Personal Fat-loss Story
So, let me tell you a bit about myself. My name is Stephanie and I am currently in my 3rd year at Waterford IT studying a BSc in Exercise and Health. I am 26 years old and have just moved to beautiful Cork. I live with my wonderful partner Seán and our pup Bruce.
My fat-loss journey began with a simple New Year's Resolution. On the 1st of January 2014 I booked flights to Miami and I wasn't going to go over there looking like this.....
So, I took this photo of myself and made it my lock screen wallpaper. This trick really worked for me as anytime I had a craving for junk or my friends or family would sit around munching out, I would take a look at my phone, see this picture and think "no thanks". The quick visual reminder of my goals stopped me craving and then I wasn't torturing myself because I genuinely wouldn't want the crap.
My younger sister, Victoria, also had a big part to play and I am where I am today because of her harsh, but effective, words. I was moaning and complaining about being fat and unhappy with my body (but doing nothing to change it) when she turned around to me and told me to
"Shut up, you don't really want to lose weight. If you wanted it bad enough you'd get up off your ass and do it".
These words have stuck with me ever since, every goal no matter how big or small I would think of her and it would give me that motivation to get up and work for it. She has since commented that "if I could take my own damn advice and stop eating that would be great". 😆
My Diet:
I did a lot of my own research into the science behind the food and my love for nutrition grew. I love to know what food's have which properties, what vitamins and minerals actually do and why you need them. Learning where the line is between a healthy calorie deficit diet and a pure starvation one. So the mantra started;
IF IT'S NOT PLANNED DON'T EAT IT.
If you find yourself stuck for time or caught up in a non stop schedule try meal prepping for the week.
Here you can see how I would prep. I have my fruit for a snack, my lunch and dinner for the week set out and ready to go. This is great for getting on track and kickstarting your new healthy routine. Before each meal I would also drink a mug of green tea.Of course I then read up about all the health benefits from drinking tea and my two favourite benefits were;
1. More natural caffeine with no chemicals!
2. Metabolism booster.
Drink a mug before every meal. It will help fill your stomach and you'll feel more satisfied after food.
DITCH THE SCALES!!!
Guys I cannot recommend this enough! Too many people get caught up with the figures on the scales they become almost brain washed that this number is who they are. Measure your success by your energy levels, the way your clothes are fitting or mood. But if you must measure, keep a diary of inches or centimetres lost and record them monthly or monthly progress photos.
A quick 6 months later I got my goal Don't know how much fat I lost but who cares. I have never felt more confident in my own skin. A happier, healthier Steph emerged.
*** 6 month transformation ***
