Hey guys, welcome back to Whatever Wednesday (brought to you on a Tuesday because due dates)!
This week, we're going to be interviewing my friend and my inspiration for my own journey to healthy! Everyone, please welcome Meghan!
Q: What made you decide that this was the right time to get healthy?
A: Before my fitness journey, I was a very depressed, emotional, unhappy, and unmotivated person. I was a negative person and I didn't care about my health or my appearance at the time. I was in a long term relationship which caused me to be in that comfortable state which caused me to not care how I looked or how much I weighed.
One day I told myself that my mindset needed to change. I was tired of looking at myself in the mirror and not seeing what I liked. I was tired of feeling embarrassed, unhappy, and uncomfortable with my body. Me physically is what made me decide this was the right time to get healthy, but mostly my mental health is what caused me to take this step.
My mental health was a big factor in changing my lifestyle and becoming healthy. I wanted confidence and self esteem that I have never had before. Knowing that things would never change if I continues to be the person I was definitely helped me realize it was time to make the change.
Q: How much weight have you lost? What's your goal and how far off from it are you?
A: Since March 3rd of 2016, I am down 79 pounds. My goal is to get down to 150, which would make me an 80 pound loser, so I am definitely not too far from my goal! I am definitely positive that I will reach that goal with consistency, discipline, and hard work. I am one pound away from reaching my next goal!
Q: What steps have you taken to get healthy?
A: I have taken many steps to become a healthier person. When I first started, I decided to get a gym membership at Planet Fitness and I started going there almost every day. I also took some fitness classes at the YMCA, like Body Combat. That class is definitely a work out!
I also cut out fast food and only had water instead of soda, which was definitely hard at first I told myself that I would only have a "cheat meal" once a weekend, which gave me something to look forward to. While at the grocery store, I started paying more attention to nutrition tables, which was something I had never done before.
My best friend introduced me to Herbalife, which is the number one nutrition company in the world. I decided to start a three day trial where I had meal replacement shakes for breakfast and lunch, with healthy snacks in between, and a healthy dinner for three days and I lost four pounds! I decided to continue with the products and since then they have been a huge success to me.
Q: Are you taking this journey alone or is someone doing this with you?
A: I am not doing this journey alone. Fortunately, my mom decided to start her journey with me. She has been very successful in her weight loss journey as well. She is down 76 pounds, which is amazing!
Q: What is your motivation to keep going?
A: I think my motivation to keep going is thinking about the progress I have made throughout the year. I look back and see a girl that I don't even recognize. When I look back, I see a huge transformation due to hard work, patience, discipline, and consistency. I tell myself I am never going back to the person I used to be, physically and mentally.
Q: How do you avoid unhealthy foods like the heavenly Taco Bell?
A: I think it is very hard at times to avoid unhealthy foods like Taco Bell. Before my fitness journey, Taco Bell was definitely a go-to when I got of work late at night. I almost had it every night after work It was my favorite place to eat honestly! I have a few ways to avoid Taco Bell and other fast food places.
I think drinking water helped a lot honestly. Drinking water takes some of that hunger away that you may have. Whenever I have cravings for bad food, I take out my water jug and start drinking some water.
I also like to distance myself. If I see other people eating bad food I would just distance myself away from them so I would not give in. Also, meal prepping has helped me tremendously. I would already have my meals ready for me to eat, which caused me not to go somewhere and eat. Meal prepping is a big key to losing weight.
I also thought to myself that eating Taco Bell is not going to help me reach my goals and it would just take me a step back from where I am at. I told myself eating it would only give me temporary happiness and I would regret eating it afterwards. I told myself Taco Bell is not going to get me results.
Q: Do you think you'll continue after your target weight is reached?
A: I will definitely continue my journey after I reach my target weight. I learned from one of my couches that it is important to not get comfortable once you reach your goal. I was told to always have goals for yourself or else you'll be too lenient on yourself, which can cause you to slack off a little bit. I have been there before and I realized he was definitely right.
Once I reach my goal weight, I will continue to make goals for myself because I don't want to get comfortable like I did in the past.
Q: What's your favorite Herbalife product that you've tried? What product would you like to try next?
A: I have so many products from Herbalife that I love very much! If I had to pick a favorite product, it would definitely be the "Cookies and Cream" meal bars, which are very convenient to have when you're busy and not at home. I also love the coconut protein bars, which is a great snack that keeps me full.
I would like to try the "Rebuild Strength" product next. It is a post workout product that you drink, and I heard it was very good. That is next on my list.
Q: How do you fund your Herbalife?
A: I work a part-time job, while being a college student, so that definitely helps me have a little bit of money on that side to afford my products. Herbalife can be expensive at some times, so I make sure that I save money on the side to afford them. I also buy products once or twice very month which helps me save a lot of money also!
Luckily, my mom and I enjoy the same products so we usually order products for ourselves and we split the cost, which helps tremendously!
Q: How do you balance a healthy lifestyle, work, and being a college student?
A: I find that balance for a healthy lifestyle, work, and being a college student is extremely important. I make sure that my days are very productive. I always take an hour or so out of my day to workout, no matter what. I also work weekends, while going to school during the week, which takes off a lot of stress for my classes. I find the time out of the day to study and do school work and I also find time to workout during the day.
Q: What advice have you for me, an unmotivated, lazy bum?
A: If you are interested in starting your fitness journey, I would say give it a try! Make goals for yourself and always remember your "why." Remember why you started in the first place. Don't give up and stay consistent and patient. It takes time to notice results. Image where you will be if you don't give up!
