Guest post by Shannon Hammer
I remember the moment clearly. It was January 2001 and I was standing in front of a drugstore holding an envelope of newly developed photos. I flipped through the stack until I came to a photo of two women dressed in holiday party attire. One woman was tall, blond and slender. The other had a pretty face but was severely overweight. It took me a second to realize the obese woman was me. My denial was so great that even though I read “230” on the scale, and saw the “size 24” on the tag on my jeans, I didn’t see the extra hundred pounds when I looked in the mirror. The photo shocked me into reality and I knew I had to do something.
Shannon Hammer "Before"
I came by my extra 100 pounds honestly—too much bad food and too little exercise. Early in my life, I’d developed a “diet/binge” pattern, meaning I’d go on the latest fad diet until I couldn’t stand it anymore and then break out in a binge, consuming every “forbidden” high-fat, high-calorie, and just-plain-bad-for-you food as quickly as possible. In addition, I got no exercise whatsoever. I sat in front of a computer by day and then in front of the TV at night.
After I saw that photo, I started doing two simple things that literally changed my life: I started writing down my food and I began exercising. Keeping a food journal empowered me to plan healthy, balanced meals and curb impulsive eating. I stopped eating the food I was addicted to—mainly sugar and flour—and started eating healthy protein, complex carbohydrates and vegetables.
At 230 pounds, my ankles hurt when I walked across my small apartment so I needed to find an activity that I (1) liked and (2) could do safely. Walking turned into my perfect exercise. Every day after work, I’d put on my headphones, turn up my favorite music, and head out the door. At first I could walk for 20 minutes before I had to head home, sweaty and exhausted. Before long, my legs grew stronger and I could walk longer and faster. After awhile I added ankle weights to make my daily walks more challenging. The weight started coming off, I had more energy, and I just felt overall happier.
"After" thanks to keeping a food journal and exercising
I also got bored. Walking—even with ankle weights and fun music—just got too easy. I needed more of a challenge. The problem was I didn’t have the time, money, or confidence to join a gym. The perfect solution turned out to be exercise videos. They were affordable—I could even rent them at my local video store—as well as being private and fun. Videos allowed me to fit exercise into my schedule, stay motivated by providing a wide selection of workout types and levels, and create a balanced routine that incorporated strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular benefits. In addition, I was able to customize workouts to fit my needs; I could fast-forward or rewind through sections (to add extra cardio or abdominal work, for example), do a partial workout if I ran out of time, and multi-task by washing clothes or running the dishwasher while I exercised.
By keeping a food journal and exercising five to six days a week, over a three-year period, I lost over 100 pounds. In 2004 I felt comfortable enough to join a gym, where I still work out six days a week, participating in group classes and lifting weights. Last year I realized I needed to focus more on flexibility, so I added yoga to my routine—the kind of yoga that’s done in a 105-degree studio!
Even though I’ve been maintaining my weight loss for almost eight years, I still write down my food every day. It helps me maintain my weight loss and keeps me accountable so I don’t slip back into old patterns. Several years ago, I got tired of writing down my food in notebooks and Post-It Notes. I wanted a journal that would allow me keep my food plan in one place and also provide daily inspirations to keep me motivated. I looked everywhere and couldn’t find it—the book I wanted didn’t exist. So I figured I’d write it! That book became The Positive Portions Food & Fitness Journal, which was published in 2009.
My life has so completely transformed since that awful January day ten years ago. I now wear a size six instead of a size twenty-four. I went back to college and earned my Bachelor’s Degree, graduating with a 4.0 GPA. I work at a job I love. In 2007 I married the man of my dreams (who’s never seen me fat but he has seen the pictures). I never dreamed my life could be this good.
At age 41, I feel like I’m just getting warmed up. I know if I can reach and maintain my goals, anyone can. I encourage everyone to take change of their health and live their best lives!
Adored Readers who are Overweight, Underweight, On-Targetweight: Shannon would love to hear from you and have you visit her site. If you are in Redondo Beach, join her for a workout!
More about Shannon:
Location: Redondo Beach, CA
Occupation: Editor in chief of seven national magazines for a global automotive brand and author of The Positive Portions Food & Fitness Journal (Fairview Press)
Current weight: 123—125 lbs.
Height: 5’5 1/2
Highest weight ever: 230 lbs.
Last date at this highest weight: 2001
Website: www.positiveportions.com
THIS is freakin’ inspiring. Write it down (be intentional). Exercise more. Thank you for sharing your story, Shannon!
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You rock chica!! Every time I hear this story I’m amazed and awed by you.
Wow congrats on the weight loss, you’re absolutely right about writing everything down. knowing what you’ve done is as important as what you want to do.