Meet Amy….
Facilitator: Sarah & Laurel
Pounds Lost: 76.6 pounds
Amy, when I saw you a few months before joining Hot Mamas, you weren’t ready to jump on board. What finally made you decide to take that first big step and become a Hot Mama? I think for me I had to be ready to do this. I knew I wanted to give it my 100% all, so it had to be right. I had to be able to jump on the scale and let people know how big I have gotten. It was tough but so worth it. I was also so sick and tired of being so big. I was finally ready to take control and get my life back.
How many pounds have you lost to date with Hot Mamas? I am currently at 76.6 pounds! (Truly amazing, Amy!! Great job!!)
You are the first person to ever be named the “Hottest Mama” twice! GREAT JOB, AMY!! Is the competition piece of Hot Mamas a big motivator for you? If so, are you aiming for a third win?!! Competition is a huge piece of my weight loss puzzle. I am a very, very competitive person, with others as well as with myself, so it was a great fit for me…lose weight in a competition setting AND win lots of money!! I have done other weight loss programs before and taken off a little but nothing like this. I need the competition and the accountability to be successful. Hot Mamas was, and is, the only reason I was, and am, able to do this. As far as a winning again, I would love to do it for a third time. I am currently in fifth place I think, so don't count me out!
When you started your first session, did you have a goal weight in mind that you would like to reach? If so, have you gotten there yet? When I first started with Hot Mamas, I wanted to lose 100 pounds…and I am getting there! I am close to 80 down now. I am thinking that will be a good weight, but who knows. I want to be light, healthy, quick, and comfortable in my own skin. I am not there yet, but I am on the end part of my journey.
You have consistently lost weight over the past six months…what is your secret? Have you cut out certain foods altogether or are you at the point where you can have everything in moderation? When I did my first 14 week session in Hot Mamas, I was so super strict. Gym 3-5 times a week. Major calories burned each time. Very strict diet. No cheating. Second session was a little more relaxed. I was working more, which meant less gym time. I was still pretty strict with my diet, but occasionally I would splurge a little. Now being the third session, I am struggling. I am slowing down. I am so busy with school and life that the “journey” is taking a back seat. But I am almost ready to kick it into gear again, so watch out! I am finding I can definitely maintain, but I still need to lose a bit more.
My biggest secret is my diet plan that I got from a personal trainer. I keep my carbs under 40 a day. I eat 1,700 calories for four days, and then I drop it down to 1,100 for three. And it works. That usually means I get most of my carbs from vegetables…no bread, rice, and pasta. I can eat anything I want and maintain but for me to lose weight I need to be careful.
You seem to have always been an outgoing person. Do you think your size/weight has any effect on your self-esteem and how outgoing you are? If so, how do you think it has changed now that you’ve lost so much weight? I have always been an outgoing person, but during my heaviest my self-esteem was pretty low. I didn’t let that stop me from doing anything, but I didn’t like how I felt or looked. I hated only being able to shop at one store…never having stylish clothes. I was stuck in a fat body and I needed to get out. Now that I have lost so much, I can shop at any store…and even better, I am not the biggest size in any store! I am much happier, healthier, and more energenic. I feel more confident. I am still not where I want to be, but I know it is not too far off.
If a friend/family member was thinking about joining Hot Mamas, what would you tell her? I have actually gotten one of my friends to join with me, and I think she likes it a lot. It is making her accountable and pushes her. I have tried to get a few other friends and family members to do it, but they are afraid of other people knowing their weight. I have tried to explain that no one cares what that scale says in Hot Mamas. We are there to support each other and cheer each other on. There will always be someone bigger than us and always someone smaller. Plus, if you win, there's a boat load of money!!!
Now that you’ve won all this money by becoming the “Hottest Mama” TWICE, and you have a new smokin’ hot body, what are you going to spend your winnings on?!
Well, I have won over $1,300 with Hot Mamas so far. I hadn't really bought anything for myself. I have decided to use my money to take my family on a trip to Disney. We leave in two weeks. A few days ago I went to the Lucky Jeans Store and decided to see if I could fit into their jeans…and I DID!! And it wasn't even the biggest size!! SO I bought them!! They were expensive, but I love, love, love them! (And you deserve it, Amy!)
How did you feel when you were named the Hottest Mama? (BOTH TIMES, YOU LUCKY GIRL! )
I was so excited! I worked so hard to win. I dieted, exercised, and worked my heart out!
YOU’VE COME SO FAR, AMY!! After you’ve reached your lifetime goal, do you have any plans on what to strive for next to keep you motivated to keep the weight off? Sky diving, running, backpacking across the country perhaps? Well, when I have taken the full 100 pounds off, I would like to do a few things. I would love to train for a triathlon. I would love to get a Boob Job (HA-HA). But the first thing I am going to try and do is get on the Joy Fit Club (Today Show) and tell them all about my journey and HOT MAMAS! I think Hot Mamas is a great program, and it works!!
What does your family/friends think about your weight loss transformation?! My family is so proud of my weight loss, and my friends as well! I was so unhealthy before, but now I’m a healthier and more active person. My husband tells me I look the same size as when we first met!! Not quite!
I have had some negativity surrounding my weight loss. Some people think I haven't done this on my own. That hurts a lot because I have worked so hard. It did take away a little bit of my joy. But I am capable of doing this. I believe when someone is ready and they set their mind to it, anyone can do this. It might not be as fast as me, but everyone can be successful. I have struggled, but I am determined. I want to be the healthiest I can be. I want to feel my best. I want to look my best. I want to be able to run as hard and as fast as my kids.
Introducing our
Hot Mamas Of The Month
October 2009
We would like to honor these two members for all of the hard work and dedication they have put into changing their lives since becoming Hot Mamas by sharing their amazing stories with all of you. We are extremely proud of their accomplishments and believe they are perfect examples of what being a Hot Mama is all about!
Meet Deb & Amy…our Hot Mamas for the month of October!MEET DEB....
Facilitator: Corrie
Pounds Lost: 53.2 pounds!
Deb, first things first…what/who made you take that first leap to becoming a Hot Mama? Corrie came to dance and said, “Honey, you need to join this!” And I had heard about it from a few people who had lost weight, and knowing Corrie would be my facilitator made me make up my mind that now is the time to do this for me!!!
Have you always struggled with your weight or was this one of those nice surprises that Mother Nature springs on us after our twenties? I have always had to watch what I eat, but it just got harder to keep at it and keep it off as I got older.
Friendly competition seems to be one of the pieces of the Hot Mamas program that works for your group. Before you started did you think of yourself as a competitive person? I've always been a little competitive, but I will say it does help to keep you on track as I always want to be on the top of the "Leader Board." (Leader Board: Top percentages for the week are highlighted…gives us all that little extra boost of motivation to keep on going!!)
When you started your first session, did you have a goal weight in mind that you would like to reach? Has it changed over time?
I started out with a goal of 70 pounds, but I honestly thought that was unrealistic and was hoping for 50lbs. Now that I have reached 50, I don't think 70 is unrealistic…but I do think it will be a longer time to lose this last 17 pounds.
You look incredible!! Truly Amazing! How much weight have you lost since the start of your first session? I believe I am currently up to about 53.2 pounds! (That’s over 50 pounds GONE FOREVER! Great job, Deb!!)
I've seen you out and about many times walking off those pounds over the last several months! If you had to describe your daily activity before Hot Mamas, what would it be? I will admit I never exercised much before…an occasional walk, but that was about it. And even after I started Hot Mamas, I didn't join the gym until four or five weeks later, but it made such a difference I got hooked! I go to the gym about six days a week; and if not, I will walk 3-4 miles with my buddy, Tracy (fellow Hot Mama).
Some people want to lose weight for one specific reason, i.e., a wedding, class reunion. What has kept you motivated to get to the weight you are at today? I would say I feel better than I have in a long time. I sleep much better…no heartburn, etc. when I sleep. My family is so proud of me! And, of course, the wedding! (Deb’s daughter Kendra was recently engaged to be married! Congratulations, Kendra! Both of you are going to look beautiful!)
If a friend called you up the day before you started with Hot Mamas and asked you to go to the beach for the day, what would be your first thought? Has that changed now that you have lost so much weight?! I would of said, “Oh my, God, no!!!” And that goes for all sorts of occasions. I would always find excuses for not going to events because I was uncomfortable with how I looked. Now I can't wait to put on a new outfit and go out and join my friends!!!
What does being a Hot Mama mean to you? I love being a part of this group, the support system, the information on the boards...I am so proud to tell everyone I am a Hot Mama!
What advice would you give to a close friend/family member contemplating joining the Hot Mamas? Do it!!! You will never regret it. The support is unbelievable…and having to be accountable each week, it works!
Your group has a special bond with Corrie, your facilitator. She always seems to know what to say to cheer you on and cheer you up if/when it's needed! Do you think having a personal relationship with your facilitator has anything to do with your weight loss success? Oh, definitely! Corrie always says the right thing you need to hear. She's a great cheerleader when you need it most, and I think the "personal" bond she creates with each of us makes you want to do well because she is truly so proud of you each and every week. If you have a "bad" week, she gives you helpful ideas to help you have a better "next" week.
What one word would describe yourself before Hot Mamas…and after? Before Hot Mamas…Uncomfortable. After Hot Mamas…Confident.
We all love to see the “before” and “after” pictures when Hot Mamas lose their weight, but seeing the real life moments in black and white are pretty incredible as well! Deb had the following to say about this great picture with her son…
I really don't have any pictures of me that aren’t just a headshot, but when I thought about this picture I thought this really says it all about being a Hot Mama. My son won his first race in a modified last week, and until Hot Mamas I NEVER would have joined in this victory picture. I would have stayed on the sidelines and taken lots of pictures, but I would have refused to be in one.
Now, the point is…it was a rainy, windy day. We were dressed in a ton of layers. The picture does not show that I have a weight loss really, but what it does show (to me) is that I can now enjoy all the exciting moments in my family’s lives without being embarrassed about how I look. I can't tell you in words how much Hot Mamas has done for me...but to me, this picture tells it all.
