When it comes to weight loss, we all struggle with it. It's not an easy journey but it's not an impossible one as well. Anything you put your mind into you can achieve but I know with motivation it will push you even more to not give up. This week story once again it's truly an inspiration, Tamara shares with us what made her get on her weight loss journey, what she did to lose weight, and also shares with us why she never wanted to give up.
Tamara was born and raised in the Bronx, NY, she is currently living in west palm beach, Fl. She has 2 jobs as a a district manager for a financial services company and a teller part time. She moved to Florida in 2011 to pursue her career and most of her time was consumed by both jobs. I asked her what spurred her to lose weight she honestly said she was just tired of feeling non existent. She was very unhappy with how she looked. Tamara was that "boring", shy girl that stayed in while her friends would go out. She was always the bigger girl in the group and didn't want to feel uncomfortable because she either didn't fit properly in a seat or if she had to take a picture she didn't want her family and friends back home to see her in that way, so she was always the girl behind the camera.
I can totally relate it, that's exactly how I was before I found my confidence. As Tamara said it was like taking precious memories for others and never for herself. We all had moments when we felt like an outcast due to our weight, this is another reason why I started "Confidence Is You" because I don't want you to no longer be an outcast. I want you to be yourself no matter who was around. Tamara started her weight loss journey with exercise and food shopping.
She joined weight watchers in March 10, 2013, she needed a system that was simple for her to follow and she knew it worked due to the fact she had success with it before. I have to say My Confident Dolls if you never thought about joining weight watchers, I suggest you do if you really need a program that can help you track your meals etc. I joined Weight Watcher in January 2013 and even though Iam no longer a member. The 5 months I was on it, I did see some results. Tamara also got a lot of her meal ideas from people she started following on Instagram ( Great Idea!) and also did research on google. What she loved about being on Weight Watchers, it doesn't restrict you on the foods you eat. She still have her favorite foods like pizza but it's all in moderation. She incorporated more fruits, veggies and lean meats (power foods) into her daily meals. She also began working out from home by starting with the Jillian Michaels 30 day shred DVD and then moved on to some beach body workouts such as Turbo fire and T25 which is her favorite.
What kept Tamara motivated and made her never want to give up is times she felt like giving up was when the support of people and friends she made on Instagram going through the same thing she was and her before picture. She didn't want to allow herself to ever get back to how she felt at 265 lbs. One thing she did suggest to everyone starting off is to take a before picture no matter how uncomfortable it may be and I agree with her. It helps keep present with what motivated you to get you going in the first place and where you don't ever want to be again.
Tamara works out at home at least 5-6 days a week for about 30 mins. Since her accident in December 2013 (not a major accident) she doesn't have a car so since then she been walking to and from work which has been a bonus for her since the walk is 1.3 miles each way. Her meal planed haven't changed, just a few weeks ago she actually wrote down how a day used to look like for her before weight watchers and it was a lot of fried foods and fast foods in her diet. She no longer have an appetite for those kind of foods. Now a days Tamara eat more fruits, veggies, lean meats, brown rice, quinoa etc.
Her lifestyle changes overall is staying active which is a must. If she knows she is not going to be able to get a workout in that day, she tries to move as much as possible. It's not a workout but she is not sedentary. She also have made a habit of tracking what she eat daily, everything even on a bad day. And even if she have gone over her daily points from Weight Watchers.
When I ask Tamara what would she tell someone losing weight because of others, she answered "You have to do it for YOU! Motivated by losing weight for the benefit of others will not last. I know from experience. Lasting weight loss comes from truly wanting to make a change for yourself". Tamara tips to someone losing weight is slow and steady, It's a process. Losing weight comes with it's ups and downs and you learn from the mistakes you make along the way. It takes time, don't give up. Tamara plans on keeping her weight off by working on creating a lifestyle, it's not just a diet. It has become a part of who she is and she know this is her life from now on. She learned to love every part of it.
Confidence Is Me, Tamara says Because it DEFINES ME!!!!!
It's not easy but as I always say it's not impossible to start your weight loss journey. This story may inspire you to start tomorrow, it may not but it will give you the courage to start when you are ready. Remember My Confident Dolls do it when you're a 100% ready on your own pace. Don't let anyone force you to do anything you don't want to do. I don't write these Tuesday transformation blogs to force you or push you to get up and do it. I write them to inspire you and motivate you so one day instead of saying how much you hate your weight, you can make the change you want to see.
Thank you Tamara for being an inspiration to hundreds, I always say our struggle will once be our story. The thing that you use to hate now inspire others as myself to have a successful weight loss journey as well as a healthy lifestyle. Thank You and I wish you nothing but the best. To check out Tamara, Follow her on Instagram @ww_works.
A Confident Love From Me To You
Xoxxo, Yanika
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