Press Sample
Have you heard the quote, “Setbacks are setups for a comeback?” I truly believe 2014 set me up to have a fabulous 2015 and complete all of my goals. My number one goal is to lose weight and get back to my pre-accident weight. I worked hard to lose the weight I gained after my accident and gained some back by taking steroids. Thank God I did not gain it all back. Whew!
As you can see, I was making progress but then those dang drugs got me. I have never been as heavy as I was at my heaviest. Hell, I did not gain that much weight with having two children. My little feelings were all types of hurt.
I finally got to the point of no more. My doctor told me not taking the steroids was a life-threatening decision and I let him know being fat was a life-threatening situation. I’m 5’4” and I’m not built to carry the weight I carried for the last two years. I am miserable and so over it. I do wish I could keep my booty and the twins. I’m just saying! Don’t judge me!
Last year, I was told to stop running because of my joints. However, I had to look at how many women I know who have Lupus and Fibromyalgia and still run. Despite my joints hurting, I feel so much better when I run, mentally and physically. On my healthy living blog, I posted about taking charge of my health. I refuse to rely solely on what doctors tell me.
I was told a few years ago that I would be lucky if I lived to see age 50. The comment did not bother me. It was the fact the doctor felt bold enough to tell me something like that, as though he was God or knew God’s plan for me. Honestly, I am getting pissed typing this and thinking about it.
Give me a second and let me calm down…OK, I’m back. If you read my New Year’s post, you know I am merging my Healthy Living Tiki blog with this one. I want to be more transparent and open. I am so much more than long hair and a makeup lover. I have issues I struggle with like everyone and I do not like the picture-perfect bloggers. I read blogs I can relate to and identify with.
I know I am not the only person with health issues or who needs to lose weight. So if you fit either, we can work through this thing together. I decided to join forces with Nutrisytem to kick-start my 2015 weight loss journey. I started with them on January 12th and I will work with them for the next three months. Each Friday, I will share my weekly weight loss recap that will include what I ate and how I felt. I hope that you share what you are doing to lose weight and we can share tips.
My goal is to lose 50 pounds overall by my birthday in September. I have complete faith that I will get it done once and for all. I am off all of my medications and I have not seen any of the jumps that I was experiencing when I was on them.
Before I go, let me show you what I received for my first month from Nutrisystem. Now, they sent me the “My Favorites” box and it is preselected; however, most people opt for one of the traditional boxes that allow you to pick your own items.
My items came in two shipments. The first set is all the pantry items and the Fast5 Kit. I will tell you more about how my experience with Fast5 went next Friday after I complete the full seven days.
The second shipment was the frozen foods items. Both shipments were sent two-day. The frozen foods were packaged with dry ice and my items were perfect and completely frozen. Just goes to show when I moved and tried to use dry ice I didn’t know what the heck I was doing. lol
Both packages were super organized and all of the Breakfast, Lunch, And Dinner items are sectioned together.
I told someone the other day I was eating a blueberry muffin and they tried to check me. I had to let them know it is a part of my system. OK, that muffin was tasty! IJS Yes you do see Popcorn and Cheese Puff packages. That Banana Nut Muffin keeps talking to me. Guess what I’m having for breakfast on Monday morning? ha!
My biggest challenge/concern is making sure I eat ALL of my meals. I do not have an issue with overeating. My issue is not eating enough and yes, you can gain weight from not eating. Exhibit A. ME!!!
Anywho, stop by next week to find out how things are going. Plus, I need all the encouragement I can get.
What are your goals for 2015? Are you on a weight loss journey?
Hi Tiki! I thought I posted earlier today, but don’t see it. Forgive me if this is a duplicate.
I used Nutrisystem after being on sick leave for 6 months. In 4 months, I lost 50 lbs which was what I gained and then some. Note: I did not lose the 3 cup sizes I gained over that 6 months. I have now gained weight from going hardcore on vitamins and supplements a couple of Februarys ago. I mention the month because it was only 28 days with a 20 lb weight gain and another 3 cup sizes. I’m thinking about using Nutrisystem again, but I have a couple of things against me this time. First time I used Nutrisystem, my husband was on a liquid diet at the time, so I only had to prepare one meal. Second, I lived across the street from work and went home every day for lunch, so I had plenty of time to prep all my meals and eat them.
Tasha, it is definitely worth the money. Try saving up and at least doing two months. It helps you with portion control and getting into the habit of adding fruits, vegetables and healthy oils and snacks into your diet.
Joan, it’s ok. I see both posts.
Wow! 50lbs in four months! That makes me feel more positive and hopeful that I will get close during my three months (and not lose the twins). lol, It is helpful b/c I have to think about staying on schedule. I get up earlier to make sure I eat breakfast to stay on track. Normally I would only eat once a day around 8ish and the only thing I would have during the day was water and coffee. Trust me, I know about gaining 20/30 lbs in a month. That’s what Prednisone did to me. I continued to gain weight after I stopped taking them b/c it messed up my system so bad. I never thought to take a look at my vitamins too. That’s something to think about for sure.
Not eating weight gain is unusual, but it is true. You are on the right path. The first step is determination.
Whenever I tell someone that they look at me like I’m crazy. I tell them I am living proof. My doctor and weight loss counselor were on me for months about not eating enough. Thanks. I just had to get fed up with my situation.
You’ve come a long way and for that, you should be proud. I know you’re not quite where you wanna be, but I know you can do it and will be where you wanna be in no time. Regarding your life, God’s got it. A doctor can only do so much…God will handle the rest!
Thank you so much! I am my own worse critic and I beat myself up about it. I know at the time taking the meds was necessary b/c I didn’t research natural remedies as I do now. But it is hard to see how much weight I gain and know how it happened. Yes God can and I don’t put my faith in man. That is what upset me about his statement the most b/c some doctors really have a God complex. smh, I learned a few valuable lessons. Don’t take a doctor’s word when he says a medication won’t make you gain weight. Another med I was given had weight gain as a side-effect and my doctor told me no. I now research everything that is prescribed to me. I also learned that a doctor’s ego will get in the way of your health care and not to be afraid to change doctors. I will cut and run quickly.
Girl I woke up with the same mindset this morning! As soon as I woke up I went and signed up for weight watchers. I’ve gained so much weight this past year alone it’s crazy! Even my face has gained weight. 🙁 Not good!!
Hopefully we can help keep each other on track! I’m so determined. I even cut out soda, I went cold-turkey, nothing but water! I was also thinking about posting my journey on my blog, it will definitely make me more committed to sticking with it!
Also, can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the NutriSystem. I really wanted to go with that, but it was just out of my price range at the moment.
Will do!
You sound like me. What’s the old saying? I “got sick & tired of being sick & tired.” LOL, I knew I couldn’t be the only person. Please post it on your blog and we can do this together and keep each other on track.
Good morning, Tiki! When I was on sick leave for about 6 months, I used Nutrisystem when I went back to work. I lost 50 lbs in 4 months with no exercise, which was all I gained plus some. Just a note: I didn’t lose the extra 3 cup sizes that went with the weight. I’m thinking about using Nutrisystem again after gaining 20 lbs in one month going hardcore on vitamins, but a couple of things are working against me this time. The first time I tried it, my husband was on a liquid diet, so I was only preparing one meal at a time. Second, I lived across the street from work and went home for lunch. People say you can’t lose all that weight in one month because you didn’t gain it all in one month, but with this last 20 lbs I did, so what’s the answer to that?