Weight Loss Stories – Autumn Lost 100 Pounds and 16 Pant Sizes

Name: Autumn
Age: 24
Family Status: Engaged
Occupation: Donor Support Technician
Location: Ohio
Height: 5’5″
Waist: 27.5″
Starting Weight: 230 pounds
Current Weight: 130 pounds
Pounds or Inches Lost: I lost 100 pounds and 16 pant sizes!

Autumn’s Weight Loss Story!

When did you become unhappy with your weight?
I was overweight at 8 years old. I was never unhappy. I was unaware of being picked on for my weight. Thinking back, I can remember times people made fun of me and called me degrading names in regards to my weight. Still, I was never really unhappy. I was extremely blind to the fact that my weight was an issue. I was fairly active or so I thought. My freshman year of college is when I was actually unhappy about my weight. I wanted to be thin and look like all the “hot” girls on campus. It was a long shot, but I decided to change up my life and eventually started working out every day for at least an hour.

What made you decide to lose weight?
In my education class I watched a Jamie Oliver video filmed in the fattest city in the United States at the time. There was a teenager that had a dark ring around his neck. The doctor said that the ring was an early indicator of diabetes. Basically, if the family and teen didn’t change their eating and exercise habits there would be health issues galore. I had that same ring around my neck. It terrified me. So I made it a point to reduce the risk.

What were the most important changes you made to lose weight?
I stopped eating fast food and I started to only drink water or tea. I did a complete 180 with exercise. I went from completely sedentary to a cardio junkie in a week.

What was most challenging about losing weight?
Figuring out how to do plyometric type workouts with 10 pounds of loose skin on my midsection. It is incredibly painful and a constant challenge to maneuver.

How long did it take you to start to see results?
It took me 5 years to SEE the results. I still see myself in the mirror as the girl I used to be. I take a lot of pictures to compare them to old ones so I can tell myself that I’m NOT that girl any longer. However, it took my family 2 months to notice the change. It only took that long because I was living at college so they didn’t see me as often.

How long did it take for you to reach your current weight?
It took me 5 years. I had some setbacks but many triumphs to overcome those downfalls!

How long have you maintained your weight loss and how do you do it?
I’ve been as small as I am now for roughly a year!

What keeps you motivated to continue your weight loss success?
Reading other people’s weight loss stories and looking at their pictures encourages me to keep going on this journey even if I don’t have any more weight to lose. Also, looking at my own progress pictures helps a ton.

How has your life changed now that you’ve lost weight?
Well, I am obviously much healthier. I get more attention from men, which I don’t need or want any longer. Ironic I know. I am also more confident than I ever was before.

Do you have any advice for others who are trying to lose weight?
Keep going even if you don’t see the results. Others will compliment you on it. Your mind will tell you to stop but keep pushing. Your body is much more capable of things than you think.

How did ShapeFit help you reach your weight loss goals?
ShapeFit.com helped tone me up a bit with the exercises that focused on a certain muscle group. It also helped me stay motivated with the weight loss success stories.

Autumn’s Weight Loss Tips!

Weight loss tip #1:
Stay hydrated.

Weight loss tip #2:
Cut out the junk foods.

Weight loss tip #3:
Do at least 30 minutes of cardio, 3 times a week.

Weight loss tip #4:
Incorporate weights into your workout routine.

Weight loss tip #5:
If you fall into a plateau, eat more than you usually would or change up your workout routine.

Autumn’s Weight Loss Eating Plan!

Breakfast:
1/2 cup of oatmeal with 1 tsp of light brown sugar, and some type of fruit.

Lunch:
Quest bar, apple, and vegetables with ranch or peanut butter.

Dinner:
Grilled cheese and tomato soup or a black bean burger with vegetables.

Snacks or Mini Meals:
Cereal such as Chex or Honey Nut Cheerios with almond milk.

Nutritional Supplements:
Protein powder, BCAAs (branched chain amino acids) which help with muscle repair.

Autumn’s Weight Loss Workouts!

Weight Training:
I focus on a few body parts each workout. For example, one day I will train back and triceps, the next will be legs and core, then I go to chest and biceps. After that I’ll focus on glutes (butt). Nothing extreme. I use 15 pound dumbbells or lighter.

Cardiovascular:
30-45 minutes of the elliptical machine or 20 minutes on the Stairmaster. I do cardio at least 4 times a week. I like to switch it up so I follow what seems more appealing that day. I also like to do intense workouts like Insanity or Insanity the Asylum.

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