September 05 2006

 

Jadey

Country: Melbourne, Australia
Age: 25
Weight before diet: Over 120kg!
Weight now: 89kg
Target weight: 64kg

Jadey describes some of the things that are helping her make significant progress in her weight loss journey. She feels that the Body-for-Life program is the best way for her to lose weight; she performs cardio training to keep fit; she finds support from other people. For Jadey, physical and mental actions are necessary for the attainment of her goal.

-What finally made you decide to start with a weight loss program?
I actually got sick with a severe bout of bacterial gastro and my weight dropped to 114.5kg. I was horrified by my weight and decided it was time to do something about it. The rest of my family had been worried for years! I spoke to my doctor, who recommended I start on the Optifast diet for my kick start.

-What type of weight loss program are you following?
I am now following the Body-for-Life program (www.bodyforlife.com).

-Why did you choose this weight loss program?
It's a fantastic, healthy and maintainable program that is plain sensible. I am never hungry because I am eating six times a day! I do cardio three times a week and resistance training on another three days. Plus, the food is a balance of carbs and protein with sensible amounts of good fats! I love that everything balances out. Plus I get a free day once a week where I can eat whatever I crave GUILT FREE! It makes it easier to be good during the week.

-How long have you been on your weight loss program?
I started this program in February and have had a break since then because may father had a serious accident.

-What kinds of physical activities do you like doing to help you lose weight and stay fit?
I have a varied 20-minute HiIT (High intensity Interval Training) cardio session. It could be on a treadmill, cycling, swimming whatever! Plus three sessions of resistance training, which is split into upper body and lower body training.

-What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome or are still overcoming?
My Dad had a serious car accident which really threw me off track. He spent months in the hospital in very serious condition, which was so difficult to deal with--not only emotionally but physically, and food was a huge issue. Have you ever eaten hospital food? It's gross! Our only other option was takeaway. Getting back into it now I have battled a few injuries of my own, but I am getting past this and back into my program!

-How do you keep yourself motivated?
I don't! I really don't think motivation is the key factor in weight loss. Motivation wanes and yet you have to keep going past that! So my trick is to just do it. I have to prepare and plan perfectly and just follow along with faith. I get out of bed when I don't want to, get into my clothes that I laid out the night before and am at the gym before I know it. First thing done! My food is listed and prepared (as much as possible) so when I am ready for breakfast after I get home I don't have to think about what I'm having (which would allow me to make excuses to eat badly). I just eat what I pre-planned or prepared. And so it goes all day! Just keep faking it till you make it!

-Do you have any weight loss tips for our readers?
If you wake up every day and act like an athlete then one day you will wake up and find you ARE an athlete. Just do it. Take the leap you need to take to get yourself motivated. Join a group of people who are going through the same things as you for support. A fantastic online forum can be found at www.livinginthesuburbs.com, where you can chat with people doing the same as you! Take your before photo! Take photos every 4-6 weeks to see the changes. Pin up pictures of people whose bodies you admire! Write your goals down! READ THEM OUT LOUD EVERYDAY! Believe! And finally when you fall down (and you will) just pick yourself up, dust yourself off and keep going. The journey is all about progress, not perfection.

-Do you think it will be easy to fall back into your old lifestyle pattern? How do you prevent this from happening?
I am working on changing myself both physically and mentally so this doesn't happen. If you ignore what's going on inside, the positive changes you make on the outside will not last.

-Do you have a favorite Web site or blog that helps or inspires you to lose weight?
Living in the Suburbs -- A weight loss and lifestyle forum
2006 - The Year for Me! -- My blog! Being able to write it all down in my journal and the comments I get from others are both so helpful!
Body for Life -- The Body-for-Life Program