Andrea Lost 30 Pounds in 10 Months and Here's How She Keeps It Off

When Andrea decided she was ready to lose weight, she knew it was time to finally do it the right way. She teamed up with Ricki Friedman, founder of Break the Weight, an online coaching program that helps individuals break what weighs them down physically and mentally.

Andrea said, "I've tried to lose weight before, but working with Ricki made me realize that it wasn't just about the weight, it was about the habits that surrounded it. That's what I needed to understand better."

The program teaches people how to transform their daily habits and their lifestyle by focusing on the power of being consistent with and accountable for the choices they make. This isn't about being on a diet; it's about being in the driver's seat of your own life.

In 10 months, Andrea lost 30 pounds not just by reducing how much she ate and increasing her movement, but by looking at food as fuel and connecting to her hunger levels instead of just eating for no reason. After the initial 10 months, Andrea has since used the tools from the program to keep the weight off. She also credits the emotional support and accountability of her coach that kept her going. Andrea said, "Ricki made sure I was consistent with my simple daily changes and held me accountable to stick with it even when I felt bored or unmotivated. That was key for me."

Andrea said that her typical day of eating consists of around 1,400 to 1,500 calories and mostly three meals and two snacks. She sticks to foods that make me her feel good and give her energy throughout the day.

Breakfast: Two eggs and two egg whites with half an avocado
Snack: Apple and one tablespoon peanut butter
Lunch: Greek salad with five ounces of chicken and olive oil for dressing
Snack: One cup Greek yogurt with a handful of almonds and walnuts
Dinner: Big veggie stir-fry with grilled shrimp and ice cream bar for dessert

Physical activity also plays a huge role in her success. Besides walking 10,000 steps a day, Andrea stays consistent and committed to her exercise routine, saying, "I work out five days a week for about an hour for my mental and physical health. It keeps me clear-headed and helps me make healthier choices."

Andrea admitted, "I did crash diets . . . a lot. I would lose the weight, then gain it all back and then some when the diet was over. It's a lifestyle now for me. It's all about balance and understanding why you make certain choices." Ricki agreed, "People need to approach change, especially when it comes to weight loss with the understanding that it's so much more. It's never just about the weight."

The biggest change she made? Andrea said, "Understanding that this was a lifestyle change and that being consistent with what I ate and how much I moved was a huge part of my success. That helped me take the pressure off losing weight because it became so much more than that."

The biggest piece of advice Andrea offered to others on this journey is, "Always move forward. Even when you feel off track or have a bad day or week. Remember this isn't a diet, so you don't need to punish yourself. Forgive, learn, and move on."