I found solace from my abusive father through food, and I’ve been using food as a way to cope with my feelings since I was 5 years old.
I hid under the bed to eat food, and I cherished it in secret. I loved mostly junk food: pizza, soda, ice cream, and breakfast sandwiches (one of my favorites).
At my heaviest, I weighed 311 pounds. I tried every diet under the sun, but I was also dealing with mental health issues, including a suicide attempt and bulimia.
I first learned about mindfulness when I sought treatment for my mental health—and that’s been the key to losing weight.
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SELF LOVE DID THIS! I lost +100 pounds in 10 months ❌ no surgery ❌ in the process of working towards living the happiest & healthiest life possible!! I have various mental/physical conditions that I’ve been treating including depression, PTSD, PCOS, and chronic back conditions. I also exercise daily and work on eating a balanced diet using portion control. All together, that has made this transformation possible!! YOU CAN DO IT TOO!! work hard, stay consistent, and you will get the results 🔥🔥 · check my story for daily health inspo! let’s make 2019 our best year yet 💪 · #newyearnewme #weightlossgoals #weightlossinspo #transformationtuesday #beforeandafter #losingweight #healthinspo #fitspo #strongwomen #healthyliving #selfcare #selflove #revengebody #wellness #100poundsdown
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I learned that I’m not thinking rationally when I binge eat. It’s about eating as much as I can, as fast as I can. Instead, being mindful about what and how I eat (like thinking about how I chew, or letting ice cubes melt in my mouth), has allowed me to be present while I’m eating. I also stop eating when I’m full.
Of course, I also eat healthier foods and exercise more. I set guidelines for myself at the start of my weight-loss journey in 2017, and I still follow them: I exercise every day (even if that means a short walk); I drink 12 cups of water a day; and I make sure to eat three whole meals and two snacks. Still, I credit mindfulness for my weight loss success the most.
Because I focus on mindfulness, I don’t consider any foods off-limits.
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super easy mealprep 🍽 (and I think lunabear approves 😉 she stole some chicken 😭) I marinated the chicken in lemon, a little extra virgin olive oil (I use spray!!) & the Herbs de Provence overnight, seasoned the sweet potatoes & asparagus with the same. Then, I baked it all together in the over at 375F for 35 minutes! It came out PERFECT!👌 this seasoning blend is one of my favorites to use I really recommend trying it out ❤️ – I lost over 100 pounds & work hard to live the healthiest and happiest life possible ❤️ check my story for daily inspo!! – #mealprep #whatsonmyplate #foodie #cookingathome #losingweight #mealprepideas
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I make sure to eat a healthy, balanced diet with lots of veggies, and I mix up my sources of protein and carbohydrates.
Here’s what I typically eat in a day:
Being mindful about what I eat also means that I write my meals in a journal—not to scrutinize myself or count calories, but to log my meal choices and see what I can do differently (or what I should aim to keep a regular practice).
I also make sure to still indulge once in a while—just in smaller portions (like, sharing a dessert with a friend). And at restaurants, I immediately split my plate in half and put it in a to-go box. This helps me focus on eating what’s in front of me (and pay attention to how I feel when I’m finished).
Mindfulness plays into my workouts too, which means I listen to my body more.
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+110 pounds lost ❌ no surgery ❌ I lost my weight naturally and the confidence I’ve gained with that is the most valuable thing. SELF CARE is the key to success 😉 for me, that meant treatment for depression and post traumatic stress (because a healthy mind is foundation for all happy living!), starting meal prep, and working out daily. 🗝 anything is possible if YOU work for it!! 💪 I love to inspire others to join me on my journey!! follow for daily motivation to help you reach your fitness goals 👏❤️ what do you want to accomplish? – #weightlossgoals #weightlosstransformation #weightlossjourney #transform #transformationinprogress #weightloss #fatloss #beforeandafter #beforeafter #slimmingworld #thickfit #fitness #fitfam #weightlossgoals #exercise #losingweight #diet #countingcalories #weightlosstransformation #newyearsgoals #newyearnewme #fitspo #motivate #selflove #bodypositive #healthyliving #goals #trainandtransform #weightlossinspiration
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Most days, I do a mix of strength training and elliptical work (I sing and dance on the elliptical to make it fun). But I also take at least 20,000 steps a day.
Despite having a set routine, I still struggle with my binge eating. If I’m having issues with my father, or if I’m stressed about school and exams, I still turn to food sometimes. But even then, I always find a way to get back on track—mainly by reading supportive messages on Instagram, getting back into a daily routine, and paying more attention to how my body feels and what it wants.
In all, I’ve lost 110 pounds. And while some people treat me differently now that I’ve lost weight, I didn’t do this for other people to accept me. I have supportive friends, tools that help me stay on track, and a strong online support system—and that’s all I need.
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