It all started with the pic of my melting leg.
Summer 2006
I was pushing close to 190 pounds — always tired. Couldn’t run and play with my kids. I had no energy and I did NOT look hawt. So I started walking and counting calories, and lost a tad bit of weight. But I didn’t get wise to snapping an official “before” pic until early that next year:
Eventually I starting running and added weight training. By the time January 2010 rolled around, although I wasn’t quite “there” yet (because I wasn’t consistent), I got to a point where I at least felt pretty good, gained confidence, and believed I could see this thing through to the end:
January 2010
It wasn’t until I kicked my workouts into consistent high gear in early 2011 and seriously dedicated myself to clean eating — that’s when major results began to unfold…
My mid-section promises to never be perfect, but I feel good about my fitness journey and I will NEVER end my dedication to living healthy and moving my body to stay fit.
May 2012
It honestly could have taken me a lot less time to get to where I am today, but this longer route (my journey) was one that took time for me to develop discipline with food and find a workout style that was right for me: HIIT, Plyometrics and strength training.
January 2013
Don’t wait to get started on your own journey. Work hard. Make it count. And never, ever quit.
XO,
Josie
Sheila says
January 5, 2014 at 11:33 pmHi Josie! Love your transformation and congratulations!
I started working out on a DVD called Brazil Butt Lift by Leandro Carvalho but I don’t think I’m getting the results I want for my abs, though, it did tremendous results for lifting up my bum area.
I call myself as a beginner in workouts and my question is, even though as a beginner, can I accomplish working out using the Totally Ripped Core work out by Bob Harper?
Thank you in advanced and a happy new year to you and your loved ones 🙂
yumyucky says
January 9, 2014 at 2:13 pmHi Sheila. Thanks for stopping by. Although Bob Harper’s workouts are tough, I’m all for beginners trying. There’s always someone in his video doing modified moves. I say get it, do what you can and work up to the entire challenge of the video. Happy New Year!
kerry says
January 10, 2014 at 4:00 pmhow do you get started. how do you know what to stop eating immediately or what exercises to enforce?
I’m shaped very much like your 2007 pic. Thanks for you input.
Lady Ivy says
January 26, 2014 at 1:24 pmI love before / after pics! Congrats on your success so far and I look forward to watching you achieve your ultimate goal…whatever that is! I started my journey about 5 months ago and I am at the point where I seeking support from those who are on the same path. Check out my journey at curvygirlunloaded.com – I will be posting my first side-by-side comparison tomorrow to show my 30 lb shrinkage!
Joshua R. Clark says
February 8, 2014 at 6:34 amWow you made it, hope I can do it too… You look great with your physically fit body…Its because of your perseverance and look its really a transformation…
Becky says
February 14, 2014 at 9:40 amWhat a dramatic change in your appearance! You look stunning, and it’s not just your body, it is clearly visible on your face how much happier and more content you are with yourself!
I would have never believed you are a mother of four children, you’re in a really good shape and you actually look much younger than in the first photos.
You’ve made a great decision and amazing progress in taking care of yourself, I’m also sure you are an inspiration to many. Stay strong and never give up on yourself!
Musu says
May 17, 2014 at 12:48 pmYour website is FANTASTIC! Very down to earth and realistic. I will definitely be a regular visitor in my quest to improve my body and eating habits. Thanks for sharing your story! 🙂
Rosemary Smith says
June 8, 2014 at 4:03 amI love the before and after pics too. Very inspiring – especially so that you have been pregnant along the way! Your blog is great!
yumyucky says
June 11, 2014 at 9:18 amHi Rosemary. Thank you for saying so! And thanks for stopping by the blog.
PlumPetals says
June 27, 2014 at 1:33 pmLoved your story and your message — congratulations on your weight loss. You look amazing 🙂
yumyucky says
July 1, 2014 at 9:51 pmHi PlumPetals. Thanks so much!
Elana says
July 30, 2014 at 12:55 amJosie, you look soooooo amazing. Let me ask you a question, what did you do for your mid-section? After 4 kids, did you find that you had a diastastis? If so, how did you get your abs so tightly knit together (looks that way in picture!) Also, your skin is so tight! I know that most women with multiple children find that they have a lot of loose skin around their belly buttons no matter how thin and fit they become. How did you manage to tighten up the skin so beautifully?
Dylan says
August 19, 2014 at 5:06 amYou are an inspiration to everyone who are striving hard to stay fit. I am into bodybuilding but I love you post. It gives me new avenue of ideas. You are great! I also do blogging about bodybuilding. I am so dedicated with my new passion right now. – workoutbro.blogspot.com
yumyucky says
August 19, 2014 at 10:19 amHi Dylan. Thanks for stopping by. Your site looks good & just follow edon you Google+
Ashley says
September 18, 2014 at 12:12 pmI have enjoyed reading this and find this very inspiring.
info kesehatan says
October 19, 2014 at 9:52 amall your advice so amazing, hopefully I can lose weight just like you
nnekie says
November 2, 2014 at 9:42 amyou look great! honestly, I have battled with my weight for a while now, I currently weigh 84kg, how you help me.iam clueless as per what will work for me. my arms and belly make me ashamed.
Ricky says
November 5, 2014 at 5:54 pmYour inspiration to mothers everywhere showing that you can have 4 kids and still look amazing. Congratulations on your weight loss. You look Great after!!
yumyucky says
November 7, 2014 at 11:09 amHi Ricky. THank you so much! 🙂
Asha Lee says
November 8, 2014 at 8:36 pmAwwe! I loved seeing some of your before and after pictures. I know you said you didn’t get a picture at the start, but I can still see a huge difference. Great job! I lost 30 pounds and it was one of the greatest achievements of my life. Thanks for posting about your story so far. Keep up the awesome work.
yumyucky says
November 10, 2014 at 9:55 amHi Asha. Congrats on your weights loss as well That’s fantastic! Thank you so much for stopping by. 🙂
Rebecca Spratley says
December 9, 2014 at 1:34 pmJust found your website, Its brilliant!! Thank you for all your sharing!! I am going to give this a go… Hopefully I will see such great results 🙂 R
EmmaHolden says
January 24, 2016 at 3:09 amThanks for shared this post help to people who need to loss weight ….how do you get started..?how to weight loss..?
Chris Weight loss says
March 6, 2016 at 9:26 amWAO you are losing good amount of weight keep it up, check out my blog too !
Lori says
April 25, 2016 at 1:10 pmI just came across your blog. I was starting to feel depressed with my weight loss journey. It’s been 4 years and I have lost 25 pounds and am able to run 5 miles- but I feel like it’s “not enough”. So good to see someone else taking the long road. Thank you!
yumyucky says
April 28, 2016 at 12:52 pmHi Lori. Taking the long road isn’t popular, but it’s really does lead to long lasting results. Along the way I’ve learned how my body responds to certain foods and exercise, and I’ve been able to take that knowledge become even fitter and healthier. Honestly truth, I also sometimes feel “not enough”, but that is a very human feeling that can sometimes pop into our heads that I don’t dwell upon (anymore). Make sure you keep enjoying the process and continue to reap the rewards of all your hard work!
Sally Joseph says
November 3, 2016 at 3:28 amAwesome! That was so inspiring to hear that real life can happen and still lose weight! I swear to relax about the food and making the best of it lets our bodies deal with it so much better.
yumyucky says
November 3, 2016 at 11:15 amHi Sally. Yesss! That’s it exactly! Thank you for stopping by. ~Josie
Sam says
November 6, 2016 at 4:24 amHi Josie – love that you love bread and are so real about the weight loss journey and everything else. I followed several tips and hints, and lost 15 pounds. But my weight loss has stagnated and I don’t seem to get it to move down anymore, if anything it is creeping up again. I can’t reduce calories by too much more and in fact wanted to try to go up a few 100 calories. How do I get over tis plateau? Any tips? I am 168 pounds, 43 years old, and eat between 800 to 1000 cals a day.
Noel says
January 18, 2017 at 9:41 amGreat, this is really inspiring for those who want to shed pounds. Thanks for sharing
Matthew Tweedie says
February 10, 2017 at 10:53 pmThat’s Great. You had loos your weight very well. I really appreciate you d work.
simon says
May 31, 2017 at 12:29 amActually, the more that I read this blog, the more I really love it. Full of practical things that you can apply. Good stuff, well done my fellow weight loss advisor. 🙂
simon says
May 31, 2017 at 12:30 amyou look great BTW
yumyucky says
June 22, 2017 at 9:46 amThank you for all of your wonderful comments, Simon.
Sheila Dutt says
July 30, 2017 at 7:42 amHi, I have lost some weight over the last several months and fear as I have lost it so quickly that I won’t keep it off. I, on the other hand, have not done anything so drastic that I feel deprived of anything. I took a nutrition class and learn about nutrient dense foods which sustain my fullness longer. I then looked at serving sizes and caloric intake of my daily habits and made some changes. I have retrained myself to mostly eat if I am hungry and only until that hunger goes away and NOT until I am full (really big difference). I am only 11 pound away from a within normal BMI and will try incorporating some strengthening exercise at that point. My goal is to play without taxing my body with my grandchildren ranging in age from 9 to almost 1. Any tips on being consistent and making exercise random… Something I can stick with?
yumyucky says
July 31, 2017 at 1:30 pmHi Sheila. Congrats on your progress so far! Some random things I do around the house (usually on the days that I had to skip my formal workout for some reason) are to do lunges in the kitchen while waiting for water to boil. Jumping jacks before getting in the shower, leg lifts while laying on the couch, squats while folding clothes…etc etc.
Muhamad Edison A says
August 23, 2017 at 5:09 pmYumyucky,
Thanks for this great post. I really enjoyed reading and learnt a lot…
Ahtisham says
March 12, 2018 at 9:54 amVery inspirational article. Keep up the good work.
Ahtisham says
March 12, 2018 at 9:55 amVery inspirational article it is. Keep up the good work.
Beck says
April 9, 2018 at 8:28 pmHello Josie, Very inspiring and motivational!
Doing such kind of workouts are never easy. I like your before and after pictures,
Thanks for giving me motivation to keep myself fit.