This lady has truly stayed the course and kicked some serious butt in the process.  Over the past several months her progress has been unbelievable.  In addition, she is always building others up and helping them stay motivated toward their goals.  She is one of many that has built an Awesome 5:30 in the morning community that helps lots of folks start their day feeling better and ready to kick tail no matter what comes their way.  This is Consuelo’s updated story!!!

When did getting fit/losing weight become an issue?
It became an issue when I got on the scale and the scale read 303 pounds. That was my heaviest weight and I was not happy with letting myself go like that. I knew I had to make a change and make it sooner rather than later.

Have you made previous attempts?
Most definitely!!! I’ve tried diet pills, diet powders and diet plans/food programs. With all of those, I lost the weight, but when I’d stopped taking the pill, powders and plans, the weight that I’d lost came back and it brought back a few friends.

What was the difference this time?
The difference this time was, I finally let what you said sink in, not only my head, but also in my heart and soul…”Work the way that you eat as hard as you do your work outs!”

What was the thing that made you decide I’m going to do this?
With working out, I was tired of being fat!!!
With changing the way I was eating, I had too do something else because, just working out wasn’t cutting it.
Once again your words ringing in my head…80/20. 80% nutrition/what you eat and 20% exercise.

How much total weight/inches have you lost?  How many jean sizes are you down?  How much stronger are you now?
Since my heaviest weight I’ve lost roughly 53 pounds, but since August 2017, I’ve lost roughly 40 pounds.

I’ve gone down about 4-6 sizes in jeans. I’ve gone from a 3x shirt to a 2x (which is getting a little big on me). I could probably wear a 1x shirt, but I haven’t tried any on.

I’ve gotten so much stronger. It is unbelievable!! I’ve gone from deadlifting 65-85 pounds to deadlifting 185 pounds. I’ve gone from squatting with no weight to squatting 115 pounds (when my knee acts right).

How much more would you like to lose?
My goal is to lose another 40-50 pounds!!

What keeps you motivated when progress isn’t moving as fast as you would like?
Looking at my before and after pictures and how far I’ve come! It makes me feel good about my progress when someone else notices my weight loss when I don’t.

How has your diet changed?
I’m not fully keto, but I do watch/limit my carb intake. I do more meal prepping. I’ve cut out sodas. I drink mainly water. I don’t avoid my cravings. If I have a craving, I satisfy that craving and move on, which causes that craving to not stick around. I’m still working on adding more vegetables to my day.

What do you do when you really want something that’s off your diet?
When I really want something, I eat it, but I don’t go overboard with it. I don’t deny my cravings because if I do and whenever I decide to satisfy my cravings, I go overboard. Once I satisfy that craving, I am good until that craving decides to rear its ugly head again.

How has your new lifestyle effected your relationships?
It hasn’t changed any of my friendships/relationships. My family and friends have been very encouraging and proud of me for the progress that I’ve made. I have even given pointers to my friends on what I’ve eaten or my meal prep meals.

Do you have advice for anyone considering getting fit/losing weight?
The best advice that I have is, “Just do it!!” If you don’t want to do it by yourself, find you a positive friend, family member or co-worker that you can do it with. Get you an accountability partner. When I started, I started by myself and now I have a bunch of Fitness Family that I receive encouraging, motivating and inspiring words of wisdom from.

This lady never misses boot camp!  Every morning at 5:30 she going to show up and work hard.  I was actually surprised when I read this and found out how much weight she lost almost 15 years ago.  Since July Sue has gotten stronger and really improved her overall fitness level.  In addition, I think she enjoys boxing me every Thursday!

When did getting fit/losing weight become an issue?
I’ve struggled with my weight for most of my life.

Have you made previous attempts?
I was very successful with Weight Watchers about 15 years ago.  I weighed in at 194 at my heaviest and was able to drop to 145.  I worked out at a women only gym with a trainer and loved it, but they went out of business and my weight slowly increased.

What was the difference this time?
I was nervous about finding another gym but friends kept telling about the great atmosphere at Expect Results.

What was the thing that made you decide I’m going to do this?
My friend Ronnie talked me into joining in July 2017, he told me about the friendly atmosphere at Expect Results.   I admit I did drive by a couple of times before getting up the nerve to join.  I love the music, laughter and camaraderie during workouts.

How much total weight/inches have you lost?  How many jean sizes are you down?  How much stronger are you now?
Over the last 8 months I’m down two jean sizes.  The workout routines have helped me regain strength and I’m at my lowest weight at 143. This week I was able to shoulder press 20lb dumb bells.

How much more would you like to lose?
I’m focused now on building muscle and reducing body fat.  It’s exciting to be able to do regular pushups and feel strong at the end of a workout.

What keeps you motivated when progress isn’t moving as fast as you would like?
The friendships and atmosphere at Expect Results, if I’ve had a hard day at work it helps to work out and relieve stress.

How has your diet changed?
Jeff’s nutrition tips have made a big difference and going to a higher protein diet has stopped my cravings so I’m not snacking all the time.

What do you do when you really want something that’s off your diet?
I don’t eliminate anything, just have a smaller portion.

Do you have advice for anyone considering getting fit/losing weight?
Just get started, Expect Results is a great place to work out, with the numerous classes it’s easy to fit in a workout.

Continue working hard and getting fit Sue!

Kristin’s Success Story

Kristin is the picture of consistency and hated the day she told me she was moving to Florida but I wish her well and hope she continues what she started at ERF.  In the short time she was with ERF she made remarkable progress and just goes to show what can be accomplished when you go all in.

When did getting fit/losing weight become an issue?

When I would just eat junk food whenever I wanted and sit around and make no effort to get to the gym or eat better food for myself, I gained 30 pounds in one month. That is when my weight and not being fit started to become an issue.

Have you made previous attempts?

Yes. Previously, I would eat a routinely healthy diet and would stay active throughout the week including going to the gym 5-6 times a week.

What was the difference this time?

The support group that Expect Results Fitness offered and the easy-to-follow classes made working out fun and easy.  I wanted to go every day.

What was the thing that made you decide I’m going to do this?

In addition to my decline in my healthy lifestyle, I began to get quite depressed with life in general. I wasn’t myself and wouldn’t even want to get off my couch if I didn’t have to nor did I try very hard to talk myself out of it. I allowed myself to get caught in a slump and I needed something to make myself go to so that I wouldn’t just sit around anymore and help me want to take control of the motivation and self-support for my health that I had lost.

How much total weight/inches have you lost?  How many jean sizes are you down?  How much stronger are you now?

In the short time I was able to go to Expect Results Fitness, I lost ten pounds and three inches off my waist. I started at lifting ten-pound weights and have worked up to 25-30-pound weights with dumbbells. I started at lifting 65 pounds on the squat rack and am currently lifting 135 pounds on the squat rack. I am also able to perform multiple exercises with ease that previously I could barely get through or not get through at all.

How much more would you like to lose?

I would like to lose another 15-20 pounds to try to get closer to my weight when I was living my healthiest. But as long as I’m eating healthy, staying active, and doing what’s best for my body, my weight on the scale is not my biggest priority.

What keeps you motivated when progress isn’t moving as fast as you would like?

I have to keep reminding myself of the progress I don’t register such as “I couldn’t do that the last time I tried so I must be getting stronger even if I don’t feel like it.” I also try to remind myself that with my fitness there won’t really be an “end date” because I have to do the best I can every day and all of those days will add up to a healthy lifestyle and that’s the progress I’m aiming for.

How has your diet changed?

I’ve gone from eating fast food and junk almost daily to eating healthy meals throughout the week and rewarding myself with a nice cheat meal on the weekends usually.

What do you do when you really want something that’s off your diet?

I may try to integrate a healthier substitute that satisfies that craving. For example, if I want something sweet I will eat some fruit instead of a candy bar. If a substitute doesn’t work for a circumstance, I just allow myself to eat some in moderation. I love food so to also keep a healthy mental attitude I try not to limit myself too much or punish myself for wanting food, but moderation is key.

How has your new lifestyle effected your relationships?

Living a fit lifestyle has allowed me to be more of who I am and in turn has allowed my relationships with others to grow. I am a more confident and enjoyable person to be around because of the effect of my new lifestyle.

Do you have advice for anyone considering getting fit/losing weight?

There’s no wrong time to start. You just have to start. Don’t ever compare yourself to any one else. There will always be someone else better or stronger. The only person to compare yourself to is the person you were yesterday, because that’s the only competition that matters. Also, the pain you might feel? That’s you getting stronger. Embrace it. Don’t shy away from it. You are stronger than you think.

Good luck with your new adventure Kristin!