Sharon

Age: 30

Lost 50 pounds

I joined the 20/20 Lifestyles program because I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. I finally admitted defeat because I couldn’t lose the rest of my baby weight on my own. I had gained 65 pounds with my first pregnancy and then lost all but 25 pounds which wouldn’t budge. I then gained 40 pounds with my second pregnancy, but with that added 25 pounds that I never lost, it spelled disaster! I was totally out of control with food. I ate non-stop and made terrible food choices. I had tried almost every diet out there, some with small successes, but the weight would always return. I realized that I needed a complete lifestyle change and none of these diets were sufficient. I needed something more than the “diet of the month”. I needed a program that would encompass everything – diet, exercise, mental well-being and support. I also witnessed this program working with two of my friends, succeeding not only in losing weight, but keeping it off for good!

My goal was to lose 72 pounds, 18% body fat and to get my energy back. One of the tests you take before starting 20/20 measures your physiological age versus your chronological age. My real age stated that I was 39 years old, but I was only 30 when I started the program. This was a huge shock to me. I wanted to be my chronological age or younger. It was also important to me to have the program be fun for my girls since they were going to spend so much time at the gym. Whenever I dropped them off at Discovery Bay, I called it the “gym for kids”. I always made sure to ask them “how was your workout?” when I picked them up.

I was very fortunate to have a fantastic team of trainers and dietitians, as well as a great doctor and psychologist. My dietitians were very informative and supportive. I learned a lot about eating right. I was surprised about how little I truly knew about healthy eating considering I had been on almost every diet imaginable. Now I’ve completely dropped sugar and white flour from my lifestyle. I discovered that they are terrible for my body and make me gain weight and prevent me from losing weight. I consider them poison for my body and have accepted that I can happily live my life without eating any of that junk again. On the other hand, there are foods available to me which are not only healthy, but that I surprisingly enjoy.