Once upon a time, I was going to start a hip, happenin', "Transformation Tuesday" trend on my blog. I always have the best of intentions, but those intentions always seem to be thwarted by:
1. Other people (my subject matter) having lives and not doing what I tell them to (kidding, mostly)
2. Me
So here we have my second installment in the well-intended Transformation Tuesday series. And let me tell you, this girl is awesome. From here on out, she shall be referred to as my cousin Jenni, even though she's technically not my cousin. But she's married to my cousin - and I like her a lot - so that's close enough. She gets to be my cousin. That is all.
Height: 5'4"
Highest weight: 195
Current weight: 138
For starters, here's what Jenni used to look like:
She had been overweight most of her life and, like a lot of mama bears, had three babies, gained pregnancy weight, and struggled to get it off. She had the added challenge of being diagnosed with hypothyroidism, which only aggravated the issue. After baby number three and a run-in with a pair of size 16 jeans that refused to button, she decided she was ready to make some changes.
Jenni says: I have tried just about
everything to lose weight. I started out with Weight Watchers, which was great
for learning better portion control and did help me drop some weight but wasn’t
the best program for learning about healthy eating, in my opinion. I tried HCG
(yes, yes, I know you’re all shaking your heads right now), but this was
actually HUGE in helping me get on the right path. While it wasn’t a long term
solution (and how could it be when you go from eating 500 calories a day back
to eating like a normal person?) it taught me about eating the right foods and
self control.
Jacey says: I love her wisdom here. She tried different things and, though they ultimately weren't right for her, she took something from each of them that would help her. Instead of viewing these "experiments" as failures, she learned from them and put that knowledge to use. Way to go, cousin Jenni.
Things really started clicking along when she began a combination of regular Zumba classes (Zumba? ACK! I forgive you for that, Jenni) and focusing on what she was eating. She says she's grateful to have made friends at the gym who were willing to share knowledge and ideas with her. She began eating 6 small meals per day (I forgive you for that, too, Jenni) and drinking crazy amounts of water. She lost 25 pounds quickly but then hit a plateau and became frustrated.
Jacey says: I can relate - to the part about being frustrated, anyway. Some day I hope to relate to the 25 pound loss.
Cousin Jenny before - with my actual cousin, her husband
Jenni says: Then one of my friends, a
very knowledgeable certified trainer developed a program called Revolt Fitness
and I started doing it. I had
previously been what the fitness folks refer to as a “cardio queen,” meaning
all I really did was cardio workouts. On Revolt I do cardio circuits 3 days a
week which combine things like burpees, squats, mountain climbers, and planks
and I do weight lifting 3 to 4 days a week. I also add in extra cardio like
sprint intervals or Zumba, and try to lift as heavy as I can. My meals on
Revolt consist of 6 small meals a day (the program provides customized, weekly,
clean eating meal plans), no refined sugar or white flour, and 1 cheat day a
week. I also drink a minimum of 1 gallon of water per day. Since starting
Revolt I have lost 30 lbs. and finally got over my plateau. I absolutely love
it!
When I asked Jenni about her favorite milestones, she had quite the extensive list:
-Making it through a Zumba class without dying
-Having to take TWO Zumba classes in a row just to feel like she'd worked out
-Discovering she could run three miles without stopping
-Getting into the 140's after not having been there for nine years
-Trying on a size 8 thinking it would be too tight and finding out she needed a 6
-Realizing she'd NEVER been a size 6 before
-Being comfortable in a bathing suit at the public pool
-Weighing less than her husband
-Being approached at the gym by people noticing her results
Jenni says that her life has improved in nearly every way imaginable because of the changes she's made.
... first of all I feel so much
better. I was having so many health problems that have completely disappeared. I
have energy, I sleep better, my skin is better, my hair isn’t falling out in
chunks, I’m happier, my monthly cycle is regular and my PMS symptoms are not
nearly as horrendous as they used to be (TMI?) I can finally shop at any
clothing shop and know that the clothes will fit me instead of having to avoid
certain places. I’m a better mother and wife, because I’m happy and healthy. I
have met so many amazing people and made lifelong friends from Zumba classes,
the gym, and Revolt Fitness.
Along the way, there were many times she wanted to give up due to discouragement. She fell off the wagon many, many times. She even halfway confesses to binging on an entire container of chocolate covered cinnamon bears when her kids were stressing her out.
Hey, who hasn't? Right? Right?
Her advice for anyone wanting to make changes?
1. Slow and steady. Start slowly if you need to. Just START.
2. Quitters never win. Discouragement is no friend to anyone who's ever tried to lose weight and get healthy, but it happens to the best - and worst - of us.
3. Make it a habit. Do it even when you don't want to. Skip the donut even when you don't want to. Set the alarm for 5 a.m. even when you don't want to. This sets a routine that eventually becomes a habit.
4. Consistency. Worry less about the scale and more about keeping your routine day in and day out. Consistent effort will bring results over time. It's taken Jenni nearly three years to get where she is now, and she's still going. Give yourself credit for doing the right things and make those things a part of who you are, rather than just something you'll do until you reach a magic number on the scale. If you live by the scale, you'll die by it, and so will your efforts.
5. No comparison. Don't compare your success or your timing or your looks to those around you. There will always be someone who's lost more weight or who looks better in a bikini than you do. Get over it. Jenni says: How can we properly care
for a body we don’t love? Learn to love your body, and taking care of it will
start to come naturally. Easier said than done, I know, but I really believe
this to be true.
6. Ask for help. Jenni has been amazed at how willing people were to help when they saw that she was serious about getting healthy. The friends she made were willing to help her and train her because they genuinely care and want to help people. She never paid for a nutritionist or a single training session and is extremely thankful for the generosity of her gym friends who went above and beyond to help her succeed.
Jenni's still working on her fitness goals, but she's thrilled with the new life she's enjoying because of the great progress she's made. She has energy to play with her kids and to throw on a bathing suit and swim with them rather than hiding under a towel on the deck.
And I'll add: She looks hot!
Thanks for the inspiration and words of wisdom, cousin Jenni ... and for making me crave chocolate covered cinnamon bears.
