Enough Is Enough :: My Weight Loss Decision {Part 1}

This Fall, I reached a breaking point. For several years now, my weight has fluctuated in ways I never imagined. While I can’t pin point the exact moment that I’d had enough, I can narrow it down to a few photos that were jaw dropping for me. I think we’ve all been there when the realization hits that the person in the mirror no longer looks like you anymore, but after having looked at this “stranger” for well over a year now, it was time to make a change. 

I almost hate admitting that I struggle with my weight because I’m probably your average sized girl. I don’t strive to be a model and I probably wouldn’t consider myself  “obese”, but I also  know I wasn’t close to happy with myself! Those subtle internal comments and snarky remarks that I kept whispering each time I passed a mirror were slowly eating me alive. It was self-defeating and mentally exhausting.

With each item that entered my mouth, I felt a dark cloud of guilt hovering over me. I know what I’m eating isn’t the best, but I tell myself that I’ll do a better grocery shop tomorrow and make sure there are better choices and snacks tomorrow. Except for the caffeine…which I have to have in order to make it through the day. So I’ll just eat one less snack to make up for it. 

One morning–as each one was typical–after flinging off my third top that didn’t fit. I gave up. 

While I 100% believe that I took a break and I definitely gave myself a lot of grace for my new mommy body. For me, the decision to lose weight was a personal one. The number on the scale didn’t matter and it wasn’t how I perceived others saw me. It was all in how I viewed and felt about myself.  

I was tired of spending 30 minutes in the morning trying on clothes, looking for something that didn’t emphasize my muffin top. I was exhausted from looking in the mirror and bashing myself after every shower. I was tired of looking at photos that I thought would be flattering only to point out how large my thighs were. I was tired of being in denial that I had my eating and had my weight under control …but ruining my day with negativity because I was upset that “nothing fit.” It was time. I no longer wanted this burden to suck the life out of me and affect who I was around my husband and children. I was finally ready to get to a place where I could feel good about myself again. 

While I’d reached a breaking point several times over the last few years, I’d already experienced some of the online programs and knew this wouldn’t be successful for me. They were a little difficult to keep up with–trying to make new recipes when you had two toddlers wrapped around your ankles begging for spaghetti. Baby Boot Camp was a GREAT work out and within 18 months had me back to my pre-pregnancy weight, but since I no longer had “stroller” babies, I’d struggled finding a good system that fit into our busy schedules. I also wasn’t sure if I had another 18 months of time since we aren’t sure if our family is complete.

Since 2013, I’d kept Sally’s post “How I Lost My Baby Weight in 4 Hours” in the back of my mind and in one last ditch effort, opened up to my husband about my concerns and struggles, and we wiggled some room in our budget for Utopia Food & Fitness. 

So here I am. . .starting a 6 week program hoping to not only improve my weight, but improve my overall well-being. I’m inviting you to follow along in my journey in hopes that my struggles might be familiar to some. I’m also hoping that by sharing this with you, the motivation will remain high thanks to a little added pressure to succeed. 

What is Utopia Food & Fitness? 

Utopia Food & Fitness is a locally-based fitness and weight loss program with two locations in Dallas and Plano. Unlike other fitness programs in the metroplex, Utopia offers the complete package. Through routine monitoring and evaluation, they’re able to create a custom workout and meal plan for you to follow to help you on your weight loss journey. 

What I love is that they’re not handing over a list of approved fruits, vegetables, and entrees for you to take home and figure out for yourself. They actually make your meals for you–fresh. Three full meals and two snacks each day! I don’t have to calculate calories based on recipes or browse the produce department looking for what fits into my diet. I don’t even have to defrost a meal or add water to dehydrated food. It’s made-to-order and is based on my food preferences. No excuses. 

The workouts are simple. Two 20 minute circuits each week. A personal trainer guides you through your weekly workouts and helps make improvements when needed.

What convinced me that this was the right program was the science and proof behind why it works.  Dr. Carol Ireton-Jones, RD (now Utopia Founder) and a team of medical researchers at UT Southwestern Medical fully tested a prototype to the Utopia program and were astonished by the results. In just 6 short weeks, Men lost an average of 27.3 lbs. of fat and added 7.4 lbs. of muscle and Women lost an average of 14.6 lbs. of fat and added 5.6 lbs. of muscle. These results were so impressive that the research was eventually accepted by and published within the scientific journal of The American Medical Association. 

Better yet, if I keep up with the program and it actually doesn’t work (except for the cost of food) it’s 100% money-back…guaranteed. 

My Initial Weigh In :: Day 1 of 42

Since I’m your “average” body type girl, you won’t see any drastic changes from a before and after picture. I know it wouldn’t do it justice. So I’m going to keep it factual and hand over my measurements to you.

Here it goes. . .and wish me luck! 

Make sure to look for my next post at the half way mark and see my progress! In the meantime, if you’d like to learn more about Utopia Food & Fitness, visit their website or locations.

Let them know you heard about them through Dallas Moms Blog & receive $50 off any membership option!

Disclosure: This post was written in October prior to starting the Utopia Food & Fitness Journey so that I could share my posts with you consecutively. While I did receive a reduced price for the program and food, all opinions are 100% my own.