Hearing from readers on similar fitness journeys makes me so happy. It makes me feel like we’re all in this together. I would love to celebrate you and feature your success story here. Send me an email at: honeywerehomeblog@gmail.com
Valerie wrote in explaining how she has lost nearly 100 pounds! Can we take a minute and just let that soak in?? Wow! Talk about a journey that you truly have to take one day at at time. I am so proud of her and couldn’t wait to share her story with you. I hope this gives encouragement to anyone who wants to lose a significant amount of weight. I can tell from her face that she is so much happier now that she’s a more fit person. And it wasn’t easy for her- she works and has kids with sports activities, so she wakes up at 5:30 a.m. to get her workouts in. Valerie, big hugs to you girl! You can visit her blog too- Fabulous Chick Gets Fit and follow her on Instagram IG: @fabchickgetsfit
Age, height, and weight (“before” and “after”). I am 31, 5’4” and my highest weight was 280lbs. Right now I am 189lbs.
Family status- married/single/kids/work? Other background you wish to share. I am married with two kids {Sydney is 4 and Bryce is 8} I work as an event planner.
“Light bulb moment”- What made you decide to make a change? When I turned 30, I celebrated my birthday in Miami and saw a picture of myself and new I had to change. I was 280lbs and a size 22! I had put myself on the backburner and tried so many fad diets before like so many others. But this time was different. I was going to blog about my journey of losing 100lbs and inspire others and let them help hold me accountable. After losing 50lbs I decided I wanted to push myself further and compete.
What did you do to accomplish your goal? (Food/meal plan and exercise specifics) I did lots of research and completely changed my eating habits. I followed a completely clean eating lifestyle, cut out fast food, soda and sugar. I started walking a mile a day and finding kettle bell videos. Now I have hired a competitor coach and I am lifting heavy and do HIIT 6x a week. She also has me on a strict meal plan.
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How did you make time for fitness? Because of my schedule, my husband’s schedule and the kids school/sports, it was best for me to get up at 5:30am and work out.
How long did it take you to reach your goal? It took me a little over a year to get to where I am now. I started my journey January 2013. I will compete on November 2, 2014.
Was there a specific person, website, blog that inspired/motivated you and provided you good information for losing weight/getting fit? I followed a few blogs when I first started. But the clean eating guide by Jamie Eason from bodybuilding.com was very helpful and Marianne from myomytv.com is where I got all of my kettle bell workouts.
Any other information that you think would be beneficial and inspiring to other women. I always stress on my blog that with dedication and consistency anything is possible. I am going from obese to the competition stage and though difficult, it can and will be done.
You are one hot mama Valerie! Please feel free to leave her a sweet note in the comments- she deserves some love!
Oh my gosh, two of my favorite bloggers collide! 🙂 Love this!!! xo
Thank you for the sweet words 🙂
You look great, Valerie! I hope you'll share an update as your progress continues!
Thank you so much! I will definitely share my progress to the stage in November on my blog and IG!
I LOVE Val's blog, so happy to see her hard work featured here! 🙂
Thank you for following my journey, boo!
Awesome job, Valerie! I'm so impressed. That takes so much motivation and perseverance. Keep it up!
Thank you so much!
Wow! Valerie looks amazing. Besides the difference in weight, she looks younger and seems like she has more energy– just from her photos. Very inspirational.
Thank you!
Hi! I live in Spain so I have to use my mass convertor OMG, great journey! Thanks for inspiring!
Thank you for reading my story 🙂
Valerie! You look great. Your dedication is obvious. You look beautiful, not due to the weight loss alone, but because of the accomplishment that shines through on your face.
Thank you so much for the sweet words.
Amazing Valerie! You are an inspiration, I need your motivation and dedication. Congratulations on your success and keep it up! You must be so proud of yourself, and your family must be as well. Awesome!!
Thank you so much for the kind words. I am very proud of myself. Years of yo-yo diets and being defeated are behind me!
Wow! What a wonderful, inspirational post! I think these posts will be great. I am looking forward to more to come.
Thank you!
So inspired! Thank you Megan and Valerie for sharing this! Valerie I was looking at your instagram page last night and I really am in awe of your journey. I have been inspired by Megan's progress the past few months and now yours too, something for me to look to for motivation when I have a bad day or don't want to get up and move.
LOVE HER!!! And thanks for sharing her story–because it led me to your blog–which I LOVE!!
We are all in it together! Love this! Congrats Valerie and thanks to Megan for being so amazing! And thanks for sharing my positive message. Together we can all make it! much love. xoxoxo
Valerie, you are a rock star!
Wow that's such an achievement and so inspirational! Especially the getting up at 5.30 to work out, that's pure dedication and just proves that there are no excuses when it comes to getting healthy! I was wondering if you'd mind checking out my own before and after if you get the time. It's not nearly as impressive but hopefully it will still inspire someone: http://a-life-on-fire.blogspot.co.uk/p/before-and-after.html
wow. you eat fish 3x a day, every day? For how long?
Also, I was wondering if you use non-stick spray to cook your fish, or what do you use?
Thanks so much. Elena
LOVE hearing about such a great achievement! Congrats! So proud of you girl!