Where I stand, personally. Sharing my story.

Well I first started working out and decided I needed a change when I weighed in at 139lbs when I was 18 years old. I was eating crap and I wasn't taking care of myself and my ****ty relationship was no help either. I was unmotivated and before I knew it, I had gained a ton of weight and I was oblivious to it. I remember seeing a picture of myself and not realizing what the hell I had done to get so far off track. So that was when I started eating clean, cut out all junk food and fast food, started cardio and weights. Within the next year/two years I got down to 102lbs but maintained anywhere between 107-112lbs. It was a great weight and I was happy with those numbers.

I continued to count calories but not as religiously as I was when weight loss was my main goal. I was still running everyday, most days up to 7 miles, on top of walking to and from work (which ranged anywhere from 3-6 miles a day). I was happy, I loved my body, and for the first time in my life I was confident. Something I NEVER thought I would ever achieve. Hiking, jogging trails, working out in the park, these were all things I loved to do and I couldn't see myself without these things.

Fast forward to 2012. August 1st, worst day of my life to date. My mother passed away. Everything I knew and loved about being fit, eating clean and working out went completely out of the window. My motivation was shot. My confidence depleted by depression and severe anxiety. My life was forever changed because of this and I had no interest in participating in the things I once loved and were amazing for me. I began spiraling out of control. I was gaining weight, eating horribly and doing nothing to keep myself in shape.

I moved states that December where my workouts were still no where to be found and my eating habits included anything and everything that was no good for my figure. I tried to get myself back on track and motivated but it was difficult and I easily found myself giving up before I could give myself the chance to feel good about getting back into it.

So today, it's a Sunday. June 30th, 2013 to be exact and it's been almost a year since my mother has passed away and I'm not sure where the time has gone. It still feels as though it's August of 2012. I'm in a new state, I'm in a new apartment, I'm living off of money I should be saving. I feel as though I'm making a lot of really rash decisions but none of which are going to make me feel better and confident about myself. So, here I am. Back on BodySpace on BodyBuilding.com; The first place to actually show me that I can make something of myself and feel good about myself for once at a whopping 129lbs.

So I'm back at square one. I'm still slightly depressed, I'm looking for that confidence I had not so long ago. I don't feel like myself anymore and I miss that. I realize that I will never get how I felt back before my mom died, but I want to make a new me. I want to make myself proud and prove to myself that I can do this. Even if means starting back at square one, which kills me inside because I swore I'd never let myself get to this weigh again.

But here I am, and I'm hoping to not get myself back to where I was, but to get myself to a newer, better, and even MORE confident version of myself. Even if that means forcing myself to do this because I can't quit. I will not allow myself to quit or become an even worse version of myself than I am right now. So, there it is. This is me. This is my journey to a new me, a happier me. I know deep down I can do this, it's just a matter of how much I am willing to push myself.

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Drop 10 Success Story: "I Am Back to Loving Myself and Life. I Feel Unstoppable!"

Ten pounds down was just the beginning for Shannon Salvatoriello, of Brick, New Jersey. After losing those in just five weeks with SELF's Drop 10 plan this spring, she decided to keep going and has so far boosted her weight loss to an amazing 18 pounds. "I finally enjoy shopping again and love the way I look and feel," Salvatoriello says.

HER MOTIVATION

A mom of three young boys, Salvatoriello attributes her weight gain to pregnancy and having little time to focus on exercise or eating healthfully. After her youngest son was born, she decided to drastically change her life and lost all of her baby weight--and then some--using what she calls "good ol' fashioned" hard work. Eventually, though, she hit a weight-loss wall. "I'd lost 77 pounds in under a year, and then last October, I plateaued," she says. "I have the time, means, drive and dedication to hit my goal weight. I just needed to change things up to get over the hump."

THE PAYOFF

Salvatoriello added the Drop 10 workouts to her fitness routine, and found new favorite dishes in the meal plan. "I'm loving the lentils, which I had never really liked before trying the Drop 10 recipes. And the stuffed egg pita with the cream cheese is amazing--who knew to put cream cheese on eggs? It's out of this world!" With new meal ideas and workouts in her exercise arsenal, Salvatoriello is achieving the body she's always wanted. "I have a whole new outlook," she says. "I am literally ecstatic over my weight loss and the amazing compliments I get on a daily basis. It is so inspiring."

Now it's your turn: Sign up for the Drop 10 plan now and be on your way to losing two pounds a week!

If you shed pounds on our plan, we want to hear from you! Email us at eatright@self.com with the subject line "Drop 10 Success" and your story could be featured in the magazine or on Self.com.

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Drop 10 Success Story: "I Haven't Felt This Good About Myself in a Long Time."

Tori Bachan, 21, of Brooklyn, New York, shed 10 pounds in five weeks (and counting!) with SELF's Drop 10 plan this spring. "I am so proud of all of the hard work I have been putting in and the results I continue to see on a daily basis," she says.

HER MOTIVATION

With her college graduation on the horizon, Bachan wanted to embrace a healthy lifestyle, but getting to the gym regularly and maintaining healthy eating habits--especially with her job as a music industry professional, which requires her to be on the road a lot--was a struggle. Instead of reaching for nutritious options, Bachan found herself in college dining halls or fast food joints, where healthy choices were harder to find.

THE PAYOFF

Courtesy of Drop 10, Bachan has a slew of new favorite healthy foods on her go-to menu. She keeps an eye out for Drop 10 superfoods when she's eating on the road, and when she's not traveling, she cooks more often rather than dining out. "I've been experimenting with quinoa," she says. "I make a breakfast quinoa with cut-up apples and cinnamon that tastes like apple pie in the morning--I'm obsessed." In general, her days are simply easier and more joyful. "The amount of energy I have now is insane. Plus, my confidence has skyrocketed. I feel better in my clothes, and it shows."

Now it's your turn: Sign up for the Drop 10 plan now and be on your way to losing two pounds a week!

If you shed pounds on our plan, we want to hear from you! Email us at eatright@self.com with the subject line "Drop 10 Success" and your story could be featured in the magazine or on Self.com.

View the original article here

Drop 10 Success Story: "I'm More Determined Than Ever to Reach My Fitness Goals."

Lucretia Barton, 29, of Fords, New Jersey, shed 10 pounds and completely changed her fitness outlook with our Drop 10 plan this spring. "I wanted to be as healthy as possible, and I knew that started with me. The Drop 10 Plan has given me a positive view on keeping junk out of my body and staying active."

HER MOTIVATION

Barton always struggled with her weight and felt stuck, not knowing what fitness or nutrition changes to make in order to improve her life. The New Jersey native even avoided looking in the mirror, unhappy with what she saw, feeling it didn't match the person she was inside.

THE PAYOFF

Today, Barton is happy with her reflection: "When I look in the mirror now, I admire the changes I see. It makes my smile brighter, and I feel more confident in my own skin." The Drop 10 Plan helped her sort out which foods were best for fueling fat burn, but more importantly, it made her realize that she was eating for all the wrong reasons. "I learned you should eat to live, not live to eat." Her friends consider her an inspiration, and Barton is still following the Drop 10 Plan, with continued success. "Even though I have more work to do, I'm dedicated to keeping at it."

Now it's your turn: Sign up for the Drop 10 plan now and be on your way to losing two pounds a week!

If you shed pounds on our plan, we want to hear from you! Email us at eatright@self.com with the subject line "Drop 10 Success" and your story could be featured in the magazine or on Self.com.

View the original article here

Make These Vegan "Cadbury" Eggs, The Story Behind That Red Thing in Your Social Feeds and More!

Easter just got a LOT better thanks to this vegan recipe inspired by Cadbury eggs. Each one clocks in at only 30 cals. Talk about happy calories! [POPSUGAR Fitness]

Seeing all kinds of red in your Twitter or Facebook feeds? The same-sex marriage debate has totally gone viral. The deets behind it here. [CNN Political Ticker]

A new study suggests that protein-rich breakfasts (try one of these under 350 calories) may help prevent unhealthy snacking later in the day. Need more healthy-eating ideas? Check out our Drop 10 diet. [Science Daily]

Justin Timberlake's 20/20 Experience album has debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling almost a million copies in its first week of sales. It's his best sales week ever since 2006. [Billboard]

Wanna know what the Fall 2013 runways looked like? Check out this color map of looks. Hint: Dark is in. [Fashionista]

Image Credit: Courtesy of Spork Foods

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Drop 10 Success Story: "SELF, You've Created a Fitness Monster!"

LaTisha Fletcher, 32, of Los Angeles, shed 8 pounds on our Drop 10 plan this spring. "This was a lifestyle change, not just a short-term goal. The more healthy foods I ate from the Drop 10 diet, the less I wanted crappy fast food or processed stuff."

HER MOTIVATION

Like every woman, Fletcher wanted to be the happiest, healthiest version of herself. And as a Los Angeles resident, she found herself surrounded by model and actor types--and was growing more and more self-conscious about the extra pounds hanging around her midsection. Her goal: getting bikini-ready by summer!

THE PAYOFF

Not only did the Drop 10 plan melt off 8 pounds, it also revved Fletcher's confidence big-time and earned her the new nickname Health Nut among her friends. She's so proud of her new bod, she plans to enter the next International Federation of Body Building and Fitness pro bikini contest!

Now it's your turn: Sign up for the Drop 10 plan now and be on your way to losing two pounds a week!

If you shed pounds on our plan, we want to hear from you! Email us at eatright@self.com with the subject line "Drop 10 Success" and your story could be featured in the magazine or on Self.com.

View the original article here