March Member Spotlight

Najah Nusser "BEFORE"

Real Live Testimonials From Everyday People who Decided to Make a Change: Are you ready??? Read her Story...

Where do I begin? I've never had trouble with my weight and always hovered around a size 8-10 (I'm 5'6"). In the last year and a half I had big life changes that contributed to me packing on pounds. In late 2009 I had my precious son and 8 months later I left a job of 6 years for one close to home but full of stress! After I stopped nursing I went back to bad habits...fast food, drinking and not watching portions. Looking back I became a stress and a reward eater! If I had a bad day, I had a glass of wine and a great day I'd spring to dine out - Italian, Thai...you name it.

In 2011 I joined a gym and hired a trainer but didn't do much to change my diet. I didn't see the results I wanted but felt good because I was "in the gym". Then my neighbor, Robin Wingate invited me to the 6 AM Zumba class. I heard great things about Zumba but never tried it, plus I thought "6 AM, SERIOUSLY??". We encouraged each other and made it to class on Tues/Thurs.

Over 3 months later I love Zumba with T and I won the January 2012 fitness challenge! I was shocked at how much weight I had put back on since my son was born. True, my clothes were fitting tight, my gut and love handles were a sight and I was out of breath taking the stairs at work but seeing the number kicked me in gear - I was 200 pounds. I signed up, started to follow the meal plans from T and told everyone what I was doing. Here's what helped me to succeed and stay encouraged:

*Update the grocery list. To eat right I needed to shop right. I went online and found easy and free grocery list forms with guidance on what to buy to eat healthy. More produce! Less packaged and sugary foods. Wholefoods and nutrition calculators are my friends.
*Redirect eating habits. Instead of my "Moe's Monday" burrito, I prepared more meals at home with tools I already owned. The George Foreman grill came out of retirement, the blender and used my Fry Daddy to steam veggies! Rewards are now a hair appointment, massage, a movie or getting my car detailed. On stressful days, snack on fresh fruit and playing Wii games (like Zumba) with my son.
*Encouragement and goal-setting. I set a goal to drop 40 pounds. I have some Spring and Summer trips planned so getting into my swimsuit and looking cute is a prority! Also, I use vision boards that includes inner and outter goals. I loaded up on fitness mags and found a pic of one sister with killer abs to add to my board - I want that!
*Reality check. It's clear my muscles are waking up to when I was active doing yoga, kick-boxing and other physical fitness. I also understand that eating right is not an exception, its the rule (80/20). The fast/fatty foods, family dinners, big game parties can be temptations but stay the course. If you fall off, get back on. Bring your own low-cal dishes to friends and family gatherings...they can take part in what you're doing and you don't leave feeling guilty.

Thanks for this opportunity!!

Najah Husser "AFTER"
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