Ask Ada
Written by Ada // 05/15/2011 // Ask Ada, Personal Stories // 3 Comments
Hi, I’m Ada and this blog is my way of sharing my journey to healthy living. It started many years ago and I’ve taken many approaches… Does that sound familiar?
Well last year I hit a major milestone birthday…. 55…. My sister inspired me to write down 55 things to accomplish over the next year. It kinda felt like New Year’s Resolutions, only different. You guessed it, losing weight was on the list!! Hmm, how was I going to do that? I had tried so many times before. I had lost weight and then I had gained it back, and then some. Well, I wasn’t going to do that again… been there, done that!!
A very good friend had suggested I try learning strength training. She was very happy with the results she was getting. I thought about it. I had been walking on my treadmill a couple of times a week for a couple of years and I wasn’t getting anywhere. So, on June 1, 2010 I visited the Fitness Learning Center at Deoskar Integrative Health. I found out I was a couple weeks late to be in their Weight Loss Boot Camp. I said,”no problem, I’ll do strength training instead”. I had read that starting with strength training creates a higher probability for weight loss success. I met new friends in Strength class and I discovered that after a few weeks, I had more energy. Soon I was ready for my next step!
A Weight Loss Boot Camp class started September 1 and I was first in line to sign up. I set a goal of losing 24 pounds in 12 weeks — at the time, I didn’t know if that was possible or not. I enjoyed the camaraderie of the other Boot Camp participants. I learned how to practice relaxation and I learned how much I didn’t know about nutrition. Long story short, I met my goal!! I was thrilled! I loved watching the numbers on the scale go down, my clothes were getting loose, people were telling me I looked great, and I was feeling great too!!
Well, that was the beginning. I have lost 47 pounds, I’m down 4 dress sizes and I feel at least 5 years younger!!
When Anita from DIH approached me to do this blog, I was very flattered. I am also very excited about the opportunity to share my experiences with others because it inspires me to be able to help other people. Health does not have to be a lonely journey, and I would love to hear your comments and your stories as well along the way. We all have questions and we all have solutions that work for us. By sharing our successes and strategies we will be able to help more people succeed in their endeavors. I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Ada
3 Comments on "Ask Ada"
WoW! I love your enthusiasm, energy, and commitment to help others Ada! It can be a lonely journey to strive for health especially when our culture hasn’t fully excepted that good health cannot be purchased or found in a pill or proceedure. Good health comes with a depth of understanding, dilegence in making the right choices, and a level of success depending on the importance you give it in your life.
Thanks for opening your mind and heart to helping others feel less alone on their weight loss journies Ada! Getting to know you over the past year, I am confident you will enrich your readers lives as you have enriched ours at DIH.
Nuf with the serious Blab! Let’s Blog!
That is such an inspiring story! Congratulations, Ada, I hope you continue forward in your healthy lifestyle. I’m sure it must be thrilling. I will remember your story as I try to do the same.
Thanks for the kind words of support Mindy and Vaishali!!
A strong support network has been a key to my success in weight loss.
I have found that support comes in many ways — I had to learn to recognize it.
As I think about it, some things I found supportive, were the recognition from family, friends and co-workers that I had lost weight — they could tell when my clothes were looser (and then smaller:) and that I had more energy.
My husband would remind me of correct portion size — especially of meats. (I had to remind myself that he was being supportive and helpful — otherwise I felt a bit upset at first!)
My friends in Weight Loss Boot Camp and Strength Training are my support network too! I enjoyed they camaraderie of a common goal and sharing achievements. We talked about our personal challenges and I learned new approaches for dealing with difficult times.
Anita has been a very strong supporter of my success — she asks me if I have lost weight, she proudly points out to others what I have accomplished and she does it in a very supportive and kind way. Mindy asks me if I have tried a new recipe or if I have gotten my bike out for a ride, which reminds me to keep trying new things.
I find support from within myself too!! That part wasn’t there at first, but after awhile I have learned to tell myself that I feel good and that I look good. Even Willy, my new puppy, is supportive in his own way. He is full of energy and wants to play. He loves to go outside for a walk or a “romp”. And he loves me — well I think he loves me, (but maybe it’s the food — the Vet says he is “highly motivated by food!!”