– This is the transformation story of Tameka H. –

She had decided to take the journey so many are reluctant to go through. She was a victim of a reality that is all too familiar for most. That is until she chose to take charge of her own life. Now with 60 pounds lost and becoming a leader in Crossfit, she tells her story of inspirational awakening.

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I had always been active in high school through participating in sports such as gymnastics and cheerleading. My senior year of high school I became pregnant with my son….

During my pregnancy I ate whatever I wanted not knowing the effects it would have later. I graduated in 2006, giving birth to my son shortly after. I had gained a total of 40 pounds during my pregnancy. Over the next few years I never seemed to be able to lose the baby weight and my job required me to sit all day which made it easier to snack and I continued to eat as if I was still pregnant. I was so busy with a full time job and a toddler that I had no time to go to the gym or prepare healthy meals and fast food seemed to be the norm for my family.

Then in 2012, I was at work one day and the Physician I worked for at the time had called me into her office and politely explained to me how she had noticed my eating habits over the last few years and the fact that she was noticing I had put on a lot of weight. I was shocked. How dare she call me out about my weight. She said she was concerned for my health down the road and wanted me to make some changes before it started to affect my health. I was very upset and did not want to listen to what she was saying. I thought about it for a few days then decided I would get on the scale. It read 205 pounds. I hadn’t been on the scale since my last Doctor’s appointment during my pregnancy years prior.

It was a reality check for me and I decided right then and there that I needed to start making some life changes for me and my family.

I immediately started to make food changes no bread or carbs no sugar no fried foods no sodas. I replaced the bad with healthier options. Yes it was the hardest thing at first but 2 weeks went by and I saw the first few pounds coming off and it made it easier for me to stay focused and to continue to have the willpower to not look back. I wrote everything down that I was eating daily so I could hold myself accountable. I read food labels to make myself more knowledgeable of what I was eating. I also made use of resources on the internet for healthy food recipes when I went to the grocery store.

In 2013, about a year since I first started to get healthy, I was 40 pounds down and feeling great but I had hit a plateau in my weight loss. I was eating right but I decided I needed to take the next step and start exercising. I joined Planet Fitness in 2014 and was just going once or twice a week walking on the treadmill and doing cardio workouts. After a few months I increased to 4 days a week and was able to start losing weight again. I was eating healthy and working out and by 2015, I was down 20 more pounds. I was feeling great but I wanted to continue my fitness goals, I was healthier yes but I wanted to be stronger and look for a bigger challenge. I was introduced to CrossFit. It took months before I tried my first class because I knew there was no way I could ever do something like that, but after that first workout, I have never looked back. The community is so welcoming and every day is a new exciting workout, you strive to be better than you were yesterday.

Life, food and fitness can be a struggle to balance at times since most of us are working moms and wives, it can be hard.

Food and Strategy Talk –

I tend to go to the gym right after work before I go home. It works for me and I don’t have to worry about getting home and getting busy with household chores. My son also comes to the gym with me and he’s able to be active too. It’s also good to plan dinner ahead: healthy crockpot meals or something in the oven. I also use Sundays to meal prep lunches for the week and something simple for breakfast in the mornings. Some of my go to healthy snacks include Plain Greek yogurt with berries, Apples with a scoop of peanut butter, Hard Boiled Eggs, Protein Shakes, String Cheese, protein bars, mixed nuts and almonds. Meat or seafood and vegetables w/ sweet potatoes are a favorite of mine for lunches or dinner.

– Concluding Words of Advice and Wisdom –

Since I started my journey in 2012, I have lost a total of 60 pounds. I have been able to maintain my weight through diet and exercise. I tend to get to the gym 5-6 times a week. I tend to eat a little more based on my workout routine for that day. On lifting days I eat more protein and a little more carbs to balance my workout.

This journey has not been an easy one, but it has totally been worth it. Every day I strive for another goal. At first I thought a pill would be a quick weight loss fix. But I was wrong. First, you have to want to make a change in your life to get healthy and it takes time. We didn’t put the pounds on overnight hence we won’t lose the weight overnight either. It takes motivation, discipline and focus! My suggestions are to write everything down: food, goals, weight loss number, etc. It really helps to see it in writing to stay on track. Also, sticky notes with motivational quotes help. Place them on the fridge or in your car so you can see them daily. Everyone has to start somewhere. There is no quick fix. This is a lifestyle change NOT a diet. Surround yourself with people who have the same goals in life. It helps to feel like you’re not doing it by yourself.

~Tameka H.

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Halloween 2017

20lbs Vest

-Nora K.

Have Questions? Contact Nora