Macaroni Kid Family Fitness loves to celebrate moms and dads who have taken the leap to better health because a healthy parent is a major step towards a healthy family!
Want to share your journey with us? Send an email to jennys@macaronikid.com answering the seven questions below, include an image, and you could be our next featured parent!
What is your name and what town are you from?
Beth Rivera, Bayside, NY
Who makes up your family?
Myself (39), my husband Phil (37), our son Ethan (8) and our daughter Abigail (12).
Briefly, tell us your struggles.
I have always had an issue with my weight. I remember being a young teenager going to Weight Watchers. I have tried them all - Nutri System, Atkins, Slim Fast and on and on. They worked, temporarily. I was able to keep the weight off but it always came back, and then some! In 2008, I decided to have lap band surgery and successfully lost 90 pounds. In 2013, I had gained 70 of it back.
What was the turning point that made you change the way you care for yourself?
I felt awful! I hated what I looked like in the mirror, my clothes didn't fit well and I had no energy. It was September 2013 and my wedding anniversary was coming up and I decided as an anniversary present to myself, I was going to do something about it.
What actions did you take to become healthier?
I decided I was going to join a gym. I was able to get a 2-week free trial from New York Sports Club in Whitestone, NY, so I could see how I liked the gym, develop a schedule, etc. I modified my eating and gave up sweets. After my trial, I became a member and was going to the gym 3-4 times a week. While I was feeling better, I had only lost about 10 pounds. A colleague at work was posting on Facebook about a detox program that she was doing and how great she felt. I inquired and then embarked on my life changing journey. On May 19, 2014, I started a 28-day detox with Arbonne products, eliminating gluten, dairy, soy, sugar and caffeine from my diet and incorporating vegan protein shakes, organic fruits and vegetables and healthy proteins and fats.
How have you implemented (or plan to) your new habits with your family?
My husband was seeing my success during the 28 days so he decided to join, too. I ended up doing 2 back-to-back detox programs so I could do it with him. My parents also ended up following the program and also have been very successful. My daugther is lactose intolerant, so by removing dairy from our diets, she felt less excluded. My son is so aware of my health changes, he always tells me what's ok to eat on the "detox." We are a more active family now. We go out for walks, have plank challenges and just appreciating good health.
The journey continues and I have embraced my new lifestyle and for the first time. I don't view this as a program or a diet but just the new ME!
