Last summer, while I was watching our city’s first marathon, I had a runner (mid-race) come up to me and say, “Hey Clare! I follow your blog and really enjoy it!” (How she spotted me, I have no idea! I think it was my tall hubby!) I had no clue who this gal was! I looked at my husband and we both were trying to figure out if we recognized her, because surely, no one would recognize Clare from Peak313! I got home and later that night, Abby emailed me introducing herself. She doesn’t live in my town now, but we have mutual friends. Small world! She has been an awesome supporter of my blog and has been on a fantastic journey with her health. Check out our 19th (19th!!!) Shed & Share story! Meet Abby!
{The Basics}
Age:29
Profession: medical social worker prior to having my daughters. Stay at home mom now
How long have you been on this weight loss journey? 21 months
Weight Loss/Inches Lost: 110 pounds. went from size 18 to 6
Blog/Facebook Page : Running Errands and Marathons facebook page
{Your Story}
What was your “low point”?
When I got diagnosed with pre-eclampsia with my first daughter. The doctors said it was not related to my weight but I still think it was. It opened my eyes to my unhealthy lifestyle. I was determined to lose weight and get healthy before my second pregnancy. I was able to lose 80 lbs before getting pregnant with my second child but gained 100 lbs during pregnancy! After my second daughter was born I was determined to get healthy and be a good role model for them!
How did you get started?
I started the couch to 5k program and honestly had to repeat it several times before I was able to run 3 miles without stopping! In regards to nutrition, I made one small change a month. Cut out pop/juice, cut out white flour products, etc.
What is your workout routine and eating plan?
I run 4 days a week( distance depends on what race I’m training for), attend spin class once a week, strength train using Les Mills Pump and Combat 3 times a week
Abby, before and after
{Help us!}
1.) Myfitness pal
2.) Skinnytaste
3.) Couch to 5k program
What one piece of advice would you give to someone who is sitting on the sidelines and waiting?
Life is too short to be unhappy! There is a whole new world waiting for you, it just takes one small step!
What one piece of advice would you give to someone who is in the process but is feeling discouraged?
Focus on how far you have come, not how far you have to go! I keep a picture of myself 100 lbs ago close by so when I’m feeling discouraged I can look at the hurt in that girls eyes and remember why I have to keep working hard!
If you are a parent, how have you balanced everything?
I workout before anyone else in my family wakes up! I run outside in our neighborhood at 5am or goto spin class at 5:30am! I love the fact that my workout is done before my day starts and that I haven’t taken away from any family time!
♥♥♥
I have to tell you. Abby’s transformation is jaw dropping to me. Over 100 pounds is AMAZING–and she did it with 2 small children! I am so proud of you, Abby, and your dedication to your health and the example to your two girls!
If you have a SHED story that you would like to share, please contact me! I am always looking for real life inspiration and guess what–that’s YOU!!! clare@peak313.com
Great story and congratulations. When I was in college I lost about 80 pounds. I kept it off for 10 years. I have had 2 kids and even though I am still much smaller than I was in high school, I still ave about 15 pounds to lose to get back to pre-pregnancy weight. I found your story inspiring and a reminder to give ourselves some credit for all the hard work and h far we have come.
Abby! I am so proud of you! I read this with tears in my eyes! :*) I’m going to share this on my FB page because it is such an inspirational story. You go girl!!! ((Hugs!))
That is amazing!
Very encouraging story and advice.
Way to go! I personally know how hard it is as I lost 80 lbs myself and have two children. It isn’t always easy to make ourselves a priority but in the long run it is better for the entire family:)
Thank you for sharing your story. Your EARLY morning fitness routine is inspiring.
So inspirational! Thanks for the wonderful story. I could lose up to 80/85 lbs … this makes me think I can do it!
Wow, I always find it so inspirational when someone loses so much weight. Its a personal thing for me. I need to lose about 100 or so. I had lost 40lbs and then got pregnant, which was thrilling since we didnt think we would have another baby. We had our first baby 7 years ago, and now we would be parents of 2 kids! But along with that comes weight gain. Now that I have had my baby, I have been struggling. I have pcos and period doesnt come regularly, but when I lost weight it was regular and then I got pregnant. I dont know if that is why I cant get back into it, cause Im kinda scared to get pregnant again. Even though I would love another baby, its sooo hard being over weight and pregnant and so much harder to lose that weight all over again. Im back to the same weight at the end of my pregnancy, and find it so hard to do anything about it. I have the desire but I cant get myself going. It seems so daunting! Its not that I over eat on anything in particular, I find exercise so hard to commit too! Then I get depressed, over whelmed and I quit before I even start. I have absolutely no energy, I hurt, and have no sex drive and I know it would all be fixed if I lost weight.
Hi Marty, that is such a common struggle for many moms. 🙁 Stay on top of your medical issues; pain, hormones and a sluggish metabolism can really effect your mood and energy levels, and your motivation to do things, especially exercise. Have you had your Thyroid levels checked? It’s also a common, but overlooked issue. Mine crashed after my first child. It’s a “simple” fix though, if you don’t mind taking a pill every day for the rest of your life.
Wanted to share that I was just talking to an older Mom, at the gym I work at, who I hadn’t seen in a while. She confessed that she’d lost her momentum and motivation when her youngest child moved to another state, (with only a couple weeks of warning!) and her husband-her workout partner-got injured. She gained a bunch of weight in a few short months and was really discouraged. She had to resort to wearing her hubby’s sweats most of the time because nothing fit! (She works mostly from home.)
Then, the real kicker came when her brother announced he was getting married, and wanted her in the wedding. She panicked! She didn’t want to be the “fat sister” in her altered dress. She started to lose weight, but not enough before the big day. The final straw came when she saw the pictures, and realized it was time to get serious! She couldn’t wear her DH’s clothes all summer!
I share all this to illustrate a few points. First, awareness (and desire) is the first step to implementing change, and you are already there. 🙂
Second, my friend said she had to take the baby step of going and getting her membership renewed, just to walk through the door. But she didn’t start that day. She just made an effort towards commitment, set some reasonable, achievable goals, then followed up with another baby step a couple days later. Now she comes at least 3 times a week and is looking fabulous, more like her old self every week!
For you, if you don’t join a gym (they often have free childcare!), it might be spending $$ on a new pair of shoes or workout pants. Then, schedule your “me” time on your calendar, like an appointment, 2-3 days a week at first, and build up. Btw: I’d recommend not thinking of your goal as needing to lose 100 pounds (that’s definately overwhelming!) but rather, say you need to lose 10 (1-2 pounds a week is average), then when you do that, set out to lose another 10, and so on! You’ll get there and probably won’t lose hope and courage as easily along the way.
Third, my friend realized that she needed accountability (not a bad word, really), so she rejoined Weight Watchers and asked her now healed hubby to encourage her to start going back to the gym. They also agreed on a healthier eating plan at home. Complete nutritional lifestyle change! You might ask your hubby for similar support, or find a friend with similar goals. It’s harder to talk yourself out of a walk or workout when you know someone is making the effort to meet you there that day! Also, use myfitnesspal to track your calories and your overall progress.
Finally, celebrate every victory, no matter how small! Don’t get discouraged or give up if you mess up or miss a day. It happens. No one’s perfect. Just start again, immediately, don’t wait til “monday”. Also, don’t focus only on the pounds you want to lose and what the dreaded scale says. DO focus on how well you start to feel, how much healthier you’ll be, how much more energy & endurance you have, the inches you’ve lost/how loose your pants become, how much more flexible you are, etc. The scale is only one part of the equation and you will probably gain some muscle mass/weight as you go.
If you start now, lose the weight and embrace an active lifestyle, both you and your family will benefit. You’ll be a more engaged and fit mommy. If the time comes for baby #3, your body will be in great shape and likely able to bounce back much easier; especially if you continue to work out (safely) throughout your pregnancy. I have a young friend, mom of 1, ready to pop her second out any day, who is a certified Zumba instructor, and was teaching right through her 8th month! (With the help of an ab support belt.Lol) Remember to give yourself grace throughout. It won’t happen overnight, but it will happen, if you just commit and take baby steps. Sorry this is sooo long, but I hope I’ve managed to encourage you to start, and help you not be as overwhelmed. All the best and many blessings! 🙂
What an inspiring story, thank you so much for sharing it. Sometimes I don’t know if I can ever reach my goals, or even close to them, so when I see someone who has I remind myself that it can be done. Congratulations!!!!!
What an inspiration! Thank you for sharing this! I loved it! It gives me great hope!
Wow so inspiring! It gives me so much motivation when I can see others just trucking through and making it happen! Thanks for sharing your story!
GREAT story, way to go Abby!!Very inspiring and I’m sure you must feel as good as you look. 🙂 So glad you mentioned making one small nutritional change at a time and not trying to do it all at once! Way to fully embrace a healthy lifestyle for you AND your whole family.
Love myfitnesspal and that Couch to 5K. Hal Higdon has a few good programs too, (Google them) especially if you are considering moving up into training for a half or full marathon. His (free) Novice 1 program was perfect for someone like me who had not been a runner previously. It was well balanced, got all the running in, plus incorporated some of the cross training, strength and flexibility stuff I was already doing.
Very encouraging story! Love these stories of real life women doing real life things to get healthy! Helps keep me focused on my goal by seeing others attain their own goals!