From a size 20 to a size 6 - WITHOUT dieting!

I used to weigh 220lbs. Well, the last time I got on the scale I weighed 220lbs. I very well could have weighed more than that. I wore a size 18 or 20.

January 2005 - September 201

Fast forward. I am currently 159lbs (as of this morning) and wear a size 6. 

I did not lose weight by dieting. 

WHAT?!!?!? 

Let me explain. I didn't diet, I changed my lifestyle. 

I grew up in the country, in Georgia. So, growing up I regularly ate a lot of unhealthy foods. I'm talking fried chicken, cornbread, fat back (literally fried pork fat from the pig's back), pork chops, peanut butter cookies, red velvet cake, pound cake, sodas, sweet tea... you name it and I ate it. By the time I was in college, I had a lot of eating habits that needed to be changed. I had tried several diets and they all failed. I'm sure you can relate - low calories, low carb, and whatever else I found on the cover of a magazine that promised great results. 

Well. After a bunch of failed attempts, I just started making small changes to my routine. I started by limiting sodas. Then I added more veggies to my diet. And on and on. Why isn't that a diet? Because there was no ending date. These weren't temporary adjustments. These were permanent changes. 

At the end of the day, I was able to maintain my weight loss because I continued the habits that got me there to begin with. 

Diets have end dates. Lifestyle changes are permanent. 

How to Lose Weight (For Good) Without Dieting

1. Make small changes over time. There's no need to overhaul everything at one time. It's overwhelming and you will quit. 

2. Don't commit to changes that you cannot keep up. If you can't commit to giving up something FOREVER, then don't! Just limit it. 

3. Don't set an "end" date.  There's no end! This is your new way of life :-) 

4. Take it one day at a time! 

Be sure to check back soon as I will be talking specifically about the changes I made to my diet & lifestyle! And follow me on Facebook, Spandex & Sports Bras for daily tips, motivation, workouts and recipes!!

Maintaining my weight loss & lifestyle 11 years later.