Rox(i)nspiration: Christina "How I lost 90 pounds"

 

Christina Pistone

After years of struggling with my weight, I decided to completely overhaul my nutritional, fitness, and lifestyle habits.  Since April 2011 I have been on this incredible life-changing weight loss journey.  I have gone from 261 pounds down to 170 pounds in one year and am almost at my ideal weight. This experience has inspired me to want to help others transform their lives so now I'm working on making this dream become a reality!

Age: 24

Twitter: cxstone21

Website: http://inspiredtogetfit.blogspot.com

What is your passion in life/what do you do?

My new found passion in life is anything related to health, fitness, and nutrition. I’m an information sponge when it comes to this kind of stuff! I’m studying to become a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, which will be the first of many goals I want to reach in this industry.. Currently, I’m a human resources assistant for a magazine publishing company and for the past eleven years I’ve been a ski instructor as well. For the past two seasons I’ve been the supervisor of Our Mountain Children's Ski Academy.

Name one person, place or thing that inspires you the most?

Well after watching her for years on television, reading all her books, sweating it out to her workout videos, and religiously listening to her weekly podcasts I’d have to say Jillian Michaels. I completely admire her no nonsense/no excuse attitude with the people she’s training. The impact she’s made over the years helping such a large audience become healthier and happier is remarkable! I’m genuinely inspired by any other weight loss/health transformation story. Nothing makes me happier then when people I know personally call, text, e-mail, or just tell me in person about positive changes they’re making to their health. I love it!

One thing most people don't know about you?

That I’m a horrendous dancer! If you want a good laugh invite me to a Zumba class…seriously!

How do you stay healthy/in shape?

My diet consists primarily of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes (foods that are high in micronutrients). I’ve been a vegetarian now for a little over a year so no fish or meat for me, but I will have very limited amounts of animal by-products such as eggs and yogurt. I also buy local and organic foods whenever possible! I keep myself hydrated throughout the whole day by carrying my reusable water bottle with me. Typically I’m able to exercise about four times a week. I do a mix of cardio, strength, resistance, and flexibility training. Besides hitting the gym, I now live a very active lifestyle. I’m all about running, hiking, cycling, skiing, yoga, basketball, mountain biking, rock climbing, long-boarding, and kayaking amongst so many others. Nothing beats the adrenaline rush from action sports!

Is there a moment/event that changed the path of who are today?

In March 2010 I considered the getting the lap-band surgery and had attended a mandatory weight loss seminar. While I was there it just hit me that I really had not given trying to lose weight my all. After I stepped foot outside that seminar I hit the ground running with motivation and never looked back!

What is the best advice you could give someone?

Live your truth. Do what makes you happy. You only have one life to live so why not do what you love while being the healthiest you can be for the longest amount of time possible.

Favorite food?

I legitimately have a salad obsession. Spinach/kale/arugula mix with portobello mushrooms, tomatoes, cucumbers, quinoa, avocado, and roasted red peppers with balsamic vinegar. Favorite!

One word to describe yourself?

Balanced

What do you want your contribution to this world to be?

I am avid believer that knowledge is power. Having the ability to educate and empower people to live a healthy lifestyle and improve their quality of life would be such a privilege.  

Top 6 Reasons why you want to lose weight

This was me at one of my heaviest

I have battled with the bulge for many years. For years I ballooned up and down on the scale. It wasn't until these past few years that I have finally gotten it right. Recently I began to think about my motivation behind wanting to lose weight. Why did I want to be thin? I know for a long time most of my answers to this question were really vain and sometimes they still are (I am only human). The final straw for me was being fed up with my pursuits and wanting to conquer this area of my life once and for all.

However, I began to wonder why do people want to lose weight? I get a lot of emails and have many conversations with friends about weight loss so I thought I would share some of the top reasons people what to lose weight. Can these reasons be helpful or harmful in the long run.

To lose weight for a vacation, wedding or class reunion.

This has been my reason so many times! I cant quite remember how successful I was in achieving any of these goals, but I know it did not last. Obviously the problem with this goal is that once the event is over and you have not reached your target weight all ambitions to lose or to be healthier have gone out the window.

To find/keep the “one”

I do not want to keep emphasizing how I have been there a million times but I have! The motivation to lose weight for someone else often creates resentment. I think if the motivation is based on having more confidence then go ahead shed the pounds but if it is based on pleasing someone else then the results usually do not last.

To feel good about yourself (self esteem)

I don't know a single person that doesn't want to jump in front of the mirror nude and say “Damn, I look good.” All of us want to feel good about ourselves and have confidence. This is a great reason to lose weight. Sometimes when your in the trenches of becoming fit it is easy to forget about feeling good when you feel so bad. Fear not! The choices you make every day on what to eat or going to the gym will get you closer to your goal.

Because someone said you should

This is the worse reason to lose weight. This motivation has nothing to do with what you want for your own life. This solely has to do with someone's opinion of you. Similar to the losing weight for a significant other this reason breads resentment. This motivation will not last. I remember one Thanksgiving my grandfather told me I was fat, I was devastated. I was motivated for maybe a week to try to lose weight but it didn't last. Point being you have to do this for you.

To become active again

Maybe you desire to run a marathon, a triathlon or do one of those mud runs. Having those aspirations is a great reason to get fit again. If you sign up for your race far enough in advance it will give you several months to focus on training for the race. Your focus shifts from looking at the scale to your athletic performance.

 I want to look like (insert famous person's name)

My famous person used to be Amarie. I kept photos of her as my screen saver, I thought about her when I went to the gym. I thought she looked beautiful and I wanted to be that thin. However, one day I realized I will never look like her because I am me. I cant be as thin as her because my body is different. My best “me” is just as great!

Whatever your reason is for losing weight it has to be for you! And not the shallow vain “you” but for the “you” deep down inside that wants to be happy and healthy.

What are you thoughts and reasons for losing weight?

ROX(i)NSPIRATION: Fabiola

Fabiola

Each week we want to highlight a wonderful Paparoxi Fan that inspires us to create all of the things we post on this site. Do you know someone who exemplifies the health, passion and a full life? Please send us an email to nominate that person!

Follow her at @Msfabulosity3 

Name something that inspires you the most?

I know it sounds very cliché but my Father inspires me the most. As a young adult he came to America as an immigrant and built his empire from the bottom up. He learned English, got his bachelors in Accounting, became a homeowner at 23 and a Supervisor at a major hospital in Brooklyn, just to name a few things. Even though he is retired now he still runs daily and maintains a healthy lifestyle. It’s no wonder my dad looks half his actual age. His list of achievements is endless in my book.

One thing most people don't know about you?

That I have a secret desire to become a Top Chef.

How do you stay healthy and in shape?

I currently workout out 4 to 5 days a week by taking classes at the gym at work. I take either a Tae-bo class, weight training, Zumba or Spinning. More importantly my eating habits have total changed. I’m now following a plant based eating lifestyle. This is very new for me but so far I really like it. I used to be the person who didn’t eat the veggies on her plate but now I crave them. I’ve incorporated fruits and veggies with every meal.

Is there a moment or event that has changed who are today?

Actually there is! Earlier this year I went for a routine doctors visit and tested border line-high Cholesterol. I was in shock when I heard the news. How could I let this happen? I’ve always been very healthy, so I thought, and never failed any health test before. Since then I’ve been trying for months unsuccessfully to get back on the right track and drop about 15-20lbs. Well after talking to Khaleeqa about her juice fast and watching the documentary “Fat sick and nearly dead” (which was featured on her website) my life did a complete 360. I took control of my health by juicing fruits/vegetables and eating a plant based diet. I have so much more energy, my hair/skin looks and feels healthier and I lost 25lbs. What’s even better is I lowered my Cholesterol by 43 points. This experience has changed my life and I will never go BACK to my old ways.

What is the best advice you could give someone?

“The Way to Happiness is: Keep your heart free from hate, your mind free from worry. Live simply. Give much. Fill your life with love. Keep GOD First"

That's my favorite quote and it's the bottom signature on all my emails.

Favorite food?

Chicken and fried plantains used to my favorite. Now it’s an Indian dish called “Aloo Palak”. It’s made with Spinach (my new favorite),potatoes and spices.

One word to describe yourself?

Positive

What do you want your contribution to this world to be?

To get as many people healthy as possible. It’s time we take back our lives and get fit!

PAPAROXI ON THE MICHEAL BAISDEN SHOW

MY FAMILY'S WEIGHT LOSS STORY

FOR GRAM

Hey RoxNation!

Today I would like to share the story of my family. I believe that family is very important and essential to success in life, whether it be a family of actual relatives or a family of friends it is essential to have a good support system of people in your life. People, who have loved you at your worst and can celebrate with you at your best.

Well my family happens to be my support system. I have not only gone through a weight loss transformation WE ALL HAVE. In the picture above we were all at our heaviest weight. I remember during that time our family was extremely inactive. Coming home for holidays or events we would all sit around and watch movies or eat until we were ready to pop. Our family also had different health problems. My youngest sister (featured in the middle) battled with constant stomach aches and sickness, my father battled with gout and many other ailments we were not in a good place. It just felt as if our family was moving in slow motion. I view weight gain and obesity as being a symptom of a much larger issue and so during that time we were coping with a lot of instability and I believe that took its toll on us through weight gain and poor heath.

Almost a year after that photograph was taken we lost our beloved great grandmother “gram” who lived with us for many years. I do believe this was the catalyst. It was actually my youngest sister at the age of 15 (who was the closest to my gram) who started down the path to health. In less than year’s time she lost a whapping 65 pounds by changing her diet. I had already begun to loose my first 30 pounds. My father had the most dramatic transformation loosing over 100 pounds through diet and exercise. My other sister who lived in Pittsburgh at the time had ironically began on her path toward fitness too. Today we have all lost 300 pounds collectively.

Needless to say our family is completely different today. Family events and gatherings are stocked with plenty of healthy options. Last Thanksgiving we did a completely Vegan menu and it tasted AMAZING! Instead of watching movies all the time we go out for walks, play tennis and go swimming. Just yesterday my sisters and I went for a long swim at the pool only to find my father downstairs in the weight room lifting his personal best. We were always rich with love before now we are rich with health, vitality and success.

I hope this article inspires you or your family to take the first step toward a happier life. You don’t have to accept your current conditions you can change your life!

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