Jade managed to lose over 100 lbs totally naturally. Here’s how she did it – article courtesy of popsugar.com:
POPSUGAR: When did you start your weight loss journey? What made you decide to do it?
Jade Socoby: I was 320 pounds and just had a random urge to try this whole working out thing, with no expectations of succeeding or sticking to it. Since I had done this before I figured, “What would be different?” Yet I still randomly asked my brother on March 22, 2013 to help me with it. He put me through a very simple, easy, bodyweight-based routine, and it made me run outside and get sick. That was about as close to an “ah-ha” moment I’ve ever had. I knew that this wasn’t OK and I’d never be able to have a career in law enforcement or live a healthy life if I didn’t make some changes. Ever since that day, I stuck to it by myself, for myself.
PS: What was your starting weight?
JS: 320 pounds is the last recorded weight by a physician.
PS: How much weight have you lost so far?
JS: 145 pounds, naturally. No trainers, nutritionists, help, or surgeries.
PS: How did you do it? Did you follow a specific diet?
JS: I started out just by cutting little things out one by one, so I wouldn’t burn myself out mentally and give up. I’d cut out soda first, then sweets, unnecessary snacks, etc. I then discovered counting calories on [the app] MyFitnessPal, which was huge for me in my weight loss. As the weight began to shed off, I was working out a little more, not much, maybe 2-3 times a week at most, and I was becoming so intrigued by health and fitness that I just kept researching, learning on my own, and I found macros. When I started tracking macros, not just calories, my body started changing even more for the better. A few years in, I lost my way a little bit after a rough go-about in life, and I found Renaissance Periodization (RP). RP unknowingly saved me by rebuilding a healthy relationship with food.
PS: Did you do a specific workout type or schedule?
JS: I found powerlifting and strength very early, thankfully. Because if I hadn’t, I don’t think I’d have stuck with it. Powerlifting absolutely saved my life in FAR more ways than one. As for schedules, not really, since I work shift work. I basically do what I can, when I can. Now that my powerlifting days are far behind me, I’m focusing on becoming an all-around better athlete and being the best, healthiest, and strongest I can be. Although my competition days are gone, my journey in strength is never going to be over.
PS: What are some non-scale victories you’ve experienced?
JS: There’s been SO many, it’s hard to choose! Running my first mile non-stop was so exciting! Also, I was told after herniating three discs and tearing my hip flexor in a meet that I’d never deadlift or squat again. I took the time to heal and came back at an all-time low body weight and pulled the all-time PR deadlift I’d been chasing for what seemed to be forever — 400 pounds in a Toys for Tots charity meet.
PS: How do you stay motivated?
JS: If I’m being completely honest, I really dislike that word and question. I personally see motivation as something that’s short lived and dies, and when it does, that’s when discipline kicks in and takes over. I think everybody needs to have goals, and if those goals don’t keep you going, then you probably need better goals that excite you and sit a little deeper in your soul. I see discipline as second nature to me — it’s doing something you may hate at that time or just not want to do, but doing it like you love it.
What did you think of her story? My own thoughts are basically “good for you girl – but I’m really not sure I can develop that level of discipline in my own life”. That’s being honest. How about you?
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