Weight Loss Stories – Tamara Lost 61 Pounds and 16 Sizes

Name: Tamara
Age: 35
Family Status: Married
Occupation: Fitness
Hometown: Roxboro, North Carolina
Height: 5’3″
Starting Weight: 178 pounds
Current Weight: 117 pounds
Current Waist Size: 23″

Tamara’s Weight Loss Interview!

How much did you lose?
I lost 61 pounds and went from a size 14/16 down to a size 0!

When did you become unhappy with your weight?
All my life I have never had an issue with my weight. I was always around 115 pounds and could eat whatever I wanted. When I was 22 years old I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and it required a complete thyroidectomy. After my thyroid was taken out I began to gain weight almost immediately.

What made you decide to lose weight?
After years of being miserable with my weight I decided I would rather die than live the way I was living. My self-esteem had started to slide and I rarely wanted to go anywhere. In March of 2015 I told myself I HAD to lose this weight once and for all.

What were the most important changes you made to lose weight?
Water, water and more water! I was a confessed Sprite-aholic and I completely quit drinking it cold turkey. I drank one glass of orange juice in the morning and then water with lemon throughout the rest of the day. I also changed my diet. I no longer purchased processed foods and I began to shop on the outside aisles of the grocery store. I found ways to cook veggies that I liked and I loved experimenting with trying out different veggies. For desserts, I always stuck with fruit. I also got on the scale every day. I know for some people that’s not good but for me I had to face that number every day and know that I was in control of it. I also made my daily workouts just as important as brushing my teeth. It was non-negotiable! I found my salvation by doing P90x with my husband and also using Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred.

What was the most challenging thing you had to deal with during your weight loss journey?
The biggest challenge for me was my mental state. There were a couple of times where my weight stalled even though I was doing everything right. During those times doubt would start to creep in. There were tears shed sometimes as well. However, after I dried my tears I just kept going. It was one step and one day at a time. I found peace in reminding myself how far I had come.

How long did it take you to start to see results?
It took me one week to see results. After the first week I was thrilled to have lost 3 pounds! I did a happy dance in my bathroom 🙂

How long did it take for you to reach your current weight?
I started my journey on March 1, 2015 and I reached my goal weight on my husband’s birthday which is September 1, 2015 so it took me 6 months to lose the weight.

Did you have any issues with loose skin after losing the weight? If so, how did you deal with it?
I have loose skin on my belly but I do not plan on having surgery at this time. I am concentrating my efforts on my ab workouts so hopefully I can tighten it up even more.

How long have you maintained your weight loss and what are the most important factors for keeping it off?
I have maintained my weight loss for almost 10 months. To keep it off I just make sure I am making the same healthy choices and drinking a lot of water.

What keeps you motivated to continue your weight loss success?
After shocking so many people with my weight loss (some people didn’t even recognize me!) I am motivated now by helping other ladies reach their goals. I even started a fitness page to help and motivate others with monthly fitness groups. I am also working toward becoming a certified Beachbody instructor.

How has your life changed now that you have lost weight?
My self-esteem is through the roof! I no longer hide behind others in photos and my smile is so wide 🙂 I can play with my kids all day and participate in a lot of things that I never thought I would be able to do.

Do you have any advice for others who are trying to lose weight?
Consistency is the key and always make sure to keep an eye on the goal despite any obstacles!

How did ShapeFit help you reach your weight loss goals?
I utilized all of the fitness tips I found on ShapeFit.com to help me.

Tamara’s Weight Loss Tips!

Weight Loss Tip #1:
Drink only water!

Weight Loss Tip #2:
Find veggies that you love!

Weight Loss Tip #3:
Eat a lot of lean meat. Try grilling it all on Sunday so you can have extra protein all week long and have it ready to go at anytime. Meal preparation is the key!

Weight Loss Tip #4:
Partner with a friend who can help you stay on track.

Weight Loss Tip #5:
If you are married, try to schedule a time with your spouse to workout together. It is so fun and it’s also excellent for a couple’s intimacy. The couple that works out together stays together 🙂

Tamara’s Weight Loss Eating Plan!

What do you normally eat for breakfast?
Oatmeal with a dash of raw honey, blueberries and almonds.

What do you normally eat for lunch?
A whole wheat rollup with green peppers, grilled chicken, onions, spinach, kale and some salsa.

What do you normally eat for dinner?
Baked catfish drizzled with olive oil along with a large salad with olive oil for dressing.

What do you normally eat for snacks?
Almonds, blueberries, watermelon, fat-free Greek yogurt, banana, orange, sardines.

What type of nutritional supplements do you take?
Collagen and biotin.

Tamara’s Weight Loss Workouts!

What do you do for weight training?
I like doing P90x, 21 Day Fix and Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred.

What do you do for cardio training?
My cardio consists of using Jillian Michaels and P90x workout DVDs.

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