Mandie Wood was fed up. At 375 pounds, she was sick of feeling constantly tired and invisible. So what could she do to improve her self-image and health?
It took a conversation with a nutritionist for Mandie to realize what she was doing wrong. With a few changes, she was on the way to making a complete lifestyle 180.
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So how exactly did Mandie go about her incredible transformation? Beginning in Fall 2015, Mandie decided to make three simple changes to her life.
The first change? A more balanced diet.
“I follow balanced macros, which for me means that I try to ensure I am getting 35 percent of my calories from carbs, 25 percent of my calories from fat, and 40 percent of my calories from protein.”
Mandie routinely shares her meals on Instagram. As you can see, she hasn’t sacrificed delicious tasting food in the name of getting in shape!
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The next change Mandie made was to start exercising. What’s interesting is that Mandie didn’t hit the gym until after she’d lost about 60 pounds.
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“To be honest, I had tried the gym a few times before and just never felt comfortable. I didn’t enjoy working out and felt that everyone was judging me, so I always ended up quitting.”
The good news is that Mandie’s pre-exercise weight loss gave her energy for exercising. She also hired a personal trainer, something she called “a great investment.” Mandie is no longer afraid of being judged at the gym. She even eats more calories on days she works out!
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Aside from smart nutrition changes and regular exercise, what else did Mandie do? She set reasonable goals for herself.
It took Mandie two years to shed 150 pounds. “Keeping it in bite-size chunks makes it not seem as daunting,” said Mandie. “Five pounds is much more manageable than the 200 pounds I started out looking to lose!”
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Everyone’s weight loss journey is unique. But Mandie’s three tips are practical for anyone making the switch to a healthier lifestyle.
Remember, you shouldn’t expect to see a huge change immediately. It’s the little steps, day by day, that lead to amazing things.
If you were inspired by Mandie’s journey, don’t forget to share this story!
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