Jaime L.
Sep 1, 2013
I have been overweight for as long as I can remember, but finally taking control of my health and shedding the first 20 pounds of my old self in just 30 days feels both empowering and encouraging. While I know my journey is far from over—I have a goal of losing 75 pounds—my newfound confidence and the healthy habits I’ve developed under the guidance of my incredible trainer, Walter, have given me the belief that I will succeed and finally win my personal weight loss battle.
Two major factors contributed to my success: transforming my diet and ramping up my exercise routine. From the start, I was told that weight loss is 80% about nutrition. While I never considered myself an unhealthy eater—I wasn’t a fast food junkie or a huge dessert lover—I had plenty of room for improvement. Walter helped me rework my eating habits, focusing on portion control and meal timing. Instead of making dinner my heaviest meal, it’s now my lightest, consisting of lean protein and vegetables instead of carb-heavy plates. I also started eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day to keep my hunger in check and eliminated late-night snacking, including cocktails with friends.
The second key change was increasing my cardio workouts to six days a week, extending my sessions beyond what I had done before. I also learned that the body adapts to repetitive workouts, and to continue seeing progress, I needed to change things up. After experiencing a plateau, I incorporated new activities like running and kickboxing, which helped me push past stagnation and see results again.
Beyond diet and exercise, the most valuable lesson I’ve learned is the importance of patience, confidence, and a positive mindset. This has been the most challenging part for me, as I tend to be my own worst critic. There were moments when the scale didn’t reflect my efforts, and frustration crept in, making me doubt my ability to reach my goal. Walter’s encouragement during these times has been invaluable—he reminds me of my progress and reinforces his belief in my ability to succeed.
Now, I focus on non-scale victories—how much better I feel, how my clothes fit more loosely, and how much stronger I’ve become. I am learning to trust the process and stay committed. As long as my mind is in the game, my body will follow, and I will reach my ultimate weight loss goal.
