Jamie Hendrix before and after.
Jamie Hendrix weighed more than 200 pounds when her doctor told her that she had lupus. Hendrix thought that weight loss might help her manage the pain so she found a weight loss coach, Charles D'Angelo, and started forming new, healthy habits. All told, she lost more than 65 pounds and has kept the weight off for two years. Here she shares how she did it.
What made you want to lose weight?
I was diagnosed with Lupus/ Sjorgen's/ Osteoarthritis in November 2009. After trying for a year or more to reduce my symptoms with medicine and doctor's care, to no avail, I decided that losing weight couldn't hurt.
Had you tried to lose weight before?
I tried multiple methods, multiple times since I was 11. I think the pain I felt from the recent diagnosis kept me motivated. Other weight loss methods worked, but they were slower in showing results and I never incorporated exercise.
To what do you attribute your weight gain?
I was a big girl all of my life. Born at 9 pounds 3 ounces. My parents were big, we ate together often. I socialize with food and drinks.
What method did you decide to use to lose weight?
I sought out a weight loss coach. I was retrained on how to eat (low carb, high protein, five small meals a day) and integrate cardio into my life. As I mentioned I tried many methods of weight loss in the past but the cardio was absolutely new to me. After a certain weight, I thought, "There's no way I can exercise without it hurting me more." The cardio is the best gift from this whole experience. It always feels amazing after.
Describe what you eat on a typical day.
Protein shake with fruit, almonds, salad, yogurt, chicken, and green vegetables.
How often do you work out? What do you do for exercise?
I try to get on the treadmill five days a week. I have multiple jobs so if I can make it three times, I'm happy. My only exercise is walking on the treadmill. This year I am interested in learning some toning techniques.
What advice would you give to someone who is also trying to lose weight?
Keep the routine going. Once you lose it, it's hard to go back to being a rigid as you were when you started.
During your transformation what were some important milestones?
Getting under 200, being asked to do a media event for the first time, and my lupus doctor telling me that the inflammation markers were lessened.
What are some things that you do now that you couldn't do before? Or do you feel differently?
I feel different. The lupus symptoms are less severe and happen less often. I can walk up stairs and in general without being winded. I love the new clothing options.
What's the key to weight loss?
I think it's important to start weight loss with a strong sense of confidence. Then you know you are doing it for good reason (i.e., health) and not vanity. With such a big loss, it's important to be comfortable. I got down to 160. I didn't like how I looked at that weight. I purposefully regained 20 pounds because I was more comfortable in the mirror at that size. Also, life happens; especially for me with the auto immune diseases. There will be gains but I have the tools to lose it again once life allows me to. This is a life style; not some fad. I will continue to eat clean and exercise because it makes me feel good. Simple as that.
