My Weight Loss Story
I’m 99 percent sure there’s a 300 pound gay man inside me, just waiting for that bad breakup/bagel-and-tequila binge that is going to allow him to come out.
I’m the kind of girl who can gain five pounds just smelling pizza and lose five pounds by dropping cheese for a week; luckily, I’m a total consumer, so I often apply my “What can I try next?” mentality to diet and exercise.
My weight has fluctuated over the years. As a kid, I played sports but I ate a good amount of McDonald’s. I knew nothing about good nutrition. Junior and senior year of high school, I stopped playing sports (softball and cheerleading) and started doing theater. Being a theater kid made me 100 times more unpopular/emo and since there were no straight guys to impress, I just packed on the pounds. I spent senior year eating French fries and feelings, washed down with a lot of cherry Coke. I told myself that given my, ahem, ample chest, I couldn’t exercise and that I was never going to be a thin girl. By my high school graduation, I weighed over 200 pounds. Not a thin girl, indeed.
Right after my eighteenth birthday I had an awesome breast reduction surgery. Besides giving me normal (slash fabulous) boobs, I dropped 10 pounds while I recovered. Hmmmm….
A few weeks later, I moved into my own apartment in Chicago. Well, then I had to learn to cook! I joined a gym, and because I was only taking college classes two days a week, I had a lot of extra time on my hands. Without a lot of fanfare, I just decided to lose some more weight. At first I could only do 15 minutes on the elliptical and run for one minute, but, given the fact that I had no life, I started spending more time at the gym and built up to doing more cardio. In terms of eating, I just started collecting tips from my favorite magazines like Self and Shape and started to understand nutrition…you know…fiber, fat grams, whole grains, etc. I was down about 20 pounds by the time I went home for Christmas. From there on, weight loss was slow and steady. I hit a couple plateaus but was able to keep on and I finally lost enough to hit my goal weight (which was still slightly more than healthy for my height “according to the experts”).
Then I transferred to a Big Ten school and started doing the dorm cafeteria and college drinking thing. Then I went abroad and drank and ate my way across the UK. THEN I got dumped and spent a semester drinking, crying, and eating (and watching hours of Grey’s Anatomy in bed). Awesome. By second semester, I felt awful! So I decided to drastically lose weight, following no healthy methods. Seriously. I was like a bad article in Seventeen Magazine. I got hooked on diet pills, which continued through the summer, and by August I was thinner than I’d ever been, but totally unhealthy. I felt like a rotten apple…you think it’s good and then you bite into it and it’s mushy and disgusting. I decided it was time to build a strong body, and started running, lifting weights, and doing Pilates. And that’s how I got my best body ever!
So, I went back to school that fall, all lithe and popular…but wouldn’t you know, being popular led to more bad boys, drinks, and tears! I slowly gained weight again….I was clearly becoming Oprah.
One good thing was that my 2008 New Year’s resolution was to take a Spinning class. And I did, and I got hooked. Spinning completely changed how I looked at exercise and I realized what my body was capable of. No matter how I ate, I still went to Spinning a few times a week, which kept my heart and lungs in great condition, and my ass lifted toward the sky, where I want it.
I graduated and moved to New York to work at ELLE magazine (and yes, it is like the movie “Devil Wears Prada”). I started to take weight off, and finally boys and alcohol stopped getting in the way. Of course, life still did. It was a slow process. Some losses. Some gains. My 2009 resolution was to join a running club and train for a half marathon. My workouts were becoming boring and felt like work. I needed a purpose. So my roommate and I started to train for a Memorial Day half marathon in Boston. I felt great–I just followed the schedule and I started to get in great shape; losing weight was just a bonus.
Except then I went and got injured! Never in my life has that shit happened. After many doctors’ appointments and MRIs, I was tossed into physical therapy and banned from all exercise. It was horrible. I had to miss work and I started living like a character in Valley of the Dolls, hopped up on lots of painkillers. Since I couldn’t work out, I just partied. So by the time my hip healed, I was not only out of shape, I was rocking an awesome spare tire.
It was time for a big change. I left my job because it wasn’t what I wanted to do. The only reason I ended up at a magazine was because I wanted to be a writer. Unfortunately, I spent my days getting super important pairs of shoes from Milan to the U.S. in time for photo shoots. It had its perks, don’t get me wrong, but it sucked the life out of me because it just wasn’t my passion. Doing something I am passionate about — writing about fitness, food, beauty, and sexting — was what was missing in my life.
After finally getting my head in the right spot, I finally lost the injury weight and built a much stronger body! I finally gave up the crack in a can (Diet Coke), the little packets of meth (Splenda), and all the artificial “diet” foods (Fiber One bars, Light N Fit yogurt, and all their little sugar-free friends) I lived on for three years. I finished a half-marathon in October and a full marathon on Jan. 10, 2010. Am I a “runner”? No, definitely not, but I knew running what what I needed to fix my relationship with food and my self-image.
The fact is, I’ve learned through a lot of trial and error what works and what doesn’t, and after giving lots of informal advice to friends and strangers (you’d be surprised how many total strangers will just ask you to tell them how to lose weight, often at inopportune times, like in a cab, or when you’re getting your hair done), I’m ready to go public. I know and have tried more things than I should probably even admit.
You can check out my basic principles to get an idea of what I’m all about. I’m mostly concerned with helping people learn to cook food that nourishes them and find a way to enjoy the moving your body and the feeling of empowerment that accompanies both.
I LOVE working out. I like a workout to be like sex; when I get off, I want to be drenched, red in the face, and unable to form vowels. And I love healthy food too! I just love all food…and I love a cocktail (or six)! Seriously, if it weren’t for tequila, I’d surely have Kelly Ripa’s bod by now.
I am an ACE certified personal trainer, but I am not a registered dietitian or a doctor, so be sure to listen to your body and your MD! (Even if your MD is just the hot one from “The Doctors”…mine is.)
Oh and if you don’t believe me when I say I used to be heavy, here is the before pic…
Clearly, I was one pint of Ben & Jerry’s away from “The Biggest Loser.” But here’s an “After”!!
So yeah, I get it now.
{ 66 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Rachel,
I love reading your posts! Thanks so much for providing us with insight into your exercise endeavors. I also try a bunch of different things, so it’s interesting to hear what works and what doesn’t. Keep up the good work & good luck on your certificate!
-Kathy
Hi! I just stumbled across your blog, and I love your writing style!!
I will always have to blame those pesky last 10 pounds I carry around on drinking (and the drunk food that it corresponds with) so I can totally relate. Good luck, I will be following along :)
Hi Rachel,
I am the developer the iTreadmill app.
i came across your website when searching for iTreadmill mentions in various sites. It sounds like you are using iTreadmill, and I just wanted you to know that if you ever have any issues or questions, please feel free to email me and I’ll be sure to respond as quickly and thoroughly as I can to help make it work for you as best that it can. Thank you for using iTreadmill to help you toward your fitness goals. Best wishes to you in all that you do.
–ricky
Just stumbled onto your blog!! I look forward to reading more! Keep up the good work!
P.S. I keep forgetting to tell you this, and it HAS to be shared! When I was home a few weeks ago, I was using my mom’s laptop in the kitchen one night. She saw a picture of you on my FB page, and she goes, without missing a beat, “Oh wooowww! (insert slight midwestern accent on that one!) She’s beautiful!”
That is all.
Happy weekend!
Aaron
That made my day. Love you mean it, A.
Rach!
I have always loved reading your blogs and perspectives on everything.. but never stumbled on this page of your site until now. Let me just say that after reading your story I am very inspired! You know me and my story, veggie-life is still going well but am a little nervous about living life in my apartment as opposed to Mike’s food in EK (haha) because I love food and trying new things, but I’m not much of a cook. I don’t want to resort to Kraft mac n cheese just because it’s easy and cheap! Any advice on staying on track at school in an apartment?
I am so proud to call you my friend, you have truly motivated me and continue to with every story. I really look up to you and know that I will always have someone to turn to for healthy advice! Hope all is well, miss you tons!
PS. I’ve never tried spinning, always thought it was gonna kill me….maybe I should look for classes in EL? ..anywhere to go when you’re on a budget?
Alright, thanks in advance!
love you mean it! :)
–Maggie
I LOVE your blog Rachel. I can’t believe all that you have done. You’ve got me hooked :)
Hey Rachel
I don’t know if you remember me, but we’ve had a few classes together. Just saw your blog up on my facebook mini-feed and checked it out. You look UN-BE-LIEVABLE! Keep up the good work!
Hey of course I remember you, Ashley!! Thanks for the comment! :) Hope all is well with you!
Hey Rachel,
So FB allowed me to stumble across your blog and just let me tell ya, girl, it’s awesome! I love your perspective, pointers, and how blunt you are (I find myself lol’ing in the office). I think it’s great that you express probably what 90% of women in America are thinking. It’s refreshing reality and reassuring that I’m not the only “crazy one.”
Hey Rachel,
I just wanted to tell you how much I love your blog (I stumbled across it on FB). I love your point of view, tips and pointers, and the fact that you make me lol in the office. You’re truly a great writer! You speak the mind of 90% of the women in this country and do it without hesistation- we all need this reality/advice that so many of us women try to hide and secretly look for. I see you are studying for your PT certificate- congrats to you and best of luck! Determination and passion can get you anywhere. I would like to give a lil shout out to those awesome Powerhouse spin classes (I was one of your instructors)- those classes were the most fun I ever had teaching. I teach at a “family” club in Novi, and let me tell you it is not the same (I can’t play all that booty music I use to). Do you still spin? Well back to work…. Take care and have a good one! I’ll be following along!
Oh P.S. sorry for the two responses (I’m not that technologically competent), I thought it erased so I restarted.
girllll you are GORGEOUS! i love your story and can’t wait to read more of your blog!!! just started my own- so check it out :) xo, whit
Hi Rachel! I’m so excited to have found your blog. No offense to the others, but they can get so mundane and your posts are all so interesting and unique. I can’t wait to read more! : )
You are one awesome writer. I loved reading about you and your story sounds so honest and real!!
Looking forward to reading more!
GREAT about me section! I am so sorry you’ve been through so much with the ups and downs of your life and your weight, but you seem to have such self awareness that I am sure your choices going forward will continue to be the best ones for you.
HEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You just followed me on Twitter, I immediately followed you back, and now I’m perusing your website! I LOVE IT! You’re awesome! Go, Rachel!
Hey Rachel!
I’m so late jumping your bandwagon, but I’m SO glad I did! I have always seen your links pop up on FB and I’d been meaning to check it out for quite awhile now, turns out we have very simlar stories! I struggled with my weight while growing up, at 15 I was about a size 10/12, which isn’t crazy big but I’m 5’2” so clearly, much to big for my height! That new years eve I made my resolution to cut out red meat and all soda, by the time i graduated high school i was down about 20 lbs and running a couple times a week. Of course then there was college and the crazyness of the sorority and eating way too much of mike’s grill cheese and rice krispie treats, and the lbs crept back on :( Since graduating from MSU and having a much more normal schedule, I have fell in love with healthy cooking and working out as much as I can. Currently I work for the YMCA with a children’s program, promoting fitness and nutrition, its awesome! I have been thinking about getting my personal training certification as well and I’m thinking of doing a marathon, that said I’m so happy that I started reading your blog! It’s so motivating!
Thank you & Good Luck!
I think you are my new blog addiction! I can TOTALLY relate to your Oprah feeling moments. I’m currently on a weight loss surge, but I finally feel it will stay that way!
LOVE this line: I like a workout to be like sex; when I get off, I want to be drenched, red in the face, and unable to form vowels…
I totally feel the same way -addicted to spin, and lots of loooootsa cardio!
Keep up the amazing blog, you’re amazing writer xo
Your story is inspiring and I love your honesty. Great blog!
Hello there,
I stumbled upon your blog when researching on running skirts. It was very helpful and I just started reading some of your other posts. I think you are doing a great job.
I read a while back in Runner’s World that if you have gone outside and ran for even 20 minutes ), you can consider yourselves a runner (or some statement to that effect). So, you ARE a runner and you should be very proud of it. :)
You are awesome. Very inspiring story!
Your site is fantastic. I love that you tell us what we need to hear (ahem, I’m still working on the Wendy’s habit…) without being preachy.
I’ve been reading your blog since last spring, and its one of the few that I return to every.single.day. I’ve never really been a cook (my fridge has eggs and a roll of cookie dough in it – that’s it) but one of these days i’m going to try one of your recipes :) They look delish.
Hey thanks for the comment! And you should do something with those eggs…you might surprise yourself! ;)
Oh. My. Word!
So after finding your blog, dying of laughter after watching one of your videos and tweeting you, I decided to read your about me just to maybe feel like I know you a bit more and let me say…
Besides being smart, hilarious and absolutely gorgeous, you are a serious inspiration and SO REAL!
You seem to just GLOW and truly enjoy what you do. I hope that I can find the same happiness, health and success you have obviously found!
Keep up the great writing because I will definitely be reading!
Chanelle
Hey Rachel! I’m not all about blog stalking without formal introductions (haha) so I just wanted to say hey girl and that I think you look GREAT! I saw a comment you made on http://www.nomorebacon.com and that is how I found ya. You are SO funny and SO relateable! I too am planning a marathon this year. I’m glad you had a good New Years!
Hey Rachel,
Just stumbled across your blog and got sucked in, keep it up lady! I will be adding you to my blogroll.
Rebecca
Hi Rachel,
I read your blog faithfully I can totally relate and love your sense of humor! I am wondering what your take is on cleanses particularly the Isagenix one? Some of my girlfriends are doing it but I am skeptical to try it for the swapping meals for shake aspect. Any advice?
Thanks
Kate
Hey Rachel,
I just found your blog and wish I’d found it sooner! I just spent a good chunk of the day catching up on some of your latest blog posts (shh… don’t tell my boss!). Particularly love the Shed Theatre vids :) and the playlists (i don’t know how i missed lady gaga’s ‘teeth’ amazing song!). I’m always looking for good workout music, so thanks!
-Ruby
I stumbled across your YouTube videos and I LOVE them! You are hilarious! I can totally relate to your story. I’m still on my weight loss journey with about 30 more lbs to go. I especially love The Five Stages of Getting Weight Loss Grief and the Gym Crush Workout. Keep up the good work and I’m sure you will go far!!!
It’s me…Twittergrandpa! I love the one comment that says you seem to glow. That says it for me. You’re my best teacher for what young women today are thinking… and I’m totally impressed. I know the day is not far off when I’ll be saying “I knew her when.”
Here’s to you! Have a Pina Oatlada on me!
Great blog girl! I love it. I love your energy, and congrats on all your fitness successes. I’ll be checkin back :)
so happy i just found your blog! kind of love you.
Hey! Do you still live in NYC? Where do you train? I’m excited to have rediscovered your blog!
Ahhh sadly I do not…I am back in Michigan for the time being!!
you are absolutely beautiful in both of your pics!! I LOVED reading your story by the way..
Also, just read the core fusion week 4..have you ever tried Jillian Michaels Shredding workout? I bet you’d like it. If you have tried it, whats harder??
I want to try core fusion, do you think its worth it??
it’d be best if you could e-mail me your response!!
Breast redux is one of the best decisions I’ve made! You know it’s not meant to be when insurance covers it. I’m still trying to figure out women like Dolly Parton & Pam Anderson…I just don’t understand. But I digress… Keep writing girl, I dig your blog!
Hey! I just found your blog today and I love it!
“I LOVE working out. I like a workout to be like sex; when I get off, I want to be drenched, red in the face, and unable to form vowels.”
Easily the best thing I’ve heard all day. Keep up the great work!
:-)
I just found your blog and cannot wait to read more!!! You’re ‘about me’ was so refreshing to read…so real & funny. Booze can really be the devil! I loved your sentence about exercise being like sex. That is my mantra, but I have never expressed it in such eloquent words!
Wow, your insight into the ups & downs of weight loss/gain is wonderful. I came across your blog after seeing “Shedding It & Getting It” on Facebook. A friend of mine had just become a FAN, so I had to figure out what you were all about. I’m enjoying reading up on your blog. Now I’m sure I will have NO life whatsoever because I already read way too many blogs, hang out at Facebook, and blog myself! Thanks a lot. LOL! :)
Nothing makes a hot girl even hotter than a sense of humor and intelligence to back it up.
Need to take a cold shower…
Hi Rachel -
Great transformation and you look great. I went through a similar transformation from 2007 – 2009 when I suffered a medical scare. Doctor told me either take medication for the rest of my life OR lose some weight and see what happens. I decided that day to change my lifestyle for my wife and kids. The rest is history
See my transformation:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=263323&l=72f28d274b&id=100000003413467
Take care and much success!
ANGEL
hi, just discovered your blog and really like..thanks for sharing your journey to getting healthy.. congrats on the weight loss and transformation very inspiring..
can you say ‘new favorite blog?!?!?!’ i think so! i love your sense of humor…and the funny thing is i totally relate (right now in fact) to the injury part of your story! i can’t wait to keep reading more…keep up the amazing work!
hi there! your story is amazingly inspring =) I just spent a good bit of time lurking around and reading up on your blog – thanks so much for the inspiration, I think you are amazing!
Hi! I just found your blog and I’m following instructions and NOT lurking ;)
you’re hilarious, I’m so happy to have some new reading material =)
Just had to comment on the bacon. It was the last type of meat I quit eating. Sometimes when mentioning this I would jokingly add because it’s the healthiest, lol. But too many people say, “Really?”, so I decided I’d better quit that. It was of course because I actually enjoyed that form of meat. Sometimes it even sounds a bit tempting now, just a bit ;-) .
Hey! I love your blog! I just started studying to become ACE certified a few weeks ago. How is it working out for you so far?
Hey whats up, You are cute and funny and give some good tips. THANKS!!!
(I have been training for no apparent reason other than to get in great shape in the past few months. I surf, hike, swim team, and do the “LA stairs” consistently. I also am eating better and hitting up farmers markets weekly. )
You are hilarious! I love how honest you are, and how you say things that could be deemed outrageous without really giving a shiz. This is such a great blog.
oh SNAP! GF, good freakin’ job!! you look fantastic!! Love your stuff.
I laughed through your whole story!! Loved it!!!
So glad to have found this blog. I am looking forward to becoming a follower. Your “About Me” sounds an awful lot like my life story!
Yep…those are bomb kicks and extremely stellar stems (legs). Where did you find those kicks? I am a Mizuno guy myself.
I know we have tweeted back and forth a few but this blog is helping me get through the AM cubical nightmare. Well that…and my iPod full of punk rock and Lewis Black comedy albums. The soccer moms and snooty bitches love it. I am short and stout and am still pushing to get over the hump of 2 bills. I have lost 30 lbs, sitting at 210 and I have plateaued. Yet still determined I will bust up the plateau like a college kegger. After football in HS, fraternity college parties, skipping class for a 2 hour work out sesh at the rec were over I too kept eating like I was still involved with the “glory days”.
3 things changed my life after a few years back. A visit to see friends in San Diego two best friends mind you made comments about my weight (not out of meanness but more of a “look at youself in the mirrior, were worried” and stop shoveling In n Out down your sewer) and while I was there I witnessed a 5k Susan G. Koeman race. (I hate boobie cancer). Lastly, my cholesterol test, let’s say it scared 10lbs off of me right away.
Rachel – you are off the chain, I love it. I wish I could take your spin class. I enjoy a beating! Keep up the great work and the tweets!
Kevin
Rachel, thank you for being such an inspiration!
I too have a story of personal transformation which ultimately led me to be the founder of YogaVibes.com – Thank you for letting your readers know about us! We are very grateful for that and would invite your readers to let their friends know about yogavibes too! We will soon be adding 6 classes for the “brand new to yoga” world.
Meaning someone could start with the first class and get everything they need to know about yoga and watch them sequentially. Keep up the awesome work on “getting it” and “giving it” – Namaste, Brian
You rock, Rachel -
Congrats on your deep-dive into the CF classes and for your overall dedication to your quest for health and wellness. You confirm that the “magic pill” in this world does not require a physician’s prescription and goes by the name of COMMIMENT! And ha – enviable abs and glutes that scream, “Grab me!” are the best side effects, aren’t they?! Thank you for prescribing it in such an engaging, inspiring way, as well as giving props to YogaVibes!
Cheers to you for enjoying the journey -
Warm Regards,
Jodi Sheakley, MS, CFT
Director of Business Development
yogavibes.com
Hi Rachel!!
Just found your blog – and you are such an inspiration! I’ve gone through the same up and down issues with weight, and just wanted to say that you look amazing!
I’m a nutrition student and I hope to be an RD one day – I absolutely love the nutrition and food advice that you have on here! it’s spot on.
Also, I’m a hugggge fan of spinning! I think it’s really neat that you have virtual spin classes on here!
Anyway, just wanted to say hi! I also have a nutrition blog but it’s slow-going right now… I just re-started it on WordPress from blogger, where I had it for 3 years. I kind of let it die when school got rough.
Anyway, I’ll keep reading your blog and checking out your tweets! visit me on twitter, my name is _nourish_
ciao bella,
Christine
looooooooooove this. Esp. the “I was clearly becoming Oprah” bit.
Get it, girl!
You do have great boobs now! Just stumbled on the blog.. love it.
I’ve been reading and commenting on your blog but for some reason never read your weight-loss story! You are so honest and open about it and very inspiring!
Lauren at KeepItSweet´s last post ..New Combinations
I absolutely love your blog. I love how honest you are about everything. The world needs more of that!
I just found you and I think you are so great! Thank you for being so honest. You are such a talented writer and I cannot wait to follow you and read more of your blog.
i’ve only read your weight loss story.. but I LOVE your blog! i’m constantly on the ups and downs with my weight.. 40 lb loss here.. 50 lb gain there.. hopefully this time i can keep it off for good..
i’ll def be stopping by your blog often! you are a great writer!
I love that as I watch this video, there is an IHOP ad for chicken and waffles next to it.
Thanks for stopping by! I am looking forward to checking out your blog as well!!
I definitely blame drinking for my weight fluctuations….it’s always a challenge to avoid nights out, you know? And then you don’t work out the next day…and all you want to do is eat tacos…it’s brutal!
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