Thank so much Sabrina for sharing your story! You look fanastic! – Leila
Who are you?: Sabrina Wnorowski, 29 (30 in April!) I live in New Jersey USA. I am single with no kids.
Blog/Website/Twitter: I don’t actively use any blogs or twitter but anyone can feel free to email me at albrightsab@hotmail.com.
What made you realize you were unhappy with your health?: I had always been around the high end of my healthy weight range but being 5’10′ I was able to pull it off. That was until I went to College…I had never been active or exercised on any regular basis and I fell victim to the dreaded freshmen 15! The overabundance of food and nap times hit me hard. When I came home from college that year my Father (who never made any comment about anyone’s weight) asked me the question no woman wants to hear…”did you put on a few pounds?” I was mortified! Knowing my Father was not a healthy weight himself, I took it seriously. Suddenly I could see it like I hadn’t seen it all year. I realized I was buying bigger and bigger sizes without even taking notice. I couldn’t believe that no one else around me had pointed out my weight gain, and I was almost angry about it. The next week I signed me and one of my friends up for a gym for the summer, as a late birthday gift for both of us, and I never looked back!
What was your highest weight?: The highest I know of was 185lbs (84kg) – exactly 15lbs more than my pre-college physical
What were the most important changes you made to get healthy?: I made exercise a major part of my life. I believe you can lose weight through diet alone but to be healthy and maintain weight loss you need to stay active. I also started to educate myself on healthy living. So many of us grow up never being taught how to make healthy choices or even how to read a nutrition label. I started reading reliable sources of information and trying new ways to eat.
How much weight did you lose?: 50 lbs (22kg) and I have kept off the weight for 10 years!
How long did it take you to reach your goals?: I lost about 80% of that weight over the summer, the rest came over the next year or so. I didn’t use a diet or spend hours in the gym. But I did make sure I hit the gym at least 5 days a week and took out the unhealthy eating habits from my day. When you are honest with yourself about what you are putting in your body and how you are treating it, it is amazing how quickly your body will respond!
How has your life changed now that you’re stronger & healthier?: I am more confident about myself, both in and out of the gym! I remember that the first time I went on an elliptical I had to step off after 2 minutes! It seemed impossible. It sounds cliche but its true that once you see something as big as weight loss is not impossible, it does make you start to feel better about all aspects of your life. I became more confident in social situations, relationships, even school and work. Reaching any goal in your life gives you hope and confidence for other areas. So if you cut time off your mile run or bench press 10 lbs more, then the next presentation at work, or date with a new guy, doesnt seem as scary.
How do you keep yourself motivated?: This experience in my life has given me an appreciation for how you can change your body. Even after being inactive and unhealthy for the first 18 years of my life, I was able to get in the gym and train my body to adapt. The great thing about the body is there is no “final product”. You can continue to make changes and that is what keeps me going. It is not a quest for perfection, but the sense of accomplishment that I enjoy.
What are your two favourite ways to exercise?: My favorite cardio is Zumba class! I love looking around the room and seeing so many people of different body shapes and abilities, and yet we are all sweating together having fun and no one worries about anyone else! I have also learned to love strength training. Attention girls: lifting is NOT just for guys! Lifting is a great way to see yourself improve because you can notice when you can add on weight easier then when you can work harder at cardio. The visual improvement is a great motivator and muscle building is just as important for your body and health.
List your two favourite healthy eating tips: Don’t be fooled by what I call unhealthy food in disguise. It is the flavored instant oatmeals, or the “low fat” greek yogurts. The better option is plain oatmeal and add your own favorite food or spice, or pick the non-fat yogurt flavors (there are plenty of good non-fat flavors!). You would be surprised how much you can save in sugars and fats by reading labels and making smarter choices.
I also always say eat “light”. Think about what you are eating and how it will feel after, if it will sit heavy and uncomfortable in your stomach, its probably not good for you! Eating fresh and as close to the earth as possible is always best!
If you could tell “before” you one thing, what would it be?: It is worth it! It is worth it to make healthy choices to feel good and to save money (being unhealthy is statistically proven to be more expensive) Oh and to start now because its so much harder to learn to live healthy as an adult then it would be to start a healthy-living lifestyle while you are young.
If you would like to share your story on Get Fit Girls please contact me!
