WomensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex & Love
  • Food
  • Weight Loss
  • Women In Sport
  • Beauty
  • Podcasts
  • Video
WomensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex & Love
  • Food
  • Weight Loss
  • Women In Sport
  • Beauty
  • Podcasts
  • Video
Subscribe
Pro Surfer Laura Enever On What She's Tell Her Younger Self
Watch 1:48

Pro Surfer Laura Enever On What She's Tell Her Younger Self

{headline}

{headline}

'I Lost 50kg By Adopting This Simple Habit At Mealtimes'

'I Lost 50kg By Adopting This Simple Habit At Mealtimes'

9 Things You Must Do to Lose Weight Over 40, According to Experts

9 Things You Must Do to Lose Weight Over 40, According to Experts

‘This Simple Strategy Helped Me Lose 34kg And Maintain It For 7 Years’

‘This Simple Strategy Helped Me Lose 34kg And Maintain It For 7 Years’

How Much Weight Can You Lose In A Week?

How Much Weight Can You Lose In A Week?

{headline}

{headline}

How To Lose Stubborn Belly Fat For Good, According To Weight Loss Experts

How To Lose Stubborn Belly Fat For Good, According To Weight Loss Experts

The Eating Regime That Helped This Mum-Of-Two Lose 41kgs

The Eating Regime That Helped This Mum-Of-Two Lose 41kgs

'The Subtle Diet Swaps That Helped Me Completely Transform My Body'

'The Subtle Diet Swaps That Helped Me Completely Transform My Body'

{headline}

{headline}

'The 30-Day Instagram Program That Helped Me Drop 55kg And Build Muscle'

'The 30-Day Instagram Program That Helped Me Drop 55kg And Build Muscle'

Drew Barrymore Just Dubbed This A Total 'Game Changer' For Weight Loss

Drew Barrymore Just Dubbed This A Total 'Game Changer' For Weight Loss

The Program That Helped This Aussie Woman Lose More Than 47kgs

The Program That Helped This Aussie Woman Lose More Than 47kgs

This Is Exactly What Anna Heinrich Eats In A Day

This Is Exactly What Anna Heinrich Eats In A Day

This Is Exactly What Kayla Itsines Eats In A Day

This Is Exactly What Kayla Itsines Eats In A Day

24 Hours With Keep It Cleaner Co-Founder Laura Henshaw

24 Hours With Keep It Cleaner Co-Founder Laura Henshaw

The Eating And Exercise Habits Margot Robbie Swears By

The Eating And Exercise Habits Margot Robbie Swears By

  1. Home
  2. Weight Loss

The Healthy Habit That Helped This Woman Lose 64kg After Years Of Dieting

“I started seeing results after the first month.” - by Jenna Leveille
  • 23 Jan 2018
The Healthy Habit That Helped This Woman Lose 64kg After Years Of Dieting
Getty

BEFORE: 123kg

AFTER: 59kg

I've worked in the media industry for almost 20 years, and for most of my career, my job involved entertaining clients—which meant taking them out for breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and drinks. A typical breakfast would be French toast or egg and cheese breakfast sandwiches, for lunch a bean burrito or quesadillas. Dinner would be pizza or Mexican food. It mostly depended what my clients were in the mood for, but we always got appetisers on top of our main courses and of course, a never-ending bread basket.

For years, I would go on diets, lose 10 or 15kgs, and then gain it all back... plus an extra 10. I went on Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, The Zone, the grapefruit juice diet, the cabbage soup diet, South Beach, Atkins, SlimFast—you name it, I've tried it. Even at my heaviest, I was never one to lack confidence or self-esteem, but I never really believed in my ability to lose weight.

THE CHANGE

In August of 2013, I was finally inspired to make a real change. At the time, I was working at LivingSocial. My team was incredible and were always working out which made me wonder, What am I missing here? I decided I should try to start to follow their lead. I was living a sedentary, unhealthy lifestyle, but the job I was at was filled with great, healthy-minded people who were getting up early to work out, and that got the ball rolling for me.

jenna
Supplied

THE FOOD

I adopted a new way of eating that was high-protein, low-fat, low-carb, and no-sugar. I didn't follow a specific diet plan (doing so had never worked out for me in the past, anyway), but I did know that most diets limited sugar, so I started from there and kind of did my own thing.

For breakfast, I would eat two eggs and three or four strips of turkey bacon most mornings. I cut out bread in the beginning and just ate it every once in a while for breakfast. I roasted veggies for lunch and would eat them with fish or chicken. I didn't limit myself on green vegetables and tried to eat lots of them with each meal. If I felt hungry between meals, I would snack on apples, hard-boiled eggs, lunch meats, and Quest bars.

I learned to eat healthier in restaurants when I was dining out with clients. I’d order salads and always have the dressing on the side, and would opt for the low-sugar dressing options. Or I'd order lettuce wraps with sauces on the side, and lots of fish and veggie entrees as well.

I started seeing results after the first month, and lost six to eight pounds per month pretty consistently after that.

RELATED: This Workout Keeps Burning Calories For Hours After You're Done

THE WORKOUTS

I started my workout routing by hiring a personal trainer in August 2013. Having a trainer helped me to stay accountable. I would work out with my trainer two to three times per week for an hour, doing a mix of bodyweight exercises such as wall-sits, planks, and lunges. One day per week, I would also go to the gym and work out on my own doing what I had learned from my trainer. On the days where I didn't see my trainer or go to the gym, I would just walk on my own with my dog.

I started walking in the beginning for about 15 minutes, and increased to 30 to 45 minutes after the first month. I stayed in that range for a few months, and then increased my walking to over an hour. I like being outside when the weather is nice to clear my thoughts, and loved doing something that made me feel good all around.

I worked out with my personal trainer consistently for a year, and have since transitioned to walking and CrossFit classes as my main forms of exercise. I work out at CrossFit around three to four times per week for an hour, incorporating varied functional movements such as running, gymnastics, weightlifting, and rowing performed at a high intensity. 

I lost 48kg in my first year of dieting and working out consistently. It was slow and steady. I lost my last 34 pounds over six months. All in all, I lost 64kg in a year and a half.

jenna
Supplied

STICKING WITH IT

This time around, I had a support system. Once my coworkers saw my commitment, they cheered me on and supported me. One of my biggest supporters even gave me tips on how to eat and order healthy food when on the road traveling.

I started posting about my workouts and diet on social media, too. Soon, friends and family began reaching out via Facebook or text asking me, “Did you work out today?” That helped me be accountable and really focus on all the support I was getting and be strict about my diet. I felt like I was beating this—finally!—and when friends would ask me to go out to happy hour or dinner, I’d say, “Ask me to do something else,” and we’d go on a hike or walk instead.

One of my biggest cheerleaders kept saying to me, “You’re getting closer every day.” When I had a bad day, progress was slow, or I was getting frustrated, I’d remember that phrase. In fact, I built my own community around it about a year into my journey: GettingCloserEveryday.com, and its corresponding Facebook community, which includes everyone from nutritionists and yoga instructors, to people who want to lose 15 pounds, and people who want to lose several hundred pounds. I started this because I wanted people to know they could do it. I wanted to share what I learned, to help inspire people.

THE REWARD

In March of 2016 I needed to have an emergency hysterectomy, and had a scary incident in post-op that required CPR. I often wonder if my heavier self would have survived. When you’re looking for inspiration to be a healthier version of yourself, just remember it could be preparation to beat the unexpected things in life. Besides looking and feeling better, I would have to say surviving that surgery was my biggest reward.

Jenna
Supplied

JENNA'S NUMBER-ONE TIP

Tell everyone you are getting healthy and really need their support. When you want to change your life, you need to make a plan and tell your spouse, friends, family, co-workers, and anyone you see or interact with in order to be successful. Sharing your goals with the people in your life helps you stay accountable. It's great knowing they'll follow up and check in on your progress. You'll want to have something positive to share with them!

Realise though, that not everyone knows how to be supportive; maybe you shared bad habits together, and they don't know how to support your new ones. Try connecting with people who have similar goals. Make new friends and interact in new wellness social settings, whether it's at a group fitness class or within your company.

As told to Danielle Page. This article originally appeared on Women’s Health US.

RELATED: The Changes That Helped This Aussie Mum Lose 15 Kgs

  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Lifestyle
  • Weight Loss
  • Running
  • Exercise
  • Cardio Workouts
  • Weight Loss Exercise
  • Diet Plans
  • Diet
  • Body Transformation
  • Healthy Snacks

FREE aim'n Fitness Pack-SAVE 25%

when you subscribe to Women's Health

Subscribe Now
FREE aim'n Fitness Pack

FREE aim'n Fitness Pack-SAVE 25%

when you subscribe to Women's Health

Subscribe Now
FREE aim'n Fitness Pack

Recommended to you

Pro Surfer Laura Enever On What She's Tell Her Younger Self
Watch 1:48

Pro Surfer Laura Enever On What She's Tell Her Younger Self

{headline}

{headline}

'I Lost 50kg By Adopting This Simple Habit At Mealtimes'

'I Lost 50kg By Adopting This Simple Habit At Mealtimes'

9 Things You Must Do to Lose Weight Over 40, According to Experts

9 Things You Must Do to Lose Weight Over 40, According to Experts

‘This Simple Strategy Helped Me Lose 34kg And Maintain It For 7 Years’

‘This Simple Strategy Helped Me Lose 34kg And Maintain It For 7 Years’

How Much Weight Can You Lose In A Week?

How Much Weight Can You Lose In A Week?

{headline}

{headline}

How To Lose Stubborn Belly Fat For Good, According To Weight Loss Experts

How To Lose Stubborn Belly Fat For Good, According To Weight Loss Experts

The Eating Regime That Helped This Mum-Of-Two Lose 41kgs

The Eating Regime That Helped This Mum-Of-Two Lose 41kgs

'The Subtle Diet Swaps That Helped Me Completely Transform My Body'

'The Subtle Diet Swaps That Helped Me Completely Transform My Body'

{headline}

{headline}

'The 30-Day Instagram Program That Helped Me Drop 55kg And Build Muscle'

'The 30-Day Instagram Program That Helped Me Drop 55kg And Build Muscle'

Drew Barrymore Just Dubbed This A Total 'Game Changer' For Weight Loss

Drew Barrymore Just Dubbed This A Total 'Game Changer' For Weight Loss

The Program That Helped This Aussie Woman Lose More Than 47kgs

The Program That Helped This Aussie Woman Lose More Than 47kgs

This Is Exactly What Anna Heinrich Eats In A Day

This Is Exactly What Anna Heinrich Eats In A Day

This Is Exactly What Kayla Itsines Eats In A Day

This Is Exactly What Kayla Itsines Eats In A Day

24 Hours With Keep It Cleaner Co-Founder Laura Henshaw

24 Hours With Keep It Cleaner Co-Founder Laura Henshaw

The Eating And Exercise Habits Margot Robbie Swears By

The Eating And Exercise Habits Margot Robbie Swears By

WomensHealth
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Pacific Magazines
  • Partners
  • 7Plus
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Statement
WomensHealth Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Pacific Magazines
  • Partners
  • 7Plus
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Statement

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • Instyle
  • marie claire
  • Who

Pacific Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Men’s Health
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • All Recipes
  • Practical Parenting
© 2019 Pacific Magazines
Get more from Women's Health

Magazine Subscription Offer

FREE aim'n Fitness Pack-SAVE 25%

Shop This Offer
FREE aim'n Fitness Pack