So for the second to last guest post while I’m out of town, I wanted to share someone who has inspired me to put the work in and get back into shape. One of my best guy friend’s sister, Janna, has noticeably lost weight and her journey caught my attention. If she’d let me, I knew I needed to share her journey with y’all. I was so excited when she said yes!
Thank you Janna for your openness and willingness to share your story, photos and motivation!
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2.10.12 8.24.12 1.19.12
What made you get in shape? I decided to get in shape because I felt horrible about myself. I would always avoid anything that had to do with wearing a bikini. I always said I was gonna go on a diet and I would for about 2 weeks and go back to just eating whatever and not exercising. I always hated to go shopping because things would never fit and I would get so upset in the dressing room trying stuff on. So one day it just clicked. I needed to start to feel good about myself and stop hating the way that I looked. So thats when I began dieting and exercising hard.
Did you do any research on how to get into shape? If so, what? Well, I never really did much research on how to get into shape. I knew what machines to do at the gym and my brother directed me if I was doing something wrong or if I seen a machine that I had never done before I’d ask him how to do it. One of my friends also lost a lot of weight so I would ask him any questions that I thought he could answer. If I did look up anything I would use google and just type in whatever I wanted to know. Example: Foods that you think are healthy that really aren’t. Also a good website is simplyshredded.com.
What were you eating before? Before I ate anything and everything I wanted. Cookies, fried food, cake, chips. Anything I wanted, I ate.
How did you change your eating habits? I changed my eating habits by not eating anything I knew that was bad. Most people have a good idea of what’s healthy for you and what isn’t. You know whether or not your eating something that’s bad or good for you. Eating healthy is the most important thing when you’re on a diet. Abs are made in the kitchen. If you think you can eat whatever you want and just go to the gym and work it off, you’re mistaken. In my opinion, if you eat bad there’s no point in going to the gym. Some things I eat are chicken, salads, chicken salads, talapia, tuna, tuna salads, egg whites, sweet potatoes, veggies, fruits, oatmeal, special k or multi grain cereal, turkey sandwiches (whole wheat bread only). Snacks I do whole natural almonds, pretzels, fruits, and I do eat 100 calorie packs, but only allow one a day. I drink nothing but water and only fat free milk with my cereal.
Do you allow yourself cheats? If so, how often? Or do you go with the flow? I recommend if you are just starting a diet to not allow cheats for awhile because if you start to cheat in the beginning you’re more likely to fall off and go back to eating bad all together. I did allow cheats after awhile and even when I did allow cheats I felt bad about eating it. Cheats are good for you every now and then because you don’t want to feel like your depriving yourself from everything and feel so depressed about it. Once your on a good track in your diet and know nothing will stop you, I think a cheat should be allowed once a week.
What’s the hardest thing about eating right? Everything is hard about eating right. You have so many temptations every where you go. For me, sweets are my biggest weakness. There is always something sweet to eat where I work and everyone eating it around you is very hard. You have to think what you want more, to fulfill that sweet tooth or feeling good about yourself and finally having confidence in yourself.
What are your workouts like? I was working out 5-6 days a week from an hour in a half to two hours a day. One day I will workout arms, stomach, and back. The next day would be just legs. Cardio is done everyday, but it’s better to hit your weights first and then do cardio at the end. It would usually take me 45 mins to an hour to do my weights first and the same time for cardio as well. As of now, I am not working out as much because I have runners knee and it really affects my workouts causing me not being able to do legs at all and even different types of cardio.
Did you workout before? I had worked out before, but it was on and off when I said I was going to diet and never stuck to it.
What is your favorite workout? My favorite workout is to do legs. I’ve never liked my legs and always thought they were too thick so fitting into pants or shorts that I haven’t fit into in years feels amazing. Also throwing your bigger ones out feels like such a great accomplishment.
What’s harder – eating right or getting to the gym? For me, eating right is harder just because not everyone around you is trying to be healthy so having to watch them eat what you would normally eat in front of you is really hard. As soon as I get home from work I change into my workout clothes and walk out the door. Once you get to the gym is the easy part.
How much weight have you lost? How long did it take? I have lost a total of 30 pounds. My starting weight was 165 and now im down to 135. I started working out in about mid-February and to lose the 30 lbs it took about 5 months, but being extremely dedicated within that 5 months.
Are you at your goal weight? I am not at my goal weight. I still want to lose about 10 more pounds and once I get there I’ll see if there is anymore that I want to lose and if not, then I’ll just work on getting some defintion and more muscle.
What are your plans for the future? I will still continue being hard on myself to get to the point where I want to be and try and change up my workouts, whether I do different machines or keep adding more weight to them. I find myself stronger, happier, and with more energy. My endurance is a lot longer than it was before. Being healthy and exercising is a lot of mind over matter. If you tell yourself you can do it, you can. Think to yourself when you feel your getting tired, does anything on your body hurt or do you just want to give up because your mind is telling you to? Or think you can do it and how bad do you want it? Do you want to stay that miserable person or do you want to be happy and healthy? You make all the decisions.
What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight? You can do whatever you set your mind to. It will not be easy because nothing good comes easy. There will be days where you get depressed or aggravated with everything, but you have to ignore it and do what’s good for you and what will make you happy in the long run. It doesn’t happen overnight. You have to be dedicated, motivated, and determined and not let anything stop you or get in your way. You put yourself in the position you’re in and you have to get yourself out of it. No one will do it for you. You have to want to put in the hours and hard work and you have to want it bad enough to change for yourself.
Have any questions for Janna? She is more than happy to answer them! You can find her on facebook, instagram {janmarie_xo} or pinterest. She is a resource and inspiration, so take advantage of this opportunity and ask her what’s on your mind!
**NOTE: these are Janna’s personal opinions and experiences. She nor I have any certification if fitness or nutrition. As always, please consult your physician before embarking on any diet or fitness regime.**
Tags: eating right, inspiration, motivation, Weight Loss, Weight Loss Story, Workout Out
Wonderful inspirational story!! Thank you for sharing! Spa love!
Great story and progress shots! Yes, I cheat…every weekend..and every month when my visitor comes ;) life’s too short not too as long as its in moderation