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Instant Loss - Conveniently Cook Your Way To Weight Loss

Encouragement. Motivation. Delicious Recipes.

in 2018 New Year Challenge· Diary· Encouragement· Monthly Member Spotlight· Weight Loss Stories

Monthly Member Spotlight {Denise}

I am so happy to be able to share my personal story of success and struggles with everyone. I got an Instant Pot for my birthday last fall and stumbled upon The Instant Loss Facebook page while trying to find recipes. It was fate intervening at the perfect time!

I have been over weight my entire adult life. However, I always considered myself a healthy overweight person. Last September, I started to feel swollen and bloated all the time, my reflux was out of control, my blood pressure was slowly creeping up to high normal range, and my joints were hurting. I knew all this was directly related to my weight. I was out of control with my eating. I ate because I was hungry, bored, happy; sad….any emotion was an excuse to eat. My portions were also out of control. I could eat more than my husband.

Sometimes I would stop and get donuts or fast food and hide the trash at the bottom of the garbage can out of embarrassment. As bad as I physically felt, that was still not enough motivation for me to change my eating habits. I would think about how much weight I had to lose and would get so depressed I would just go eat bad stuff. Totally doesn’t make any sense!!

Last fall, my eight year old son told me he wanted to go zip lining with me this summer on vacation. I love an adventure but I knew in my mind there was no way I would safely be able to zip line at my weight of 300 pounds. That was all the motivation I needed to start living a healthy life. I did not want my son to grow up and think that I chose food over him and that’s why I could never participate in fun activities with him.

I told my husband I was getting ready to make a major change. I didn’t know what I was going to do at the time, and I gave myself a month to research and make an educated thought out decision. I loved Brittany’s approach to eating and how willingly she was to share her success with others. I picked a day to start my journey, cleaned out the pantry and fridge and haven’t looked back once! My total weight loss goal is 150lbs with 55 lbs. left to reach my goal. I am so close to 100lbs lost! Thinking about the weight that I have already lost, is surreal to me. I always read stories of people having such weight loss success but never dreamed that I could achieve something like this for myself. If I can do it……so can you!!

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When I reflect on my life, I can identify several life events and factors that aided my eating issues. First, my father was killed in an accident when I was twelve years old. About a year later, my mother started dating again and by the time I was sixteen she was leaving me home alone all weekend so she could sleep at her boyfriend’s house. I never realized how much that affected me until I became a mother. Shortly after I got married, my wonderful mother in law passed away suddenly and a month later my father in law had a massive stroke, leaving him paralyzed. He died a year before my son was born.

My husband and I tried for ten years to have a baby and ended up having fertility treatments to get pregnant. We have one healthy son who just turned nine years old. When my son was three, I made the hard decision to sever my relationship with my mother for various personal reasons. As much as it hurt, it was the right decision for both me and my son. Not everyone has a mother that loves them unconditionally and learning to accept that was really hard.

My husband and I packed up our life and moved eight hours away from the family drama. So now, my husband and I are all he has for family. It breaks my heart that he doesn’t know the love of grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. Through all of these life events, I chose to eat my emotions rather than talk them out. Fortunately, I have been blessed with the best “framily” anyone could ask for in life. My friends have been so supportive in my journey. It really helps to have so many people rooting for your success.

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I work as a nurse in a neonatal intensive care unit. I work full time nights. My job can be stressful and sad at times (read “stress eating” between the lines!). Anyone who works in the medical field knows there is always some sort of treat in the break room or potlucks being organized constantly. If I know there will be treats at work, I make one of Brittany’s yummy desserts and bring that for myself so I don’t feel so deprived and still participate in the fun! Working nights is a beast in itself on my metabolism. My body never knows what it is supposed to be doing, and when! So it has been difficult to find the happy medium of what works for my body.

 I started JERF eating officially in November 2017 and as of today I have lost a total of 95 lbs. and over 60 inches. When I hit 50 lbs. lost, I wanted to add working out into my routine. I joined Orange Theory and love it!! I feel so much better physically! My husband also jumped on the band wagon and has lost 40lbs and my son, wanting to help us, made himself our accountability coach. It has become a family effort. My son is my number one reason for my life change. To see the joy on his face when he tells me he can wrap his arms completely around me is all I need to keep me going to lose the remaining 55lbs. In June of this summer, I came through on my promise to him and we zip lined together! He was so happy he cried right there on the zip line platform!

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 It has not always been easy for me. I still struggle with my self-confidence and body image issues. I also obsess over the scale to a fault. There have been many times on this journey when I have had emotional breakdowns from frustration, anger that I let myself get this big, and emotional issues in trying to forgive myself and others for wrong choices and decisions in life that have led me to where I am right now.

From the beginning my husband and I decided we were going to treat this as a lifestyle change and not a diet. We do allow some cheats here and there but it is never a spontaneous cheat. It is always a planned thing because of vacation or a weekend campout with friends. We always get right back to it the next day. Although I have a good bit more to lose, I know I will reach my goal because of the core changes I have made and the basics of JERFing I have learned from Brittany. I can honestly say that Brittany changed my life, gave me hope, and most importantly gave my son a healthy, active, engaged mom. None of us are perfect and we all have struggles, but knowing that we are not struggling alone sometimes makes it a little easier to face the challenges in this health journey a little easier. 

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Filed Under: 2018 New Year Challenge, Diary, Encouragement, Monthly Member Spotlight, Weight Loss Stories

« August Monthly Weight Loss Weigh In {Rebecca and Dan}
Gluten and Sugar Free Lactation Cookies »

Comments

  1. Roxanne V says

    August 27, 2018 at 4:44 pm

    Oh HONEY!!! What a JOY that was to read. Wow, 100#!!! So proud of your progress and determination and consistency! I could learn a thing or two from you! XOXO

    Reply
  2. Sarah says

    August 27, 2018 at 5:15 pm

    WOW, what an inspiration! Keep up the great work!

    Reply
  3. Renee says

    August 28, 2018 at 6:22 am

    Thank you for sharing your story. I too know the pain from disconnected parent(s) and have had to navigate my own path of healing. I remind myself that whatever caused the brokeness I do not and will not continue the cycle. Keep taking care of you and your own because you do have value. I am down 38 pounds and have 55 pounds to go!

    Reply
  4. Rebecca says

    August 28, 2018 at 7:42 am

    “In June of this summer, I came through on my promise to him and we zip lined together! He was so happy he cried right there on the zip line platform!”

    You have made my day! What a lovely image. 🙂

    Reply
  5. Lisa says

    August 29, 2018 at 11:41 am

    You are absolutely beautiful! I never comment on posts, but your story so touched my heart, I saved it to come back to. Good for you MOMMA!! None of us are perfect, and I lift you up for such an awesome decision. Taking care of you has wonderful benefits for your relationship with your Son not just now, but well into the future. Anything is possible if we convince our mind to do it. Many Blessings to you and your family!

    Reply
  6. Aimee Brissey says

    May 16, 2019 at 5:33 am

    Thank you for sharing your story. Literally tears as I read this. so many similarities to our stories. I am also a ER nurse and totally relate. Have been following Brittany for over a year now.. and she inspired me to get a instant pot. Never have gotten around to committing 100% just as you know its a viscous cycle especially with the work stress and food has become my coping and comfort. After reading this I am ready to go. You have no idea the impact you have just by sharing your stores. Maybe one day soon I will be sharing my own personal victories!

    Reply
    • Admin Instant Loss says

      June 4, 2019 at 10:16 am

      Thank you Aimee for your sweet words! I wish you nothing but the absolute best on your personal journey! Just remember to take everything one day at a time! You’ve got this! <3

      Reply

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Your group has come at such a good time for me. I just want to say thanks! I might not have lost any weight (yet) but you ‘live’ in our house. Mini muffins, lentil chili, those almond strawberry cookies… When my husband tells me how delicious these new recipes are the response is always, “Britt’s recipe!” I talk about you like we just went out for coffee Hahaha. I appreciate all the work you’re putting into your website and the fb group. I feel better about myself just being a part of it.

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Your story and success is very motivational and inspiring. I am looking forward to following your motivation. -Christie
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We got back home on Monday night and first thing T We got back home on Monday night and first thing Tuesday morning Brady and I got back to it. I’ve learned over the years that not leaving trip indulgences on the trip can be a slippery slope. As soon as we come back home it’s back to our normal grind.⁣
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I ate gluten and dairy-full pizza, ate an ice cream cookie bar shaped like Mickey’s face, there was even a churro in there! In the midst of that most of my meals were still pretty healthy— I ate a taco bowl, a few salads, and tried to drink plenty of water. ⁣
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I’ll be tracking again for a short time as we get back on track, I always do. I’ll post workouts and my food log in stories. If you’re curious to see one of my past back-on-tracks aka BOT, visit my October BOT highlight on Instagram. ⁣
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It’s never too late to start again, you’ve just got to start. I’ve gotten back on track a million times, it doesn’t mean you can’t do it, it just means you’re as human as the rest of us! ❤️⁣
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Warning: my first few days BOT are always lighter food days. I’m usually still feeling a bit overfull so I’m more light snacky. A few days in it always picks back up. These are not meal plans designed for you to follow. This is just what I’m doing and I’m being brutally honest while I do it. ⁣
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Also, we have zero groceries, I’m having some delivered today since we are quarantined for two weeks post trip so today’s food should be more exciting than popcorn, Lentil Flatbread BLT’s, and leftover sweet potato crackers from trip. 🤣
3 1/2 years ago we flew to California to see if th 3 1/2 years ago we flew to California to see if the weather would help alleviate Aveys JRA. ⁣
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Flying had always been an extremely uncomfortable experience for me. I was always too hot and I would have to hold myself very still so I didn’t rub the people beside me. My legs would spill under the armrests onto the other seats. I was always apologizing to those next to me because the seats were just too small. ⁣
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There is a part of me that feels relieved now because my current body size is accommodated. I don’t have to squeeze myself through isles or wear the seatbelt on the largest setting, but I still carry frustration that plus sizes, though making up a large number of our populace, are not accommodated and experience embarrassment and shame while flying.⁣
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So while this is a very real non-scale victory for me, I feel less joy and more motivation to continue to help push for inclusivity and comfort for all sizes. ❤️
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Taking the weekend off, flew to FL yesterday with Taking the weekend off, flew to FL yesterday with the kiddos to visit the most magical place on earth! Happy 10 year anniversary babe! If you’ve been, drop your suggestions for us below. ❤️
Green Screen Magic! Sharing about Instant Loss on Green Screen Magic! Sharing about Instant Loss on a Budget with news stations all around the country today! ⁣
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Have you picked up your copy yet?
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What tasty things have you made from Instant Loss What tasty things have you made from Instant Loss on a Budget this week? What do you think of the new book?⁣ I would love to hear your thoughts! 
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Weekly News:⁣
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1. Instant Loss Eat Real, Lose Weight is 1/2 off on Amazon! Grab it with your copy of Instant Loss on a Budget and kick this year off in a real positive way!⁣
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2. Our new community challenge begins on the 10th! I would love it if you joined us! For more visit DietBet.com/instantloss⁣
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3. Brady and I are doing a little 12-week fitness challenge with one another. You can find all past videos on my TikTok (username: instantloss) or watch daily on stories!⁣

4. We extended the pre-order bonus through first week of sales! If you bought the book this week head over to my website (instantloss.com) and download the free recipe ebook that has never before seen recipes! My special gift to you as a thank you for your support! 
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5. YOU CAN.
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Happy day of rest, I hope you have a lovely rest of your weekend!
I used to think that being smaller was impossible I used to think that being smaller was impossible for me.⁣
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I used to blame my size on my bones, my upbringing, my DNA.⁣
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Even when I wasn’t trying to lose weight, losing weight was always something in the back of mind looming over me. Like this big thing I needed to do but hadn’t checked off my to-do list yet.⁣
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Sometimes it was all I could think about. ⁣
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No one wanted to date me, even though I was a super cool, mega awesome chick. All of my friends had boyfriends and I literally only had boys that were friends. ⁣
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I had back issues that my doctor wrote off as weight issues but they weren’t weight issues, they were actual issues caused by severe muscle separation. But my weight was always the answer.⁣
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I found a different OB after I gave birth to Avey because she told me that if I wanted to have another baby with her I needed to lose at least 80 pounds before she’d take me as a patient again.⁣
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I felt like my body betrayed me. ⁣
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It betrayed me with disease, with miscarriages, still birth, emergency cesareans when I had planned for natural births, rashes, uncontrollable sweating, not fitting into a single piece of clothing at Target and irregular cycles... I could go on.⁣
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It sounds sad when you put it all together like that but I wasn’t sad, well, sometimes I was sad— but it wasn’t part of my character. ⁣
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I spent years trying to escape myself when what I really needed to do was befriend myself. Have enough respect for her to learn how to care for her— because I really didn’t know. And then have enough patience and trust in the new behaviors I was creating to stick with them, even when I wasn’t seeing change fast enough. ⁣
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When I embarked on this health journey in 2017, it wasn’t for weight loss, that was just a happy accident. ⁣
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I was in heavy pursuit of befriending my long neglected body. I knew that if I could find it within myself to care for her she’d have the tools to take care of me.⁣
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And that is exactly what happened.
I love making plant based yogurts! They ferment di I love making plant based yogurts! They ferment differently than dairy based yogurts and need the help of gelatin and a refrigerator to reach true yogurt consistency.⁣
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I have a recipe for Coconut Milk Yogurt on the website (instantloss.com) that is absolutely fabulous but buying canned coconut milk can get pricey. For Budget I developed a recipe using Oat Milk! It’s a tangy greek yogurt style yogurt— add berries, dried fruit, coconut flakes and a little bit of honey and you have an awesome treat! OR use it to make the gluten-free Everything Bagels! ⁣
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Find Instant Loss on a Budget in stores now! ⁣
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