My name is Luz Arteaga (@luzwontgiveup) and I am 23 years old. I am from San Jose, California and work as an employee of the Health Care Administration. After a family trip made me realize how much my weight was holding me back, I began to follow a low carb diet, weigh my food on a scale, and walk at least 10,000 steps a day. I have now lost 80 pounds in less than 11 months.
I have been overweight most of my life. In my early teens I was always heavier than most of my friends. I’ve always been a plus size (size 16 in high school). Although I was overweight, I was still comfortable enough with my body. But when I was 19 years old, I started to fight anxiety and stress. Food was always a form of comfort to me, but I soon realized that my eating habits had skyrocketed. I avoided my scale and jeans for months. Very soon, he had gained almost 100 pounds. I was really embarrassed, and I felt like I was too far off the track, so I accepted where I was. As much as I tried to laugh or ignore how miserable I really felt, I knew how far I was from the person I had been and even further from the person I wanted to be. I reached my highest weight of 329 pounds at age 20.
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My first wake-up call was in 2018. Shortly after my 21st birthday, I went on a family trip.
Being away from my normal routine made me realize how much my weight gain had affected my ability to do nice little things.
Struggling to sit in small seats on planes and avoiding plastic chairs in restaurants were awkward things to keep in mind. He would also receive rude comments from strangers. I completely avoided cameras because the person I saw in the photos was completely unrecognizable. I got tired of being the biggest person in the room. I started my journey on July 14, 2019. It was definitely a wake up call that I needed and I am thankful for it.
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At the beginning of my journey, I started a low carb meal plan and started using a food scale. Weighing my food was the best decision!
It helps me to remain responsible and keep track of how much I am eating. Although my diet is low in carbohydrates, I can still enjoy foods I grew up with, such as rice, beans, tortillas, etc., only in smaller portions. I don’t feel completely deprived of the food I love, so it’s sustainable for me.
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This is what I normally eat in one day.
Breakfast: 3 eggs, 3 turkey sausages
Lunch: 4-6 ounces protein, vegetables, 1 carbohydrate
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Appetizers: Walnuts, cheese
Dinner: 4-6 ounces protein, vegetables
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I would say 90 percent of my weight loss has been the result of my diet, but my goal is to walk 10,000-12,000 steps a day.
This first year of my trip, my main focus has been to improve my relationship with food and eating habits. But in the future, I will make exercise a priority and set new goals for myself.
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These three changes helped me see the most remarkable results in my weight loss.
Change 1: I took things one day at a time.
One of the reasons it took me so long to start is because I knew it would take months to see the change, and I would feel overwhelmed. The truth is that time goes by so fast! I am so happy that I tried hard to start when I did.
Change 2: I worked to stay consistent.
If you consistently eat well, you will continue to see results over time. In the past, if you had a cheat meal, you would be very disappointed, and it would soon become an endless cycle of overeating. Being consistent does not mean being perfect. Every day is a new opportunity to return to normality and commit.
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Change 3: I did my best to educate myself on weight loss.
When I used to watch other weight loss stories, they seemed so inspiring, but it always seemed impossible to me! I am sure that many can relate and the truth is that we are all capable and strong enough. Do not doubt yourself. Start with what you know and learn as much as you can along the way.
I lost over 80 pounds in less than 11 months.
My weight loss journey is far from over and I am excited to see my transformation for years to come. I would like to encourage other women to start their own journey. It has been the best and most liberating choice I have ever made. We are all capable and worthy to become the best versions of ourselves!
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