First off, for those of you still in the “Living and Active” challenge, be sure to check-in for last week! (The latest blog post may have gotten hidden in your emails because of another post I had close to it!)

Now, for those of you who are new, “Shed & Share” stories are stories about real life women and their real life struggles with their weight–but the story doesn’t stop there! They also share what they’ve done to lose weight, get stronger, and find freedom through it! We have LOTS of them, so click here to see more Shed & Share stories! Now, onto our newest one….meet Kelli!

Shed & Share Wednesdays | peak313.com

♥♥♥

{The Basics}

Age: 34

Profession:

Stay at home mom/pastor’s wife/blogger

How long have you been on this weight loss journey? 

Off and on for ten years! (I’ve had four babies along the way!)

Weight Loss/Inches:

I have lost 45 pounds that I’ve kept off since I had my 4th baby in November 2012. (20 pounds was baby weight, plus an additional 25). I’ve gone from a size 12/14 to size 8/10.

Shed & Share Wednesdays: Find out how Kelli lost over 25 lbs the healthy way! :peak313.com

Other medical stats: 

My blood sugar was high in my pregnancies, but through exercises and diet, my blood sugar is great now. My blood pressure is also very good at around 115/70. I had to take thyroid medication for about 2 years and I don’t have to take that anymore either!

Blog/Facebook: 

eatprayreadlove.com

www.facebook.com/eatprayreadlove

♥♥♥

{Your Story}

What was your “low point”?

I remember when I signed up at a gym that they weighed me, and I could not believe the number on the scale. I had always been skinny, but a medical condition (that I didn’t yet know about) caused me to gain almost 50 pounds in 6 months! I knew I had gained some weight, but talk about shocked!

How did you get started?

I began by cutting all sugar and most of the bad carbs. I also started off with light workouts, but have increased my workouts significantly. Each time I would lose around 20 pounds, I would get pregnant again. Within a few weeks of delivery each time, I would start the cycle over.

What is your workout routine and eating plan?

I try to avoid sugar as much as possible, except for a few treats on the weekend. We eat lots of veggies at our house, too. Boot camp is part of my routine- I do it for 45 minutes, 3 times a week almost without fail.

Find out how Kelli lost over 45 lbs the healthy way! Shed & Share Wednesdays : peak313.com

{Help us!}

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

Without a doubt, boot camp has been phenomenal. Also, working out with friends is vital. Before I joined boot camp, I worked out a gym and almost always had a friend or two meet me. Having the chance to catch up while on the elliptical gave me reason to crawl out of bed before 5 am! If you aren’t able to get to a gym or a boot camp, Jillian Michael’s has great workout DVDs that can be done in about 20-30 minutes at home, and I would do that when I couldn’t get to the gym.

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

Don’t be afraid of what others think of you. I used be so scared I would look silly while I was working out. But then I thought, at least I am working out! And I guarantee you, no one is at the gym just to make fun of you. They’re worried about how they look!

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

Keep at it! I know that this is incredibly easier said than done, but even if you don’t see results all the time, your body is getting stronger. Remember that we are always “works in progress.”

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

It’s hard, but I know that I want to be healthy for my children. Prior to starting boot camp, I would get up at 4:45 am 3 days a week, nurse my baby, and head to the gym for an hour. It’s also been a great example for my children. My daughters talk about exercising and they love to be outside riding bikes and playing. My older daughter will even show me up on burpees occasionally!

Find out how Kelli lost over 45 lbs the healthy way! Shed & Share Wednesdays : peak313.com

Kelli and her family after her 4th blessing was born!

Anything else you would like to share?

Ladies, I know that getting -and especially staying- in shape are hard. We have so much on our plates (literally and figuratively) that it’s hard to find a balance. But as Christians, our bodies are temples and we should treat them as such.
Thanks so much Clare for having me on Shed and Share!

♥♥♥

Thank you so much for sharing your story, Kelli! Check out this really cool free printable “Daily Health Organizer” she created!! A great tool for those of you starting out!

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