A "Q & A" with Barbara Hammond
I was recently interviewed for an online fitness magazine (
Click here for the actual article) and thought I'd share the questions and answers here for you to enjoy.
Happy reading!
Name: Barbara Hammond
Age: 42
Profession: Former IT Business Analyst, presently homemaker
How much weight have you lost? 135 pounds
Tell us what the “old you” used to be like. Tired most of the time. Worked my day job
(sat at a desk most of the day), and came home. To tired to cook, so I did a
lot of take out. Ate most meals in bed. Laid in bed a lot. Just exhausted all
the time.
What prompted your weight loss? I had high blood pressure
after my son was born in 2012. And my husband had a health scare at the same
time. We decided it was time to get healthy. For us and for our kids. (I kept
at it, he did not).
How did you lose the weight?
Short answer? I learned to eat better, and I moved more. I did not
"diet". I did not take pills. I did not have weight loss surgery.
Longer answer? I joined my fitness pal to track what I ate
and how I moved or rather didn't move. I started walking; park further away,
climb stairs vs. elevator... That sort. Major baby steps. I learned to eat
better. Not less, initially, just better choices. Like subway instead of
McDonald's. And I'm losing slowly. About a pound a week on average. Been doing
MFP for 800+ days now. Before c25k I was using my wii fit and Bought a Zumba
game, and just dance. These get me moving in my living room. No audience so I
ccould look silly without embarrassment. I also got the Nickelodeon Fit game
(Dora, Backyardigans, etc) for my daughter, so we could do these together too.
She's very thin but what kid doesn't benefit from moving? I also started
wearing a pedometer. Tracked my steps, and encouraged me to get more steps in each
day. On average, 2000 steps = 1 mile. I never said "I want to lose “x” no
of pounds" I took the approach, I just want to lose. So that’s what I did.
I'm all about taking baby steps. I'd never get to this point if I was all in
right at the start. I am doing all of this so I can keep up with the kids and
be the mom they need me to be. It took me years to gain it, and I accepted it
would take years to lose it too. I'd been able to eat the donuts, the ice
cream, the chocolate Easter bunny......... and when I ate "bad"
foods, I still logged it. I was truthful with myself. If I had a
"bad" day, it was okay. On average I was still doing well. I became
open to try new foods, new recipes. I'm surprised how good some of that
"health" food was/is. So I ate better, and I had been walking and
running. After a year of this, I was down around 80 lbs. At that time I decided
maybe I should meet with a nutritionist. She was fantastic. She taught me ever
MORE about food and nutrition and helped explain how while I was doing great
with cardio, I really should also start adding in strength training. She set me
up with a free month at the local YMCA plus gave me 3 personal trainer
sessions. At those sessions the trainer showed me how to use the cardio
equipment (day 1), the weight machines (day 2), and resistance bands (day 3).
He gave me some print outs so I could do the exercises at home. I know I do
better following someone so I can perfect the steps/moves and get the benefits
of the exercise. So I purchased some home dvd workouts (Ten Min Trainer and
TurboFire) which came with everything I needed; equipment, recipes, and
instruction. Now I’m doing some PiYo and loving it. I fell in love with these
beachbody workouts, and was having great results, so I became a coach too. It’s
important to note it’s not a one size fits all solution. What worked for me may
or may not work for others. All I can do is share what I did, and that’s what I
do. The cardio my first year helped lose a lot of pounds. The strength training
in the second year helped tighten up this lose skin and gave me muscles which
in turn boosted my metabolism, which in turn helps me burn the food I’m eating
more effectively. I've been blogging (
http://bwarsh.blogspot.com/ ) my journey every step of
the way so that others could see how I've done it and I recently launched a FB
page too (
fb.com/UnderConstructionWithBwarsh),
to connect my blog and my story to even more people. I'm an open book. I'm
approached all the time with questions on how I did it. I'm told that I inspire
others. That my story is one they want to be part of too.
How long did it take? I started in July 2012, but really
kicked it into gear September 2012, so just over 2 years now.
What was the hardest part? Doing it alone. My husband and I
had decided to do this together, and about 2 weeks in he stopped. So I had to
find other places for support and encouragement. I found the online community
to be especially helpful, and joined a few groups. One group in particular was
an accountability group and I loved it there with the daily tasks, goals,
challenges, and sharing.
Most fun part of your weight loss? Buying smaller clothes! So much fun!
Most rewarding experience? Getting results and sharing my
progress as I’ve gone along. Working out with my kids! Having more energy now,
so much so, the kids struggle to keep up with me! Getting my life back and
being able to do and enjoy many adventures with the family.
Who/what inspires you when you feel like quitting? I've
never felt like quitting. I suppose I just keep my eye on my prize, which is
more then a size smaller or bigger muscles. It’s being able to be a better mom,
a better wife, a better friend. Why would I want to give that up now?
How has this weight loss changed you life? It gave me my
life back. This is the life I want to live. It’s a lot more fun here.
Have any advice for others who’d like to lose weight? Some tips that helped me when I started all
of this was taking it slow and being realistic. I made goals that I could
actually hit. And I realized it wasn't going to come off fast. It took me years
to gain it after all. On purpose, I wanted to lose slowly. It is the best way
to lose it and keep it off. Not a diet, but rather a lifestyle change.
Your must-have fitness equipment. DVD player (most of my
workouts are now beachbody dvd’s), resistance bands, yoga mat, balance ball,
and a variety of hand weights up to 10 lbs.
Favorite training song: You Fckn Did It (Jason Mraz)
Favorite healthy food: Shakeology
Favorite not-so-healthy food: pizza!
Funniest /weirdest/most awkward experience during your
weight loss journey. When I started ten min trainer, I had lost a lot of weight
already and had a lot of loose skin. When doing the program once my daughter
was in the room and my skin slapped against itself. Made the loudest sound and
she just started laughing in hysterics at me. At first I was super embarrassed,
but then I figured whatever! I look silly. So what. At least I’m moving! Still
have that attitude today. I think sometimes we take ourselves too serious. I am
moving. That’s really all that matters.
Future goals: Lose the final 10, then maintaining. The final
last ten pounds are notoriously the most difficult to lose. And that’s where I
am now. Before I never had a weight goal, and now it seems I do. I’m
investigating going back to school to get my dietitian license as well. And I
plan to keep helping, motivating, and holding those that ask accountable on
their journey to getting healthy too.
Follow me on Social Media:IG:
@UnderConstructionWithBwarshTwitter:
@CoachBwarshFacebok:
@UnderConstructionWithBwarsh
Need a coach? Consider me! Sign up for free here: bit.ly/FreeCoachBwarsh
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