that road. So I often look at my before pictures.
How has this weight loss changed your life? My weight loss has changed my life by making me a more positive, outgoing person. I like to be outside now and do activities. Two years ago, I would have never brought up going for a morning walk with my family.
Have any advice for others who’d like to lose weight? The best advice I could give others is to not give up. There are good days and there are bad days. We are all human and life is short. If you’re going to eat that piece of cake, eat it, own it and know that you have to work out in order to splurge.
Your must-have fitness equipment: My iPhone or iPod. It has all my apps that I use. My Fitbit app, C25K, MyFitnessPal and Water lite are all on my iPhone and iPod. I never leave the house without at least one, if not both.
Favorite training song: I have so many favorite training songs, because I’m a big music lover. I would have to say, right now, Pretender by Foo Fighters gets me going. It has a great tempo and intervals for training.
Favorite healthy food: Apples. I’ve learned that by eating them upside down, you get to eat the entire apple. I haven’t found the courage to eat the steam and seeds, but I’m told you can.
Favorite not-so-healthy food: Any Chinese food. I could eat Chinese food for almost every meal. It’s my weakness.
Future goals: I still have 13lbs that I would like to lose by the end of January 2015. I also want to run my first 5k by my birthday in March. I would also like to run a 10k by the time I’m 30 and then, run a half marathon by the time I’m 32.
Congratulations Shameek. We’re so happy that you and Zumba found each other. What a fun way to stay fit! Good luck on your upcoming runs. Fitz and the entire team at Fitzness.com
