The Results are In!

So last week was my final weigh-in of the Mamavation Boot Camp. I was so thrilled with my results and I've been meaning to share them here all week, but it has been so hectic, I've had hardly anytime to sit down to the computer. So first, let's look back at my pre-Mamavation picture. This was me in December. This was my highest weight (not counting pregnancy) ever. Sadly, it was only 8 lbs less than my highest pregnancy weight. Ugh.

Then I found out about Mamavation. I applied for campaign 15, and though I didn't get chosen that time, I did participate in the hazing and found many amazing, inspirational, and supportive women. I slowly began to lose the weight, and felt super motivated. I still felt like I was struggling. I was working out a ridiculous amount, running a lot more than before, and though I was losing weight, it was very slow. I began to plateau and before I knew it campaign 15 had ended and it was time to apply again! When I applied I was 158.6 lbs, down 13.4 lbs from my original starting point in January.

By the time I was chosen for the campaign I was really beginning to become discouraged. I had lost and gained the same 5 lbs a couple times. The campaign changed that. Using the workout plan and nutrition plan provided I started making small changes to my lifestyle. One major change that was very important was drinking water. Trying to drink 100 oz a day was hard at first, but quickly became the easiest part of my day! The meal planning turned out to be a bit more difficult, mostly because my diet is a bit restrictive. I am a vegetarian and also dairy free. Once I began to get the hang of planning my meals using a system of exchanges it was not as much of a struggle to eat the right foods and more a struggle to plan them properly so that I got enough calories in each day. Yes I said enough, I was eating too few. One week during the boot camp, I ate too few calories all week long and actually gained! If you are not eating enough calories you can put your body into starvation mode and stall weight loss. And contrary to popular belief, losing weight in a healthy way does not mean starving yourself! Just look at some of the great meals I made.

By week seven of the campaign I was down 15 lbs and had lost a total of 14.5 inches! I am down 2 sizes in my clothing, and I have had countless people let me know they can see I've lost weight. I'm not gonna lie, it feels good, and keeps me pushing towards my goal. But the best part was not the compliments, it was knowing that seeing my progress has inspired anyone else to begin/continue their own journey when they felt like giving up! I'm so thankful to the Mamavation community for all the support along the way. I am truly grateful for the new friendships I have formed along the way, and this opportunity to change my life, and the life of my family! So here are my after pictures! I am down a total of 28.4 lbs since January!! That's a toddler people!!!!

And if you are interested at all in trying out to be one of the next Mamavation Moms, just go right here and apply! The next campaign is going to be even more amazing because not only will the moms chosen be losing weight, but they will be detoxifying their homes! There are some amazing opportunities available during the next campaign, so be sure to check it out!