I lost more than half my size and I’m just back from The TODAY Show plus filming video for an Atkins Success Promo. What a whirlwind of a long weekend! Read all about it here!
As a blogger, I’m used to receiving fun new products to review, but none changed my life like the digital scale I reviewed here on this blog back in March, 2014. After finding the courage to step on, I saw my actual weight for the first time in several years and was immediately brought to tears. The scale read 326 pounds.
While I was morbidly obese for the vast majority of my life, it wasn’t until that defining moment that I realized just how far the problem had spiraled out of control. I committed to losing the weight and two years later, I found that I’d lost more than half my size – a whopping 180 pounds lost. I’ve continued to maintain that weight ever since.
At my highest weight, I wasn’t just morbidly obese, I was extremely unhealthy and needed to take multiple prescription medications for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression, anxiety and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Today, I’m completely free of all prescription medications and I have a clean bill of health. Now at my “Happy Weight,” I’m sharing my weight loss journey and success in hopes that I can help motivate and inspire others to take the first step. For me, the first step was finding a weight loss plan that I could commit to 100 percent.
I had heard about Atkins as a child and remembered seeing some low carb recipes that were really appealing in social media, so I ordered the free Atkins Nutritionals start-up kit, completely cut out sugar and flour and started eating more whole, fresh foods. The weight began to melt off. During the first week, I lost 11 pounds and, while some of that could be attributed to water weight, I saw the scale drop 4-5 pounds per week for the next month and then maintained an average of 2-3 pounds lost per week for several months. In total, I lost the first 100 pounds in the first eight months and continued losing an additional 80 pounds in the next 12 months. As of now, I have maintained my healthy weight for seven months and several national media outlets have taken notice.
Last month, my weight loss success was featured in Fitness Magazine and mentioned in Women’s Health. This month, my success went in front of the camera – first, I was in Denver along with nine other Atkins success stories filming a video success story and participated in a photo shoot after spending some time having my hair, makeup and wardrobe professionally done. The video footage and photography will be used to create a one-minute success video for each of the ten participants that will be used for internet commercials and may also be used in part for television commercials. I’ll share links to these things as I get them!
Following my time in Denver, I boarded a plane to New York City where I was surprised with an “Ambush Makeover” before being inducted on Monday, September 19th into Joy Bauer’s “Joy Fit Club” on the TODAY Show during the Fourth Hour with hosts Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb. After hearing about my weight loss journey and seeing my “before photos” the show’s hosts were shocked to see the new and improved woman when I walked out on stage. Hoda exclaimed, “Wow, Erica! Nice girl!” when seeing me for the first time. Kathie Lee’s expression was priceless! I felt so amazing in that gorgeous NUE by Shani dress and I loved my hair!!
In addition to adopting a healthier nutritional lifestyle, I’ve added fitness activities to my daily life like DDP Yoga three times a week, and also Kettlebell workouts and I have especially enjoyed hiking the White Mountains of New Hampshire. In July, I summited Mount Washington for the first time during Seek the Peak 2016, in which I raised more than $200 to benefit the Mount Washington Observatory. Last year, I was named an Elite Ambassador for The Color Run Night and completed my first 5k.
Before losing the weight I felt desperate, and hopeless. I was sick, tired and had given up even trying to lose weight. Everything changed in a single moment and my success became my motivation. With every pound lost I was determined to continue. Today, I want others to know that it’s possible to take control of their lives, the key is finding your why and always remembering it along the way.
Follow me on Instagram @ericabuteau to see where my journey takes me from day to day! If you would like more information or to arrange an interview, please contact me here. If you’re looking for help with your own weight loss journey, I now offer lifestyle and weight loss consulting and coaching for as little as $15!
Most Recent Media Coverage:
TODAY Show: http://www.today.com/video/mom-celebrates-her-175-pound-weight-loss-with-dramatic-makeover-768510531735
Fitness Magazine: http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/trending/she-lost-half-her-size-by-diet-and-exercise-alone/
Women’s Health: http://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/body-transformation-pictures
Joy Fit Club: http://www.joybauer.com/video/joyfitclub/joy-fit-club-erica-janice/
Today Show Segment on YouTube: https://youtu.be/sC_v3svyfN4
Use the social code SAVE25KITS to get 25% off at kits.atkins.com Not read to commit to the kit just yet? Click here to save $1 on a box of bars or shakes. Or click hereto save $1 on the frozen meals. Enter the Atkins #AtkinsAllDay Contest!
Enter My Atkins Giveaway Contest!
For another chance to win an Atkin’s goodie package, follow me on Instagram @ericabuteau then like and comment on this post. In your comment, tell me what you do daily to maintain health in your life. Not on Instagram? Like my Facebook page (Buteau Full Chaos) and then comment on this post orfollow me on Twitter and tweet me the answer. Bonus entry if you post your own photo and tag me on your own social media channel. You can do just Instagram, or Facebook, or Twitter OR do all three and be entered three times!! Be sure to include #AtkinsAllDay in your post to also have your entry count toward the Atkins giveaway!
How cool! More than the Today Show, you’ve helped your health and guaranteed more years to spend with your family! I’m so proud of you! I’m currently on my own weight loss journey, and I know it’s not easy!
It’s tough but eventually if you stick with it it really does become a way of life. At least, it did for me. Good luck on your journey – you can do it!!
That is absolutely amazing. What an inspiring journey you took. It’s such a dramatic change!
What an achievement! Congratulations on turning your life around! You are an inspiration!
Congrats what an amazing journey! You should be very proud of your success and everything you got on the Today show was well deserved!
Great job, that is amazing. I lost 40lbs doing Nutrisystem and it was the best thing i could have done. Congrats on your sucess, thats pretty swesome!
Congrats! Very proud of your inspiring journey to getting fit!
Wow, good for you! I am impressed you were able to stick to your weight loss program, and achieve the real results! Great motivation for all of us to keep going and achieve the weight goals! Thank you so much for sharing!
You are AMAZING and INSPIRING! I’m so happy that you were on the TODAY show where you could share your journey with so many people! Gosh! I couldn’t even lose 5 lbs., but now I know I can!
So amazing Erica! So very proud of you <3 You inspire me so much!
Congrats on the weight loss and winning ambush makeover from the Today Show. Wow you look amazing and keep up the great work. Atkins really does indeed work for so many. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Congrats to you. This is not an easy journey and you did it. I can only imagine the joy you feel.
Wow! What an amazing transformation for you. Congratulations! I admire your determination. Such an inspiration.
That’s great! I’ve tried the Atkin’s diet and it’s not for me. My issue has been getting more exercise. I went from exercising 3 hours a day, 5 days a week, to barely anything… that, and soda.
I’m building up to that again, and it’s working. Stories like this still motivate me, so thank you, and also, congrats!
Yeah, soda is a killer! I used to drink a 12 pack of Diet Coke daily. I switched to water when I went low carb. I can’t stand soda now!
That’s an amazing transformation and a testament to your strength of will. Great job.
Congrats on your weight loss journey! It’s not an easy journey yet you took on the challenge and made it to the finish line. I currently going through my own weight loss journey and stories like yours keep me motivated.
Congrats on your weight loss! How exciting is it to not only be on the Today Show, but to get a makeover too!! You go girl 🙂
What an amazing journey! Keep up the awesome work! You’re doing great, love reading stories like these!
Wow!! I bet that was so exciting! Congratulations on your huge accomplishment!!
What a great transformation, kudos to you! Congratulations on your weight loss success.
That’s so amazing – what an incredible transformation! Go girl!
Wow very interesting story! Makes me for sure want to start up Atkins again, New Year resolution 🙂
Thank you for being such an inspiration. I think having some one fairly close by (I live in Maine) and from my home state helps. I swapped to the Atkins lifestyle in August and recently hit what feels like a plateau. Knowing you have traveled far with your journey inspires me to keep on my path.
Thank you so much, Melissa! I’ve had plenty of plateaus and they are frustrating but just stick with it. Sometimes our bodies just need to level out and make sure we’re not doing too much too fast. And sometimes there’s carb creep where you don’t realize you’re adding in a few to many carbs. I found going back to induction for a week or two to be helpful breaking out of plateaus, especially when it was the latter. You’ve got this!!
Thank you for the advice. I have stayed in the induction phase but perhaps I need to recount my Carb intakes.
What an inspiration you are! So so happy for you! My husband and I are starting the new year with healthier eating and a more active lifestyle. I know soda, even diet soda is a bad thing; my problem is that I work 12 hour night shifts and I need the caffiene to stay awake. I still drink quite a bit of water as well. Any suggestions?
Thank you Dixie! Given the amount of coffee I drink, I’m thinking caffeine can work as long as you’re getting everything else under control. I’d start by focusing on your diet and making adjustments. If you’re still not losing back off on the caffeine. And definitely get that water in!
Hi, I have been on it again for about a week now. Have been on this diet several times in the past few yearS. This time I’m serious I always feel better on it. But, does nicotine gum which is sugar free cause me to have a plateau?
Hi Donna! Sounds like you are well on your way! I can’t say for sure but I’m guessing the nicotine gum isn’t causing a plateau – but I might check that you’re not overeating a little with the quitting smoking. I’d recommend keeping a food journal for a while to make sure – it’s amazing how easily those carbs can creep up!
Reading the Jan. 2, 2017 addition was very inspiring. And you made it sound so easy. Each time I began a diet I feel so motivated. I’m going to succeed this time, but each time I fail.. Deep down I want to get this weight off, feel good about myself both emotionally and physically. But I just can’t seem to be able to make it happen. I read you provide coaching for as little as $15. Maybe this would make the difference. Actually having someone in my corner.
That is wonderful. You have made some great achievements. I am also on a journey and just started the Low Carb way. So far so good, I only can hope that I am able to achieve what you have done.
Thank you, Sharon! Wishing you a lot of success on your journey! Just stay the course and you’ll do fine!