How I lost 40 pounds in 40 days
First of all as amazing as it sounds, it did work for me. However losing 40 pounds in 40 days isn’t recommended by the expert. What we want is to focus on sustainable lifestyle changes rather than quick fixes, as these are more likely to lead to long-term success in weight management.
A safe and sustainable rate of weight loss is typically considered to be 1-2 pounds per week. Losing more than that is considered too fast and could put us at risk of many health problems including muscle loss, gallstones, nutritional deficiencies and a drop in metabolism.
It is advisable to consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian before embarking on any weight loss journey, especially one as rapidly as losing 40 lbs in 40 days.
What I would like to remind my fellow mom friends is to take this piece of advice as a guide. I am no expert here but I would like to share and go in-depth on how I lost 40 pounds in 40 days in this blog post.
I will spill the beans in 3 easy steps on how I embarked on this crazy journey, the ups, the downs, and everything in between. I will share my tips, insight and what are the downsides of losing 40 pounds in such a rapid manner.
If you are curious what is the ideal timeframe to lose as much as 40 pounds, read my blog post here to find out how long will it take to lose 40 pounds?
Reasons Why I Wanted To Lose Weight
Before having two children, I weighed 92 pounds. I’m not setting this as a benchmark for achievement but rather, what I’m trying to convey is that each person is different, and we should strive towards an ideal body frame that is unique to ourselves.
I have always been a tiny person my entire life. My parents are small and when I say small, it is really small. My mom is only 4ft tall. I inherited my genetics from my ancestors.
On one beautiful morning back in the year 2020 (right after I had stopped breastfeeding my 2nd), while I was on the subway, I stumbled across my reflection in the subway’s window and I wondered, “Wow! I have grown doubled my size (I was about 165 pounds and I was on size 17, imagine that!) than I used to.”
And, most importantly, I was not happy with my current state, and I wanted to make a change.
I want to be healthier so I can grow old with my children. I want to be leaner so I can run without needing to catch my breath each time I try. I want to look presentable, not sluggish. I want to set a good example for my daughter that being a mom doesn’t mean we need to sacrifice our appearance.
From that moment, I realized that taking care of myself is of the utmost importance. We must prioritize self-care because when we are happy and fulfilled, we can better care for our families. As the saying goes, “Happy mom, happy family.”
It wasn’t just about losing weight. It was about reclaiming our health, our confidence, and our zest for life.
Making The Commitment
I was sick of feeling tired and unhappy all the time. I wanted a CHANGE. I wrestled with my inner thoughts for quite a bit.
- But I do not have the time for anything else other than taking care of my children’s welfare
- But I don’t have the time to even take care of myself
- I just don’t have enough time
- I simply can get myself to move around
- I do not know where to start
- How? I do not have a professional dietitian to guide me
- I can’t afford a trainer
Have you encountered all the self-doubt or negative thoughts similar to those mentioned above?
Never ever let them bring you down.
Dear friend, you can achieve anything if your heart truly desires it. Your determination is the key! By making positive changes for yourself, you’re not only transforming your own life but also positively impacting your entire family.
NO EXCUSES!
I sat down and had a heart-to-heart conversation with myself, acknowledging the challenges ahead but also recognizing the potential rewards.
To begin, let’s establish realistic mini-goals while maintaining unwavering commitment to the outcome. Our primary focus at the moment is improving our health. Let’s concentrate solely on this goal for now.
Weight Loss For Moms Planning And Prep
I remember how my heart yearned to regain my old self and confidence so intensely that I began searching on Google.
To my surprise, I didn’t find any specific answers among the vague methods on the internet.
The information was scattered and lacked comprehensiveness, leaving me without a clear, step-by-step guide to achieving my dreams.
All I see was some meal plans, losing mommy’s belly guide. Here and there, everywhere!
I was frustrated and overwhelmed.
Then, one day……… something magical happened. It seemed like my phone, almost intuitively, picked up on my concerns and presented me with a video from a reputable plastic surgeon explaining weight gain on her Instagram platform.
She herself is a doctor, and for almost half her life, she struggled with weight gain. Despite trying various methods such as spending hours at the gym, sometimes even two hours a day, and adhering to a healthy diet….
And yet she didn’t see much improvement on herself. She was worn out and unable to be productive. You see a doctor research a lot and she barely had enough energy to do that at the end of the day.
She vowed to do deep research from that day onwards and managed to figure out something!
So is me!
Take note of my tips, and you might be able to create a mommy weight loss plan that’s suitable for you. If you’re eager to learn more, I highly recommend signing up for our newsletter. It takes less than a minute and you’ll receive valuable tips and tricks to help you stay healthy. |
I knew that success wouldn’t come overnight, so I took the time to map out a strategy that would set us up for long-term results.
Armed with information I had learned from this doctor, I crafted a weight loss for moms plan that combined diet, exercise, and mindset shifts.
I carved out what I had learned, tried & tested, and presented to you what works for a Mommy’s body. (PCOS women may have different interventions).
I stocked my kitchen with nutritious foods, cleared my schedules for regular workouts, and even set aside time for relaxation and self-care. It wasn’t always easy, but I knew that preparation was key to staying on track.
Step 1: Let’s Talk About Food, Shall We?
Food is our primary source of energy, and it plays a significant role in shaping our bodies. As the saying goes, ‘We are what we eat.”
I have considered every diet under the sun. Keto, intermittent fasting, juice cleanses. You name it. I had tried it on a slow paced, fast paced, combination and I FIGURED a good combination!
Intermittent fasting + Low carb diet = IS THE BOMB |
Eventually, I settled on the approach mentioned above that fit my lifestyle.
The intermittent fasting method I primarily focus on is the 16-8, where I eat during an 8-hour window and fast for 16 hours. Occasionally, I will also engage in full-day fasting.
My context in fasting here means I get a cup of Americano in the morning and I drink water through my fasting period.
That’s all. I don’t go any more complicated than that because I want to have a good relationship with my food.
As soon as I break my fast, I always begin with nutrient-dense foods like lean proteins, leafy greens, and healthy fats.
I stick to two primary meals. One in the morning and one close to the beginning of my fasting period and I drink 2.5 litres of water every day.
Do not forget to cut down salt and sugary treats.
Sure, saying no to pizza was tough, but we powered through, reminding ourselves of the bigger picture.
We can explore healthier alternatives to satisfy our sweet or salty cravings. Let’s face it, we often resort to quick fixes when cravings strike.
For instance, we could swap out a candy bar for a yogurt popsicle. It helps to envision what nutritious options you would offer your child if they were a baby.
Step 2: Break A Sweat
Time to get moving! I amped up my workouts with a mix of cardio, strength training, and yoga.
I’m no hardcore athlete when it comes to exercising, but I make it a point to break a sweat every single day. After all, we’re already sweating each day taking care of the kids, aren’t we?
I prefer home workouts over going to the gym. It’s more convenient for me as I can be at home and attend to the children immediately if they need me. This gives me peace of mind while still allowing me to prioritize my fitness routine.
My main preference is following along with an online workout video. All I need is a yoga mat, a resistance band, two dumbbells, and a water bottle. That’s all.
In this blog post, I will delve deeper into why I prefer strength training despite my aversion to cardio exercises. I must admit that initially, I engaged in a lot of HIIT exercises in an attempt to shed stubborn visceral fat.
Sure, there were days when we wanted to throw in the towel when the couch seemed much more inviting than the treadmill. But we remind ourselves of why we started – to feel stronger, healthier, and more alive than ever before.
I have found workout buddies to hold us accountable, celebrated our progress with small victories, and never underestimated the power of a good sweat session to boost our mood and energy levels.
Step 3: Mind Over Matter
Ahhh, the mental game. Perhaps this is the toughest part of our journey. Learning to silence our inner critics and embrace our worthiness, regardless of the number on the scale.
What happens when the numbers on the scale stay stagnant for a loooong time. We feel defeated, I know this happen to most of us. Do not despair! Look for solutions. For example, adding more HIIT exercises into our routine.
This picture – I was almost the size of my husband
We gave up too soon! I know this journey ain’t easy. We have to confront our limiting beliefs, the stories we told ourselves about our bodies and our capabilities.
It’s essential to replace negative self-talk with words of encouragement and affirmation. By celebrating every small victory along the way, we reinforce positive behaviors and boost our confidence.
We refuse to let anything derail our progress, staying focused on our goals and maintaining a positive mindset. Remember, each step forward, no matter how small, is a step in the right direction toward achieving our dreams.
As time went by, we dedicated ourselves to self-improvement both physically and mentally, pushing ourselves to new heights every day.
With each passing moment, we felt our strength and resilience increasing, and we knew that we were capable of achieving anything we set our minds to.
Yet, it wasn’t until we took a moment of reflection that we realized that the only thing standing in the way of our success was our own self-doubt.
And so, with renewed determination, we set out to overcome our internal obstacles and reach our full potential.
The Big Reveal
Drumroll, please! As the days flew by, the scale showed steady progress. Seeing the numbers drop was insanely rewarding, but beyond that, I have gained a newfound sense of confidence and self-love.
I looked in the mirror and saw not just thinner bodies, but happier, healthier versions of myself. I no longer measured my worth by the size of my jeans or the number on the scale.
I had proven to myself that I was capable of so much more than I ever thought possible. And while this journey wasn’t without its challenges, the late-night cravings, the sprained shoulders, the moments of self-doubt.
I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. Through it all, I have discovered the strength, resilience, and unwavering determination to live my best life.
It’s been over two years now, and I’m proud to say that my body hasn’t shown any signs of rebound. While I may not exercise as extensively as I used to, with only 2-3 sessions per week, I remain committed to maintaining a healthy diet. I prioritize eating as healthily as possible, consciously cutting down on sugar and salt intake.
This dedication to my well-being has been key in sustaining my progress and maintaining a balanced lifestyle.
Tips
I also experienced a significant reduction in the size of my breasts and buttocks because I drastically cut down on carbs and didn’t prioritize lifting. It was a tough lesson learned, and I wouldn’t want anyone else to make the same mistake. |
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Let’s Not Forget
If you wonder, what is strength training? It is sometimes called Resistance Training. This training incorporates workouts with weight for example dumbbells.
Remember earlier how I mentioned that I would prefer strength training?
I’ve tried multiple fitness training and I figured some downsides with each
Types of fitness training | Downsides |
Cardio | – Overloading contributes to less efficient metabolic rate and the risk of retaining fat. – Loses fat on the wrong area. |
Strength training | – Injury risk. |
Yoga | – Slow progress (for me). |
Bear in mind, what I had mentioned here are solely based on personal preference and opinions
Despite the risk of injury, I still prefer resistance training because of its ability to help me achieve a toned body while maintaining a feminine figure.
In my experience, cardio tends to lead to significant fat loss, particularly in areas such as my breasts and buttocks. On the other hand, I find that progress with yoga is a bit slower to become apparent.
Conclusion
My result recorded was as follow:-
Unit | ||
Pounds | Kg | |
Week 1 | 164.91 | 74.80 |
End of week 2 | 149.91 | 68.00 |
End of week 3 | 147.97 | 67.12 |
End of week 4 | 138.27 | 62.72 |
End of week 5 | 129.50 | 58.74 |
End of week 6 | 105.38 | 56.68 |
Around two weeks after starting my fitness routine, I noticed a considerable drop in water weight. Initially feeling flabby and sluggish, by the end of the second week, I could already feel my belly getting a bit smaller and started to see some toning around week 8.
Let’s not forget, I also lost a significant portion of my breast and butt due to cutting down too much on carbs and not incorporating enough lifting into my routine. It was a tough lesson learned, so I urge you not to repeat my mistake.
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Check out my progress pictures! Even after week 5, I managed to keep losing weight while sticking to the same methods I mentioned earlier. What’s surprising is that I haven’t seen any signs of rebound yet.
With the right combination of food, exercise, and mindset, we can significantly accelerate our progress and achieve our goals much faster.
There, proof that I lost my boobs
So, there you have it, my friends. My whirlwind journey to losing 40 pounds in 40 days. Was it easy? Heck no. But was it worth it? Absolutely.
Disclaimer: While these results have worked for me, they may not be typical for everyone. However, I want to emphasize the methods I’ve practiced that have proven effective for me.
Rapid weight loss may not be for everyone, but for me, it was a game-changer.
If you’re ready to chase your own dreams and break those barriers, just remember, I am rooting for you every step of the way. Here’s to becoming the best version of ourselves, one pound at a time!
Shoot me an e-mail if you have any other questions that you would like to know.
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