I’ve got another Shed & Share story for you that will make you want to go through the computer and hug her! Meet Maggie and see her awesome transformation!!

(My Shed & Share links are acting weird, so be sure to search through all the stories!)

{The Basics}

Name: Maggie B.

Age: 27

Profession: Currently a wife to Shaun and Mommy to Lucas (4) & Owen (18 mo.). I am also a licensed cosmetologist

How long have you been on this weight loss journey? One year

Weight Loss/Inches Lost: 40.4 lbs (Almost to goal, of 41!) Down from a 22/20 jean to a 14/16!

{Your Story}

What was your “low point”?

My low point came when I was 6 months postpartum. After having my second son I lost about 30 lbs (through pregnancy and post pregnancy) but then my wonderful baby boy didn’t want to sleep and wanted to nurse every hour, two if I was lucky. Due to lack of sleep and nursing, I wanted to eat more, and I was, but not the right foods. I packed on that 30 pounds I had lost after delivery, plus 11 more pounds. I can remember the week I started my weight loss trying to avoid a picture with my oldest son at a father’s day outing. We ended up taking a picture (see below!) but I really disliked it and avoided putting it in a family album!  (But check out her “after”!)

How did you get started?

I started by signing up for Weight Watchers Online. The first week I was on the program I had carpal tunnel surgery, so I began with walking. As I could I started pushing my boys in our double stroller ( 50+pounds of child plus the stroller) and I did the Wii Fit at home almost daily.

What is your workout routine and eating plan?

I didn’t step foot into an actual gym for 5 months. Then I began with a Cardio Step class twice a week and a Balls, Bands and Weights class, along with walking. When I hit a weight loss plateau this winter it was suggested to me that I should check out the Couch to 5K running plan. I began training and after a few weeks I signed up to jog a 5K the day before my birthday! It was amazing! So amazing I signed up for another 2 weeks later! I have continued taking 2-4 classes a week and actually just signed up for another 5K at the end of June! I am so excited!

As for my eating plan I continue to follow the Weight Watcher’s plan. I do it online because it fits my life. I love eating real foods and seeing how my exercise earns me points. I choose to take one day “off” a week, that for me is Saturday. I am seeing how my life changes in both exercise and eating are having a ripple effect in my family and I love it. My mom has been working on the couch to 5K program, my husband has gone running with me a few times and has said he would like to train for a 5K to be run next year, and my children are choosing to eat healthy fresh foods! My boys are also understanding on their young level that it is okay to have a day, or a time to eat some not so healthy foods, but in moderation and not everyday, and that just excites me for their future. I pray that they won’t have to have a life change like I have!

Maggie before and one year after!!!!

{Help Us!}

What are your top 3 favorite resources that helped you along the way?

♦ www.weightwatchers.com It is full of amazing resources, from articles to recipes!

♦ www.coolrunning.com This is where I found my Couch to 5K running plan. It is also where you can search for road races, race results and much more!

♦ Workin’ on Being Healthier Women! A Facebook group I created for my friends and family and their friends and family to gain support and encouragement in their weight loss journey. It has been an amazing place to go and talk with friends, on good days and bad!

What one piece of advice would you give to someone who is sitting on the sidelines and waiting?

You can start right where you are, you don’t have to have a gym membership, you can get out locally and get moving, start small then increase your exercise, and DO IT FOR YOU. You can’t do it for anyone else, it has to be because YOU are ready to make a life change!

What one piece of advice would you give to someone who is in the process but is feeling discouraged?

Keep a food and exercise journal, see what you are really doing all day, then see where you can make changes, because you can’t rely on your memory we are good at fooling ourselves into thinking things aren’t as bad as they are sometimes

If you are a parent, how have you balanced everything?

I have been blessed with an amazing husband who sees I need “me” time daily. He supports me in my journey 100% and has been willing to clean up from dinner ( I usually have it made and ready when he gets home) and get the kids ready for bed, and sometimes I am home in time for story time and good nights. We have to do my workouts at night because my husband leaves for work too early in the morning for me to get my workouts in before he leaves. My advice: if you are married and able to, set it up with your spouse for you to get out of the house or down in your workout room for 30-45 min, daily. If you aren’t able because of your life’s situation maybe you can time swap with a friend, you watch their kids they watch yours, or maybe a family member.

Anything else you would like to share?

Have a buddy in your exercise and or eating plan. I had my mom, we both did Weight Watcher’s Online and take exercise classes together. It is nice to have that encouragement from someone going through what you are.

♥♥♥

Oh Maggie, your story is AWESOME!! Thank you so much for opening up your life and sharing your struggles and your high points!!

If you have a Shed story that you would like to share, please email me: clare@peak313.com. I would LOVE to feature you!!