Debi
Straley
“It wasn't easy, but it certainly wasn't as difficult as I thought it was going to be.”
Age: 42
Height: 5'7"
Heaviest Weight: 142 lb
Current Weight: 125 lb
My Journey:
I have lifted weights for 24 years and have always been in shape, but summertime is always tough with the kids home from school. During the summer of 2007, I got out of my routine and let myself go. I got into the habit of drinking Smirnoff Ice every night and eating whatever I wanted. By September, I couldn't fit into any of my shorts or jeans! I couldn't believe how quickly I lost control of my body.
HOW I DID IT
I got really mad at myself and I just made up my mind that I was going to get into the best shape of my life. I read Tosca Reno's Eat-Clean Diet® book for the second time and followed her principles. I started lifting weights 5 days a week again, and I met a holistic doctor who helped me out. I began to eat small portions of lean protein and vegetables every three hours and drank nothing but water. Once I started to see results, I was hooked! My toughest time was in the evening when I was tempted to snack, so I searched the Internet looking for fitness sites to motivate me and basically keep me occupied so that I would stay away from the Doritos! I am thankful to have found bodybuilding.com. I made amazing friends through that site.
TRAINING
I found that writing down everything I ate really helped me stick to my clean foods. My mantra is "Just walk away." Over the holidays I would bring my own vegetable dishes to the holiday gatherings. I ate plain turkey and a scoop of veggies and "Just walked away" from other foods. I know I can't hang out by the food because I will pick at it, so I don't. If I look at the desserts, I'll want them. So I don't look. The satisfaction that I got looking in the mirror at my lean physique meant so much more to me than the little bit of pleasure I could gotten from eating something sinful.
I reached my goal within six months. Getting pictures taken of myself kept me motivated, and my confidence was at an all-time high. Your family sometimes doesn't understand why you won't have a glass of wine or a brownie. It's okay. You have to do it for yourself and no one else. One day my daughter wrote on my dry erase board "Way to go Mom" with a big smiley face — that really meant a lot to me! My kids watch how I eat and I know they are learning valuable lessons about nutrition that they will carry with them throughout their lives.
I proved to myself that I could do what I set out to do. It wasn't easy, but it certainly wasn't as difficult as I thought it was going to be. You will find that as you go through your journey that you will set a good example for others to follow. It's a great feeling to have someone tell you that you have motivated them to live a healthier life. We are all here to help each other and I am proud to be a part of the great fitness community.
Debi Straley