My weight loss journey started after I had kids, and most of us tend to say the same. I didn’t have an issue with my weight pre-kids, but kids aren’t the only thing that changed. Sometimes we forget that we are also getting older and that affects our ability to maintain a healthy weight as well. I remember when I was younger I could eat almost anything and not gain weight. Now I feel like I gain weight very quickly and it’s hard to get it off. Once it’s off, it’s hard to keep it off. I decided to look into what had changed for me and why it’s so difficult to maintain my goal size. Truthfully I don’t pay as much attention to the scale but do use my clothes and how they fit as a guide.

I was pregnant with my first at 26. What did I do before? I was active. I had time to run, I lived downtown Toronto, and I walked almost everywhere. I was out with my friends a lot and had an active social life. I was on the go.


After my first daughter, I was able to lose the weight very quickly, because I was very very active. I was out with her in the stroller often. I hosted walking groups in lots of different area across the GTA because I was feeling isolated and wanted to be out of the house as much as possible. Within a few weeks, I was back into my regular jeans.  In this pic, Katelyn is just over a month. 

After my son was born, is when my issues started. I was not out a lot. I had a baby who slept at home which meant that I was home more often. I wasn’t doing walking groups, and when I did go for walks, it was an easy walk in my neighbourhood. I was having difficulty with breastfeeding and decided to use a combination of herbs and medication to help because I wanted to breastfeed. When my son was one month old, I started gaining weight. I had a huge appetite and was hungry ALL THE TIME. It was a side effect of the medications I was using, but I figured I would be able to lose the weight as easy as I did with my first once I came off the medication. WRONG. It was challenging. My kids are four years apart so the combination of age, I was now 31, lower metabolism, and not being as active as any other time in my life. It was difficult, and I had to work hard at it. By the time my son was two months I had gained 20lbs more than when I had him and was 185lbs. You that mom you see at the beach who doesn't get in the water with the kids and is fully clothed? That was me.  I hardly recognized myself.

Eventually, with a lot of work, I went from 185 lbs to 160lbs, but the last 15lbs just wouldn’t come off. I went to a styling event and learned how to dress for my size so even though I wasn't at the 145lbs I wanted to be, I was happy with where I was.  Unfortunately, while I was smaller, I wasn’t strong. Physical exercise was difficult for me. I was having constant back and shoulder pain and was at the chiropractor and massage therapist weekly. 

A few people had told me about Orangetheory Fitness and that it made a huge difference for them and I was skeptical mainly because of the cost, but I gave it a try. After almost a year at Orangetheory Fitness, I am happy with my results. I am strong. I can run a 5K in 25 mins. It used to take me 45 mins before. I am not in pain all the time. I have not been to the chiropractor all year and have been to get a massage only for fun now, not as a necessity. I feel great, and my clothes fit better, but that wasn’t my goal. My goal was to get healthy. What made the difference? I was able to stick with it. I tried different gyms before, and I would be there for over an hour and left feeling like I hadn't worked out. Now in an hour class at Orangetheory Fitness I know I’ve worked hard and with the 12 minutes in the orange system, I keep burning calories the next day. It’s manageable. I only go eight times a month about two times a week, and it’s easy for me to maintain it. The coaches are amazing! I feel like I'm getting personal training without the cost of a personal trainer. Also? It’s addictive. I feel soooo good after the workout that I keep going back for more.

I finally found something that I can maintain and that gives me the results I was looking for.  I am strong, healthy, and I feel fabulous!