September 23rd, 2012 / January 24th, 2013
(4 months)
Start Weight/Goal Weight:
197.2 / 152.0
(45.2 Pounds Lost)
Start Pant/Dress Size/Goal Pant/Dress Size:
Start Shirt Size/ Goal Shirt Size:
XXL / M
My Story (because everyone has a story):
Some days I thought it would never come. Not necessarily the weight loss, but the freedom from food. It honestly is a daily struggle. Some days are great, and others, not so great. But I've persevered. I've worked hard at it. I've sought to keep first things first >>>> (GOD).
Many people have asked me what is different about this program, The Grace & Strength Lifestyle. Honestly, so many things! The accountability. Having a rock star of a personal coach that has walked this journey and succeeded. Having women that I can call, text, private facebook message me and say, "you got this, I believe in you!"
I've tried to think back on my life and evaluate at what point I turned to food for comfort. That was the first step, using food as a drug. Then it became an addiction, one that only comes with shoving more food into my face to get the same high. I can't pinpoint one specific day or year this downward spiral took place, I just know it did. Isn't that like most of us who are overweight? It is a slow progression over time until one day we hit our own rock bottom and don't quite know how to crawl out of such a pit! We don't like who we see in the mirror; I didn't like the me in the mirror. Not so much because of the pounds or love handles, because there are many many big and beautiful women out there! I didn't like the me that couldn't control my food addiction. I felt trapped and in bondage. I've tried Weight Watchers. I've tried the South Beach/Atkins diet. I've tried counting calories. I've tried Slim Fast. I've tried so many other things! The day I started this program I had hope, but there were still those nagging lies in the back of my head saying, you are just going to fail again, Traci!
The Grace & Strength Lifestyle taught me how to discipline myself when it comes to food. I realize now that I do have a choice as to what I put in my mouth. I may not have control over any other thing in my life, but I do have control over making healthy choices! I can have freedom over food addiction. I do (man that feels great to say)! I've come to see that healthy food is a beautiful gift from the Lord, not a burden or a cruel joke or a substitute for that chocolate cake and cheesy chips!
I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am to eat healthy for life! Will I still have my occasional sweets? Sure I will! But with the Lord's help, it won't send me spiraling off into the sugary abis! I spent a good majority the other day creating a HEALTHY BOARD on pinterest. You can check it out. I am passionate about whole and healthy foods now. You know, the stuff you can actually read on the label and not all that processed garbage!
I want to inspire my children to love the art of healthy food choices and exercise. I want them to grow up, not turning to food for comfort because they see their mommy making healthy choices!
The bonus of this journey? It has not only brought me freedom in the area of food, but in ALL AREAS OF LIFE y'all! Yes, I break out in my wanna be southern drawl when I get excited about something! I've found freedom from perfectionism. I've found freedom from my crazy control issues. I've found freedom from my people pleasing tendencies. I've found freedom to just be the woman God created ME to be in Him. Now that's something to celebrate!
I started this journey weighing in at 197 lbs! I'm now a healthy 152 lbs! Why post my weight? Isn't it embarrassing? Yes. But I am posting it so you all know that sometimes the scale doesn't always say what you see. I have so many people tell me that they would have never guessed I weighed that much! I'm 5 feet 6 1/2 inches and everyone carries their weight differently. It's really not about number, but about feeling comfortable in your own skin!
Why does weight loss inspire people so much? What is it that makes people say, WOW!? It's because we all struggle with discipline issues don't we? No matter if it is striving to lose weight, or paying off debt, or getting our life and home organized, we are all looking for people who have walked the journey and said, "this is how I did it." WE ALL LIKE HAVING HOPE! I hope I give YOU HOPE!
How'd I do it? Lots and lots of water. Healthy, lean protein. Fruits and veggies! Accountability and support! Writing down everything that goes in my mouth!
Some quotes that inspire me:
You can't live a positive life with a negative mind.
Be positive, patient, and persistent.
The prettiest thing you can wear is a smile.
What you do today can improve all your tomorrows.
Act like the person you want to become.
Wake up with determination. Go to bed with satisfaction.
Punch fear in the face.
You are NOT hungry you are bored. Drink some water, and learn the difference.
A year from not you'd wish you'd started today!
I may not be there yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday.
Don't let comparison steal your joy.
Some people dream of success while others wake up and work hard at it!
The 3 C's of life: Choices, chances, changes. You must make a choice to take a chance or your life will never change!
Verses that encourage me:
Hebrews 12:11 "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
1 Corinthians 6:12 "All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful."
Matthew 4:4 "But He answered and said, it is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."
Psalm 73:26 "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Subscribe in a reader
.jpg)
