Real Stories: Colleen, part 2

Do you remember meeting Colleen the other day?  

Colleen (middle) looking fabulous & happy

She has a great story of slowly changing her life, over time, from unhealthy to much healthier.  Colleen is the perfect example of what we are trying to do in Powerful Life.  We want to empower you to live a more healthy lifestyle....for the rest of your life.  Not just for 6 weeks :-)  Colleen is a great example that change that is real change takes place over time. Her journey, really, is just beginning!  Colleen has so many great things to share with us that I decided to break up her interview into two parts.  So, without further adieu, let's hear from Colleen:  

We all have plateaus in our weight loss.  How did you stay motivated?  What did you do to bust through your plateau?

I like to periodically try something new. Back in September, I downloaded the Couch to 5K app and completed the program.  I actually ran some races, and it got me over the plateau hump and helped blast through a particularly stubborn 10 pounds.  Little challenges like that help.  When I first started, losing weight, my friend and I decided we would ride our bikes to Hermann...that extra goal made us log miles and make healthy choices.  I'm excited for warm weather again...the offers many opportunities to be active and healthy!

You've had a major loss, with the passing of your sister and have experienced pain during the last few years.  When life is hard and stressful, how do you stay on track?

I'm not really sure...I believe that exercise is necessary every day, both for my physical and mental health, and I just do it.  I don't go insane with it every day, but I do it.  If any thing, losing my sister is motivating, because she was a healthy 49 year old who died suddenly of a blood clot in her lung...to add to that, my mom and her mom both died of strokes before age 70. (Mom's sister also died of a clot in her 50s). We now know that there is a genetic abnormality in our family that causes us to clot.  I was already health-conscious, but now that I've tested positive for 2 genetic mutations that affect clotting, so I am even more diligent about walking more in my job, guzzling water, and maintaining a health weight through exercise and healthy eating.   It isn't easy; stress and loss tax the body in ways I never realized.  I have to let a lot of things go undone at night to go to bed at 9, and sometimes getting out of bed at 5 is a real chore, but I just have to do it.  I keep it a priority.

What is your favorite breakfast?  Lunch?  Dinner recipe?

I usually have a smoothie for breakfast: 1 c milk, 1/3 c. frozen chopped spinach, 2/3 c blueberries, 1 scoop all natural chocolate protein powder, 1 T chia seeds...all blended until smooth.  It offers me a good balance and refuels my muscles after exercise, since I work out early in the morning.  My favorite weekend breakfast is an egg omelet with a grapefruit on the side.

Lunch: In the winter I like lean chili with a side of vegetables (two cups of cauliflower, etc)  I make it in big batches and freeze it.  In summer I like a turkey sandwich on Ezekiel (sprouted grain) bread and vegetables (tomatoes, etc.)  

Dinner: Fajita bowl!  I make a big batch of chicken fajitas: chicken breast, mushrooms, onions,  and peppers all sautéed.  I top it with Wholly Guacamole and a spoonful of greek yogurt (it tastes like sour cream) and a little shredded cheese.  I also like chicken curry made in the crock pot or a simple piece of meat and a side of vegetables.

Do you have any mantras or mottos that you repeat to yourself when you are feeling down, discouraged, or unmotivated?  

Haha.  Not any that I say out loud...but I think to myself, "If I eat like everyone else, I'll look like everyone else."

"Failing to plan = planning to fail," applies to meal planning, too!

Since you've been at this for so long, what else would you like to share?

My other tips are pretty old-hat....I drink a lot of water...probably 2-3 gallons per day, and most of it before 5, so I can sleep through the night.  Dehydration makes me tired.  I mix it up by adding some crystal light packets (normally, processed foods are a no-no) 1-2 times a day, and drinking lemon water.  

Rest is important. I sleep 8-9 hours every night. (I don't have kids...I probably sound like a jerk right now!  I'm sorry!)   I am better prepared to make good choices if I'm well-rested.  It helps me set up my routine, which is necessary for me.  I used to think I would get bored eating the same foods, but when I evaluated what I ate, I already ate the same foods...they were just BAD foods.  

I like to listen to nutrition podcasts to keep me motivated, too.  They keep me focused. I'm a big proponent of exercise, but it won't undo bad eating habits.  We don't expect exercise to undo to lung damage from smoking...why should it undo the damage of poor nutrition...?

Finally, diligence pays off.  There were times when I would do everything right and it didn't make a difference. I make myself keep on it. 

Colleen, thank you so much!  Would you mind sharing an easy recipe with us?  

Well, I copy a recipe straight from this blog.  The recipe is funny, but really good!  Also, I use bags of peppers and onions from the freezer section.

Did y'all know you were working out next to such a treasure trove of knowledge?  You guys need to hang out with this gal more!  Again, Colleen, thank you!  You've been so very helpful!