YOU’RE WORTH IT!

amanda edelstein’s story

HC: What made you decide you needed to change your life?

Honestly, I was exhausted and unhappy a majority of the time. I never had the energy or the desire to enjoy my life…instead I just sat on the couch, binged on Netflix, ate way too much junk food, and went out drinking with my friends. My relationship with my body was such an unhealthy one, that I knew I needed to do something to change/improve it, or else I would sink into an even more serious depression than I was already experiencing.

HC: What steps did you take to improve your life?

I started slow, by just going to the gym 5 days a week for 20 minutes of cardio. After I successfully completed that, I stopped eating out. It was a systematic change for me, logical steps towards empowering myself mentally and physically. Soon, I started making new friends who were into the healthy lifestyle and supported my decision to better my life. Eventually, after about 3 months, I had lost 40 pounds and started powerlifting again with a new coach, Jason Morris, who is helping me achieve my ultimate gains goal. Change is scary and hard, but when you take those smaller steps to remove the bad and add back in the good, it makes it seem much more manageable.

HC: What motivates you to keep on this path?

Powerlifting. That’s what it’s all about for me. I want to compete, crush PR’s, school all the women in my weight class, and show the world (and more importantly myself) what a strong and beautiful woman I am. This lifestyle isn’t just about being in shape physically for me, it’s a total emotional and mental thing as well. I feel better, all 

of the time (except when I’m forced to take a rest day haha

HC: What are you most proud of going through this journey?

I am really proud of the work I’ve done on what’s inside of me. Self-love is a hard nut to crack, and most of us struggle with things like self-doubt, self-worth, and especially for me, taking care of myself. Now, I feed my body right, giving it the appropriate fuel to do the things that make me feel amazing, like powerlifting. It wasn’t always so easy for me, I struggled quite a bit with eating the nutrients needed just to get through the day in the beginning because I had developed such an unhealthy, emotional relationship with food. Thankfully, I’m getting over that and making huge strides towards my personal goals.

HC: What future goals do you have?

I would like to help people with the same issues I had. Folks reach out to me a lot on social media asking for advice in fitness, nutrition, weight loss, etc. but unfortunately, those things are out of my scope of practice, so I refer them to the professionals. Maybe one day, I’ll go back to school and earn the appropriate certifications to help those people who struggled with eating disorders or getting back into shape. I just want to help others feel as amazing as I do now.

Never give up. I know that sounds really simple, but it’s ridiculously hard. Know that when you first start this journey to a healthy, happy life, that it’s going to suck so badly that you’ll want to quit every day. But don’t. Suit up and show up, every day, because you know deep down inside, that YOU’RE WORTH IT. And also, never be afraid to ask for help. Whether it’s from a friend, or a personal trainer, or just someone you admire from afar, we are all here to help one another.

HC: Where can people get in touch with you?

 

People can find me on Instagram @littlebirdvegan, my website www.plantbasedromance.com or through email, plantbasedromance@gmail.com

BEFORE/AFTER :

thank you for sharing your story amanda.if you know of anyone that has a story to share.

have them email me at bigtymer32@gmail.com or contact me on my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/hotchocolatefitness

let’s connect 

instagram : @bigtymer32

twitter:   @bigtymer32

youtube : http://www.youtube.com/user/bigtymer32 

Impact change the way crystal did!

crystal collins story’s

HC: what made you decide you needed to change your life?

CC: Several years ago I was unhealthy and unhappy at a size 16. I felt like I couldn’t function well, lacked energy, and was dealing with depression on a regular basis. I’d deal with getting sick frequently, and I simply wasn’t happy with what I saw when I looked in the mirror.

HC : what steps did you take to improve your life?

CC: Initially I began getting more active, and started eating healthy/whole foods. I eliminated almost all processed foods, and reduced my meat consumption. I quickly dropped down to about a size 8, and began juicing pretty regularly. I’d do 2 juice cleanses a year, and drink juice a couple times a week. Through this, I dropped down to a size 4. I was still fairly active, but I noticed that I still wasn’t feeling like I was operating at peak efficiency. I felt sluggish at times, and the only time I ever felt amazing was when I did juice cleansing. 

 

So after my most recent cleanse, I decided that I wanted to go full on vegan. I had toyed with being a vegan/vegetarian for these past several years, and had always told family and friends that I was the “wannabe vegan.” But something changed in me this past January, and I was finally ready to make the plunge. It wasn’t something I feared I would fail anymore, but knew without a doubt that I was ready for it and could succeed. 

HC: what motivates you keep on this path?

CC: Since going on the high carb low fat vegan lifestyle, I’ve dropped from that 4, down to a 2. If that’s not motivation, I don’t know what is. I had previously stayed on a plateau for the longest time, going back and forth between a 4 and a 6. To finally get past that after a month and a half of veganism, is truly motivating. 

 

But this isn’t the only factor. I feel amazing! My energy levels are better than they have ever been. I have clear focus. I can see and sense things I never could before. It’s amazing how feeding yourself living food (fruits & vegetables) actually makes you feel more alive than ever. I don’t want to lose this aliveness. 

 

Another motivator for me now, is the animals. When I started, I was definitely concerned for animal welfare, but not as much as I am now. A couple months in has really made me more aware than ever of our farming system practices, and how cruel it is to other living beings. And frankly, I have no desire to ever put the flesh of a decomposing being in my mouth again. The cruelty of it is appalling to me now. 

HC: what are you most proud of going thru this journey?

CC: I’m most proud that I’m able to impact change, and help other people by sharing my journey with them. Already I’ve had multiple people make healthier choices and begin to see better lives because of the impact of my story. I know no greater purpose in life than to make a difference like this. 

HC: what futures goals do you have ?

CC: My future goals personally for myself are to get more toned/fit, and to soon transition my children into this lifestyle. They currently do mostly vegetarian, but as I gain in knowledge and confidence I want to transition them into veganism. 

 

And my big goal? Change the world. I know it’s probably altruistic of me, but I sincerely believe that I have no other purpose on this planet other than to affect positive change. 

if you could share any advice or words of encouragement what would they be?

Small changes make a difference. Too many people get discouraged and fail at lifestyle changes because they try to take on too much at once. Would I love to see everyone go vegan tomorrow? Absolutely! But I know that they’d probably all fail, because it’s a journey and a process that we will have more success with if we take baby steps. I didn’t become vegan and healthy overnight. It was a process of several years. So start making simple, positive choices on a regular basis and overtime they will add up. 

HC: where can people get in touch with you?(contact info,social media sites)

 

CC: I’d love for everyone to join me on YouTube. I believe everyone deserves to live well, eat well, and thrive, and I hope to encourage them to do so through my daily videos. Also, I share complete and utter ridiculousness over there, too, so don’t drink and watch or you might spray your computer screen. 😉

before/after 

thank you for sharing your story crystal .if you know of anyone that has a story to share.have them email me at bigtymer32@gmail.com or contact me on my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/hotchocolatefitness

let’s connect 

instagram : @bigtymer32

twitter:   @bigtymer32

youtube : http://www.youtube.com/user/bigtymer32 

LIVE IN THAT LIFESTYLE!

Kimberly moffatt’s story 

what made you decide you needed to change your life?

I was very unhappy with the way my life was going and that mentality was overflowing in my interpersonal relationships. I needed a routine to feel normal and having a gym membership gave me that. I had something to look forward to each day that wasn’t dependent on someone else. This was “my thing”.

 

what steps did you take to improve your life?

 

I went to the gym everyday and gave every session 110%. I also decided to use my personal time and social media to inspire and help others. This forced my mentality to change even if I didn’t feel 100% positive or upbeat about my life. Helping others helped me. It’s the best feeling in the world to see someone change their life or their habits and are excited about it. Giving encouragement to others also assisted myself with giving -myself- encouragement.

 

what motivates you keep on this path?

 

A few things motivate me to keep on this path. The first is to show the majority that hurting animals is unnecessary to achieve the level of success you want with sports, your body, health and anything related. Another thing that motivates me is seeing people change their habits to live better lives. When we feel good and confident about ourselves, we are most likely to spread love and compassion towards one another as well as empower others since we aren’t seeking self esteem from tearing others down. The last thing that motivates me is the “selfish” reason. I love seeing my body change. It’s a temple and I can sculpt it anyway I want. My mental health has greatly improved as well.

 

what are you most proud of going thru this journey?

 

I am most proud with how strong I’ve become and how much passion and drive I have. I -knew- I was meant for something, but as the years went by I was starting to think otherwise.

 

what futures goals do you have ?

 

I want to compete in jujitsu as a vegan competitor. Weight lifting gives me a ton of confidence, however, martial arts brings me back to “Earth”. You must be a student even if you become a black belt and that in my opinion is so humbling and needed in this world. I also want to continue to inspire others with my fitness Instagram and my newly made Youtube Channel. If I can help as many people and save animals as I do it, that in itself is worth it.

 

 

if you could share any advice or words of encouragement what would they be?

 

The strongest advice I have besides making a decision to do so is to visualize yourself in that role. LIVE IN THAT LIFESTYLE. It’s so easy to diverge from what we want to do and we put our focus into the person we want to be IN that decision, I believe we are more likely to stick with it.

 

where can people get in touch with you?(contact info,social media sites)

 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/pumpkim – for motivation,inspiration and free workout plans
Website: www.fitnessonplants.com – for workout tips, plans, recipes and living vegan
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4nGZGfNQ0ddZNTQzSdRxiQ – workouts, food ideas, motivation about life and pushing through fear

before 

after 

thank you for sharing your story kim .if you know of anyone that has a story to share.

have them email me  bigtymer32@gmail.com

facebook  http://www.facebook.com/hotchocolatefitness

instagram @bigtymer32

do you compete with others?

ever felt like your not good enough ? or you you’ll never reach your goals this video is for you.

progress not perfection!

janet lee beckman’s story 

what made you decide you needed to change your life?

I was diagnosed with Lupus when I was 12 so I had spent the majority of my life in survival mode. A few years ago I got the news from my rheumatologist-I was in remission and she expected I’d stay there. It was like I’d been given a second chance. I had never truly been healthy and didn’t know what I needed to do until I watched Forks over Knives and realized that going vegan, specifically plant based wasn’t so hard.

 

what steps did you take to improve your life?

 

After watching the movie, I started reading and watching everything I could so that I could make a plan. I gave myself a start date, May 1st, 2012. I committed to doing this a month to see what would happen. I cleaned out my pantry and my fridge. I stocked it with all of the things I needed. Then I planned the menu for the first 7 days. It has now been almost 3 years and I can’t imagine now why I thought this would be so hard.

 

what motivates you keep on this path?

 

I’m in my 40’s now and I wake up every day feeling good. I do not suffer from the aches and pains that most people suffer from. I just had a physical and they said my lab work is the best they’ve seen. Getting older isn’t something I need to be afraid of because I’m the healthiest I’ve ever been and I don’t see that changing any time soon.

 

what are you most proud of going thru this journey?

 

That my son decided to join me on this journey and it is something we can share. Also, after sharing my success, I’ve had a few friends go plant based and they have gotten similar results.

I also found that I am a pretty good cook. I had been convinced that I was a terrible cook before. But after learning the basics, I’ve been challenged to try new things and have gotten really comfortable with plant based cooking.

what futures goals do you have ?

 

I want to run faster and get stronger. I have no goals to compete or anything like that. I’m just trying to be the best that I can and ensure that I build a strong foundation for a long, healthy, and productive life.

if you could share any advice or words of encourgement what would they be?

 

Don’t listen to anything other people say. Many people give advice and think they are experts. When getting started, just pick one thing you can change. Then pick another. Progress happens gradually, so be forgiving and don’t expect perfection. Progress not perfection. 🙂

Also, don’t compare yourself to others. We are individuals, not cookie cutter people. What works for one person, may not work for you. Don’t be afraid to mix it up if you get stuck.

where can people get in touch with you?(contact info,social media sites)

Feel free to email me at janetleeb1@gmail.com. I’m no expert, but I’m happy to help if I can.

before 

after 

thank you for sharing your story janet .if you know of anyone that has a story to share.have them email me at

bigtymer32@gmail.com

my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/hotchocolatefitness

instagram  @bigtymer32

eat your veggies & the leave animals alone!!!!

Cristina Myers Cuadrado’s story 

what made you decide you needed to change your life?

Before going vegan I was walking around with 80lb of unnecessary weight. I had low self esteem, joint pains from the extra weight, unexplained migraines, etc. It was pretty embarrassing that at 25 years old I couldn’t even walk up a flight of stairs without sounding like I had just attempted to outrun a stampede of wild buffalo to save my life. I would have to explain to people who were congratulating me on my pregnancy that I wasn’t pregnant…I was just fat. After work I would hide at home, too embarrassed to go out with friends. I was lost and didn’t know how to fix myself. I would attempt diets that didn’t work or I just wouldn’t last with it. Going to the gym to walk on a treadmill was too daring for me. One night, after stuffing my face with a super deluxe spicy chicken sandwich from Chik-Fil-A trying to feel better and actually feeling the complete opposite, I was surfing through Netflix and saw a title to a documentary called (Forks Over Knives) I thought, “Hm…this might be another diet documentary that might motivate me to eat healthier for a couple weeks before I fall off the wagon again.”

5 minutes into the documentary and my jaw dropped. Here I was. 25 years old and already heading down a dangerous path of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and an early death because I was eating animals. This was Thanksgiving Eve. Over night I dived into a plant based diet and never looked back.

what steps did you take to improve your life?

One month into veganism and I already was 20lb lighter and I didn’t have to cut down on food. I was actually eating more food. There was a variety in my diet that I had never experienced before. Quinoa, beans, rice, agave nectar, in juice smoothies, hemp milk, rice milk, leafy greens, vegan burgers, etc. I was feeling better. My migraines had disappeared, which later I found out it was because of the dairy products that I was consuming. I encountered a lot of negativity on behalf of my (then) fiancée, friends, family coworkers. No one understood why I decided to change my eating habits so “drastically” and I didn’t understand why I didn’t have any support over something that clearly was improving my health, saving animals, and the environment. So the steps I took were always have cruelty free food in the house AND cutting out people from my life that were holding me back on something good. I found like-minded people through social media and I was surrounded by support and love from strangers who were fighting to create awareness about a plant based diet and animal cruelty in the food industry.

what motivates you keep on this path?

Animals motivate me when im lifting weights in the room. Whatever pain or exhaustion I feel in the gym is northing compared to what animals go through. I do this for them now.

what are you most proud of going thru this journey?

well my physical change is something im very proud of. Its not everyday someone changes their lifestyle over night and looses 80lb of fat and gains some back of plant based muscle. But veganism made me realize that I needed no ones approval or love to feel worthy.  I finally realized that I didn’t need constant love (the wrong kind and from the wrong people)… I WAS love. I loved who I had become and was perfectly content being by myself in my fight to spread the message of animal suffering and creating awareness about optimum health through a plant based lifestyle.

what futures goals do you have?

My goal now is opening up a company (Cruelty Free Muscle) a fitness apparel line for vegans, vegetarians and compassionate people in general starting their journey to fitness and help animals along the way. A portion of the profits will be donated to sanctuaries/shelters/ and towards the animal rights movement in any way that it can help.  I plan to continue my training and winning fitness competitions, proving to the typical “meat heads” that you don’t have to live on Whey protein, chicken, and brown rice. That you can still look like a shredded monster by eating plants, lifting heavy, and being kind to animals.

if you could share any advice or words of encouragement what would they be?

A quote that helped me at the beginning of my journey was “it is better to walk alone, than with a group heading in the wrong direction.” No one has the right to hold you back from anything…especially if your intentions are pure of heart. If you have something to say…say it even if you SOUND scared. If you have something you want to prove to people who say you can’t do it….prove them wrong no matter HOW long it takes. You want to save animals….save them. Surround yourself with people who want to help or see you succeed. The people who don’t do not deserve your time…walk away.

where can people get in touch with you?

If anyone needs food tips, recipes, fitness motivation, how to go about animal activism  …you can add me on facebook (Cristina Myers Cuadrado) or follow me on Instagram (@CrisVeganFit) I’m here to help you help the animals and even yourself.

before & after 

thank you for sharing your story cristina .if you know of anyone that has a story to share.

have them email me at bigtymer32@gmail.com or

contact me on my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/hotchocolatefitness

instagram : bigtymer32

gluten free cauliflower vegan wings!

with the super bowl coming up it’s only right you have wings right??

since i’m vegan you wouldn’t think i could have wings do you?? 

you’re wrong!

you can make any recipe vegan.instead of chicken we use cauliflower and thus cauliflower wings are born.even gluten free! double win!

ingredients 

1 head of cauliflower cut into florets

1 cup  buckwheat flour

1 cup water

1/4 teaspoon red pepper

1/4 teaspoon trader joes 21 seasoning salute

baking directions :

 

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Combine buckwheat flour, water, seasonings  and whisk until combined.
3. Dip cauliflower in batter and place on two baking pans lined with parchment paper.
4. Bake for 15-18 minutes 
5. Pull cauliflower out of the oven and lightly dip them into buffalo sauce to coat.
6. Put them back into oven for another 5 minutes to crisp back up.
7. Remove from oven and serve hot (or let cool)

There you have an awesome recipe that won’t keep you out of the fun of having wings.

from postnatal depression to plant based booty rock star!

jasmine George’s story 

what made you decide you needed to change your life?

My journey began in 2012 after the birth my son. I suffered postnatal depression and had major body issues. It wasn’t just the appearance side, it was also how tired I felt; my body ached and I felt weak. I just did not feel like a person of my age should be feeling.

what steps did you take to improve your life?

I turned to exercise to not only get me out of the house but to rebuild my body so that daily movements were not so challenging. I began to research and follow plantbased organic living . . . and that was the start of my healthy plant based eating and when I really noticed my body changing and I began to feel really happy.

what motivates you keep on this path?

My almost 3 year old son and how I feel better each day I continue to follow this path.

what are you most proud of going thru this journey?

That I have overcome a lot throughout my two year journey whilst being a solo mama and a fulltime student

what futures goals do you have ?

I plan to finish my Commerce degree, compete in a show with my fellow vegan team mates (this coming june) and to also always improve my body from the previous year(s) whilst raising my son to be a bad ass vegan!

if you could share any advice or words of encourgement what would they be?

At times it’s not easy; it is not all plain sailing. There will be ups and down along the way, however life’s unexpected hiccups help you grow and make you stronger. I want to share with people that this took two years of healing. I used to get caught up on not getting the results I wanted in a few months – and now I realise it really does take time. But it is worth it.

where can people get in touch with you?(contact info,social media sites)

https://www.facebook.com/Plantbasedbooty

instagram : @plantbasedbooty

www.plantbasedbooty.com (Underconstruction)

Youtube: Plantbasedbooty (Undercontruction)

before & after pics :

thank you for sharing your story jasmine .if you know of anyone that has a story to share.

have them email me at bigtymer32@gmail.com or contact me on my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/hotchocolatefitness

from tired to lifting powerhouse bonnie did it !you can too!

Bonnie Fritch Douthitt‘s story 

 

 

HC : what made you decide you needed to change your life?

BFD: There was several things that made me want to change my life. I was tired of hiding away & not enjoying life like I should have. Diabetes and heart disease runs in my family and affected two of my siblings at a young age.
But the main reason was because of something my husband said to me. One day when I was being weird about him seeing me nude he said to me, “I don’t care if you weigh 500lbs I just want you to be happy with yourself and I want my best friend & wife back. You know the one that used to do things with me and enjoy life with me, and the one that lets me see her naked?” I decided then that I wanted that person back too for me, him & our kids.

HC :what steps did you take to improve your life?

BFD: I started to improve my life by losing fat, eating in moderation staying away from eating, drinking, & buying high calorie junk food & pop. I paid closer attention to what & how much I was eating. I stopped drinking wine everyday, & drank lots more water. After My weight loss was going well I added cardio. I walked & danced a lot. I used our Wii to be more active and it was fun too, I was just trying to stay active. Little by little I made lifestyle changes that stuck. I eventually added bodyweight exercises then strength training with heavy weights, punching a heavy bag, & hill sprints. That changed my body a lot. I lost a lot of inches from it and weight as well.

HC: what motivates you keep on this path?

BFD: The results and what I have accomplished. How much healthier and happier I am and motivating and inspiring others.

HC: what are you most proud of going thru this journey?

BFD: That once I made the decision I never looked back, never made excuses. My willpower and my perseverance to succeed without help, even with the obstacles I encountered, I was able to do it from home. I am proud that I have inspired others to become healthier too.

HC: what futures goals do you have ?

BFD:  To keep getting stronger and building more muscle. To help others with it if I can. To stay fit and healthy!

HC: if you could share any advice or words of encourgement what would they be?

BFD:  Don’t wait or be afraid to make changes in your lifestyle. You won’t regret it. Enjoy the journey, relish in your improvements and accomplishments no matter how small. It is worth the effort!

HC: where can people get in touch with you?(contact info,social media sites)

BFD: Facebook-you can search me & pm me under Bonnie Fritch Douthitt

 

before/after pics

 

 

thank you for sharing your story bonnie.if you know of anyone that has a story to share.have them email me at bigtymer32@gmail.com or contact me on my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/hotchocolatefitness

instagram : bigtymer32

twitter: bigtymer32

youtube : http://www.youtube.com/bigtymer32

KIK :hotchocolate32

 

from unhappy to ladybeast!

• tina ellis’s story

  HC : what made you decide you needed to change your life?

  TE: I woke up one day and realized that I was very unhappy, unhealthy, and needed to make a change so that I would be able to live a longer life and be around to watch my daughter grow up.

  HC: what steps did you take to improve your life?

  TE: I started a couple days a week at the gym, then it went to 3, then to 4, and now it’s 5-6. I had to rethink my diet, do a lot of research on nutrition to find out what would work best for me. I applied that knowledge to my daily life and it soon became 2nd nature to just eat clean and train.

  HC: what motivates you keep on this path?

  TE: The changes I have seen and my daughter….those are my biggest motivating factors

  HC: what are you most proud of going thru this journey?

  TE: I am most proud of myself for having the determination, dedication, and willpower to stick to it and not let any outside influences stop me from keeping focused.

  HC: what futures goals do you have ?

  TE: I eventually want to get to the point that I LOOK like a competitor, but I don’t want to compete. For me, it’s not about winning against someone else….it’s about winning my OWN competition with myself.

  HC: if you could share any advice or words of encouragement what would they be?

  TE: Never ever give up. Always look within yourself for the support and encouragement to keep going. It’s good to surround yourself with people who share your same passion and are into this life, but only YOU can make the decision to change and become what you want to be.

  HC: where can people get in touch with you?(contact info,social media sites)

  TE: I’m on Facebook www.facebook.com/tinaellis904 , Twitter @bobinabeast and on Instagram @jaxshorty

  before /after pics 

  

  thank you for sharing your story tina.if you know of anyone that has a story to share.have them email me at bigtymer32@gmail.com or contact me on my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/hotchocolatefitness

  instagram : bigtymer32

  twitter : bigtymer32