Losing weight is hard. And the more you have to lose, the harder it can be to stay motivated.
It’s definitely not an overnight process. Sometimes it takes a very long time. But is it worth it? Always. And not just for how you’ll look. It’s all about how losing that weight can literally change your life forever.
I’m going to share an inspiring story of how one of my favorite clients of all time, my sister, went from being a procrastinator couch potato to a get-it-done, exercise enthusiast. It’s been a little while since my sister lost 114lbs (~52kgs), but I had to share her remarkable weight loss story, since she won’t. Because while she doesn’t see it as that big of a deal, it’s an unbelievable achievement too many people struggle with.
My Sister’s Struggle With Weight Started Young
Growing up, there isn’t a time I remember my sister being a healthy weight. The smallest she got was when she danced for one year at the dance studio I went to. That’s part of the reason I was always a leaner, more athletic build. That and having very picky eating habits.
Bad Eating Habits Start Early
Stressful life situations can affect your weight, but things I’ve learned as a mother: healthy eating habits and a healthy relationship with food start early on. And how you act about food is how your children will, too.
Finish Your Plate!
My sister’s bad eating habits started when she was young. She’d be told to “finish her plate” and not make them “feel bad”. Then with an entire side of the family being overweight and unhealthy with my mother’s constant struggles with her own weight and always crash dieting (hello 800 calories a day diets), it was okay for my sister to be heavy.
With a more introverted personality and a preference for quiet activities like reading vs physical activities, it was a recipe for weight issues. And without a mentor or someone encouraging her to be more active.
And this all would’ve been okay if she was healthy and happy with herself. But she wasn’t.
Her Eating Struggles Continued into Adulthood
For my sister, she was an emotional eater. She was under a lot of stress at work, and she brought that home with her.
As an adult, she tried for years, and I mean YEARS to lose weight with Weight Watchers’ point system. I will never knock their system, since I know she lost 68lbs once doing that alone. And I know it can work for many people who have the discipline to go the gym. But I also know there are more effective, more comprehensive weight loss programs available you can do from the comfort of your own home that set you up for long-term weight loss.
She Finally Had Enough And Decided She Was Ready to Lose Weight
It’s kind of funny that it took her so long to reach out to me. I always extended an open invitation to help her whenever she was ready, because I knew it wasn’t going to happen until she was ready.
It was only after me helping hundreds of clients for almost 9 years that she finally reached out to me. Because it was finally the right time for her.
Which is a reminder to not ever let someone else talk you into losing weight. It has to be your decision. If it’s not, you’ll go for a little while until it inconveniences you or you lose enthusiasm and you give up.
Finding Motivation and Overcoming Obstacles
I remember her telling me numerous times that she wanted to start lifting weights. It’s not that she didn’t want to. It’s that she lacked the motivation and desire to start and keep going.
The same thing that happens to a lot of people. You want to lose weight or start that new business or side gig, but it remains an idea that never takes off.
She’d been having a rough time at work, was majorly stressed, and her joints were starting to hurt as she got heavier. Her biggest clothes became tight. And her self-confidence was so low she wouldn’t even leave a job she disliked.
Then one day she texted, “I want to start working out. How do I start?”
And that was the beginning of one of one the most impressive and inspiring transformations that’s been a privilege to be a part of. And one I am so proud of. It took her years of procrastinating to finally decide she was ready. And the results are worth the wait.
Creating Healthy Habits: Simple Nutrition and Exercise
Since my client was a total beginner to exercise and nutrition outside of Weight Watchers, we had to make sure we started her off with a simple nutrition plan she could easily follow with a beginner weight loss program that wouldn’t leave her burned out or feeling too sore to work out the next day.
We also made sure she recently went to the doctor to approve her for exercise and diet change.
BODi Shakeology Total Solution Pack
The reason I recommended Morning Meltdown 100 first, and for most exercise beginners, is that it’s designed to build the habit of daily exercise. And the best part? It helps you get it done first thing in the morning. That way you won’t ever have any excuse not to work out…like being too tired after a hard day, etc.
Here are some other reasons I love Morning Meltdown 100 for people just getting started:
- Workouts are shorter, 20-30 minutes
- There are 100 unique workouts designed to help you burn fat, rev up your metabolism and sculpt some muscles. You’ll never get bored.
- There is always a modifier to help you out if you’re a true beginner.
- Getting exercise done in the morning helps make the rest of your day better. It helps start your day off positively and increases energy levels as well as overall happiness.
- The live DJ helps set the tone for every move. And if you’re not into music during your workouts, you can always turn it off or lower it.
- The program introduces you to a wide range of workout types like HIIT, cardio, strength training, mobility, active recovery, and more. This sets you up for success in your next at-home program.
I also really love that Morning Meltdown 100 comes with a journal to track how you’re doing and how you’re feeling. Because sometimes when you see what you wrote on Day 1 vs Day 53, it’s enough to keep you going if you feel like giving up.
Beginner Workout Tips & What to Expect When Trying to Lose 100lbs
New habits are hard to create. And old habits are hard to let go of. You just have to keep going and keep pushing play. Because you know what? Nothing will change unless you change.
Here are a few things to expect when trying to lose 100lbs:
- You won’t be able to do every single move at first. You will get better with every single day. Always do your best and forget the rest.
- You probably won’t be able to keep up with the workout pace at first, and that’s ok! Pause the workout when you need to be able to. You’ll be surprised how quickly your endurance and strength increase.
- Pause the workout to catch your breath/catch up whenever you need.
- Never do any moves that hurt. If a squat, lunge, overhead press, ,modified push-up or anything causes any type of pain (not muscle soreness), stop immediately. Either reduce the full range of the exercise or just march it out.
Workouts will always be hard in the beginning if you haven’t worked out for a while – or maybe never. The good news is that there are so many options than ever to choose from for beginner workouts on BODi.
One program I really love that’s newer to BODi is the For Beginners Only workout block. The workout includes a range of modifications to suit any beginner as well as more advanced options if you’re making fast progress. These monthly programs run for 3 weeks, and then there’s an active recovery (UP) week. They start on the first Monday of every month.
The Nutrition Program She Followed to Lose 100lbs
For nutrition, we kept it simple with the Portion Fix, which comes with BODi. Because complicated almost always leads to failure.
The Portion Fix is NOT a starvation diet. The program comes with color-coded containers to measure certain types of food groups like proteins, veggies, carbs, dairy, healthy fats, and fruit. No scales necessary. The recipes are designed to taste good, fuel your body, and give you the nutrients you need to stay satisfied all day long.
We also included my favorite meal replacement shake, which is included in the total solution pack above. There are so many different flavors to choose from that it will kick any sugar or chocolate cravings to the curb and get you on your way to becoming your best self.
True story…when she first started, she told me how she had trouble eating all her food. There was just so much. She was pleasantly surprised she never felt hungry. Some days, she couldn’t even finish all her containers, but she did her best. And quickly we all watched the fat melt away.
Supplements That Helped Her Maximize Weight Loss
My sister started off with just the Morning Meltdown Total Solution pack, which included Shakeology, BODi and the workout materials. But during her first program when she started being able to go harder and lifting weights more frequently, she added in the following supplements:
- Recover: This is absolutely one of the best on the market and will help you recover more quickly to be able to give your next all each and every day.
- Power Greens: These are a blend of superfoods designed to help you reach you meet your nutritional needs and optimize health. You can easily add them to your daily meal replacement shake
- Go & Glo Stack: This includes Energize, Hydrate and Collagen Boost. Energize gives you a natural boost of energy to fuel your workouts. Hydrate to help your body stay balanced and hydrated during workouts. And collagen boost to help support joints, skin and hair health.
- BEACHBARS: Available in 3 delicious flavors (think peanut butter chocolate, mint chocolate chip and chocolate almond crunch), these help take care of a healthy snack, stop cravings and help you reach her goals.
- First Thing/Last Thing: Twice daily vitamins that help you naturally feel more energized in the morning and help prepare your body for a restful night at bedtime.
* Money saving tip: You can sign up as Preferred Customer to get the monthly discount on your supplements. I know my sister did this after trying other brands for one month that she admitted were either really gross or ineffective to save a little bit of money .
**Extra money saving tip: If you plan on purchasing more than one item, you can do cart add-ons to save some extra money. Also order on subscription to save on shipping.
The BODi workout programs she did in that first year to help her lose 100lbs:
- Morning Meltdown 100
- 80 Day Obsession
- MBF(3 times)
- MBFA
- 9 Week Control Freak
- And more
As you can see, she went from maybe doing a short walk less than once a week to making working out a part of her day that is now non-negotiable. She also started doing program after program, because she enjoyed working out so much. It made her feel good and look good.
And the best part is as she exercised more, she stopped using food as comfort and used workouts to relieve any mental anguish.
Other BODi workout programs she enjoyed:
- 645
- LIIFT4
- Let’s Get Up
- LIIFT More
- Job1
- Sure Thing
- Chop Wood, Carry Water
Also worth noting is that she loves lifting weights now! It’s her favorite. So even if it seems hard in the beginning or makes you a little sore, you will get better.
Support and Accountability: The Importance of a Strong Network in Your Weight Loss Journey
When my sister first started, it was really hard for her to get into the habit of working out in the morning. Eating wasn’t quite as tough for her, since she followed Weight Watchers before and the meal replacement shake made one meal easy.
But things started to get easier when she finally took part in the online community that she gained with her BODi membership. It was the support from others that helped keep her stay accountable and keep going.
Another Main Reason BODi Helps You Lose 100lbs
One of the greatest things about BODi is that it connects you with a huge community of like-minded people to help you stay motivated and inspired to keep going, as well as thousands of recipes. And depending on who you hang out with most, having an online support group is one of the best things you can do to keep going on your 100lb weight loss journey.
I know my sister still posts daily in our private accountability group app and online private FB group. Depending on what works best for you, you’d be a part of those groups, too, at whatever level of activity you feel comfortable with. We always encourage you to take your journey at your own pace.
You also get my personal support as a valued client every step of the way. I know I always receive emails and texts from clients all the time when they have a question or need some encouragement. We’ve become a very close group.
Q&A With My Sister
How Losing 100lbs Affected Her From An Outside Perspective
I know one of the the things that amazed me most was how much my sister’s attitude changed when she started losing weight. It wasn’t just that she finally was able to shop in regular stores and wear clothes she only dreamed of like a tank top, it’s that her confidence shot through the roof.
She is now more outgoing and loves talking about fitness to anyone who will listen. She loves lifting heavy to see those muscles and enjoys jogging. And now, she looks forward to trying every new online workout program.
But most important of all, she finally had the courage to take charge of her life and actively pursue her dreams.
Keeping the Weight Off by Sustaining a Healthy Lifestyle
The thing about losing 100lbs or more is that it isn’t just going to stay off on its own. This happens with people who have 15lbs to lose.
You will need to continue your efforts into keeping up with your healthier new lifestyle. That means eating healthier in the right quantities while continue to exercise daily. The good news by that time, both will be a part of your daily life anyways. To the point where you can’t not exercise and no longer enjoy unhealthy foods.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re ready to begin your own incredible weight loss journey and finally taking charge of your health (and you have your doctor’s okay), please visit my support page and fill out the form.
I’ll be in touch within 24hrs to help you get matched up with a total solution to help you start your own 100lb weight loss journey and get connected to our amazing online community.
