Transformation Tuesday – Molly Pearson

Congratulations to this week’s Transformation Tuesday success story, Molly Pearson! Molly’s been following the Own Your Eating Program

for just under 3 months now and has lost 20 lbs. to date! Read on to find out more about how Molly has made this program and flexible eating a sustainable lifestyle change.

When did you start flexible eating?

I started tracking macros based on a different program at the end of March. I met Jason at a CrossFit Level One Seminar in early April and soon after found Own Your Eating. I adjusted my macros and have been on the Own Your Eating train since April 22, 2017.

What prompted you to get started?

I gained a significant amount of weight after experiencing a period of intense and prolonged stress. I tried lots of things to try to lose weight, or at least stop gaining, but was not successful. After addressing a few health issues I started tracking macros based on a different program and was having some small successes, but I was not satisfied and was still restricting my carbs so my performance in the gym was suboptimal at best. When I found Own Your Eating I dove in by watching YouTube videos, reading everything I could get my hands on, and listening to some older podcasts. I loved what I was hearing and Roz and Jason were so relatable so I decided to give it a try. My husband decided to jump on board with me too after deciding that he was working way too hard in the gym not to have the body that he wanted.

What changes have you noticed in your body?

I’ve lost 20 pounds since the beginning of April. I’m not quite halfway to my goal weight, but I’m feeling so much better already. My performance in the gym has improved. I was really struggling with pain (and being painfully slow!) running, but I’m starting to actually enjoy it again and don’t dread it when it comes up in a WOD. I got a big PR on Grace (30 Clean and Jerks for time at 95 pounds) a couple weeks ago at 3:58, I’ve set a new PR for max number of unbroken double unders at 86, and my pullups and toes to bar are starting to finally get better.

The PRs and the lost weight are wonderful, of course, but the biggest change I’ve experienced was somewhat unexpected. My self-talk and self-love are so much improved. I’m not assigning “bad” and “good” labels to my food anymore and therefore, if I choose to eat something that I would have previously deemed “bad” I’m not telling myself that I’m a bad person and beating myself up. My relationship with food has improved so much and for that I really am grateful.

What has been your biggest obstacle that you have overcome or are working on?

At first, it seemed like tracking, logging, and weighing was this monumental task that I would never be able to do long term. I had tried tracking and logging before on other programs, but would get stressed out and quit or finish whatever time period of restriction I was on and go back to my old ways. Now, tracking, weighing, and logging is second nature to me. I actually enjoy sitting down to plan my day ahead of time. And if there is a curveball thrown at me throughout the day, I have learned to adjust my plan and get on with it. I’ve been so surprised that eating this way and tracking everything has not caused me extra stress like other programs have in the past.

What’s one piece of advice you would give someone that is just getting started?

Figure out what will make this as easy as possible for you. During the week I leave early for work, go straight to the gym, and get home late hungry and not wanting to cook or clean up. This led to eating out a lot during the week. We started ordering bulk prepared protein and carb sources from Trifecta Nutrition and this has been a game changer for our dinners. I can portion out just what I need to meet my remaining macros for the day and have it on my plate and in my belly super fast. I also found a protein powder that I love so I always make sure to hit my protein number. For someone else, making it easy could be meal prepping over the weekend, but making it easy makes it low stress and sustainable.

My additional advice would be to just get started! Go for it, join the Tribe and ask questions. And when you see results you’ll want to shout it from the rooftop like I do!

I’m so excited to see where I’ll be a year from now!