Weight Loss Stories – Amy Malone Lost 125 Pounds and 22 Sizes

Name: Amy
Age: 34
Family Status: Single
Occupation: Fitness Coach
Location: Bellingham, Washington
Height: 5’8″
Waist: 34″
Starting Weight: 270 pounds
Current Weight: 145 pounds
Pounds or Inches Lost: I lost 125 pounds and 22 sizes! I went from a size 26 to a size 4!

Amy’s Weight Loss Story!

When did you become unhappy with your weight?
I’ve been unhappy with my weight since high school. I’ve been up and down the weight loss roller coaster since then. I gained weight during bad relationships and then would lose some of the weight when they were over. But this time I’m finally at a point where it’s not about a diet but about changing my life. I’ve lost 95 pounds in the last 4 months. My heaviest was in my early 20’s when I got to 260 pounds. I gained 80 pounds during my pregnancy in 2011 and got up to 270 pounds.

What made you decide to lose weight?
I had acquired lots of nutrition and fitness knowledge since I was 25, when I first started trying to lose weight and get active. By the time I was out of an unhealthy relationship and my son was 2 years old I was sick of being fat and hating myself and sick of wasting the knowledge I had acquired. So I finally got off my butt one day and started walking.

What were the most important changes you made to lose weight?
I started walking several days a week at first and then running and kickboxing for several months. Then I found at-home workout DVDs and that has been the real game changer. I’m in the best shape of my life and 40 pounds lighter than I ever was in the past when I had lost weight. I also transitioned to a mostly vegan diet. I hardly eat sugary foods and I never eat fried foods any longer. I eat lots of veggies, fruits and beans.

Amy was featured in First for Women Magazine!

What was most challenging about losing weight?
I’m still struggling to keep sugar out. I was doing pretty well until recently when it started to creep back in. I have to be just as vigilant now that I’m at my goal weight as I was trying to lose the weight.

How long did it take you to start to see results?
I started to see results within a month. I changed my diet pretty dramatically in a short period of time so I think that had a lot to do with it.

How long did it take for you to reach your current weight?
I went from 240 to 145 in about 15 months. I was at 240 for nearly 2 years. I got up to 270 pounds during my pregnancy, lost 45 pounds within the first 4 months after giving birth but then started to gain it back.

How long have you maintained your weight loss and how do you do it?
I’ve been between 145-150 pounds for about 3 months now. I exercise 6 days a week. I change some of what I’m doing every month to keep my body guessing. I continue to follow a vegan diet.

What keeps you motivated to continue your weight loss success?
It feels amazing to be this fit and healthy! I love this athletic body that I now have that I have lunged, squatted, punched, kicked, burpeed, down-dogged, cried, swore, sweat, jumped, punched, pushed, crunched and jacked my way too. I will never let this go. Being healthy and active just makes life so much easier. I can run after my son and carry his 45 pound body when needed. I have the energy to play with and care for him and I can teach him about being healthy and active so he never struggles like I did.

How has your life changed now that you’ve lost weight?
My life is easier. I feel more at ease in my body. I have energy and pep in my step. I can get up and just go in the morning. I love exercise and challenging my body to see what I can do with it. I can get around so much better. I can sprint to catch the bus while carrying my son. I can go up and down stairs like they don’t exist. I can get up and down off the ground with ease. I’m not scared of food any longer because I know how to keep the weight off. And now as a fitness coach I get to help others transform their lives too.

Do you have any advice for others who are trying to lose weight?
Get support and accountability. If your friends and family are negative towards your efforts then find support online. There are so many Facebook groups to join for support. I’m in 10 groups now but I started out with just 1, and I’m still in that original group.

Amy’s Weight Loss Tips!

Weight loss tip #1:
Eat a salad as a meal daily with veggies, beans (protein) and balsamic or citrus dressing.

Weight loss tip #2:
Any exercise that you enjoy and will stay committed to is the best exercise for you.

Weight loss tip #3:
Drink at least half your weight in ounces of water a day (1 gallon if you can).

Weight loss tip #4:
Cut out dairy and limit animal products to 4 servings per week.

Weight loss tip #5:
Stop drinking soda, juice, vitamin water and all that other stuff. Just drink water!

Amy’s Weight Loss Eating Plan!

Breakfast:
Green Smoothie: 1 scoop Vegan Shakeology, 1 cup frozen blueberries, 1/4 cup dark leafy greens, 1/4 cup steamed sweet potato, 1 tsp nut or seed butter, 12-14 ounces of water.

Lunch:
Giant Salad: 3 cups mixed dark leafy greens, 1/2 can low sodium garbanzo beans (with broth), 1 tbs nuts or seeds, 1/3 cup chopped cucumber, 6 cherry tomatoes, 1/4 avocado, 1/4 cup quartered artichoke hearts, 1 tbs lemon or lime juice, 1 tsp balsamic vinegar.

Dinner:
Stir-fried veggies over quinoa, lentils or quinoa or bean and veggie soup or veggie bean burritos.

Snacks or Mini Meals:
A piece of fruit or 1/4 cup steamed sweet potato.

Nutritional Supplements:
Shakeology.

Amy’s Weight Loss Workouts!

Weight Training:
I do PiYo workouts 3 days a week. It’s a fusion of pilates and yoga but at a faster speed. I just started doing Les Mills Pump which is a barbell based program.

Cardiovascular:
I was doing 21 Day Fix Cardio and Les Mills Combat workouts. Now I’ll be doing Insanity: Asylum for my cardio workouts.

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