In this 3 years since this photo was taken, I put on about 30 pounds 

(when I was already a fair bit beyond my normal weight).

 

Some of the most stressful years of my life, combined with sedentary living, poor eating habits, and the legitimate impact of perimenopause, led me to being the heaviest and unhealthiest I’ve been in my entire life.

 

Not only was I overweight, but I felt terrible. My digestive system was out of whack with constant acid reflux, heartburn, and bloating. My joints ached with regular back and hip pain. My sleep was interrupted nightly with insomnia and night sweats. 

You get the idea.

 

Last July (as I was turning 49), I knew that I had to do something. 

 

I decided to commit to doing what was needed to shed 50 pounds by my 50th birthday. 

It truly wasn’t only about the weight and my appearance, it was about making changes in my overall lifestyle so that in addition to hopefully losing the weight (and keeping it off), I would also see improvements in my sleep and my digestion, and reduction in the pain in my body.

 

 

Being a big believer in the power of having a coach, the first thing I did was hire an integrative medicine specialist who has a successful track record of helping women in my age group achieve what I wanted to achieve. This was a big financial commitment, but I needed to have some skin in the game to take it seriously and keep committed.

 

I told her from the beginning that although I would be open to a GLP-1 type of medication, that I wanted to try all of the natural / organic methods first. So, we made a plan to focus on nutrition, fitness, and vitamins/supplements.

 

 

This book served as my guide for eliminating sugar, flour, and starches.

This physician and the resources she provides have been immensely helpful to understanding what the reduction of hormones does to our bodies.

I bought this piece of equipment and love it (even Corey is using it!). 

I bought this water container and write on it with these glass markers, making a mark for every hour that I drink my 10 ounces until I've drank all 100 for the day. 

Feeling so much better than I did six months ago has motivated me to keep pushing toward my 50 before 50 goal.

 

I honestly don't know if my body can get there and sustain it - I'm definitely seeing how much the composition of my body has changed in the last handful of years. 

But, I'm going to keep working toward it by utilizing the above strategies (I didn't even talk about what my meals consist of, but that has also radically changed and I'm going to start wearing a weighted vest during some of my fitness routines).

 

So far I've managed to get where I am without the assistance of a GLP-1 medication, but knowing how effective it has been for tens of thousands of people, I'm not opposed to considering it if my current strategies stop working.

 

Overall, I'm encouraged and eager to keep doing the work to steward my body well.

First name / Friend, I'd love to hear what have been the most effective nutrition and fitness strategies for you or someone you know who has been on a journey similar to mine.

 

Thank you!

 

Be well,

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