Live LARGE: Carolina

Over the next few weeks, I'm having some Extreme Weight Loss: Destination Boot Camp alumni join me. They're sharing their stories about what it was like losing the weight, and now what's it's been like once they hit their goal and maintaining their weight loss.

I'm kicking things off with Carolina!

Before, starting DBC in Oct 2014. After, one year later in Oct 2015.

If you could give anyone considering this journey some advice, what would it be? 

For anyone considering this journey I would say, DO IT! What are you waiting for? The best investment you can make is the one you do for yourself/health. Has any other weight loss program worked? No, obviously, this is why you are thinking of doing this one. 

Don’t delay. The sooner you get going, the sooner you will become the person you always knew you were. Besides Destination Boot Camp, State of Slim is a proven program. Over and over it has shown amazing results. Where else you get to enjoy six meals a day? Where else you get to transform into the best version of yourself?

How have things changed since your one-year DBC anniversary?

In the year my transformation has been phenomenal, not only did I drop the weight/fat that I’ve been carrying around for the last 30 years, but the inches just quickly become less and less! I went from a size 2XL to a XS! Now I have no problem trying to figure out what to wear, since everything fits. I don’t have to hide my body with layers and I don’t have to keep buying bigger and bigger clothes. Financially it has even saved me money.

Her first year at DBC. One year later at her finale.

Since losing the weight I have gained more confidence. I stand tall (well as tall as I can, I’m only 4’10”). I have become proud of who I am. Reaching my goal has made me more sure of myself. Another interesting thing that changed since losing the weight is the ability to train my brain to see and recognize the new Me, my new body, and most of all my new face! I have a neck! My eyes are bigger and brighter and I have curves I didn’t know I had. I enjoy little things, like applying makeup on my new face. 

Something I have noticed that is taking a little more time to adjust to are the complements I get from family and friends and honestly from total strangers. I’m just not used to someone telling me how little or how small I am. I quickly say, no, that’s not true, but then I realize, yes, I’m much smaller.

What has surprised you the most about maintenance?

Two things have surprised me the most about maintenance: how easy it is to be in maintenance and how easily my body is adjusting to this phase. It’s loving it! This new lifestyle is what the year long program has taught me, so it’s easy. It’s not a quick fix. It takes a year long journey to recognize the mistakes you make by trying to YO-YO diet. It takes a year to shift your mind to the new lifestyle and even though for me it was a one-year journey, it was short and quick to undo the damage I had done for the last 30 years! The new habits, routines and rituals have become like brushing my teeth!

What is the hardest part for you about keeping the weight off? Easiest part?

I don’t have an answer for the first part of this question. It hasn’t been hard at all, because when I was at the Anschutz Health and Wellness center during my first week Boot Camp I made up my mind that this was not a diet, it was a lifestyle change. Seeing the incredible results on national TV with Bruce Pitcher and Bob Brenner to name a few, I knew that I was going to succeed.

With Bruce and Bob

The easiest part for me was the MINDSET! The mind set is the key to success. It’s the number one factor to reach your goals and to maintain your weight loss. Once you make up your mind, your body will follow and the pounds will melt away.

Another part that has been very easy is the exercise part. Our bodies where designed to move and now I know my body loves to move in extreme ways.

Carolina loves kickboxing and weight lifting

What are some keys/tips you use to stay on track?

The tips I use to keep me on track are the ones I learned during my year long transformation. Destination Boot Camp and State of Slim are designed for success. During weekly homework meetings with classmates and coaches, you quickly learn the ins and outs of the program, especially how to shift your mind from the old you to the new you. 

By implementing my weekly food prep it prepared me to be ready for whatever the day threw at me. I don’t leave the house without protein shakes or my ready to eat tuna and broccoli. When preparation meets opportunity, it equals success. One of my nightly routines is to set out my gym clothes. I set my intentions in motion for the following day.  It’s easy in the morning because I’m ready to hit the gym. Another tool to keep me on track is to weigh myself every day. It keeps me accountable. And lastly, I keep updating my vision board with photos of my fellow boot campers and positive quotes.

Meal prep!

What is your mindset for the future now that you’ve lost the weight?

Now that I lost the weight and reached my goal, I feel unstoppable. My mindset has always been strong but with doubts. Those are all gone. I have proven to myself that if I make up my mind, I really can do it. My mind is sharp and eager to learn. It’s ready. It’s strong. It’s positive. Because my mind is right, nothing holds me back anymore.

Have any of your goals changed/shifted since you started DBC?

When I first started Destination Boot Camp I just wanted to breathe normally and lose the weight. I wanted to see that image of me that was always there on the inside but never reflected on the outside.  Now that my new goals are set in motion, my eagerness to learn about food and exercise and its impact on our bodies has been one of my favorite subjects to focus on, I read every article I can get my hands on. It has become my drug. 

My focus has also shifted from losing the excess fat to become a stronger person. Now that I know it is possible to reach an unreachable goal, all I want to do is to lead others to Destination Boot Camp and State of Slim. I see myself in so many people. I feel like it’s my obligation to Pay it Forward share my story with them. When I do, I see their eyes full of hope and full of trust. Typically, they end up sharing their story with me too. 

If I can lead one person to become the best version of themselves, if I can say a few words of encouragement to someone struggling with their weight, it would be: Decide what you want the most, your health, your future, your family, and your sanity. Demand more of yourself. You were made for greatness. If not now, when? Stop struggling and surrender to the best program in the word. It’s easy, it’s attainable, you just have to let go of your old self and embrace the NEW YOU.