Before: 457 pounds
After: 180 pounds
The Lifestyle
I've been overweight most of my life. I was chubby throughout childhood, and as I got older, my activity level dropped and I continued to make poor food choices. Over time, it just all added up. Growing up in the Midwest, we were a meat-and-potato family. Although we didn't always eat unhealthy meals, most of them were high in fat—like my absolute favorite food, cheesy hash brown casserole. On top of that, my portions were out-of-control. I also loved to snack on sweets like candy, cakes, and pies as often as possible.
As far as fitness goes, I played some volleyball and basketball when I was in grade school, but after that I didn't do much physical activity. In my thirties, I would go to the gym maybe two or three times a year as a New Year’s resolution. I usually gave it up after about two weeks.
In the past, I tried dieting to lose weight, too. I did Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, and pretty much any fad diet that came around. But every time I tried to change my eating habits, I was looking for a quick fix. If I didn’t see immediate results, I would give up. On the other hand, if I did end up losing 30 or 40 pounds on the diet, I would think, "Okay, I got this!"...only to end up going back to my old ways. In February of 2012, my weight peaked at 457 pounds.
The Change
There was no defining moment where I decided to lose the weight for good, but by February 2012, I knew that my life would be cut short if I didn't make a major change. I felt like I was headed for a heart attack. My friend said she was going to try a new diet that consisted of two protein shakes and three small meals a day. I was 40 years old, and I couldn’t even do the grocery shopping myself. I had no social life. Each day just consisted of work and home. I was tired of just existing and wanted to really live again.
Apart from changing my diet, I also made an effort to tell people I was trying to lose weight. I wanted to have someone to be accountable to. In the past, I would hide the fact that I was trying to lose weight because I didn’t want people to know when and if I failed again. This time, I wanted to really make it work.
To start getting active, I bought a pedometer and challenged myself to take 100 more steps each day than the day before. Once I got comfortable with those changes, I started counting calories. I knew that I needed to find more ways to stay active and continue to push myself—that’s when I started riding on my Pedego electric bike. It works just like a bike, except it also has motor to help pedal when you get tired. To me, that made the biggest difference because I was able to get out, exercise, and have fun.
After I hit a plateau about a year into my new diet and exercise routine, I decided it was time to start working out with a trainer. We began working together on strength-training and cardio circuits three days a week, which helped me develop my strength and endurance in new ways. This was so helpful because working out isn’t just about physical strength, it’s also about learning that I can do things that I never thought I could. My trainer—who is the best!—helps me accomplish that all the time.
In early 2014, my trainer suggested I train for a triathlon. It made sense since I had been consistently swimming and riding my bike, but I was hesitant because I didn’t consider myself a runner. My super-supportive trainer assured me that he could help me become one. This past summer, I completed four triathlons—and I'm training to do more in early 2015. With every little fitness goal I’ve achieved, my confidence has grown so much. And I’ve also lost 277 pounds!
The Reward
My biggest reward from losing weight is living instead of just existing. Now I have the confidence to go shopping, walk up steps, or go to a restaurant with smaller seats. Losing weight has also helped me discover just how much I love being active every day—especially riding my bike. Those two hours are my time to prepare for work, de-stress, enjoy the fresh air, and clear my head.
I also feel rewarded by helping others trying to lose weight. I started a public Facebook page called "Living Instead of Existing" about my journey, and I get a lot of messages from people who say my posts help motivate them.
Rhonda's Tips
Find something active you love to do. When I get on my bike, it’s pure enjoyment. It makes me look forward to doing physical activity instead of dreading it.
Set small goals. One small change at a time adds up. If I only focused on my overall weight-loss goal of losing almost 300 pounds, it would have been a much more daunting task. Instead, I just picked up one simple change at a time.
Set fitness goals. When I reach a goal by doing something I never thought I would be able to, it’s the best feeling in the world. Find something you want to accomplish, and work toward it.
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Rhonda Martin, 43, is 5’ 5” and lives in San Diego, California.
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