Hello Healthi family, Coach Ashley here! Welcome to the Healthi Interview Series where I’ll be interviewing Healthi Members on their weight loss journeys. If you are looking for more inspiration, motivation, maybe some real-life experiences of people and their weight loss journeys, look no further!
I’ll be chatting with Healthi members and coaches to bring some insight and fresh perspective on what it takes to lose weight and keep it off. In these interviews, members will get to share details about their journeys, goals, motivation, food choices, exercises, and more!
I hope these interviews bring you inspiration and motivation to help you in your journey! Whether you’re just starting your weight loss journey or you’re looking for new strategies to stay on track, there are many effective and sustainable ways to achieve your goals. With the help of your supportive Healthi Coaches and Members, and a commitment to healthy habits, you can reach your weight loss goals and live a happier, Healthi-er life.
Today, I’m interviewing Healthi Member, Allie!
First, please introduce yourself! Tell us a little bit about you and the Healthi plan you chose.
Allie: Hi! I’m Allie, a 40 year old mom of 2 teenage girls, married to my high school sweetheart. I work full time, mostly from home, but do go into my office usually about 1 day a week. I also have 2 dogs, am constantly decorating and rearranging my house and love to travel!
I chose the Better Balance plan because it feels the most like real, balanced eating to me. I want to be able to eat all different sorts of food and just better understand portions and how those foods are filling me up. I love the Healthi app! I love that it is affordable, and is easy to use. I love that it gives me meal suggestions and recipes. I love the community of people who use Healthi on Instagram and all of the recipes and encouragement they have shared.
What motivated you to start your weight loss journey?
Allie: I have been on the weight loss roller coaster since I had my kids in my 20’s. Finding a balance has always been hard for me and after spending 2020 using food as my comfort I decided to really commit by the end of January of 2021. I had seen a friend post a 75 day challenge that included a balance of exercise, reading, drinking water and following a diet of your choice. I had been on a journey of mental health with my therapist since 2017 and it felt like it was the right time to start working on my physical health. I knew the “diet of my choice” would be to track through the Healthi app.
Have you tried losing weight before? If so, what worked for you and what didn’t work?
Allie: As I mentioned, I had been on a roller coaster of weight loss throughout my 20’s and 30’s. I tried almost all of the things– pills, wraps, high protein, and fasting. None of these things were sustainable for me and none of them gave me lasting results. The only thing I did find that would work for the periods of time I could afford it was weight watchers. I would find success with weight watchers when being held accountable at meetings. But if I couldn’t get to meetings because of kids, or had to discontinue WW because I couldn’t afford it, I lost track of my mindfulness and the weight would come back.
What are your favorite healthy foods, and how do you incorporate them into your diet?
Allie: As much as I can, I try to eat food that I know is going to fill me up and give me energy.
I love measuring a tablespoon of peanut butter and chopping a banana into it.
Cut up strawberries, apples and pears are some of my favorites. Fruit was always hard for me, and I have found simply cutting them up makes them more delicious to me.
I love cauliflower rice and adding it as a substitute for any rice. Rice has actually never been my favorite and finding a nice filling substitute has been great.
We have also found the chicken fajitas are a family favorite. Anytime I can find a meal that includes lean meats and veggies that the whole family likes, it’s a win!
How do you stay motivated to continue your weight loss journey?
Allie: Like so many, I have created and curated an Instagram account that is all about my health journey. I post regularly on my progress and follow other inspirational, motivational accounts. I find recipes from others and find tips and tricks. It’s a great community. It has completely replaced the need I had to go to in person meetings. It’s like I have a meeting any time I want it.
Have you incorporated exercise into your weight loss plan? If so, what types of exercise do you enjoy?
Allie: Yes! A lot of exercise actually! My goal is to get 90 mins of exercise a day. I know that sounds like A LOT but it usually breaks down to about an hour of walking outside, 10 mins of yoga stretching and 20 mins of dancing (my most favorite activity) or strength training.
I love getting outside of my house for my walks and breathing in the fresh air. I have gone through countless walking shoes since beginning this journey. I walk outside no matter the weather! Rain, snow, sun, wind, I’m out there. It’s all just about how you prepare yourself.
But as mentioned above, dancing is my most favorite activity. Sometimes I do free YouTube dance workouts and sometimes I just pop my headphones in and dance around my house. This truly brings me joy and changes my mood.
What do you think are the biggest obstacles to losing weight, and how do you plan to overcome them?
Allie: I think the biggest obstacle for me is finding a balance. The food part of weight loss is the biggest, most important part for me. Trying to find a balance between what is healthy, what isn’t, when I need to give myself a break. I go through periods of being less mindful and being more mindful. I think the most important part is remembering what works and knowing it’s always possible to get back on track.
How do you plan to maintain your weight loss once you reach your goal?
Allie: I believe maintaining is easiest when you don’t leave the community. We all need reminders of where we’ve been, what it has taken us to get here and that there are people out there on the same journey as us. Again, I use Instagram as sort of an online diary. Along with the Healthi app, it helps me to track my progress and reflect. Reflecting on how I feel now versus how I used to feel is great for keeping me motivated to stay on track.
What is one fun NSV (non-scale victory) you achieved that may not have been expected?
Allie: Every time I put clothes on and am comfortable in them, that is a NSV I don’t expect. You would think by now I would be used to putting clothes on and being comfortable in them, but it really is a new sensation almost every time and I am so thankful for it.
If you could only pick one vegetable to have for the rest of your life, what would it be? What about fruit?
Allie: Lettuce! I love salad. Can’t imagine life without it.
Although I eat a banana almost every day, I think fruit would be an apple. I don’t eat them as often, but a peeled, sliced apple is pretty perfect.
If you could only work out with one type of exercise equipment for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
Allie: This might sound weird but all I need for working out are my headphones! Whether it’s listening to a podcast while I walk, or music while I dance, headphones are all I need!
What wonderful inspiration and motivation! Thank you so much for sharing, Allie!
