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 not only Healthi Members, but Coaches as well, 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 chatting with Healthi Meeting Coach Monica, who is such an inspiration and has some wonderful words of wisdom for weight loss!
First, please introduce yourself! Tell us a little bit about you, your journey, and the Healthi plan you chose.
Monica: Hello! My name is Monica, I’m a Texas girl born and raised but I currently live in the beautiful mountains of Colorado. In 2021, I had weight loss surgery and lost 106 lbs and counting. In my current stage of life I have the benefit of working from home (I work in tech), and it has been such a game changer for not only my mental health but my wellness journey as a whole. I’m currently using the Calorie Command Healthi plan because it aligns with my goals and food plan from weight loss surgery.
What motivated you to start your weight loss journey?
Monica: Honestly, I have always been on a weight loss journey so there are several instances in my life where I have been motivated to kick my behind into gear. In the second grade, I was told that I needed to drink diet coke to lose weight (kids were mean), so I have consistently been working to do so since then. However, the most recent catalyst was the unexpected passing of my aunt in 2019. She passed away from stage four cancer and while her diagnosis was shocking, the passing hit me even harder. I knew at that moment that I needed to lose weight. My body needed to be prepared to fight anything that would come my way, and I have been working towards sustained weight loss since then.
How do you stay motivated to continue your weight loss journey?
Monica: I say this all the time but consistency breeds motivation. You are not always going to be motivated to continue to do something, but when you stay consistent and see the mental and physical changes, it keeps me going. Overall, I stay motivated through my progress pictures and remembering that I would love to go back in time and let the old version of me know that anything is possible if we just start moving forward.
Have you tried losing weight before? If so, what worked for you and what didn’t work?
Monica: I have been trying to lose weight since a young age. I have tried everything. WW, Nutrisystem, Slimfast, Shakeology, Low Carb, anything and everything. While I did see some short term success on most of these programs, none of them were sustainable. I’m a foodie. Actually, I’m a chef (I graduated from culinary school) so I wanted to find a program that allowed me to eat good food without feeling too restrictive.
What are your favorite healthy foods, and how do you incorporate them into your diet?
Monica: Healthy to me is a subjective term, but I love cauliflower rice and protein pasta. Additionally, I really enjoy eating fruits and vegetables. All of these things I incorporate fairly easily into my diet. When I cook burrito bowls, I do half cauliflower rice and half brown rice to bulk up the dish and sneak in some veggies. Protein pasta I use for quick pasta salads for lunch or a nice spaghetti dinner. Personally, I try to eat a fruit or a veggie with every meal or snack.
Have you incorporated exercise into your weight loss plan? If so, what types of exercise do you enjoy?
Monica: I love exercise. As someone who struggles with a little bit of anxiety, exercise is my stress relief. I typically workout in the mornings (5AM club), about 3-4 times per week. Leg and back days are my favorite. I love how much my legs have toned up from losing weight and getting in the gym. Also, I used to hate the way my back looked before losing weight. Now, I focus on toning it up in the gym, and I love the progress. I don’t have any specific exercises that I enjoy, but anything to work on those areas.
What do you think are the biggest obstacles to losing weight, and how do you plan to overcome them?
Monica: Some of the biggest obstacles to losing weight are self doubt, comparison, body dysmorphia, chasing a number on a scale and being too focused on the end result and not the journey. For me, I plan to overcome these things by continuing to focus on the point of my journey that I am on now. I don’t think about my end goal because I’m not there yet. I choose to focus on the positive and to take things one day at a time. When those negative thoughts creep up, I whip out the progress pictures and videos, and it brings me back to reality.
How do you plan to maintain your weight loss once you reach your goal?
Monica: I have been maintaining an over 100 lb loss for almost two years, so I just plan to continue doing what I’m doing now. Focus on my protein, healthy eating habits and most importantly my mental health. Losing weight is only half the battle, you have to be mentally prepared to still live in the body that you created.
If you could create a new healthy eating trend, what would it be?
Monica: Hmm…this is a good one. Honestly, I don’t know because I don’t eat a lot of the current healthy eating trends. All I can say is can we make pasta cool again? Let’s get fancy with some healthy pasta bowls…and I don’t mean zucchini noodles. Maybe protein pasta.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned on your weight loss journey so far?
Monica: I have learned that I am so worthy. The old version of me had no self-confidence. I didn’t want to draw attention to myself (which is funny because I was a theater kid) because I didn’t want to be judged based on my weight. Now, I know that I am worthy of taking up space in a room. I don’t have to hide myself for anyone. My confidence is through the roof.
What’s your favorite motivational quote or mantra that keeps you going when you feel like giving up?
Monica: Starve your fears and feed your focus. This mantra gets me through everything. It is something I post on my instagram, and something that I mention a million times in my weekly Healthi coaching meetings. When you starve out all of your fears and focus on your gifts and the things you can control, you’re unstoppable.
Wow, such powerful words. Truly wonderful advice, Monica! Thanks for chatting, and we wish you all the best in your journey!
