How I Lost 100 Pounds: Simple Tips & Encouragement

Today, I would like to welcome a special guest contributor. I have watched her transformation and dedication. It has been amazing and very inspiring!!! {Keep reading for a special offer}

My name is Sommer, and I am on an incredible journey to living a plant-based lifestyle. Three years ago I weighed almost 300 pounds. This is not a drill.

At almost 300 pounds, I wore a size 22/24 jeans, my knees and feet ached after even the shortest of walks, and I was MISERABLE. I have struggled with my weight since I was 9 years old, and I have tried plenty of diets. Slim Fast, baby-Adkins (your girl loves a carb), and eating meals off a tiny saucer instead of a plate barely helped me lose any weight at all, and it all came flooding back on, plus some, anytime I deviated from these strict diets.

Not long after I married my husband in 2012 and had hit my highest weight, I was in desperate need of a change. Enter: Netflix. I stumbled across Forks Over Knives through a recommendation from an acquaintance turned wedding photographer, and because I love a good documentary regardless of subject, I thought I would give it a watch. I don’t often get dramatic about stuff like this (I’m joking, I’m a drama queen), but the documentary changed my life.   While my change was not as drastic as others, who immediately threw out all the dairy and meat in their kitchen after watching the film, I have been working every day toward the goal of 100% plant-based living.

Thanks to veggies I have lost 100 pounds, dropped 12 pant sizes, removed and decreased medications I was once medically required to be on, and this week I ran 5 miles in one go, pain-free. With the added bonus that veggies pack an amazing amount of bulk into a small amount of calories, my inner food addict is usually satiated. Have you ever wanted to bury your face in a bowl of mac n’ cheese, or wear a warm pizza like a cape? Then you know what I’m talking about when I say food addict.

Making healthy food choices is no easier for me than anyone else, but the results have been worth it.

While I am a firm believer that there are different paths to health, I just as firmly believe that all of them start with choosing a veggie over fast-food every once in a while. For every traditional Southern fried dish or grease-laden drive-thru burger you can replace with a filling, naturally low-fat plant-based meal your body will fervently thank you.

[tweetthis]God gave you the medicine your body needs growing all around you, don’t hesitate to partake![/tweetthis]

 

Some words of advice from someone who knows what it’s like to attempt a lifestyle overhaul:

• Don’t ever become discouraged with how small the steps are that you have to take to be successful.

• Don’t ever let the fear of backsliding keep you from looking forward.

• We all struggle when it comes to our commitment to better health, but that doesn’t mean the fight isn’t worth it.

• And last, but not least, never be afraid of someone calling you a crunchy hippie when you start to gush about hummus, most likely you can take them.

Do you have any tips for encouraging those on a weight loss journey? We would love to hear in the comments!

Sommer Souther

Guest Writer

Hi! My name is Sommer, and I am a budding health food enthusiast. During the day I am a dedicated scientist with a passion for helping animals, but at night I double as a foodie blogger. I received both my bachelor’s and master’s in Animal Science from NCSU, and I work hard for the money (student loans, anyone?) by determining what bacteria is making your animals sick at a diagnostic laboratory in NC. What you’ll get from me is one part healthy food recipes, two parts sardonic humor. You will also get an inside look into the life of a recovering food addict, as well as a smattering of cutesy stories about my husband and pets. I have two cats, a dog, a turtle, and a human, and I love them more than food...most days.

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LINKING UP WITH: Because I’m Cheap, The Modest Mom, A Mama’s Story, TGI Saturday, Make Your Home Sing Monday , Titus 2sDay