The question...How are you doing it?

Everybody is asking me how have I done it? How have you lost all this weight? I am going to attempt to tell you how it started, where it is now. Have I gone and checked with the doctor and gotten exact numbers? No! But, I pretty much know. I believe that around the time Kenley was 3 I weighed approximately 250 pounds and got up  to 260 at some point. I am 5'8 so people were probably always a little shocked when they found out the number. Maybe, they just acted shocked...and I believed them. Also, it's not like I went around blasting the number around.

I began about 2 years ago to lose weight. I first started by logging my food in the app on my phone "My Fitness Pal" I logged everything I ate for a few days. I didn't change anything for those first few days. I logged honestly. I discovered that I was putting so many calories in my mouth! I immediately decided to change some things. I think I originally cut out Starbucks Lattes and Banana Nut Bread! I also pretty much eliminated Soda. About this time, if not before I moved into an office with my Dad. I started eating lunch every day with him. We cooked and ate fresh fruits and vegetables. Thanks to my lovely step-mom. I don't remember too much about my dinner choices at this time. Weight started to slowly decrease, but nothing that anybody would notice.

After this, I continued to change my eating habits in general. I completely changed my portion sizes. I ate "kids meals" I ate salad. I didn't drink Soda. The usual things. Nothing extreme or drastic, the weight continued to drop. I weighed 209 when I got pregnant with Jax...or when I was 6 weeks pregnant. I had a 23 pound weight gain with Jaxon. The day I got home, 4 days after my C-Section, I weighed what I weighed at 6 weeks pregnant. One week later, I weighed 10 pounds lighter. On July 10 I weighed 181 pounds. After Jaxon was born I started using DoTerra Essential oils. I use Lemon Oil in my water, which boosts metabolism, clears toxins and dissolves body fat. I add drops to my water and I drink 80 oz. or more of water each day. I also take 1-2 capsules of Grapefruit oil per day, it helps prevent fluid prevention, bloating, and can help melt body fat. There is an element, limonene,  in grapefruit that helps discharge fatty acids into the blood stream where they are broken down and used as energy instead of being stored as fat in the body. It is also a powerful appetite suppressant. Peppermint is also a huge appetite suppressant and can be taken in capsules 1-3 times per day. There is a blend, Slim and Sassy, that I take 1-3 times per day that is specifically blended for weight loss. I also take Mito Max 2, it is an energy supplement from DoTerra. It is marketed to get you off Energy Drinks. I use to drink 2 Monsters a day!!! Not anymore!! (note: I always drank the Sugar Free, Calorie Free, Carb Free...ones).
When I hit 185, after much discussion with a cousin of mine I decided to join Quick Weight Loss. She is super fit and lost 20 pounds on their program. I joined 4 weeks ago. I have lost 12 pounds. I have a goal of 155, so that is 18 pounds away. I am still using all my Essential Oils and plan to do that for my life. I am using their supplements also at this point. Their program is essentially 2 proteins (from a list), 2 vegetables (from a list), 2 fruits (from a list), 2 starches (small list), 2 fats (1 tbsp light mayo or 1 tbsp butter) and 3 snacks per day. No dairy (with the exception of the butter), no salt when preparing your food. You have to consume 1 tbsp of Morton's Light Salt...to balance your potassium each day.

I really need to start working out. My body is changing in so many ways! Sometimes it is really scary! Currently NONE of my clothes fit. At first it was jeans...I went through and got rid of them. Kept the really expensive ones and have every intention of having them altered after I am completely done. Now it is shirts. Yesterday, I went through about 5 to find one that was okay to wear. I am not going to do anything at this point...just make it work. I did have to break down and by new bras. I lost 2 complete cup sizes. As far as exercise so far...I have been walking. That is the next big goal, 18 pounds and an exercise program!