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Run Eat Repeat

Weight Loss Wednesdays – Maria

Weight Loss

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24 Feb

Meet Maria, the latest Run, Eat, Repeat reader to share her Weight Loss Victory story…

Maria Before:Maria Before

Pounds lost: I lost 80lbs
How long did it take: It took me roughly 2 years
Location: I was born in St Louis, Missouri, moved around the
country and (sadly) ended up back in St Louis!!
Occupation: MOMMY FIRST, but I am currently holding MANY positions:
Child Care Center Nutrition Program Assistant, Healthy Living Blogger and
Freelance Writer

Maria After:maria after

 

What was the motivating factor that got you started on your weight loss
journey? Was it one thing or a series of events?

I had "planned" on losing weight for a long time. I was never truly obese,
but always carried more weight than my 5 foot 4 inch frame should have. On
February 7, 2001 everything changed because I gave birth to my first
daughter. I knew the minute she was born that I had to make a total life
change because I didn’t want her to go through the same struggles
throughout her life as I had in mine.

What do you think was the one most important change you made? How did it
help? Can you keep this up for life?

I made two very important life changes. First I became a vegetarian. I
noticed a change in how I felt almost immediately. I felt more awake, more
energetic, not so sleepy and not so sluggish. I began to slowly notice a
change in my body over time too because as a vegetarian your choices are
more healthy to begin with (vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, etc)
Obviously you can still find indulgent and unhealthy vegetarian options,
but your main staples consist of healthier options. I stopped eating at
fast food places because there wasn’t anything I could eat as a vegetarian.
I began to notice that even restaurant salads came with meat on them. My
overall perception of food changed when I made the switch. I liked how it
made me feel.
Then I began to exercise by walking at first then slowly moving into
running and lifting weights and I knew my life was changed for the better!!
The weight began to fall off and over the course of the two years I
continued to make one healthy choice after another and pretty soon I didn’t
have to think about them anymore. The healthy choices were all I even
considered.
I know that I can keep this up for the rest of my life because I have to.
I am the female role model my (now 2) daughters look at and I want to be a
healthy role model. I don’t want to seem obsessed so I walk a fine line,
but they know that healthy choices are important and why. They know it’s
not about vanity for me that it is all about being healthy and the best
"me" I can be.

How did you change your eating habits?
Becoming a vegetarian is the biggest change I made, but I am from a very
southern family and EVERYTHING (even the vegetables) are fried or covered
in gravy or cooked in butter. I began making smaller changes in that area
as well. I would bring my own food to family functions or offer to bring a
large vegetarian option as a side dish for everyone that would count as a
meal for me. Slowly my family and my husband’s family realized that this
wasn’t a phase or some crazy diet and they got on board. I still bring my
own food to functions, but there is always something there for me to eat
that someone else has made and I feel good knowing that I’ve rubbed off
(even if just a little) on my family in a healthy way.

How did you change your exercise habits?
I was a couch potato!! I started out slow, walking the block or the high
school track and then I would walk further distances. Eventually I started
jogging to the stop sign and then I would jog around the corner and so on.
I ended up getting a job at a local health club working the spa desk and a
free gym membership came as a perk. I would go into work early so that I
could work out and then shower before clocking in. It was a great perk even
if the pay was terrible!!

How do you plan to maintain these healthy habits?
I sign up for races here and there with my husband. My daughter (9 years
old) are running our first 10k in April to raise money for the ASPCA and
I’m currently training to run my first half marathon. I no longer work at
the health club so exercising in the winter becomes more challenging, but I
have great work out DVD’s like 30 Day Shred, Crunch Pilates and Yoga that I
can do early in the morning in my pajama’s before my family even wakes up.
I will be glad when the cold is gone and the sun is shinning again because
I do miss running outside with my ipod and my thoughts
!

Do you have any tips for RER readers who want to lose weight?
Take it slow. Crash diets and pills and all these crazy things I see
advertised aren’t going to help you in the long run. Make an appointment
with yourself to do at least 30 minutes of some form of exercise 5 days a
week. If I write it down in my planner then I’ve got that appointment
scheduled and I cannot cancel on myself!! If I don’t value my time and my
health then why should anyone else. As far as diet goes agree to make one
healthy choice everyday for 6 days and reward yourself with one treat at
the end of the week. Then the next week agree to make two healthy choices
and so on. Eventually you won’t have to even think about making the healthy
choice. You will want to make the healthy choice so as not to interfere
with all your hard work!

*******************************************************

Congratulations Maria and thanks for sharing your story with us!

You can find Maria online at Real Fit Mama.

If you have a weight loss success story you’d like to share please email me at runeatrepeat@gmail.com.

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    9 Comments

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mary says

      2010-03-02 at 10:31 pm

      what an inspiring story! You have made a great transgression and look AWESOME!

      Reply
    2. All Women Stalker says

      2010-02-26 at 11:22 am

      Slow and steady, I always say. That’s the best advice anyone can give when it comes to weight loss and lifestyle changes.

      Reply
    3. Karyn says

      2010-02-25 at 12:15 am

      congrats! i’m so happy that you are able to see your role as a healthy model for your kids. i’m sure they both look up to you sooo much 🙂

      Reply
    4. Julie @ Pickley Pear says

      2010-02-24 at 10:26 pm

      What a great story! Maria – you are an inspiration to many. With only 5-10lbs to lose, it’s still a struggle for me. There were some great ideas mentioned. It takes a lot of self control and strictness to change your life and stick with it!

      Reply
      • Maria (realfitmama) says

        2010-02-24 at 10:50 pm

        @Julie Thanks for the kind words! I wouldn’t say I’m trying to be an ‘inspiration’ to people, but I definitely feel that if I can do it and stick with it and love it (eating healthy and exercising) anyone can. I still struggle with that feeling of “Oh, I’m up 5 lbs and don’t feel so good about myself”, but I know that means I’m slacking somewhere and I have to pick it up a notch or two. My biggest struggle now is the winter time. I live in the midwest and it’s SOOOO cold here so running outside is NOT an option (for me anyway – I’m kind of a baby when it comes to the cold ) so I fluctuate more than in any other time of year. I have a stock pile of great work out DVD’s that really help, but I look forward to warm weather for sure.
        Just remember – 5lbs or 50lbs WE ARE ALL BEAUTIFUL!!!

        Reply
    5. Lauren @ Eater not a runner says

      2010-02-24 at 9:46 pm

      Awesome story 🙂

      Reply
    6. Carolyn says

      2010-02-24 at 6:00 pm

      Good job! Great story! 🙂

      Reply
    7. Lisa says

      2010-02-24 at 5:06 pm

      Congratulations! You look fantastic! 🙂 How do you find the time with a child to exercise?

      Reply
      • Maria (realfitmama) says

        2010-02-24 at 10:05 pm

        @Lisa – I make the time. PERIOD! My girls (I have 2 now) usually wake up between 7 and 7:30 so I make sure I’m up between 5:30 and 6:00 to get in a good 30 minute work out whether it’s the 30 minute shred or a great run outside I MAKE the time. Trust me, with two girls under the age of 10 and a full time job I don’t always WANT to work out, but I know that it’s good for me and actually gives me more energy to handle my hectic schedule.

        Thanks for checking out my story!

        Reply

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    Hi! I'm Monica, I love running, eating and sharing the best tips & strategies to help you RUN your BEST life! I've run +50 half & +30 full marathons and... More » about About

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      Disclaimer: Please speak with a medical professional before making any changes to your diet or exercise. I am not a doctor or registered dietitian. The views expressed are based on my own experiences, and should not be taken as medical, nutrition or training advice. Please note that affiliate links and sponsored posts may pop up from time to time. I truly appreciate your support. More »

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