{Shed & Share Wednesdays} Susan S.

It’s time for our mid-week motivation! Meet Susan S–our newest “Shed & Share“! I love this story because it involves both a husband and wife getting in shape!

{The Basics}

Age: 40

Profession: Wife and stay-at-home/homeschooling mamma to 4 amazing kiddos, 2 boys & 2 girls, 16, 14, 7 & 5.

How long have you been on this weight loss journey? 1 year ago, February 2012. I had a hysterectomy at the age of 38, and gained about 20 pounds after that, not really caring about eating right or exercising at all. Last year going to the doctor and having them say that you are obese on the BMI calculator was a real wake up call for me.

Weight Loss/Inches: 40 lbs! November of 2011 I was weighing in at 200lbs and I am 5′ 9″. I have about 5 more lbs to go with my weight goal of 155. I am now in the normal range on the BMI calculator!! 🙂

{Your Story}

What was your “low point”?

My “low point” was having the Dr. tell me that I am at risk for diabetes, and high blood pressure. Our journey, and I say our because my husband has also lost over 60 lbs, has been one of health reasons. Our oldest daughter was born with spina bifida, and has had some health complications. October of  2011 she was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure, and we are facing a future kidney transplant. We both, my husband and I want to be able to be a live donor for our daughter, when the time comes. What started out as a  process of checking blood types and overall health turned out to be a blessing for us both. My husband’s cholesterol came back very high, the doctor basically said that he was a heart attack waiting to happen. That was a wake up call for both of us. We have since changed our diet and my husband started working out every day. I was a little slower on working out as diligently as my husband was, when I saw his results it motivated me to start working out also.

How did you get started?

I started out using our Xbox Kinect game, My Fitness Evolved, it is a workout game that is also a lot of fun. We also have a stairmaster that we use in the garage, and lifting weights for toning. We also use My fitness Pal to track calories, that has really helped me tremendously, it really makes you think twice before putting anything in your mouth.

What is your workout routine and eating plan?

My workout plan is cardio 4-5 days a week, and strength/core exercises 6 days a week. I am still experimenting and finding what I like. I really hated the stairmaster at first, but now I look forward to it, it is my time alone to focus on me. Plus I am loving the results, and energy I have to keep up with my four kiddos. We like to go on walks when the weather is nice, it gets the kids out too for fresh air and exercise. My fitness Pal ap on my phone keeps track of calories. My husband is my workout buddy, and we keep each other motivated, we have a common goal and focus on that, being healthy for my future with my kids, I want to live a long healthy life.

{Help us!}

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

1.) My Fitness Pal app on my phone keeps track of calories & helps me watch what I am eating.

2.) My husband is my workout buddy, and we keep each other motivated, we have a common goal and focus on that, being healthy for my future with my kids, I want to live a long healthy life.

3.) Following fitness blogs/websites that I like and that inspire me. I can find different workouts, and lots of great healthy recipes to feed my family.

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

Baby steps, baby steps are my one piece of advice, start with one thing you can change, and each day it gets a little easier. Keep your goal in mind, for me it was being healthier, eating better, and making better choices with food for me and my family.

Teaching my children to make healthier choices now so they wont have to struggle with health issues when they are older makes it all worth it! (<—- Clare wants to give a big AMEN to this!)

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

If you are feeling discouraged find someone to keep you accountable, a friend, your spouse, or a coworker. A workout buddy really does make a huge difference, someone that will encourage you to do more!

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

As a parent I am blessed to be home and be flexible with my workout schedule. One thing that I read from someone, was if you wake up, and get dressed into your workout clothes your will be more likely to get that workout in, wake up early get it done.

Susan and her beautiful family!

Anything else you would like to share?

The other day my husband and I were reflecting back on the last year and both of us are very grateful for our doctor that gave us some really good simple advice. Get moving, and eat cleaner, more balanced diets, more fruits and veggies, little red meat, more chicken and fish. Simple baby steps. And I am thankful for the renal transplant team of doctors that were very truthful with us and said plainly that we both needed to loose weight and get our bodies healthier if we wanted to be a possible kidney transplant donor for our daughter. Sometimes the truth can be harsh, but it is still truth, and I am thankful for it.

 

♥♥♥

I love that Susan’s journey was shared with her husband! What a powerful message they are sending to their children! Thank you so much for sharing your story!

I am always looking for real women with real answers to their real weight struggle, so if you have a shed story that you would like to share, please contact me at clare@peak313.com!