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Losing a large amount of weight has been a defining moment for me. It was something that I never thought I could ever do. I literally spent decades looking in the mirror wishing I saw something different looking back at me. At that time, I wasn’t thinking about being thin or super fit, I just wanted to be comfortable in my own skin. It took a few years and so many lessons but I eventually achieved a natural weight loss of over 100 pounds. And I took myself from a size 20 to a size 4.
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It took me a long time to appreciate the fact that not a lot of people go out and lose such a large amount of weight. And I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what made my experience of natural weight loss different from the experience of others, and all my previous weight loss experiences.
It took a lot of reflection and many conversations with so many different people before I started to see where that difference was. And for the most part, it boiled down to one key factor.
Mindset.
Mindset Before My Weight Loss
Before my weight loss, my life was quite different. I remember often feeling like life was just happening around me. I was a new mom to twins, my husband worked long hours and had an insanely long commute, I had family members with addiction issues, we had just moved and my friends were in a different city, and I had a toxic relationship with a family member.
At the time, I just couldn’t understand why all this was happening to me. And that was my mindset. That everything was simply “happening to me”. I took zero responsibility for how miserable I felt. And because I didn’t take any real responsibility for my emotions and my life, I chose to self-soothe with food instead of truly addressing my many issues. In my mind, nothing was really my fault because everything was happening to me.
I believed that there was something magical about the people I followed on Instagram. That they must have been born with some special willpower, or great genetics, or they loved working out. These are things I now know to be untrue about most people.
Was there something special about them? No. However, there was something different. And that was their mindset.
Changing Your Mindset
Changing your mindset about your life takes a lot of work. And changing your mindset about your body and weight loss takes a lot of consistent work. But it’s something that absolutely anyone can do.
At this point, I’m sure you’re reading this and going, really Shannon? Are you going to credit losing 100 pounds to mindset?
And yes, I am.
I do talk about the individual habits I adopted that helped me have a large natural weight loss in this post. But without a change in mindset, those habits would never have come together.
And the first big change in my mindset that I needed to have was that nothing was happening to me. This idea that the world was conspiring against me, or that I had bad luck, or bad genetics, or any of that nonsense had to go. I needed to own up to my own life, recognize where I needed to make personal changes and accept the areas where immediate change could not be made.
First, I started focusing on personal development. I read books like “Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life“, “It Didn’t Start With You“, and “The Perfection Detox“. Books like these helped me to see my life situations and problems in a new light. I began to practice meditation and daily yoga which was my first introduction to seeing my body with a new perspective. Yoga taught me that my body was strong, and could do challenging things even at my heaviest weight. And meditation taught me to reflect on myself and my problems instead of having immediate negative reactions.
Even though I hadn’t physically started my final weight loss journey, I started to have a new appreciation for my body.
Being Thankful For My Size 20 Body
The first huge change in my mindset came on the day when I looked in the mirror, at my heaviest weight, and said, “I am thankful for my body and I appreciate what it can do.”
I made a promise to myself that regardless of what my weight was, I would choose to love and respect my body. I would no longer put myself down or berate myself for how I looked. This time, I was choosing to be thankful, even at my highest weight. This body had pushed out twins so I knew it was capable of hard, challenging, and seemingly impossible things. I was making the choice to like myself regardless of what society’s standard of beauty might be. I know it sounds silly but choosing to accept my body as is was the first big step in my weight loss journey.
Shortly after, I made the choice to do something for my body. I made the decision to try a home fitness program. For the first time ever, I truly put the focus on health and not on how my body looked. And that 90 days taught me more about myself than I could have ever imagined.
Moving Foward With A New Mindset
That 90-day program changed everything about how I thought about myself and my body. It challenged me physically and mentally. And not only did I drop two dress sizes but I had developed a whole new way of thinking.
I got hooked on bettering myself. It wasn’t about losing weight, it became about being the best version of the person I knew I could be. It was a lot of trial and error but I continued to slowly move forward with the mindset of becoming my best self.
So, I began dealing with my emotions in a real way instead of just drowning my feelings with food. I learned that many of my problems with food were not uniquely mine, and in fact, inherited food issues from parents and grandparents. I got rid of toxic relationships and people who didn’t align with my values. I added journaling, meditative coloring, walks, and regular bits of exercise to my routine. And I stopped trying to numb myself and instead chose to feel all the feelings.
When I hit size 12, I started to set real goals for myself. I was completely satisfied with my weight loss. And I was in shock that I was finally a size 12. But at this point, I was so into personal development that I just wanted to see what I was capable of. My journey had become about so much more than weight loss.
Mindset and Fitness
One of the first real goals I set myself was to run a 10 km race. I set that goal barely being able to run 2 km. But I knew it was something that would challenge me physically and mentally, which was something I was now craving. For eight months, I put all my focus and energy into teaching my body to run 10 km. During those eight months, I barely thought about weight loss but by the time my 10 km race came around I was a size 6. The mindset of wanting to do more and be more had taken me further than I could have dreamed.
Shortly after my 10 km race, I began training for a half-marathon. The half-marathon training and race completely challenged my mindset. At times it made me question everything about myself and my journey. By far, it is the most mentally and physically challenging thing I have ever done. But because I had developed this mindset of wanting to push myself, I chose to push through the hard. I chose to push through the pain. I pushed past the fear.
Training and running my half-marathon took the personal mindset challenge I had given myself to all-new levels. And at that point, I was officially addicted to challenging my body and mind on a daily basis. So, I decided to pick up fitness programs again.
It was my first fitness program in a few years and it had me testing my body and mind in new ways. It was like a daily push that checked to see how committed I was to this new mindset I had developed for myself. And it was fun! By the end of that first program, I was a size 4. Without really focusing on weight loss, I had finally reached my dream weight loss goal.
Over those few years, I had become a totally new person in every way. It was a slow and gradual journey but I was consistent because of my mindset. My mindset taught me to love and appreciate my body at every stage. It was the catalyst for a huge natural weight loss. It was what gave me the power to shed everything that wasn’t valuable to me, not just weight.
I truly believe that without a huge shift in mindset, having a large natural weight loss is almost impossible. And maintaining that weight loss without a change in mindset isn’t doable either. Personal development is at the heart of weight loss. Because large weight loss really is an inside job.
Looking for some mindset resources?
- Manifestation Babe
- High-Performance Habits
- The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change
- Think Like A Monk
- Untamed
- The Untethered Soul
- The Power of Intention
- The Law of Attraction
Itβs time to adopt a healthy lifestyle you actually enjoy and hit your weight loss goals. Click here to learn more or visit my Instagram to connect.
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- The Unique Differences Between Healthy Active Living And Weight Loss - 12/07/2022
- Why You Need To Develop Body Intuition - 04/05/2022
- Life Update: 100 Pound Weight Loss 4-Years Later - 31/01/2022
I read your post and acrua started crying, i think you were writing my story to the T, everything you wrote is my situation and how ive akways said, im a good persin why do these things keep happ to me. I dont look in the mirror much because i hate the person looking back at me…im praying after reading your journey i can try to do as you have done. Congratulations and whisper a prayer for me, that i can turn my life around β₯οΈ
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, it means so much to me. Girl, you are a good person, and you deserve whatever it is you want in this world. You are worthy, so it’s time to reach out and take what you want. You can do this, I believe in you!
Hi shannon where do I sign up to get your 25 day guild? I really need some motivation to get me to loose weight and my mind set at the moment is not great, I really want to loose weight but cant seem to get myself to start
sent you the 25-day challenge in an email!
will you please send me the challenge as well?
I sent you the challenge! π
I like the email on the challenge also. Thanks
I’ve sent you a copy! Thanks for reading!
Can you please send me the 25 day challenge? This post was exactly what I needed today. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much for reading, Mallory! I will send you the challenge π
Can You send me the CHALLENGE also ? ThaNks
I’ve sent you the challenge!
Hi shannon-loved READING about your weight loss joUrney and MINDSET change. I would love to RECEIVE your 25 day journal CHALLENGE. Thank you for sharing your challenges.
I’ve emailed you the challenge!
Hi! Came acrossed your post and it is exactly what I needed to read. Thank you so much for writing this. Can you please send me the challenge? I would absolutely love to have it.
Hi there! I’ve sent you the challenge!
I would LoVe it too please!
Please email me your challenge
I’ve sent you an email!
I would love to sign up for the free 25 day challenge, too!
May i please have a copy of the challenge as well? Thank you so much β€
I’D love a copy of the challenge!
Hi! Can you please send me the challenge as well?
sent!!
Thank you for having the courage to share your journey. I would love a copy of your 25 day challenge as well
Hi, i love your post!! Is there anYway i can get a copy of your 25 day challenge? Thanks for helping others who feel lost
Thank you so much for reading!! I’ve sent off a copy of the challenge to you π
Would love to be sent the 25 day challenge.
I’ve sent you the challenge!
Please send your challenge. Thank you.
sent you the challenge!
Can you send me your 25 day challenge. Sounds so helpful & what I need right now.
I would love it too! Please send!
Please send me the 25 day challenge, my father passed and i have gained 30 plus pounds. I feel lost and empty, just trying to get back on track.
I would love more info
Hi Jessica! I’ll send you an email π
Your story hit a nerve with me..Was a size 4…now a 20.
Could you please email me the 25 day challenge..Thank you
May I also be emailed the 25 day challenge plz
Me encantarΓa recibir el reto de 25 dΓas, suena fabuloso y necesito hacer ese cambio por mi , por salud y por mi familia
Thanks for reading! I’ve sent you the challenge!
Can you please send me the plan. Thank you
I’ve sent you the challenge!
Can you pl send me the chall th you
challenge sent!
Please send me the challenge thanks
That was a WONDERFUL journey.could you plz send me the 25day challenge.thankyou
I whispered a prayer for you, Janet. Iβm in the same bOat and desire better for myself. Thank you, Shannon, for sharing your story and giving encouragement to me. I know it can be done. Itβs time that I make the effort and change my mindset! Whisper a prayer for me, too, Janet. π
You can do it, Lisa! Changing your mindset will change your entire life.
I want to learn a GOOD mindset. And how to mindfully Eat.
This ARTICLE spoke to me In ways I dont even understand. I too bore twins, Husband always away, moved toxic relationships and addiction in the fam. WT….? So here i am on the touletπ€£. Ready to begin my day with total engaging mindset. I feEl i am halfway there. But this is going to throw me to the Beginning of a very Personal SUCCESSFUL Minset makover. I appriciate you so much. Thank youS Starting at 20.
Thank you so much for reading! It makes me so happy to hear that people connect to my story. You can do it, girl! Best wishes on your journey <3
Love your post. I’ve had gastric sleeve in 2018 but I DIDN’T reach my goal. I eat to feel better, but know I wont feel better afterwards. I get on rolls that watch what I eat, I journal my food, and I try to exercise, but something always happens that I allow to sabotage my journey. I need to have a better mindset where I can get back to telling myself, I’m the only one that can control me, control my weight loss, control my mind. Thank you for making me rethink journey and how much the mind plays in this roll and new lifestyle.
Changing your mindset completely changes EVERYTHING. Approaching my journey from a loving mindset, and from a place of wanting to be my best self is what made all the difference.
Please send the challenge. Thank you.
would love learn more please and challenge
I’ve sent you the challenge!
Thank you very MUCH SHANNON for sharing your journey with US.
Your story definitely resonates with me and the multiple struggles I have encountered throughout my own journey. It is a blessing to know that I am not alone and that I am fully capable of accomplishing whatever I set my mind and body to.
Please remember me also in your prayers. I will be restarting “TODAY.”
Thank you, thank you.
Thank you so much for reading! Girl, you are definitely not alone, and trust me, if I can do it, so can you! Sending you so many positive vibes and prayers. Best wishes for your journey π
Thank you shannon for your inspirationAl story. I BeliEve Very much in what you say and think self love is very healing for our bodies.
To all of You ladIes who want to make a change, i Know You caN do it. I had given up on ever being thin aGaIn, but in january of this year i decided to give it a shot after Some negative health tests at the doctoRs. I started fitness programs like shannon and started eating healthy, whOle foods, with an empHasis on vegetables. In just shy of 6 months I am down from a 12/14 to a 6 pants siZe. The change for me came in belieVing i wanted to make a change in my life for my health and not looking at it as a diet. Iβm in the middle of my thirD 60-Day fitness program and I love the way i feel more everYday. You got this ladies, and you will love it.
Would love the 25 day challenge.
Interested please
Wow! Thank you for your brutal honesty with yourself. I need to be honest with myself. I screen shotted this and will read it daily for inspiration. I am a size 20. Once upon a time a 14. I Can do this. Thank you for giving me hope.
Hi Angela! Thank you so much for reading π Know that you can absolutely achieve your health goals! Start today, make a true promise to yourself to just keep moving forward, and never look back. Tell yourself that there is no Plan B only Plan A. And always have hope, I believe in you!
I Would love to siGn up for the 25 day challenge. I always know that i haD to go deep intO myself to chane, but never had the courage to even wwnt to sTart. Thank you
Hi Jennifer! I emailed you the challenge!
Hi,
Could you send me the 25 day challange info.
thank you.
Hi Angie! I will send you off a copy of the challenge!
Hi can you please send me the 25 day challenge? This really helped me motivate myself and love myself more. Keep doing what you’re doing! Thanks.
I’ve sent the challenge off to you!
Please send me the CHALLENGE! Great read
Great story. I hope to be like you one day.
Please send the information
Thx for your help
Ive tried EVERY thing except a new mindset! Maybe this is what ive been missing! Will you please send me your guide! Congratulations and finding yourselF!!
Would LOVE to receive tour CHALLENGE. I HAVE STRUGGLED FOR MANY YEARS
May I get a cooy of the 25 day challenge? Thank you!
Your story is truly inspirational and similar to what I’m going through. I’ve struggled with loving MY body. I was a size 24 a year and a half ago. Now I’m a 10/12. My goal is to reach a size 6. I’ve had 3 kids and have thought having a flat stomach after 2 C-SECtions was impossible. After not seeing anymore weight loss for almost 4 months now, I have started yoga and meditation as well. My confidence and self-love are increasing daily. Thanks for your story. I have to work on my mindset a little more, but I won’t give up! Our bodies are capable of amazing things!
WOW! Congrats on your weight loss so far! I’m so happy to hear that your self-love is increasing, I truly believe it is what makes a successful and lasting health and fitness journey. You can do this, I believe in you!
I would like your 25 day food challenge, please.
I CAme upon Your story quite by accident and had to know more. I am 66 yrs old, have never liked my body and need/want to lose about 45 pounds. My biggest “problem” is that I am in a wheelchair after having list My right leg, above the knee, to cancer 14 years ago. Sitting in the chair I feel that I look like a BLOB! exercise for me is getting out in the yard and tending to it. My biggest workout is when I go to Costco to stock up. There have been times a few years ago where I would be pushing a cart that had over 100 pounds of dog food and kitty litter in it, in addition to the everyday cases of water, etc. CONGRATULATIONS on how far you have come and the enlightening of your MINDSet, how that played such an integral key to your journey. Thank you, for sharing your journey with anyone who is searching for the best that they can be.
Thank you so much for reading and for your kind words π Yardwork is excellent exercise! I would also recommend looking into plastic resistance bands for arm and upper body exercises, they are fantastic for an upper-body workout without using weights. Best wishes for your health journey!
I have been struggling for years! I would love to see this 25 day starter program! thank you for sharing your story and tips, I really relate to you and everything you went through! proud of you!
I’ve sent you an email with the challenge!
hey I just wanted to say that is incredible Im aa freshman in highschool and im stugling with weight loss and reading your story is truly inspiring.
thank you so much for reading <3
Wow i loved yOur story! IβM just starting my WEIGHT-LOSS journey this year but didnβt have a clue where to Start… i might follow what you did and sEe if that works for me. I donβt think iβll ever be a size 4 but my GoaL is also to lose 100lbs so weβll see!
Could You send me the 25 day challenge please
Hi Shannon. Thank you for your story. I Havent had the mindset to love my body where i am at the Size 20. I APPRECIATED that You started with the meDitation and yoga. It give me a place to start and then to give the books and podcast to LISTEN to. Thank you. I would like a copy of your 25 day cHallage but dont see where to get it. Thank you for posting.
Thank you so much for reading! I hope it helps you with your forever health journey π I will send you a copy of the 25-day challenge, check your junk mail just in case!
Scared to ask for the CHALLENGE, because It means iβll have to deal with stuff. But here i am, asking anyway. Thanks for sharing your success with us.
So my four Year old just asked why i was so fat and asked if she can have a new mommy with no fat. That being said, can you send me the cHallEnge as well please.
Would love to check out the challenge
I woUld like to sign up for your Newsletter and Look into your challenge, please.
Thanks so much for reading! I’ve sent you the challenge π
Please send me the challenge!
Challenge sent to your email!
Thanks for your story. Iβd love tO do your chAllenge!
Hi Kate! I sent the journal challenge to your email!
I would like to sign up for your neWsletter! Thank you!
I’ve signed you up! π
Iβd love A copy of the journal pLease!
Hi there. I stumbled across this article and it hit me at the exact time I needed it most. I’m 50 in May, am about 200 lbs at 5’4″. I’ve been depressed a long TIME and am seeking help. But I’m ready to get healthy and fit in all ways. Could I please get the challenge as well? Thx so much for a great, motivational story.
Hi Amanda! Thank you so much for reading π I’ve sent you an email with the journal challenge!
MY heavens Shannon, what an insPiration! I truly believe our bodies can do amazing Things…my body, along with very skilled doctors, my faith and my family Brought me through stage 3C colorectal cancer a year ago. Iβm so grateful for what my body has endured and have a respect for what itβs done. although i seem to get caught up on somethinG each time i try to get back to exercising consistently. After reading your story I feel it must be my mindset. Would you kindly email me your plan? God Bless!
thank you, Shawn, for reading! Yes, our bodies are amazing! It sounds like you have been on quite the journey. I will absolutely send you the journal challenge and template π Best wishes for your continued health journey!
Please send me the challenge!
I’ve sent you the challenge π
Can i please get a copy if yiur chaLlenge? Need help Getting motivated!
I’ve sent you the challenge! I hope you find it helpful π
Can younplease send me a copyof your challenge
Could you please send me a copy of the challenge. Thank you!
I was diagnosed with epilepsy six years ago. I went from being a 33 year old nurse who Loved hElping others To a person who is total dependent on everyone else. (As a result oF the type of seizures i am not allowed out of the house without a chaperone.) i Lived a very active and healthy life. I was a size 8. Due to this new seizure LIfestyle and all of the medications, i am now a size 20. It has been a struggle dealing with All of this. After Reading your narrative it helped to give me a new perspective OF my life and Some guidAnce on possible things i can do to try and bring myself out of this rut iβm in.
Will you please send me a copy of your challenge so i Will have a Place to start on the journey of Accepting my Body and life? Thank you!
Thank you so much for reading Claire, I’ve sent you an email!
COULD you please send me the email As well??? Emotional eating is my CURE for everything. Thank you!!
Hello! I Loved your post. Is there anywaY you could please send me the 25 day CHALLENGE as well?
ThanKs!!
I’ve sent the challenge your way!
Thank you so much for sharing! I never thought of the mindset on giving birth to my girls and how strong i was doing that, until i read what you wrote. I have been struggling with the motivation to workout and never thought about MEDITATION. If it is not a problem Can i please get a copy of the 25 day challenge too?
Thank you
desperately needed to read this.
so thankful for your inspiring words and journey, and hopeful for my own.
iβd love the 25 day guide as well.
thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and progress!
Thank you for reading! I’ve sent you the journal challenge!
I Can relate to what you went Threw. I am going threw it now and its hard. I have no motivation. It sucks. I would love to tey the 25 day challenge.
You can do it! I believe in you! I’ve sent the challenge you way π
Where Can i get the challenge?
Id like a copy of the CHALLENGE as wellβ¦
I’ve sent you the challenge!
Cluld you send me the 25 day challenge?
Thank you for your MOTIVATION. I Never reSpond or ask of any of them. Your story spoke to me. Could you please send me a copy of the 25 day challenge. I am not who i want to be.
I’ve sent you an email!
Please send me the CHALLENGE. Kindest regards
Sent the challenge your way!
CAn i join your 25 day challenge?
Looking forward to it doing it!!
Sent the challenge your way!
Hello, please may I have a copy of your 25-day challenge? Also, what 90-day program did you use that jump-started your journey?
I sent you an email!
I would love to get the 25 day CHALLENGE to plEase!
thanks for reading Samantha! I sent you the challenge!
Great post! Please send to me the 25 day challenge.
Live your Blog, are you still offering guidance ?
Hi Theresa! Thank you! Yes, I offer coaching services π You can check out my coaching website http://www.shannonelizabethclay.com or feel free to email me directly!
Can you please send me the 25 day challenge and sign me up for the newsletter?
Can i get the plan also:)
Can i get the 25 day CHALLENGE?
Would like a copy of the challenge please. Thank you!
CAN I GET THE CHALLENGE?
I would like the challenge please! π
Hi shannoN! You are such an inspIration! I would love to have the 25 day challenge. Will you please send it to me?
I just Cane acroSs your post, i live this! Can you plsase send me your challenge? Thanks
challenge sent!
Can you please send me a copy of your CHALLENGE?
Please send me the challenge & sign me up for your newsletter. Thank you
Your story is very INSPIRATIONAL i would lIke a copy of the challenGe. Thank you
Your jou is Very An INSPIRATION!! I would love to see yoUr 25 day CHALLENGE and Try it. Could you please seNd me a copy?
Can you please send to me also!
Please send me the CHALLENGE
Hi, I just came across and read your post. Cld you please send me the 25 day challenge? Thanks!
Alisa
Challenge sent!
Could i get the challenge? im ready to start this journey!!!
HI, can you please send me a copy of the cHaLlenge? Thanks!
Hi would you please be able to send me the link to the chaLlenge
Please send me a copy of the challEnge also.
I would love the 25day CHALLENGE
Would you please send me the 25 day challenge. I could also use some help.
I would love to also do the challenge. I gained 80 pounds and am at the heaviest i have ever been. I have tried to go to the gym daily and just feel so unmotivated after the first week. Thank you for your encouragment!
would love your guide also..
i have been trying to get myself in the mindset to lose weight. i can do good for a day or two but then i think who cares? i live alone and it is very hard to stay motivated but, i read your story and realized i have to care or no one else will. thank you. also, will you please send me the challenge.
Please send me the info
Would love the 25 day CHALLENGE as well please, I happened to stumble across your blog and I dont think its on accident. Really looking for a LIFESTYLE change, cant wait to listen to your podcast π
Would love a copy of your CHALLENGE
Thank you! π