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My journey to becoming fit began in August of 2005. On a whim I decided to step on a scale that I found in a closet at my job. I hadn’t weighed myself in over 4 years. I’ve always had a lot of muscle which causes the number on the scale to usually be much more than how I look, so it was always a bit defeating to step on. I knew I had gained weight since starting my job in 2001 (175 size 12) but I had no idea how much weight. I figured I had gotten back to my largest in college (190 size 16). I was still wearing a size 16 (yes maybe it was a bit tight) but the scale read 2-3-6 lbs. I COULD NOT believe it. I was in so much shock that I told everyone how much I weighed and no one else could believe it either. I dressed nice and carried myself well so I was an expert at camouflaging it. I had fooled myself into thinking that my weight gain wasn’t a big problem because I still looked good, never mind my aching joints and chronic problem with reflux when I laid down at night. When I saw that concrete evidence I decided right then and there that it was coming off.
At first the temptation was there to find some kind of pill to get it off but I didn’t trust it…this was at the time that everyone was having bad medical reactions to those products. I knew my problem was a lack of exercise more than anything because for the first time in my life I was sitting down for most of the day. I’m a can-do type of person so I thought, I’ll just hit the exercise hard for say –6 months-- and all will be good. Of course no one wanted to workout with me and everyone was convinced I wouldn’t stick to it, so I found a way to workout in the comfort of my own home. I had some old TaeBo tapes so I popped those in and set to work ---I absolutely hated them (no offense to you TaeBo lovers)!! They were just too much work…I was going from 0-60 in like 2 seconds. So I started looking online for some nice, easy, and cheap dvds so I could ease my way into this thing. I found some Crunch tapes that were fun and dancey so those were a good introduction, but soon I needed more. I had lost about 15lbs in 2mths and my exercise threshold had risen.
Then one night I saw an infomercial for Beachbody’s Turbo Jam program. It looked like it was still fun but more work. I ordered it and loved it. I ordered every subsequent set that was offered. It toned my arms and lower body pretty much, I lost about 50lbs using her program in about 6 months, but my abs were still flabby. By now I was turned on to Beachbody and noticed the Hip Hop Abs program. I got it right away and began doing that at work with a few other ladies that had noticed my progress and wanted in. We scheduled a conference room for ourselves and were in there sweating up a storm. We didn't have access to showers so you know the program has got to be fun to get a bunch of ladies to get all sweaty in the middle of the day and put their work clothes right back on. My abs toned up dramatically and I even got an autographed set of Hip Hop Abs from Shaun T, the programs creator, by this time I had started figuring out what worked for me.
I tried to really restrict my eating for a while but that didn’t work for me; I felt too deprived. I learned to moderate my eating for 6 days and have a free day once a week to eat whatever I had been craving. That didn’t seem to have a huge adverse effect on my progress. I substituted ingredients in my recipes to still be able to enjoy my favorites. I reached an all time low of 145 lbs and 24% body fat within a year. I was becoming stronger and leaner everyday. I ran a 5K and even got my family to join in. No more pain or reflux. People started asking me what I was doing…when I told them diet and exercise no one believed me. No one believes in good old-fashioned exercise anymore. Everyone wants a shortcut or magic pill but there isn’t one. I experienced ups, downs and plateaus and had to realize that this is a lifestyle--you can’t stop and start or you will just return to where you began. A commitment has to be made to incorporating fitness and moderation into your routine. It has to come as natural as taking a shower everyday. It shouldn’t be an option—an ‘if I can find time’—make time for yourself. Wake up an extra 15mins earlier and get in some jumping jacks, squats, running in place—anything. At work when you take a restroom break do a few sets of squats and plies, or do standing push ups off the wall. Before you go to sleep get in a round of yoga to relax. If you have children don’t wait until you have time away from them; exercise with them they have boundless energy and can be the best workout buddies. It doesn’t have to cost a penny and it doesn’t have to be a huge burden. The payoffs are so much greater than the perceived inconvenience.
Today I weighed in at 160 lbs 23% body fat and I’m okay with it. My journey has been all about becoming fit—not skinny. So for me this works. I now have a workout buddy (my boyfriend) and I’m working in more intense weight training and longer runs. I check out the internet for new and exciting (on sale) workout dvds frequently and I do more working out outside which I love now. I feel better than I’ve felt in my entire life.
Enjoy one of Kandi's recipes that keeps her in tip top shape:
Ground Beef Steaks and Stewed Tomatoes
1 ½ lb ground sirloin (96% fat free or 94%)
2 tbl minced garlic
1 tbl salt free Season All
½ tsp kosher salt
1 tbl Steak Grill Seasoning
1 can Del Monte Italian Style Stewed Tomatoes
Mix all ingredients, except the tomatoes, with the ground beef and separate into 5 equal portions. Place in nonstick skillet on medium heat and cover. Flip burgers after about 7 minutes for well-done, less if preferred. Replace cover and cook on other side for another 7 minutes. Warm tomatoes in saucepan for a few minutes. After the burgers are done top with tomatoes and enjoy. The burgers should be about 4 ozs when done.
At first the temptation was there to find some kind of pill to get it off but I didn’t trust it…this was at the time that everyone was having bad medical reactions to those products. I knew my problem was a lack of exercise more than anything because for the first time in my life I was sitting down for most of the day. I’m a can-do type of person so I thought, I’ll just hit the exercise hard for say –6 months-- and all will be good. Of course no one wanted to workout with me and everyone was convinced I wouldn’t stick to it, so I found a way to workout in the comfort of my own home. I had some old TaeBo tapes so I popped those in and set to work ---I absolutely hated them (no offense to you TaeBo lovers)!! They were just too much work…I was going from 0-60 in like 2 seconds. So I started looking online for some nice, easy, and cheap dvds so I could ease my way into this thing. I found some Crunch tapes that were fun and dancey so those were a good introduction, but soon I needed more. I had lost about 15lbs in 2mths and my exercise threshold had risen.
Then one night I saw an infomercial for Beachbody’s Turbo Jam program. It looked like it was still fun but more work. I ordered it and loved it. I ordered every subsequent set that was offered. It toned my arms and lower body pretty much, I lost about 50lbs using her program in about 6 months, but my abs were still flabby. By now I was turned on to Beachbody and noticed the Hip Hop Abs program. I got it right away and began doing that at work with a few other ladies that had noticed my progress and wanted in. We scheduled a conference room for ourselves and were in there sweating up a storm. We didn't have access to showers so you know the program has got to be fun to get a bunch of ladies to get all sweaty in the middle of the day and put their work clothes right back on. My abs toned up dramatically and I even got an autographed set of Hip Hop Abs from Shaun T, the programs creator, by this time I had started figuring out what worked for me.
I tried to really restrict my eating for a while but that didn’t work for me; I felt too deprived. I learned to moderate my eating for 6 days and have a free day once a week to eat whatever I had been craving. That didn’t seem to have a huge adverse effect on my progress. I substituted ingredients in my recipes to still be able to enjoy my favorites. I reached an all time low of 145 lbs and 24% body fat within a year. I was becoming stronger and leaner everyday. I ran a 5K and even got my family to join in. No more pain or reflux. People started asking me what I was doing…when I told them diet and exercise no one believed me. No one believes in good old-fashioned exercise anymore. Everyone wants a shortcut or magic pill but there isn’t one. I experienced ups, downs and plateaus and had to realize that this is a lifestyle--you can’t stop and start or you will just return to where you began. A commitment has to be made to incorporating fitness and moderation into your routine. It has to come as natural as taking a shower everyday. It shouldn’t be an option—an ‘if I can find time’—make time for yourself. Wake up an extra 15mins earlier and get in some jumping jacks, squats, running in place—anything. At work when you take a restroom break do a few sets of squats and plies, or do standing push ups off the wall. Before you go to sleep get in a round of yoga to relax. If you have children don’t wait until you have time away from them; exercise with them they have boundless energy and can be the best workout buddies. It doesn’t have to cost a penny and it doesn’t have to be a huge burden. The payoffs are so much greater than the perceived inconvenience.
Today I weighed in at 160 lbs 23% body fat and I’m okay with it. My journey has been all about becoming fit—not skinny. So for me this works. I now have a workout buddy (my boyfriend) and I’m working in more intense weight training and longer runs. I check out the internet for new and exciting (on sale) workout dvds frequently and I do more working out outside which I love now. I feel better than I’ve felt in my entire life.
Enjoy one of Kandi's recipes that keeps her in tip top shape:
Ground Beef Steaks and Stewed Tomatoes
1 ½ lb ground sirloin (96% fat free or 94%)
2 tbl minced garlic
1 tbl salt free Season All
½ tsp kosher salt
1 tbl Steak Grill Seasoning
1 can Del Monte Italian Style Stewed Tomatoes
Mix all ingredients, except the tomatoes, with the ground beef and separate into 5 equal portions. Place in nonstick skillet on medium heat and cover. Flip burgers after about 7 minutes for well-done, less if preferred. Replace cover and cook on other side for another 7 minutes. Warm tomatoes in saucepan for a few minutes. After the burgers are done top with tomatoes and enjoy. The burgers should be about 4 ozs when done.
