My transformation

Im sure on my sidebar and about me that you noticed that I have lost 89lbs if you didnt shh just pretend that you did. I really want to share my story with you now so you can understand me just a little bit more.

Lets start here.

This was me in 2010 at the weight of 224lbs. Im smiling in this picture but I am anything but happy. My little boy was 3 years old we had just moved to another city and Bailey got really sick. He had recently been diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome which is a kidney disease that caused him to swell and be very uncomfortable. We spent weeks in and out of the children's hospital, on and off of steroids, and changing our lives completely. The doctors said he had to be on a strict no sodium diet and we had to keep him healthy because viruses (such as strep throat) would cause him to relapse.

This is the difference in just one week

I was in a marriage with a man who abused and cheated on me often, and I was also in a deep depression that my sweet boy was so sick. I was scared and confused, and I wasn't even sure if this "kidney disease" (doesnt that sound terrifying) would kill him.

I quit school and Bailey and I stayed home all day everyday. We baked A LOT together and the pounds piled on. Have you really looked at the sodium content at the grocery store. EVERYTHING has a ton in it even if it says low sodium its not. I spent a lot of my time baking things from scratch so he could still enjoy 'kid friendly' foods.

Fast forward. He hasnt had a relapse in 2 years and though I was still in a toxic marriage, but my baby was healthy again. I pray to God he stays that way. Then I took a long hard look in the mirror...Brittney you're not healthy and youre not setting a good example for your child. I started walking everyday and lost a few pounds but lets be honest here I wasn't trying very hard.

Surprisingly not too much longer after this picture was taken I got pregnant with Brock. I went into my first doctor's appointment weighing 209lbs so after losing 15lbs I got pregnant go figure lol.
My doctor didnt cut me any slack he said Brittney, you're too heavy to gain the 25-30lbs most women gain when they're pregnant. He said Id like you to maintain your weight throughout your pregnancy WHATTT!? However, after I got finished crying I took what he said to heart. I walked everyday and I didn't give in to ANY of my cravings.

I ate a lot of fruits and vegetables...and only chicken if I even ate meat (i know that isnt that healthy but I was obsessed with not gaining any weight). When I went in to deliver Brock I was 217lbs.. so much for not gaining any weight huh? But guess what he was 8lbs 3oz so really I didnt gain anything!

I left the hospital smaller than I was when I got pregnant, and that is when I made the decision it was now or never. I had 2 boys to chase after and I needed to be the best me I could be. I contacted my friend Michelle who was advertising Visalus on facebook and I was like what the hell. I ordered it and began my meal replacement shakes. I also became a promoter. I was taking boxing classes 2 times a week, school full time, and walking everyday. The weight was melting off I lost 56lbs in 1 year. I then began to worry was it the shakes or the exercise. Was I going to gain it all back when I quit the shakes?  However my confidence was back and I was feeling like a whole new woman. I left my husband in January and I also left the shakes. I couldnt afford them and I didn't know what was going to happen.

This was me exactly one year after Brock was born! I quit going to boxing classes and I graduated college. I met Mike and I was so scared I was going to pile the weight back on. However, I started running one day and I really really fell in love with it. I ran my first 5k and I was/am truly obsessed with my new healthy lifestyle. Over the last year I lost an additional 33lbs.

Everyday is an uphill battle. Yes I love to run and be healthy but I will always struggle with my unhealthy relationship with food. In the 13 years I was with my ex-husband I turned to food for comfort when I should have been turning to family or friends. I hid my life from the outside world I didnt want anyone to know I was married to an abusive cheater. I ate my guilt, my pain, my shame food was just always there. I catch myself falling into bad habits from time to time but I remember where I came from and I know I never want to go back there again. I track my calories every single day. Im honest with myself. I fall off the wagon from time to time but I always get back up. I quit making excuses for myself even though some days I could make 1000. In this 4 year journey Ive learned that you are your own motivator the weight isnt going to come off until you do something about it other than wishing. Ive grown to love myself again and be proud of the woman I am. Every day I strive to be a better me. I still have plenty of imperfections my tummy isnt tight and I still have cellulite but Im getting there one day at a time. Its not something you can do for a while and quit. It truly is a lifestyle change that you have to live with every day.