She Works as Taxi Driver, Teacher, Cook, and Still Lost Weight! Success Story #14

Name: J. Ramos
Location: JFK Medical Center. Atlantis, FL
Outcome: 20 lbs Weight Loss
Program: 2014 Total Transformation Challenge - Summer Edition

What was your biggest challenge / obstacle (s)?
Making time for myself.  Working dayshift fulltime, my husband working evenings, he takes care of the kids in the morning I take care of them the rest of the day after work (trying to keep the childcare expenses low), homework, extracurricular activities, soccer, swimming, DR. app’s, etc.; I never had time to take care of myself.  Until one day, I had to stop and told my family this is it.  I came up with a new schedule: I go to work, right after work I will take at least 1hr for myself to do something (mainly exercise but once in a while I skip the exercise and did something else) and then after 4-430pm I will take on my “second full-time job” of being a mom, housewife, taxi, team mom, teacher, cook, whatever they want me to be. 
 
What motivated you to stay on the course?
My family.  It took them a while to get used to the new routine but once they start noticing the changes and I started to lose weight they are the ones pushing me.  Even my daughter makes sure that I’m not eating bad stuff or eating after 7pm.
 
Did your diet change? If so, How? Please be detailed!
Yes. I’ve always included good choices in my diet (veggies, salad, protein) but I also included bad stuff as part of my meals (sodas, sweets, large portions).  I had to learn to cut the bad stuff out and go with smaller portions.  Tried as much as possible to limit the carbs to 1 meal a day only, either breakfast or lunch, never at dinner.  My lunch is the biggest meal of the day, and try to go as light as possible at dinner. 
 
What advice could you give to others that want the same results? 
Once you make the commitment stick to it.  Half the battle is getting to the Employee Wellness Center (or wherever you will go to exercise).  If you still don’t feel like being there (trust me you will have several of those days that you don’t want to do it) just do something for 10-15min only (cardio, weights, stretching, etc.); at least you did something.  Also, Tell everybody you know, believe it or not they will help you keep on track and make your commitment stronger. 
 
How is this experience going to affect you going forward?
I don’t like to feel that I’m in a diet so I set my mind for a long-term goal of getting healthier; losing weight is just one of the benefits of my decision.