This May Be What's Stopping You From Losing Weight

(Updated: October 3, 2015)

I saw this blog posted in Tiny Buddha and I had to share it!  And add some of my thoughts to it...

"Rather than giving you three tips on losing weight through diet and exercise—because I know you know what to do; you just don’t want to do it all the time—I’m going to share with you the three statements that are getting in your way of losing weight and loving yourself.

1. There's something wrong with me.
2. I need to wait until I lose the weight
3. They are so beautiful. I'll never look like that."

http://tinybuddha.com/blog/3-things-you-need-to-stop-telling-yourself-if-you-want-to-lose-weight/

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I used to say most of what the author of this blog states. This is why I was soo happy that I did personal development during my weight loss and I continue to do it today. I still have some of these limiting thoughts from time to time, especially in the last grouping, but learning how to turn a limiting thought into a positive thought is key to my happiness!

I understand now that I will never look like anyone else because I don't have a twin. Short of someone cloning me or I find my doppelganger, I'm always going to be different from everyone else I compare my body to. That doesn't mean I'm any prettier or uglier than they are. It just means that we're different people and that we can all be beautiful, inside and out.

Now, you may be thinking I'm being hypocritical as a Beachbody coach telling people to not compare themselves to others.  Or when I post body positive material.  However, I do not feel I am being hypocritical at all.  My mission is to help people live healthier lives and to me that means internally and externally.  This can be done with nutrition, exercise, and personal development.  The three tenets of Beachbody and why their programs work to improve lives.  I don't believe that you need to be a certain weight to be called "healthy".  The focus around weight loss is because a little over 60% of our nation is obese or overweight.  But these programs can result in increased stamina, lowered blood pressure, lowered bad cholesterol, increased good cholesterol, and better mood.  If that's not improved health then I don't know what is!!

Also, I firmly believe now that self-esteem comes from self-love and self-love is found by looking internally NOT by comparing yourself to others.  So, don't compare yourself to anyone but the you that you truly want to be.  Not the you that society, your friends, or your loved ones say you should be.  Focus on who you want to be. 

Something you can start doing TODAY to increase your self-love is to tell yourself that you love yourself.  Look at yourself in the mirror and just repeat over and over, "I love myself".  If you're like me, you won't believe it at first.  And that's ok!  Just keep repeating it!  Repeat it in the car, in the shower, while your walking, while you're doing laundry!  Repeat it until it's the first thing you think in the morning and the last thing you think when you go to bed.  And guess what will happen.  Your mind will start to shift.

After doing this for a week, I was standing naked in front of my boyfriend for the first time with the lights on...it only lasted a moment, but it was a big step for me.  After a month, it's no biggie!  As my love for myself grows deeper my self-esteem is getting higher. The day that I am completely madly in love with myself, you guys better watch out!! It's going to be an event!

Image source: http://alligator-sunglasses.com/post/50759060113/dont-compare-yourself-to-others-highlights

My Experience With Focus T25

Let's get the first, and most popular, question out of the way.  Did it work?!

YES!!

Hahaha!  Yes, it worked.  It worked better than I ever thought that it would work.  I'm back in clothes I haven't worn in a DECADE!  A decade you guys!  Clothes that I've held on to because I kept telling myself "One day I'll wear these again!".

So, where did I start and where did I finish?  Let's talk stats.

On the left are pictures taken before I started Focus T25 and before I pushed myself too hard and had to stop the workouts.  In these pictures I weigh 158lbs, I was a size 12/13 pants, a size large in everything, a shoe size 9/9.5 (this is important), 35% body fat, and I was aching all the time.   My feet were constantly swollen, my bones hurt, and I was sick ALL. THE. TIME.  If it wasn't a cold it was a migraine, if it wasn't a migraine it was my Lyme disease, if it wasn't my Lyme disease it was my depression, if it wasn't my depression it was just generalized pain and aches.  

Ok, enough about the past!  Let's talk the present!!

So, in the after photo I am 140lbs, 27% body fat, a size 8 pants, a small or medium in everything, and a shoe size...8/8.5!  That's right, I even went down a shoe size!  I still need to buy replacement heels!  :D  It's crazy!

Inches lost:

Waist = -3"

Hips = -1"

Arms = -.5" each

Thighs = -2.5" and 2"

Chest = -1"

Total inches: 10"

TEN INCHES you guys!  That's almost a FOOT of ME that's gone forever!  Thank you!  Good bye!  I won't be seeing you again!

Did you JUST do Focus T25?

Technically, no.  I also drank Shakeology everyday.  I really feel that is a part of why it helped me soo much!  I'm not going to run through the whole reasoning why here, that'll be in a different post, but I'll provide a video I made about it.  :D

So...That's It?

Pretty much!  I just followed the instructions really.  I ate the 25 foods, drank my shakeology, and pressed play.  Now, I did have some cheat days here and there, I'm not perfect.  But I didn't get crazy and I found ways to keep my calories within the range when I did have a cheat meal by tracking everything that I ate.  And I mean EVEYTHING and I tracked it BEFORE I ate it.  That is KEY!  

So, Now What?

Now I'm going through P90X3!  I'm two weeks in and I'm down 1% in body fat percentage and 2.5" overall and I'm fitting into size 6/7 pants!  XD  No weight change, I'm still 140lbs, that means MUSCLE GAINS!  

Join Me!

Message me, comment below, or find me on Facebook!  I have a fitness group that starts every month to create a supportive environment for your transformation!  I also coach you along the way, helping you to achieve the body that you want.  

Much Love,

Coach Marquita