Every New Year’s eve one of my resolutions is to lose weight. Every year that passed by instead of losing weight I gained it. Finally, I can say that I’ve lost weight and continue to work out to lose more weight to reach my ideal body figure. My struggle has been too real at times and when I finally committed to it I tried to figure out what would work for me. I know there are plenty of women like me wanting to lose that weight but not knowing where or how to start. My goal was not to reach any ideal weight measurement but rather feel good about myself, how I look and know that I’m on a road to a healthier me. I’ll be sharing my recommended home workout with you but first I’d like to share my weight loss journey so you can see the progress for yourself. Hopefully, it inspires you to have a fitter body and self image.
I’m 5’7 and my build has always been bigger than the normal in my country at least. I’ve always been the tallest and when I was younger I was one of the skinniest. Gradually that changed when I had my first then second then third child. The pounds started adding up and the heaviest I had been was after I had given birth to my youngest.
This is me in 2014. I’d packed on quite a few pounds and mainly I was heavy because I still hadn’t lost the baby weight compounded by the previous baby weight. I wasn’t working out or dieting at all.
When I saw this picture of myself I was really disappointed and sad. Outwardly I didn’t see myself being this big but obviously I was. I was also having a harder time moving around, climbing stairs etc. I seemed to be winded for the most part.
Left: November 2016, Right: November 2017. I used to wear loose fitting tops to try and mask or cover the weight. Now I can wear tighter clothing (though not too tight) and feel comfortable doing so.
When I started to lose weight what was significant to me were the clothes and how I’d noticed they were loose on me. Going down sizes when it came to jeans was another achievement. Take this black skirt for instance. In December 2015 this skirt fit but just hardly. I had the toughest time breathing AND I was wearing a girdle of sorts to keep it all in. Yet, the overweight me is more than obvious. The picture on the right (pink top) was taken in December 2017, same skirt but much better fit. Now it fit like a glove and I could comfortably move around and feel good doing so.
On the left, December 2016 and on the right December 2017. Even my posture has improved with my weight loss. I stand more confidently and my legs and stomach have also trimmed down.
Right: December 2017, Left: December 2016. Same blouse but obvious difference. This was an achievement for me because I could see and feel the change. Being thinner is not just about looking good but feeling good as well. Feeling confident and healthier should be the main goals when you’re trying to get fitter. I was at Kidzooona with my youngest recently and to my surprise I could actually keep up with him. We even bounced around together in one of the bouncy houses. I just felt tremendously good.
I still have a bit of a tummy and I’m working on it through core exercises. The one thing I learned is that you have to pace yourself, find what works for you and just be determined to do it every day if possible. For years I had been telling myself, one day you’ll start exercising. That day finally came when I was inspired after attending an Under Armour event. The event gave me an opportunity to do some workouts and meet my new best friend, my Sanctband.
This is my most recent picture and it has shown me just how much weight I’ve lost. I not only have a fitter body but a fitter mind, attitude and outlook. Nothing is achieved without hard work and I’ve put in hard work to achieve this weight loss. At times, especially in the beginning you may feel discouraged at the thought that there’s so much weight to lose or that nothing’s happening. Remember that it took some time to gain that weight so it’ll take time to lose it as well. I hung in there even when I felt stupid at first working out at home and following these work out videos I found on YouTube. I felt silly trying to achieve something just by watching videos but it worked! When the aches and pains start to lessen you know you’re on the right track.
If you’re wondering, I don’t follow any strict diet. I simply lessened my portions, lessened my rice and only eat when I’m hungry. Food used to be a comfort I turned to. I would stuff my face and gorge myself on all the sweets I could have. Now, I simply eat when I’m hungry. I still eat sweets but instead of having a whole bar of chocolate I’ll take 2 bites and be content with that. I increased my water intake as well.
Now for my recommended workout videos. I needed to find a work out that wouldn’t bore me yet focus on the areas I wanted to improve on. For me it was my tummy, my arms, legs, thighs and butt. I started off with a yoga and core exercise video that I had found years back. I stuck with it for awhile but changed it up when I found myself losing interest. I found the prefect work out routines for me with the Tone It Up series. I stumbled upon it when I was searching for videos to use my Sanctband. Losing weight also meant loose skin and I badly needed to tone my arms and legs. After doing their Band Workout for a week I was so invigorated and inspired that I took a look at their other videos.
The Band workout works for me because it’s an all around toning workout. I work out my arms, legs, thighs, core and more. I’ve put my SanctBand to good use but it’s my goal to be able to purchase Tone It Up’s low and high resistance bands that come with handles. They also have booty bands in another one of their work outs that I do.
You’ll notice that the work outs I follow are short ones. My attention span when it comes to physical activity is shorter so I need quick videos with more activity in them. I love this core exercise. It’s only about 5 minutes long but packs a punch. By the end of it I’m out of breath and my abs are burning.
Since one of my problem areas are my legs and I don’t have much a butt I do this lower body workout. It’s a 10 minute session covering the lower body and really gets your legs and core. What I like about this is the timer, it lets me know how long I have left to endure the pain! Honestly though, when I started out I did modified moves when I couldn’t handle what was on the video. Gradually, I was able to move on to doing all the moves as shown.
My tummy is my biggest problem area so I do 2 core workout videos a day. In fact, I work out daily giving myself a Sunday rest. I set aside an hour a day to complete all the videos here. For Core on the Floor, they use booty bands which I don’t have yet. Hopefully soon I get one so I can follow along. For now, I just mimic without the bands. I’m missing out on the resistance but still putting in the work when it comes to my core.
I end my workouts with stretching. It helps me loosen up after my other workouts and I get a good stretch all over. Working at home I spend most of the day in my chair so this is a big help.
Additional workout for work at home moms: Chair exercises are a great way to get in a workout during the work day.
I hope this has helped and inspired you to lose the weight you want to lose. It’s possible and achievable. I would love to see your progress when you’ve committed to a healthier you. Feel free to share your weight loss journey with me or comment below for any suggestions or questions. Cheers to a healthier you!
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Thanks for the share. You really look fab and fit. Would want to achieve similar weight loss but more on my belly and arms area. Noted then on the discipline re two bites of chocolates and be contented. Plus the less rice.
Ang galing! You’re more blooming now 🙂 Nainspire ako magwork out sa bahay. Thanks for sharing! Nagstart kami ni husband magbrown rice sa house instead na white.
Thank you! Glad I’ve inspired you. 🙂 My eldest likes brown rice as well so the whole family eats brown rice. 🙂
I feel so guilty after reading this. You see, I skipped exercising and lessening my food intake last year so you can just imagine the bulges and the weight gain. Hopefully, I can be more physically active this year.
Love the last pic. 🙂 See, everything are looking bright. 🙂 Good luck on your “beautification” journey, you are spreading positive energy to everyone. 🙂 I’ll definitely check those Youtube videos soon. 🙂
Congratulations! You look great. It’s really about finding what works for you,ano? A friend of mine has successfully followed the Ketogenic diet and has been working out and she’s lost so much weight na. I tried Plana forma and yes, like you, lessening my portions and according to friends, I’ve lost weight.
But now, I need to get back to the groove kasi I stopped last November. Not sure about Sanctiband, parang it’s not for me. But I’m sure it works well for others.
This is indeed a motivational blog post, hello fitness 101. I can really see the difference based on the pictures you’ve posted. I really hope I can achieved my fitness goal this year, I really gain weight last year. I just started the year by lessening my food intake, but I really need an exercise routine and weekend jogging. Thanks for the tips momshie!
Congratulations! Great job! I want to loose weight also this year and be fit again. These videos that you shared would be a big help. 🙂 Thanks!
Wow, you’re looking good just looking at the before and after. Keep it up mommy. No strict rules but just be guided by what you want to achieve. 🙂
Congrats! You look really fit and healthy. Working out at home is fun but I must admit I’m not that disciplined and consistent 🙁 But that’s one of my goals for this year, thank you for sharing your journey!
You look great! And I dare say it’s not just the lost weight but also the newfound confidence that makes you smile even brighter. You are very inspiring. I’m trying to lose weight, too, and I picked up a lot of important points from this post!
You are doing a great job and it shows! Goodluck!
Wow. Bongga ang transformation Ate. I really like it. I wish my son would let me workout at home but everytime I go down on the mat to do some basic pilates, he’s crying for no apparent reason. Hahahaha. You may also check out blogilates work out. Those were so hard but really efficient.
– mhownai.com
What a transformation! Though you looked beautiful before, you can tell your confidence is at a high now, and you are absolutely glowing! Congratulations. 🙂
Way to go on your journey to health and fitness! You look great in both before and after, but your clothing fits so much nicer in the after pics, and you seem so much more happy and confident, which is so important.
OMG you look amazing!!!! Very very well done, you should be super proud of yourself, I’m so happy for you.
Chad
http://www.mosaicslab.com
Congratulations on your weight loss, what a huge accomplishment! Any positive changes made for a healthier lifestyle is ALWAYS a good idea! Best of luck to you as you continue on your healthy journey!
I am glad that you are accomplishing the fitness goals that you have set for yourself. I have struggled with following through with my fitness goals for years, but finally found the motivation that I needed to be consistent this year. Exercising has helped with reducing stress, so that is what I am using as my fuel.
Continue it! Supporting you all the way! Being healthy is investing in yourself for the future and at the same time inspiring others! Wohoo!
Congratulations on the weight loss! Your hard work has really paid off and it shows!
I have been wanting to work out, but I’m such a home body. Now I know it can be done in the comfort of my own home. Thank you!
That was an amazing transformation and I am glad that you found a great way in helping you on losing your weight. Thank you for sharing those workout videos and I really appreciate it.
Thank you fro sharing this. You are such an inspiration. I will start doing this.
I love how inspirig you are. We used to workout before at home but we stopped butu after reading this, it akes me motivated to start again
Home workout is such a great idea for a busy mum like me that don’t have time to go on a gym.
Sounds like a idea . Home workout is really ideal for a busy mom like me.
I love how open and vurnable you are in this post. You’re such an inspiration to other women who want to lose weight. Great job on crushing your goal!
You look amazing! I also try my best to work on being fit – you have been so motivating for me!
Finding confidence through working out is such a wonderful thing! I’ll have to try some of these videos.
Congratulations on meeting your fitness goals. It’s hard to get really going but once you do benefits are so tremendous!
These are great stories! Thank you for sharing your journey!! It is inspirational.
Well, hello Miss Hottie! You look great! I am going to try your recommendations as I have hit that dreaded plateau and need a change in routine ♡
Thanks for sharing the videos. I saved them. Congrats. on your weight loss.
Wow, you looked so great! Congratulations to your achievements, hope you could continue your healthy lifestyle. It’s kinda hard but you can make it. God bless.