Weight Loss Success: Alicia Murphy Changed The Way She Looked At Food And Lost 100 Pounds

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Name: Alicia Murphy
Age: 39
Height: 5'6 ½"
Before Weight: 283 pounds

How I Gained It: After having my first child at age 21, going through a divorce while graduating from college and experiencing sciatic pain in my right leg and lower back, I gained over 70 pounds and kept it on. My weight fluctuated over the years, but I had my second child just 10 days shy of my 30th birthday and added another 40 pounds to my once-upon-a-time brick-house frame.

I tried over and over to lose the weight throughout the years. I'd lose 20 or 30 pounds and then gain it back depending on what I was going through or how I was feeling at the time. I'd say "I'm going to start Monday, or next week, or the first of next month," and then I realized that I was actually sabotaging myself.

Breaking Point: Knowing that diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, bad knees and other health problems run on both sides of my family, I needed to get myself in check in a hurry. Between looking at current pictures of myself, and wearing a size 20 -- even some 22s -- and tipping the scale at nearly 300 pounds, I was getting sick and tired of being sick and tired! I never thought the fit girl, who was once voted best figure of the senior class, captain of the cheerleading team and a dance class leader, would let herself go to the point of nearly morbid obesity. I had to make up my mind that this sort of thinking was no longer an option, and stop putting off until tomorrow what needs to begin today!

How I Lost It: I joined two 8-week weight loss challenges on Facebook and was the biggest loser each time. They allowed me to bring out a more competitive side of myself that I was unaware I even had. I love a challenge, and it kept me motivated and eager for what was next.

An important part to weight loss success is your support system; if you don't have a supportive force in your life there is a ton of support online. I had wonderful support from members of the challenges I participated in, as well as a group of virtual friends from around the world on myfitnesspal, which is one of the tools that played a key part in keeping me focused and reaching my goals. I can't omit the fact that I prayed every single day for God's unwavering strength and it was my faith in God that got me through some of the most difficult obstacles I faced while on this journey. I want and need to be all I can be in life for my children and most of all for me!

I changed the way I looked at food. Instead of using it to just stuff my face, I began to see it as fuel. I began to eliminate sweets and lower my bad carb intake while increasing my veggie and water consumption. I worked out five times a week, twice at 24hr Fitness and three times at home (my kids work out with me at home, it's great bonding time). Jillian Michaels is great to have in your collection of at-home DVDs, and we all love to play the Wii with Just Dance 2 and Michael Jackson Experience being two of our favorite games. One key is to mix up your routines so that you won't get bored and your body doesn't become accustomed to one particular set of exercises -- you have to keep your body guessing at all times. Don't forget strength training; it is important to keep toning as you are shedding weight.

This journey began rather rocky, and while on it I have found out so much about myself: my determination, drive, passion and compassion for others that are facing the same challenges. I am still finding out my purpose, being the best me I can be and showing my children a mom who is an over-comer! There is a light at the end of the tunnel for all of us on this journey!

After Weight: 183 pounds (and still pushing)

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Comments

[Alibreasy]

04:52 PM on 05/02/2012

I would like to thank everyone for their comments most were very enlightening, encouraging, informational, and then there were some comments that were somewhat hurtful. But in this life you have to take the good with the bad...there are always two sides to a coin, right? If my story touched or helped one person then I have done my job. Sharing is caring and that is all I'm doing! Blessings to you all! Alicia :-)

[wamsee001]

12:56 AM on 05/01/2012

Great story...there is another simple way to loose weight as well. That is eating early...read this post http://www.healthscribes.com/HP/Women's%20Health/Weight%20Loss%20Plan%20-%20Natural%20And%20Simple%20Way%20/Exercise/13

[josephlee]

08:20 PM on 04/27/2012

ENJOY YOUR LIFE ALICIA. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH EATING GOOD FOOD. SO YOU PUT ON A FEW POUNDS. IT DOESNT MATTER BECAUSE LOOK AT ALL THE PLEASURE YOU GET FROM EATING. YOU ARE SUPPOSE TO ENJOY LIFE. SO EAT UP AND DON'T WORRY ABOUT PUTTING ON MORE POUNDS. WHO WANTS TO BE UGLY SKINNEY? YOU LOOK GREAT WITH THOSE POUNDS.

[kim272727]

07:12 PM on 04/27/2012

Good for you Alicia!! I know exactly how you feel. I was always the girl everyone thought was bulimic (yes I was that skinny, and no it wasn't an eating disorder). That is, until I met my husband, who promptly started feeding me yummy muffins and cakes around the clock. I quickly put on weight that I never thought possible for myself. And it was really hard to look at pictures of my former self knowing what I had become. These stories like yours really started to motivate me, and recently I started doing P90X. I really like it. It's a bit intense, but I feel like I have really accomplished something each day when I finish. I am already noticing the results. I truly appreciate people like you sharing your stories, because it made me realize that I am not alone, and that you can always make a change for the better.

[Tim Day]

06:40 PM on 04/27/2012

Alicia...You was a very pretty woman before...and you are now, but now you are much healthier...Congrats on achieving your goal....

[cleo10]

06:34 PM on 04/27/2012

You were beautiful before and after. You go girl and keep up the good work.

[loveoflife99]

05:01 PM on 04/27/2012

sorry *tattoo

[loveoflife99]

05:00 PM on 04/27/2012

amanda b4 doesnt match amanda after... no tatoo...

[Tim Day]

06:45 PM on 04/27/2012

Thats not a tattoo ....its her goal weight she had wrote on her arm for the picture

[bassx101]

04:32 PM on 04/27/2012

::Eyes article preview photo:: YEAH RIGHT!!!!

[msipiblues]

04:24 PM on 04/27/2012

So happy for you! Sitting here at my computer needing a push, needing inspiration, and there you are! Fan dadgum tastic! Congratulations Lady...

[MasterpieceJournaling]

04:13 PM on 04/27/2012

Inspiring.

[sharonbrn13]

04:00 PM on 04/27/2012

It gives me hope when I read these stories, great job Alicia! How do you start when you know what to do but just can't seem to do it?

[Betty Bogue]

06:12 PM on 04/27/2012

Having the same issue :/ would love some advice as I want to get rid of baby weight!!!

[kim272727]

07:16 PM on 04/27/2012

It's always hard when you start out. Make little decisions. Try walking on your lunch break. Bring in a healthy lunch, so you don't eat out. Join a sports team (I recently joined kickball with a coworker - adult league). My biggest problem is discipline, so I bought P90X that forced me to work out every day. But if you dont want something that extreme, then try to get a friend to play a sport with you.. Tennis or go for a hike. Work your way up. Nothing is out of reach. Only we can stand in our own way. I wish you both the best of luck!

[ravenmom]

03:19 PM on 04/27/2012

So happy for these people to not only lose the weight, but it looks like so many have changed their lifestyle and are happy, healthy and active. You are all beautiful !

[rtgarton]

02:26 PM on 04/27/2012

Good for you. So many women especially in the ---- seem to think that Mac and Cheese is a food group. It doesnt take a rocket scientist to figure out that what you are is what you eat. Places that serve a meat and 3 vegtables are proprably the worst things you can put in your mouth, followed by Bojangles and Mac Donalds. Hell, people dont even get out of their cars to buy this garbage.

[Tonya Patterson]

02:22 PM on 04/27/2012

YOU GO GIRL!!! I AM SO GRATEFUL TO GOD THAT YOU POSTED THIS & IT WAS DIVINE INTERVENTION THAT I SEEN THIS TODAY!! I TOO AM ON A JOURNEY & YOU TOUCHED ON SO MANY SIMILAR STRUGGLES THAT I'VE EXPERIENCED. ( I WON A BRICK-HOUSE CONTEST BACK IN THE DAY, CHEERLEADER, STEPPER, TRACK STAR)) BUT AS YOU SAID I'VE DISCOVERED A DETERMINATION & WILL IN ME THAT I KNOW GOD IS SURFACING IN ME! I AM SO INSPIRED BY YOU & WILL PRAY FOR YOU!! I RECENTLY RELOCATED TO LAS VEGAS SO I AM SO INSPIRED BY JUST THE SCENERY!! I TOO HAVE NOW REALIZED HOW MUCH MY TONING HAS TO INCREASE BECAUSE OF THE FLAB - BUT I'M DETERMINED!! BE ENCOURAGED & BLESSED! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING! I WILL TOO IN DUE TIME:)