Walking and Blogging Helped Jennifer Lose 50 Pounds

Posted on Oct 7th 2010 3:00PM by Martha Edwards

Filed Under: Motivation, Success Stories

Jennifer Before

Every week, we introduce you to bloggers who share their weight loss journeys and hefty doses of inspiration with their readers. This week's featured blogger is Jennifer from Lemonade From Life.

Name: Jennifer Garza

Age: 36

Start Weight: 190 pounds

Current Weight: 140 pounds

Goal Weight: 130 pounds

My Weight Loss Approach: There are a few secrets to my success: consistency, belief that I have the power to change, determination to carry out those changes, and faith that I am losing weight despite the scale's refusal to budge! I believe that education is so important. If someone doesn't understand what a serving size is (most entrees in restaurants are really two to four servings) or how many calories their body needs, it's not rational to expect weight loss to occur. I feel the chance for success is better when people make changes they are willing to make -- not ones that terrify them -- and then are consistent with those changes. On my third or fourth stab at weight loss, I was only willing to walk. The thought of intense aerobics of any kind nauseated me. So I walked for an hour and a half a day, five days a week. I did this for six months, along with logging calories on Sparkpeople. I thought because I didn't have issues with emotional eating or over-indulging that I was consuming the appropriate amount of calories for my body -- not so. I think journaling is one of the most powerful tools out there.

I also believe in constantly challenging yourself. When I was ready to do more than walk, I joined a gym. I took classes that I had previously avoided because I was excited about the changes in my body and wanted more. When I'm not losing, I change something. I begin a new exercise program or go back to religiously tracking my calories -- because sometimes even when you make healthy food choices, you're still consuming more calories than you think.

Motivation is key. I stay motivated by remembering that sometimes motivation finds you and other times you have to chase it. When I feel myself losing motivation, I fake it 'til I make it. I go through the motions until I find a new goal or get excited about something (like training for a 5K).

Why I wanted to blog about it: Although there is no magic solution to weight loss, I feel like I have secrets to share! My weight loss journey was difficult. I wrote down every morsel I put in my mouth, put in four to nine hours of exercise a week, and the scale wouldn't move. I was getting smaller, but the scale would only move five pounds every three months. Luckily, I had validation other than the scale.

I was visiting my mother once a month and she could see changes that I couldn't. So I continued putting one foot in front of the other and went from a size 14 to a size 4 in just over two years. If I hadn't had validation that what I was doing was paying off, I might have quit before realizing that it was working. So many people give up before they even begin. I'm blogging to help motivate other people to stick with their changes, because if you consistently make better choices the weight will come off -- even if it's slowly.

I also use the tools I learned while earning my master's degree in counseling and psychology. For instance, I could look at my slow weight loss as a curse, but I choose to see it as a positive. Over the past few years, I've developed a real lifestyle change and will be better prepared to keep the weight off. I think if the weight comes off too quickly, it can actually be a disadvantage in the long run. By changing the way I think about my situation, I'm able to change my feelings about it. People are under the impression that outside forces create their feelings, but that's not true -- our thoughts determine our feelings and we have control over our thoughts.

The best part of blogging is: The potential to help others. I share my personal story, but my blog is geared more toward giving people tools and support. I share tips on staying motivated and avoiding pitfalls. I just started adding recipes. I don't like the concept of diet food -- I enjoy eating things that are delicious. I've become creative over the past few years and have modified my favorite recipes into healthier versions. I'm excited to pass these along so others can enjoy themselves on their weight-loss journey.

Jennifer Now

Best comment I've received: One comment I received sums up the reason that I'm doing what I'm doing. A reader thanked me for sharing my story -- the bumps in the road, not just the successes. I discuss how this journey was not an easy one for me, and how I had many so-called failures along the way. But I don't categorize them as failures -- they were just ways that didn't work for me.

I would love to help people understand that if you push past a failure and try again, then you haven't failed. This particular reader said she appreciated the message and it gave her something to think about. And that's what it's all about – getting someone to look at something like failure in a different way.

What's next for my blog: My blog is new, so what readers want will shape its future, but I would love to get more interaction
on the site. I'd like to offer readers real-life answers to difficulties they run across -- kind of like a Dear Abby, but with emphasis on weight loss, improving one's lifestyle and communication. I plan to add book reviews on these subjects as well. Why these topics? Because although weight loss is a major component of my blog, Lemonade From Life is about life redesign.

When you embark on a healthier lifestyle, you're going through an inner change as well as a physical one. It affects all aspects of your life. Sometimes, people will react negatively towards a person who has lost weight. This is because anything that disrupts a system (families and friendships are systems) causes friction. This is why being able to effectively communicate with friends and family is so important. I plan to offer tools for accomplishing these goals. When embarking on a weight loss journey, wonderful changes can also occur.

For me, once I realized my personal power, I was able to make huge changes in other areas of my life. Not only did I lose 50 pounds, but I was able to stop smoking after 14 years and I completely changed my relationship with my husband. My blog is a tool to help other people on their journey to a better life!

Find out how Jennifer continues to fight the fat while staying motivated by checking out her blog for yourself.

More Inspiring Success Stories:
Theodora Swapped Takeout for Workouts and Lost 50 Pounds
Moderation Helped Tony Lose 229 Pounds
Terrence Ditched Meat and Lost 60 Pounds

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Tags: blogging, blogging-down, jennifer garza, lemonade from life, weight loss

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Steve 10-11-2010 @ 8:04AM

Its really a simple matter to lose weight. Stop eating. One doesn't need special diets, pills, exercise machines or counseling. Fat people simply eat too much.

The trick is to cut back slowly and continue until you have met your goal. At that point you should have accepted the idea of smaller portions and incorporated it into new life style. If you need motivation to get started with your weight loss program, print out the before and after photos of Jennifer Garza. You can look as hot as she does in no time but you have to get started now.

America is too fat. The entire country needs to slim down including the govt.

mspriss4u 10-11-2010 @ 10:04AM

Vote this comment down! All FAT people don't eat too much! Some have medical issues or some other reason to be over weight...So Steve dont be an ass!!!

Linda Varon 10-12-2010 @ 6:44PM

If only we had known..Steve says that overweight people just "eat too much." Duh! Thank you for that bit of wisdom. However, OVER EATING is a disease, much like alcoholism. Try telling an alcoholic he can have THREE DRINKS A DAY, and see how far that gets you!

Jennifer Garza 10-13-2010 @ 11:05AM

I want to thank all the people who made encouraging comments! People sent some wonderful personal stories to my e-mail and Facebook, and these are the people I meant to reach.

My goal was to let others know that weight loss IS a struggle, and they are not alone in that struggle. I wanted people to see what changes can happen if they push through their doubt and are consistent, even when it feels like a losing battle.

This profile was never meant to be the impetus for a pat on the back – I don’t need that as a reward – my new health, vitality and body are all the reward I need! As for the negative comments, I expected them, but put myself out there anyway. I’m sorry to see that this has turned into a forum to attack my looks and character, when the discussion was meant to be an encouraging one. So to those readers who are looking for encouragement, I apologize for the negativity. These comments aren’t a reflection on me; they are a reflection on the people who made them. Good luck on your journey!

humanoid999 10-13-2010 @ 11:18PM

steve, easier said than done. shut your pompous mouth.

Givemeabreak 10-11-2010 @ 9:29AM

That's easy for you to say, Steve. I am just like the woman in this story. I, too, lost 50 lb 3 years ago and it's a struggle every day to keep it off. I am now eating only 1200 cal a day and the weight is starting to creep back on. I have gained back 5 lb. I exercise regularly and count the calories of every morsel I eat. I don't know what's going to be next for me if I keep gaining weight. Trying to live on less than 1200 calories a day means having to cut out a meal, and being hypoglycemic, that is not going to be an easy thing.
Did you ever just think some people are fat because unless they absolutely starve themselves, they are just not going to lose the weight?

Just saying 10-11-2010 @ 11:30AM

If you are eating only 1200 calories/day and exercising and still gaining weight, y should see a doctor asap, you probably have something that needs to be addressed by a doctor.
Also, maybe the foods comprising those calories aren't the ones you should be eating. I recommend a book called "Good calories, bad calories". Ofcourse, I'm no specialist, but what you are describing doesn't seem normal.

Amanda 10-12-2010 @ 3:13PM

I'm no expert but I do know a lot about weight loss. 1200 calories is the bare minimum for women who are trying to lose weight. The fact that you're gaining on so few calories tells me you've probably eaten unhealthy amounts for so long that you've put your body into "starvation mode". That happens when your body doesn't have enough calories to do basic functions (heart pumping, lungs breathing, liver, kidneys etc).

It's been my experience, and the experience of many other women to LOSE weight on anywhere from 1400 - 2000 calories. If you've been eating at or below 1200 for a long enough period of time you could do real damage to your organs. I hope you google around after reading this and find out how much you should really be eating, so hopefully you save your metabolism.

sjmj2830 10-13-2010 @ 9:11AM

You may need to have your thyroid levels checked.

old enough to remember 10-12-2010 @ 4:47PM

Try eating a little more. I know it sounds illogical, but your body is probably in "starvation mode". At the Weight Watchers meetings I go to, this is what they tell us to do. It tricks your body. Of course, you still have to eat healthy and it would be a good idea to go to doctor, as someone else suggested to rule out everything else.

Mona 10-11-2010 @ 5:16PM

In my opinion you need to find out which foods make you gain weight, keep a little journal of what you eat, eat healthy, and exercise. Drink a lot of water, half your body weight each day, is a really good suggestion. Eat the larger meal earlier in the day so you have the whole day to burn it off. 1200 calories is not enough, you don't want to go around feeling weak. I am here for you if you want to e-mail back and forth-I know it's a struggle. Sincerely, Mona Have healthy snacks during the day, a piece of fruit, raw vegetables, etc.

Don Sherline 10-11-2010 @ 10:37AM

Drink half my body weight in water each day? What's a gallon of water weigh? About 5 pounds? So at 200 pounds using your bright suggestion I would be drinking 100 pounds or 20 gallons of water a day. Hey, good idea. I'll get started on it right away. (NOT!)

Karen Wilie 10-11-2010 @ 12:31PM

Mona, that was a good response. I too have about 50 lbs to lose and I'm trying everything. The problem I have is not knowing how many calories I'm taking in, in a meal. How do I find that out. I try to stay away from carbs and have more protein and fruits.

Dante 10-11-2010 @ 1:42PM

@Don Sherline It's not half your body weight in lbs...its half your body weight in ounces. So if you weigh 200 lbs you should drink 100 OUNCES of water.

And Karen you should use a online tracker such as fitday.com and weigh or measure all serving sizes.

Don Sherline 10-11-2010 @ 10:31AM

Why don't we ever hear success stories from people using any of the multitude of fad diets or miracle weight loss supplements? BECAUSE THEY DON'T WORK!!!
Proper nutrition and regular exercise. If there's no medical condition that prevents you from this it will work. It will work for ANYONE who is willing to commit to it.
If you can read through all of the "blah, blah, blah" you'll see that this girl researched it, found out about caloric intake, not portion control, and she joined a gym!
Nutritionists, fitness professionals, and doctors have been telling us this for decades and it's the only thing that will work for everyone. Proper nutrition and regular exercise.

Jen 10-12-2010 @ 4:06PM

And yet, this wisdom from the person who actually thought you had to drink half your body weight in pounds, not ounces, every day. Go figure.

I'm also curious as to why you said she researched caloric intake, not portion control? How are the two separate in any way? I mean, you can only eat X amount of calories, so you eat Y amount of such-and-such as a result.

Hope 10-11-2010 @ 10:42AM

This may be the most vain comment on weight loss ever. She says 'I want to help others' but it sounds like she wants more people to applaud her because her own hands are getting tired. yes, her thoughts are sound, but they're not new or presented in an interesting way.