Abena's Pages

"Natural Beauties Who Follow My Blog"

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

"I'm So Excited, and I just can't Hide It"


I did it, I lost 20 pounds in 3 months, Hallelujah and glory to God! Some of you already knew that my goal was to lose weight so that I could be within a healthy weight range and with a healthy BMI, so I started the Slim-Fast Optima program at the end of January and I began to work out 7 days a week for 30-40 minutes (walking, elliptical, weights, Pilates etc.). This Slim-fast program did not only help me lose the weight but it also helped me re-adopt daily exercise, healthier eating habits with smaller portions, and less calories per day. I can’t express to you all how great I feel. I went down 2 dress sizes and my plan is to not only maintain my weight for a lifetime, but shave off at least 5 more pounds.

I just wanted to encourage anyone who is struggling with their weight, to NOT GIVE UP!!!!!! It is hard, but it is a “GOOD HARD,” and it is worth all that you go through when you start feeling and seeing the results. I feel better and sleep better. And I will tell you one thing, when you work hard to lose weight, you are more conscious of what you put into your mouth…believe me :)
BTW- I have found some wonderful low calorie/low fat/low sugar snacks that taste DE-LI-CIOUS if anyone is interested……..because no matter what I HAVE TO HAVE MY SWEETS (((((Laughs)))))).
*My last day of the official diet was Monday, April 30th!!!! Praise the LORD!!!! My husband and I are going to celebrate by going to In-n-Out this weekend, because I gots to have me a BURGER (smile).......

26 comments:

Goodnapps said...

Congratulations for sure. Best wishes for keeping off the pounds.

Abena Abena said...

Thanks Tanya....I know that will probably be even harder than losing the weight....but I am ready for the challenge :)

Anonymous said...

Chosen,

What a great accomplishment. I looked at their website and will start the program asap. I need some suggestions on how to curb my sweet tooth. That is where my biggest problem is. Any suggestions would be helpful. I will keep you posted on my progress thanks for the encouragment. You look great....

Sisterlocked and smiling,

Sonia

I may start blogging in the near future too. Have a great day.

still waters said...

CONGRATS Chosen

one love still

Abena Abena said...

Hi Sonia,

I am happy to hear that you will be starting the program, believe me, you will not regret it :) I feel you on the sweets being your biggest problem, so I searched high and low for GOOD substitutes. Here are some you definitely want to try:
1. Weight-Watchers Cookies & Cream icecream bars (I purchased at the grocery store)
2. Weight-Watchters chocolate chip muffins and their mini chocolate cakes (I purchased both at walmart)
3. Healthy Choice icecream sandwich bars (I purchased at the grocery store).
4. Mini-chocolate or caramel rice cakes (I purchased at the grocery store)
5. Also, when you have a craving, chew Extra sugarless gum, only 5 calories a stick, and it really helps.
6. Another trick, is to drink herbal tea sweetened with Splenda instead of sugar, because it adds no calories.
7. Finally, Slimfast has some wonderful tasting snack bar, my two favorites are the Peanut-butter caramel crunch and the mint chocolate bars (I purchased from Walmart).

Well I hope these suggestions are helpful, that definitely helped me when I was dieting and especially now :)

I look forward to hearing about your progress. Email me anytime with questions or encouragement.

BTW- I hope you start a blog, that would be FAN-TAS-TIC!

Take care :)

Abena Abena said...

Thanks Stillwaters :)

Abena Abena said...

Sonia,

A couple of more things, the cheapest place, that I found, to purchase the Slimfast shakes, bars and other products is Walmart. Also, I forgot to add when you start the program you will soon find that you can no longer drink any beverages with calorie or sugar, so some drinks that are great are:

1. Nestle flavored waters (Rasberry and strawberry are my favorites)-I purchased at the grocery store.
2. Cold Herbal teas sweetned with splenda, adds no calorie.
3. Every once in a while, diet soda (rootbeer and mountain dew are my favorites).

Ok, I think I am done for now :)

KnottyAuthor said...

was it good?(the burger i mean).lol!!!

Anonymous said...

Congrats! That was really fast!

TwoIslandsGirl said...

You go girl! I am proud of you. I admire your commitment towards obtaining your goal. I'll have to try the Slim fast snack bars. Thanks for sharing!

dreamangel75 said...

Congratulations and best wishes on this journey!

Cluizel said...

Congratulations!

Abena Abena said...

Cheleskilove- I wish I could tell you I actually have not had a burger yet, but when I do...Yummy,Yummy for my Tummy (smile).

Brunsli- Thanks and it actually did go by pretty fast :)

TwoIslandsgirl- Thanks sweetie, what kind words. I hope you like the snack bars :)

Dreamangel75- Thanks and I look forward to the journey of a healthier lifestyle :)

Cluziel- Thanks :)

Anonymous said...

Hey Chosen,

Started the program as I stated, it went great the first day. I am looking forward to the program. The products taste great as you stated and I love chocolate too. So the bars will come in handy when I need that chocolate fix.

I will be in touch
Have a great day,

Sonia

Sogolocs said...

Hey Chosen,

I have set up a blog space not sure how to get listed with your blog. My name is now Sogolocs

Sonia

Sogolocs
Sogo40@sbcglobal.net

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!!!!

Shanessence said...

Congrats! I'm waiting to see some pictures of the new you. :)

Abena Abena said...

Mel- Thanks!

Meikmeika- Thanks! How is your diet going? I hope you are getting the results you want.

Shanessence- Thanks, and I plan on posting photo's soon so stay tunned :)

Cheleskilove- I had my In-n-Out burger yesterday and it was DE-LI-CIOUS, ofcourse that was the only meal I had because I was so full from the burger and fries I could not even think about stuffing anything else in my mouth :)

Sonia- I will check out your blog sis, I am glad you decided to do one :)

Aya said...

Hip hip hooray!!!!!!!

Abena Abena said...

Thanks Aya :)

Sogolocs said...

Hey Chosen,

Thanks for sharing your success. I have been on the program for a week and feel great. It is a simple program and allows me to keep up with my lifestyle...Fast

I love the bars and hardly ever have a craving for sweets. I will continue to fight the good fight. I am glad you shared your success because I was struggling in this area.

Anonymous said...

Abena, Girl this has truly blessed me. I was saying when I was in Louisiana that when I got back to Cali, I was thinking about trying the SlimFast Optima Plan. I logged into your blog and read your post and felt, Wow, this is my confirmation. Thank you so much for sharing. It just goes to show you, you can be a blessing without even knowing you are touching someone else. Many congrats on your success. Since we are pratically neighbors, maybe we can walk or exercise together some.
Your playlist also blessed me. I have somethings that I have been carrying for a while. Smokie Norful's I Need You was so right on time.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Abena Abena said...

Sonia- I am so happy to hear that it is working out for you. Keep me posted, because I want to continue to hear those praise reports :)

Jos- Hey you, I am glad you were encouraged. If you have any questions ask me girl, because everything I learned about Slimfast Optima I could be a spokesperson (smile). And regarding the working out, weekends would be good, actually after church on Sundays, I do my exercise outside at the park sometimes so maybe you can join me, it is a beautiful park and there is usually hardly no one there. We will chat :) Keep me posted on how the plan is going.

sunsail said...

Yaaaaay!! Congrats! Girl, you make it seem so easy!! :)

Abena Abena said...

Thanks Sunsail!!! Easy...... PUUUULEASE...if it was easy I would have done it a long time ago (((LAUGHS))).....But the new term I use is that it was hard but it was a GOOD HARD :)