Extra pounds have an insidious way of creeping up on us when we aren’t paying attention. In fact, many of us don’t even notice we’re gaining weight until our clothes stop fitting and we suddenly realize we don’t like what we see in the mirror. For one woman, that awareness didn’t come in a moment of clarity; rather, she felt it in bits and pieces.
At 21-years-old, Erin Eversoll began losing her confidence. Though she had great friends and a supportive boyfriend, she was unhappy with her appearance. She weighed about 213 pounds and found it hard to stop snacking on unhealthy foods. It probably didn’t help that she worked at a bakery, either.
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“I didn’t like looking in mirrors or at pictures of myself, and it was leading down a dark road,” Erin said. “I can’t say exactly what pushed me, but I just didn’t want to feel that way anymore, and I knew only I could start the changes I wanted to see.”
Thus began Erin’s journey to better her health… and she clearly went into it with wholehearted dedication. Over the span of 52 weeks, Erin dropped just as many pounds!
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Erin credits her success to keeping track of everything she ate with the Lose It! app. She couldn’t factor in extreme exercise at first due to her asthma.
Later down the road, she eased into running with the Couch to 5K app. Now she enjoys combining cardio with weight machines and bodyweight exercises whenever she’s at the gym. Sometimes, she can be found simply dancing in her living room to work up a sweat.
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As for her diet, Erin opts for light breakfasts that include fruits or veggies, lunches totaling between 400 and 500 calories, and dinners ranging from “Chick-fil-A to a frozen meal to a giant salad.” She also still enjoys her favorite treat –dark chocolate Reese’s – in moderation.
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Now Erin is amazed by how much better she feels, mentally and physically. “I’d never realized how good it would feel to know that I’m healthy and that I worked hard to get here,” she said. Her confidence isn’t just back – it’s radiating through!
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Erin says losing weight is all about consistency and forgiving yourself for making unhealthy choices.
“It takes small steps and dedication to reach your goals, and it won’t happen overnight,” she advises. “Know that it’s OK to make mistakes; just keep pushing forward and make better choices the next time.”
Congratulations, Erin, for reaching your goal through hard work and determination. She clearly feels so much more comfortable in her skin and we couldn’t be happier for her. Share this story with anyone who needs some motivation.
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