These Are the Exact Steps I Took to Lose 30 Pounds in One Year
Lauren Rasch cut back on refined carbs to get fit.
BEFORE: 152
AFTER: 118
As a kid, I preferred to spend my time curled up with a book or experimenting with watercolors. I had asthma, so sports weren’t my thing. In high school, my weight started creeping up, and I dealt with a lot of struggles with food during those hormonal years. Not to mention, my mother was a phenomenal cook, so it was hard not to devour everything she made.
When I got to college, I learned to enjoy the gym and tried to work out a few times a week. A few pounds came off—just in time for my study abroad trip to Italy. During those four months, I ate my way through Europe and loved every bite. But by the time I came home, my clothes barely fit.
The Change
One morning, shortly after I returned from Italy, I looked in the mirror and felt as unhappy and self-conscious as I had in high school. I was totally fed up with feeling sorry for myself, so I decided to take control of my life.
I had made so much progress before my Italy trip and I knew I could do it again.
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The Workouts
I started out by hitting the gym a few times a week to use the cardio machines. Man, was I out of shape.
After a month or two, I added some light dumbbell circuits I’d seen on Pinterest. But kettlebells were what really made a difference in my fitness. A year ago, I started using 15- to 20-pound kettlebells for my weight circuit—now I use 30 or 35-pound kettlebells.
Since I get bored easily, I’ve also tried tons of fitness classes, like strength training, cycling, or yoga. Now I exercise three to five times a week and try to do a variety of workouts.
The Food
After I traveled abroad, the sweet granolas and cereal bars I used to love tasted absolutely gross. (They don’t add nearly as much sugar to packaged foods in Europe.) So it ended up being pretty easy for me to cut back on sugar.
My next order of business was to swap pasta, bread, and other refined carbs for vegetables and whole grains like brown rice.
I love to cook, so making healthier versions of my favorite meals—like shrimp scampi with spaghetti squash instead of pasta or super-pretty oatmeal bowls—has made this process fun.
Sticking with It
For a long time, I was a lone wolf in chasing my health and fitness goals. But I’ve found friends to go to cycling classes with and used Instagram to share my journey, Now I feel like I’ve tapped into such an encouraging community.
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Whenever I felt discouraged throughout this past year, I tried to imagine how I’d talk to a friend if it was them feeling down. I tried to be as kind to myself as possible and remember that this process isn’t about perfection. (Get after you weight-loss goals with Women's Health's Look Better Naked DVD.)
The Reward
Today, I've lost 30 pounds since setting out to lose weight about one year ago. Now, I’m focusing on building muscle and just living a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
After deciding to start taking care of my body and making it happen, I feel more sure of myself in every aspect of my life.
When I started this journey, I could barely finish a mile. This summer, a friend and I spontaneously ran a 5-K just for fun. I didn’t even have to train, and it felt great.
Lauren’s Number One Tip
Sometimes you have to realize that you are the only person standing in your way. It’s hard to accept, but once you do, you'll feel so empowered. You'll realize that you have the power to make the changes neccessary to get to your goal. Getting started is the hardest part.
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