All She Needed Was 15 Minutes A Day To Lose 15 Pounds and
5 Inches Off Her Mommy Belly! Meet Denise Hyde

Weight = 195         180 (lost 15 lbs)
Size= 16/18         12/14 (down 2 sizes)
Waist = 38         33 (lost 5”)
Hips = 48            42 (lost 6”)
r thigh = 27 1/2 inches      25 (lost 2 ½ “)
r arm = 14 inches         12 (lost 2 “)
Body Fat = 41%         37% (lost 4%)

The past 12 weeks has been a very interesting journey for me. This challenge has pushed me and helped me learn so much about myself and my body. Although I always saw myself as someone who needed to lose 10 to 20 pounds, my real weight problem didn’t start until after I gave birth.

I took the term “eating for two” VERY seriously and gained 60 lbs. Eight weeks after my son was born, my mom suffered a fatal heart attack at the age of 67.  At 47, my father, who was a heavy smoker, also suffered a fatal heart attack, which I attributed to the smoking. But when my mom died, that scared me. She didn’t smoke; she was active, and thin. I assumed she was healthy.
After that, I fell into a deep depression. I ate to deal with my sadness and grief. I was heaviest I’d ever been.

I finally decided enough was enough and I wanted to be here for my son. I stopped and started many diets only to gain back what was lost plus more. Looking for the next quick fix, I signed up for Scott Colby’s seminar and heard Holly on one of the calls. She seemed very down to earth and I was drawn to her passion for fitness. I went to her website and remembered her saying that you only need a 15 minute a day workout and I thought no way! But I decided to sign up for her web site anyway.

I didn’t actively participate until she announced the STC. I wasn’t sure this would work for me. I started reading the book but skipped the nutrition part because “I knew how to eat” and started the workouts. I thought I was eating pretty well so I didn’t need to write it down.
I got involved in the forums and loved chatting with the other women, who were all so positive and supportive.

My turning point in this challenge came when I heard the expert coaching call with Yvette. Her story made me reconsider my eating habits. I went back to the book and read about nutrition, started journaling, and realized I had lots of room for improvement. I started planning and I started doing better.

When we only had a month left, I started eliminating foods that might be causing me problems like wheat and cheese. To be honest, I have always been the type of person searching for a diet that would let me eat cake and still lose weight. I’ve bought and tried every diet plan available. Holly is different because she speaks the truth. She’s on the forums every day, has coaching calls, expert calls and is always thinking of new ways to help us.

I have to say that the friendships I have formed on the forum and the support I have received is what has gotten me through this challenge.

Now I understand why my mom, who ate mostly processed foods, could be so thin but so unhealthy. I actually can taste chemicals in food now if I don’t eat at home. And Starbucks coffee – which I LOVED– now makes me sick to my stomach.

I have more energy then I have ever had. I love trying new fruits and veggies and learning new recipes and ideas from the other women in the forum. I now know that I’m feeding my body what it needs. The cravings and mood swings are gone. I’m more toned and feel better in my clothes.

I Achieved My Goals:

~ I don’t cringe when I see pictures of myself anymore. I look in the mirror and like what I see.
~ I now know that I am in control of what I put in my mouth. I never gave up.
~ I kept tweaking my nutrition until I got it right and never missed a workout.
~ I went from 3 lbs weights to now using 15 lb – 30 lbs.
~ I haven’t been perfect but when I slipped I got right back on track.
~ And I not only finished but finished strong! I definitely did way more then I ever thought I could.

If anyone told me 12 weeks ago that I could go without sugar and coffee I wouldn’t have believed them.  I am lifting weights I never thought I could, doing big girl pushups and getting stronger every day.

I’m very proud of myself!

The one thing I learned this challenge that I didn’t expect is how crucial support is. I really never have had that before and always thought I’d have to do this alone. But knowing people were watching me in my journal really held me accountable.

It made me think twice before putting something in my mouth that I didn’t need. If I got low on calories, they would point that out. If I promised to boil eggs and wash veggies they would ask me if I did.

They would cheer me on if I had a really great day and help me figure out what I did well on a bad day. Instead of eating chocolate when I was upset, I would post in the forum and everyone would give me advice.

I just can’t go on enough about how important the forum has been to me. I am SO grateful to have shared this journey with such amazing women who I can now call my friends.
And then of course there is Holly, everything she does for the members is amazing. The coaching calls, the posts, the excitement she feels sharing in someone’s success and how she gives us tough love when we need it. It always seemed like she was reading my mind whenever she posted a video message of the week. Holly, I can’t thank you enough for all your support and encouragement.

I can’t wait to take what I’ve learned from this challenge and apply it to the next one.
During the upcoming weeks, I am going to work on exercise and becoming as strong as I can. I can’t wait to see what I look like in another 12 weeks.

 

Denise Hyde. Age 41, Mom of one – Carter age 6, Carpentersville, IL