GUEST POST: Twenty in Sixteen Part 1, Denise Vega

I lost 20 pounds in 16 weeks. This was a BIG deal for me because I LOVE French
fries. And potato chips. And chocolate. And wine. I can be lazy. I’m a procrastinator.
And I was in my late forties when my metabolism was seriously slowing down, and it
was harder than ever not only to lose weight, but to keep it off.

So how did I do it?

Before I get to that, I’d like to talk about why. People who know me kind of freak
out when I tell them I lost twenty pounds. “I can’t believe you had twenty pounds
to lose!” Or: “I’d kill to be your weight.” (Which at the time, in the interest of full
disclosure was 150, the heaviest I’d ever been in my entire life. I’m 50 years old
now so that’s saying something). And I totally get all that. I’m 5’ 8” so I was barely
pushing the upper weight limit for my height and body type and I had a fairly easy
time hiding it.

But I didn’t feel good. I didn’t feel healthy and happy. Even though I was exercising
3-4 times per week (a mix of cardio and strength training), I couldn't wear some of
my favorite clothes anymore and I found myself tugging up my waistband to help
hide and support my expanding belly.

It was the combination of all these things that made me finally say: “That’s it. I’ve got
to do something. NOW.” Besides that, I have an awesome husband, three great kids,
an amazing extended family with nieces and nephews, and I’d like to be around to do
stuff with them and see what mischief they get into.

So that’s why.

(Come back next week for part two covering the "how" of it all.)



About the Author: Denise Vega is a children's and young adult author living in Denver, Colorado.  You can visit her website or "like" her Facebook page to learn more!