August 5, 2018….
That is the day that I began my weight loss journey, and more importantly, stuck to it! It has been a while since I have written a purely personal post mainly because in the past couple of years I have been spending less time on the computer. However, after 7 months on this journey, I thought it was time to share a little personal stuff 😉
August 5, 2018
I owe the kick in the butt to my youngest son. He truly deserves 100% of the credit for jump-starting me on this much-needed path. He issued a challenge to me that whoever lost the most weight by June 2019 had to pay the other person $100. I took the bet for two reasons, one I wanted to lose weight but more importantly because I wanted to support my son.
Just the weekend before the kids and I had spent a day at Rapids Water Park. It is so nice to spend, what is a rare opportunity, time with all my kids together. However, I was embarrassed by the lack of energy to climb the stairs again and again, though I tried not to show it. But even worse was trying to awkwardly get out of a float at the size I was. So this too added to my motivation to get started on a healthier path.
September 16, 2018
On August 5, 2018, I put together a healthy breakfast and lunch and got up at 5:45 to go to the gym with my son 4 days a week. After one week I was still going to the gym and eating well and I felt SOOO motivated. Six weeks later my son began missing a few mornings here and there. See my son works nights and often wasn’t coming home until 11-12 and then trying to get up to go to the gym with me. I noticed that he wasn’t really into it and eventually talked with him about it. I told him that I was good, I was motivated, and was going to continue to go to the gym but he needed to go for himself and not for me. So after another week, I found myself going to the gym by myself.
I eventually started waking up at 5:05 to give me the chance to do both weight lifting and cardio work. I also added Friday to my schedule and started going to the gym for an hour a day 5 days a week. I found that I would wake up at 5:05 on my own and didn’t even think about if I should or shouldn’t get up. In fact, when I got sick and did have to skip the gym due to lack of energy it just threw off my whole morning. The difference in how I feel when I go to the gym in the morning vs when I don’t is amazing. I feel happy, healthy, and full of energy when I go to the gym. I love the feeling so much that I try not to miss any days. I get up and go to the gym just as easily as I get up to get ready for work.
October 28, 2018
By Thanksgiving Day I had lost 46.4 pounds and was excited to spend time with my family. The first time in forever that I was excited about a get-together instead of dreading what I would wear. Like all true lifestyle changes, it has not come without difficulties. Being home during the holidays vs my normal structured work schedule did make it a little tougher for me to stay on track with my eating, or at least as strict. I also got sick during the holiday break and missed almost a week at the gym. I did manage however to maintain my weight and have since lost an additional 11.2 pounds for a total of 57.6 pounds lost so far.
I have had three people throughout this journey approach me at the gym to tell me that they have noticed my weight loss. Some have asked me how I did it while others have just told me that they saw me come in the past summer and that I looked great. This is a great way to motivate a person!
While I am not done with my weight loss journey as I would like to lose about another 46 lbs I feel so much more comfortable than I did 7 months ago. I feel healthier and stronger and I am determined not to let the weight creep back on. Even when I am not eating my best I still jump right back on the bandwagon and keep on keepin’ on, and always continue to hit the gym.
January 1, 2019
Oh yeah, and the question I do get asked the most is “how am I losing weight”. It is a combination of the time at the gym and I eat a high protein, moderate fat, low carb diet. I don’t follow any plan I am just careful of the choices I make. Here is an example of a daily meal for me:
- Breakfast – OPTIMUM NUTRITION GOLD STANDARD 100% Whey Protein Powder , with one tablespoon of Flax Seed (see note below)
- Snack – Dannon Light & Fit Greek Yogurt
- Lunch – Lean meat and vegetables (see note below)
- Snack – One of the following:
- Nuts
- Sargento Balanced Breaks
- Jimmy Dean Egg’wich or Jimmy Dean Frittatas
- Dinner – Lean meat and vegetables (see note below)
Breakfast – I did a lot of research on protein powders and found the one I mentioned to always be in the top 5 of the best protein powders. In addition after testing my cholesterol in October and finding the total number to be fine but the good cholesterol to be low I decided to research how to increase good cholesterol and found whey protein flax seed to be a great addition.
Lunch/Dinner – Also due to wanting to lower my cholesterol I started to trade read meats for other meats such as chicken, turkey, and pork. I do still occasionally have a steak for dinner but more like once a month than weekly. For vegetables I usually have green beans, fresh broccoli, broccoli and cheese, or canned peas.
Also I began my own regimen of vitamins (and please note I am not a medical professional and offer no advice, just sharing my own choices)
- Ocean Blue Omega 3 – suggested to me by a co-worker to increase good cholesterol
- Women’s One a Day Formula
- GNC Isomer E – I read that this was a better vitamin E to take
- Folic Acid
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin D
- Biotin
- Adding Soon ( C8 MCT Oil Powder) – will let you know in a later post what I think of this.
Side-by-Side Comparison Then and “Almost” Now
Good Luck to all those that are on their own weight loss journey!
Rhiannon Rowland says
Colleen you look fabulous!! I have also recently started a weight loss journey, 2 months so far and down 15 pounds. You go girl!!
Colleen Shibley says
Rhiannon it is so nice to hear from you. Congrats on your weight loss! It feels so good to eat healthy, loss weight, and go to the gym it amazes me how we resist it so much LOL! I would love to get updates on your journey 🙂
Deforest Ron says
You look fabulous! But more importantly you’ve had to have improved your health tremendously. Congratulations. What an inspiration. Here’s to you continued success!
Colleen Shibley says
Thanks! I know mom said she has shared this with others. I will say more than the weight loss is how amazing a feel. I have been really focused on just more than weight loss. We had a Health Fair at work and even though my cholesterol was normal my good cholesterol was very low so I researched what to change in my diet to increase it. It was higher last time I went to the doctor but looking for even better in July.
Rebecca @Hamilton Billiards says
This is amazing, you’ve inspired me to go out there and get back into exercise myself.
Colleen Shibley says
I hope that you do, I go to the gym each week day morning at 5:30 and it makes such a difference in who I feel all day. Good Luck even a little exercise is better than none!
oncallcentral says
First of all congratulation for your weight loss! You are so lucky you lose your weight and some people not successful in weight loss. I point out your diet plan and medicine. I am starting you follow you
Neogen says
First I want to congratulation for the great success that you lose the weight of the body. Second I really want how you lose the weight of the body? Kindly tell me.
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I remember the days of trying to conceive. It was always a struggle on my part (not spouses) I had Endometriosis and struggled getting pregnant. I know this too can be a difficulty for men.
joon says
Mental health is important for a good life. Our brains are sensitive and want to change in daily life to find new environments or experiences for the relaxation.
lisa says
Travelling is one the best ways to release your tensions and have a some refreshing time which is necessary for good mental health.
jack says
Travel is the best way to improve your health. It brings a positive change in thinking. Due to the daily hard work, our mind is bound in this case we need some relaxation. So in this way travel is a resource to improve mental health.
lisas says
I read Noom encourages employees to focus on their own health. Does that mean that if I have a standing yoga class that I attend several days per week—I can go, if it’s during the workday?
harry says
Mental health is important for a good life. Our brains are sensitive and want to change in daily life to find new environments or experiences for the relaxation.
harry says
Great tips! We also rely on each other to keep our health in check. Having a buddy really helps us say no to unhealthy cravings most of the time. Great advice!
harry says
This is my first comment here so I
just wanted to give a quick shout out and say I really enjoy reading your posts.
lisa says
These are simple, basic tips that we all need to be reminded of every now and then. Following them really makes a difference. I used to be able to get by with less sleep but not any more. I feel awful if I don’t get enough sleep. And drinking plenty of water really helps too.
lisa says
All great suggestions. My husband and I go for a run wherever we travel. Other than our running shoes and clothing, there is no special equipment required. I remember years ago, folks thought we were odd to worry about exercising while traveling. But to us, not exercising would be the equivalent of saying let’s take a holiday from brushing our teeth. It’s just part of taking care of your body. Besides, we’ve seen things and gotten to places we never would have if we didn’t run in the places we visit.
lisa says
Agree!! I greatly reduced my alcohol consumption about 10 years ago and have benefited from all of the above.
johan smith says
This is amazing, you’ve inspired me to go out there and get back into exercise myself.
seema says
These are simple, basic tips that we all need to be reminded of every now and then. Following them really makes a difference
jessi says
First I want to congratulation for the great success that you lose the weight of the body.
lisa says
Hi, Improve your mental health is not an easy task. Our mental health requires you to prioritize your self-care. This can include a wide variety of different habits. Spend your time with your loved one, use fresh fruits, increase the use of water and sleep a full night then our mental health remains healthy.
lisa says
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Sollift says
Our brains are sensitive and want to change in daily life to find new environments or experiences for the relaxation.
lisa says
A healthy body has a great mind. I really love your idea because it removes the mental stress. I also follow these ideas for the last 2 years. Now I feel fit, healthy, and smart.Glownar
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A good health will ensure the great trips. I truly enjoyed your post. I’ve discovered you combine all kinds of cool material things in healthy travelling. Thanks for sharing
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It?s true that having a strong support system can make a great difference and guarantee progress. It is also fun and inspiring to achieve your health goals with your love ones. Eating healthy together and working out should be a good start.
lisa says
Can you suggest to me which multivitamins to take at the moment? That would include Vitamin D as you say, but are you also Vegan? If you have any idea please suggest me. I shall be very thankful to you.
lisa says
Thanks, for your tips. Yes, especially during summer when kids play outside, they often coming back with some bug bites… I had to put some protecting cream but usually at the end of the day it doesn’t help. For more visit
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Hi,Health is the most valuable thing that we have, everything around you should contribute to its improvement. In the daily rhythm of life, it is very important to be able to relax properly, and this tool.
lisa says
Hi,Health is the most valuable thing that we have, everything around you should contribute to its improvement. In the daily rhythm of life, it is very important to be able to relax properly, and this tool.
lisa says
It?s true that having a strong support system can make a great difference and guarantee progress. It is also fun and inspiring to achieve your health goals with your love ones. Eating healthy together and working out should be a good start.
lisa says
Hello,
Travelling is one the best ways to release your tensions and have a some refreshing time which is necessary for good mental health. I have found this article really wonderful. Great Post !!
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