Stronger U - My Journey to a Healthier ME!

On April 11th of this year my dear friend Molly and I started a program called Stronger U (SU)! It was a program Molly had learned about through her Peloton community and had caught her attention because of the success individuals were having with weight loss and muscle gain. When Molly and I had a lunch date she mentioned this program to me and I was interested. At this point I was feeling unhealthy and just plain BLAH. I had lost my dear friend William unexpectedly, my best friend Dana was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, and my boyfriend had broken up with me. Here I was 36, single (again) and feeling just plain gross with my health. I worked out regularly, but was still putting weight on. Things had to change!

So when Molly mentioned Stronger U to me I thought "What the hell! Let's do this." Molly was on board, so we signed up that next week and our start date was set...Wednesday, April 11th. When I signed up it was the first time I heard of macronutrients (carbs, fat, & protein). I was going to be assigned a Coach who assigned my daily macro goals and now I had to track & weigh everything I ate through MyFitnessPal app. What did I just get myself into? I felt overwhelmed.

My coach was going to be Matt Dustin...let me tell you about Matt. He is amazingly smart when it comes to nutrition and working out! He has even written a book/cookbook about macro-nutrition that you can buy on amazon (Buy Here). In the past 15 weeks he has encouraged me and reminded me this is a marathon and not a race. Good reminder for competitive me! Loosing fat takes time and consistency. He reminds me to continue to live and enjoy myself! What "diet" program allows you to really do this?

Well, in 15 weeks I've lost 26 pounds, 7 inches around my waist, 6 dress sizes, and 19 inches overall! Not to mention my workouts are SO much easier and I'm officially at "runner" status in my OrangeTheory Fitness class. The SU program works! I eat more than I ever have before. No joke. I wasn't eating nearly enough protein. In addition, I eat more consistent than I ever have. There is no more "cheat days/burning down the house days." I am consistent with my food intake. It's amazing what consistency can do to your body and mind. NOW...in the past 15 weeks I've still "lived." I go out to dinner and lunches. I have the occasionally cocktail and I've eaten fries, burgers and ice cream! You heard me right folks...I eat the stuff I still LOVE that is consider "bad" for you. I do this all within reason and make it a point to meet macros! And if I don't...no BIG DEAL...the next day I get back to it! Consistency.

Now drum roll....here is a great Before & After picture. The Before picture was taken on July 3rd, 2016. I was depressed and miserable in this picture (heaviest I've ever been). That was a HORRIBLE year for me. The "After" picture was taken this last Friday, August 3rd, 2018 when I had to do a double take in the mirror because I didn't recognize myself. CRAZY, right?

Now I do have "before" pics in a bikini on Day 1 of when I started SU with progression pics throughout my entire 15 weeks so far, but I'm not ready to share those pictures yet. I want to get to my goal weight and my goal of having ABS before I share those pictures. I'm about 10-15 pounds of what I *think* my goal weight will be. But that could change....I'm changing as a person, so my goals might change as well. :)

If you are interested in more information on SU please do not hesitate to reach out to me. This is NOT a pyramid scheme business. I truly believe in their program and I will never go back to my old ways of eating or dieting. And for extra motivation for you... my mom joined 6 weeks ago and she is ROCKING this program as well! She is 68 years old and loosing weight and inches! It's been fun to do this journey with my mom and Molly. Plus, I just had a few more friends sign up since they have seen my success! It works people! Invest in yourself if you are feeling BLAH. I was. And man, am I grateful Molly mentioned Stronger U to me at our lunch date in March! I'm the happiest and healthiest version of myself and I'm 36! Oh and I'm the smallest clothing size I've ever been. I can't wear anything in my closet! I'll be cleaning that out in the next week since I can't wear any of my clothes prior to SU. I'm TOO SMALL!

Happy Motivation Monday!

Cheers,
Alli