Q&A: Weight Loss and Fitness

What is your starting weight and what is your goal weight?

Paige: My starting weight is too high for me to disclose at the moment. I plan on disclosing it once i see some real progress. I will say however, that in order to get to a healthy weight and BMI from my height (5’3) I need to lose at least fifty-five pounds.

Penn: My starting weight embarrasses me and like my sister I will disclose that dreadful number on the scale once I reach my first goal. I intend on losing between thirty and thirty-five pounds of fat and replace it with muscle. For me, this process is more about sculpting and maintaining the progress that I’ve already made.

What made you want to lead a better, healthier lifestyle?

Paige: Getting out of breath while running behind my fifteen month old made me realize that even though I’m a young mom, I won’t be able to do all of the things that I want to do with my children. I want to live a long healthy life for and with them free from all of the dangers that go along with being overweight.

Penn: At first my turning point was not being able to fit into my clothes the way I wanted to. I saw my body changing and becoming unrecognizable and the person that I saw in the mirror no longer reflected how I was feeling inside. But then I realized that it wasn’t just my body that was being affected, but also my health and my lifestyle.

What are you going to do in order to get your weight loss journey started?

Paige: I plan to exercise and be more active. I am also going to make a conscious effort to eat clean and cook clean. I might count calories, but I’m still working out the kinks.

Penn: I think my weight loss journey also depends on becoming a more active person. I want to join a gym and get back to Zumba. Also I need to practice self-control when it comes to eating and be more diligent about what I put into my body.

How do you think losing weight will improve your life?

Paige: Losing weight will allow me to live a more fulfilling life. I will be able to dress the way I want to dress and go the places I want to go. I also think it will help me boost my confidence and feel more comfortable in my own body. I will also be able to have more fun with my children and family.

Penn: I think losing weight will make me feel better about myself and it will allow me to be an extrovert and be more social. I think being overweight has prevented me from doing certain things that a person my age would do.

Do you have any body inspirations?

Paige: Francheska from HeyFranHey.com, Angela Simmons, Beautiful  Brown Baby Doll from YouTube

Penn: Delmy Rivera from FashionBananas.com, Tracee Ellis Ross (Joan Clayton), Angela Simmons, Beyoncé

5 Non-Scale Victories

Paige:

1. to have a flat stomach when I sit down
2. to be able to do a full split
3. to have thighs that don’t rub together
4. to be able to buy a bra in Victoria’s Secret
5. to look in the mirror and love what I see

Penn:

1. to have definition in my stomach
2. to wear a size six
3. to wear a bikini/crop top
4. to successfully complete Insanity
5. to look good in pictures

Why are we documenting this journey on the web?

In the past we’ve both had issues with accountability and follow through. Keeping a detailed journal of what we’re doing, our sucesses and failures, as well as our results will encourage us to keep going. We’ve been inspired by so many bloggers and we hope that our story and our challenges can inspire others as well. Truthfully, we’re two people who love to write (we’re extremely verbose) and this is the perfect outlet for all of our thoughts.

What are some of the things that make you overweight?

Paige: Inactivity, laziness, and self-pity. A lot of my overeating is emotional. I eat when I’m bored, I eat when I’m lonely. I overeat a lot because I’m greedy and I have no self-control when it comes to food. I love to bake and I can’t stop myself from overindulging. My homemade biscuits are the devil, I swear. I drink way too much soda. I eat all of my kids’ leftovers because I don’t want to waste.

Penn: Greed, laziness, and a lack of exercise. I spend too much time thinking about what I’m going to eat and when I’m going to eat it. I obsess over my diet which forces me to constantly have food on my brain. I don’t do enough to distract myself and I also do a lot of emotional eating. Plus, I love french fries!