When it comes to eating and weight issues a lot of us would rather continue living in ignorant bliss than confront the harsh reality of our diet and lifestyle choices. Nieta admits to having been in denial about her size for the longest time. She resolved her weight gain through good, old fashioned clean eating and exercise. Read on for the deets
What led you to want to make a lifestyle change?
In 2006 I got a breast reduction and with those gone, my muffin top was more apparent than ever. I went to Weight Watchers and lost 60lbs I got married, had a child and in 2013, my son was diagnosed w/ Autism. I lived like nothing mattered other than “fixing” him. His diagnosis became my obsession and I let myself go. All but 13 lbs of the weight I’d lost came back. I was obsessing over something I had NO control over. So, I went back to “exercising” (doing cardio) and clean eating. I lost 30 lbs but I still wasn’t where I wanted to be. Got a new job where office food is the norm and 28lbs came back. It was time to get off this wheel.
What did you do to achieve your results? Tell us about your workout routine do you prefer gym or home workouts?
I track my food and I make an effort to surround myself with like-minded people that are supportive. I never really watched carbs until my husband proposed a low-carb diet; so, I started analyzing my carb intake. I lost 5 lbs. the first week and everything just clicked. I was a cardio addict until I began
weightlifting. When I began to see my body transform, I was hooked. Now I do weights/cardio daily. I prefer the gym because there are no distractions.
How did you change your eating habits?
They have evolved from juice to diet soda to water. I realized my weaknesses from the start and devised ways to manage them for example, I was a big sweets person, and now one piece of dark chocolate satisfies me. I also stopped going to restaurants ordering “healthy” meals. I bring my lunch to work and have mastered eating foods that make my body feel good.
What was your starting weight/dress size? What is your current weight/dress size?
My highest weight was 250lbs/Size 20. After losing and gaining back, I settled at 237lbs. My current weight is 184lbs/Size 10
How long did your transformation take?
This question is the definition of insanity: doing the same thing, but expecting different results. Weight loss is not mental. I started in 2006 and yo-yoed for 10 yrs because I didn’t truly understand how to eat or what the right fitness regimen is for me. I got serious in January 2016, so I would say about a year and a half.
What was the hardest part about your transformation? How did you overcome it?
Sweets/carbs/alcohol. I was eating healthy, but lots of fruit, peanut butter, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, healthy junk food, brown rice, and red wine. I didn’t have a magic solution; I just knew I couldn’t keep eating like this. I tracked my carbs for a week and realized I was consuming over 200g per day, but my activity level didn’t warrant that. It was hard at first, but I began to reduce my carbs to 50-60g daily. I eat a small piece of 70% dark chocolate or berries for sweet cravings. I switched from mostly complex carbs to proteins and veggies. Now I get my carbs from almonds, avocado, berries, dark chocolate, and veggies.
How have things changed with you in general
I combined my love of food/fitness and started my blog simplycleancheating.com I created this because the common question I get from people is: What can I eat?” This is a platform to show eating right isn’t just chicken and broccoli. I am blessed to have a strong support system at home and a family that understands these are MY goals, so they let me do my thing. Women inbox me to say that I inspired them. One girl shared my pic on IG and hash tagged it #Bodygoals. Never in a million years would I think I would be someone’s body goal! I feel amazing and blessed.
Who or what helped you along your journey? Is there a product that helped you or anything in particular you’d recommend?
My husband has been extremely supportive. He continues to push me daily and will reel me in if my cheat moments turn into cheat days. I began lifting doing the Body Beast program. I’m not really a product junkie when it comes to fat loss, I just get in the gym and kitchen and get it done.
What might we catch you doing on your days off?
Cooking, (my first love), blogging,mommy duties, or exercising.
What piece of advice would you give other women looking to start on their own lifestyle change/fitness journey?
Don’t lie to yourself. I was in denial for YEARS. I made so many excuses. “They make these clothes too small,” or “having my son got me like this.” I also “played fit,” telling people what to eat and advising them to be consistent but I wasn’t. I had an HONEST conversation with myself. I became CONSISTENT and got real with my goals. Consistency is ESSENTIAL in weight loss. Even if the process doesn’t seem to work fast enough, trust it. No one becomes overweight overnight, and the same goes for losing it. Motivation must turn into discipline to be successful.
Connect here with Nieta:
Instagram: @banini_gets_fit
Blog: Simplycleancheating.com
