There are few things I love more than hearing personal transformation stories from amazing individuals who started their journeys right at home, no boot camp or cameras, ?just a goal and Choose More, Lose More For Life as a guide! The lovely Sara Haws, straight from my hometown in AZ, is such an incredible example of what a little motivation, a lot of hard work, some realistic goals, and the strength to stick to a plan can accomplish. In just 90 days, this mama of 4 (her youngest is just 7 months old!!) lost 18.5 lbs, experienced a 62.4% change in body fat, and created a whole new healthy lifestyle for herself and her family! I am so impressed! Her story is simply amazing, and I don’t want to leave out a single detail, so in her very own words, here is Sara’s transformation story:
Four months ago, I looked in the mirror and realized I needed to change some things about myself, but didn’t think I had the time or energy. I thought I had it all together, running a tight household ship, until I had my baby last March.? After talking with my husband, we decided that joining a gym would be some much needed time for myself.
I was so excited to get started in the gym, but had no idea what to do about diet. So I loaded up my kids and headed to a local bookstore to buy Choose More, Lose More For Life. As soon as I got home, I sat right down and started reading. I was so ready for a change, I didn’t want to mess around, so I decided to try the Turbo Cycle. I won’t sugar coat it, in the beginning it was so hard to adjust to this new eating plan, especially carb cycling and still trying to provide my family with meals they could enjoy. So I started meal prepping meals just for me and my needs. I’d grill a bunch of chicken and veggies so I always had something to grab regardless of what carbs my family was eating. I also started meeting with a trainer twice a week. He gave me a lot of motivation. My trainer also encouraged me to sign up for a 90-day challenge so I’d have weekly weigh ins and a motivator to stay on track. Now I feel completely accountable. I work out 6 days a week and have started swimming, cycling, and even recently, hot yoga. 3 of my 6 workout days I lift, then afterwards I either cycle or swim in the evening.
I have learned so much from this journey. I have discovered so much about myself, about my strength and dedication. I am a mother, a wife, a taxi driver, a housekeeper, a cook, AND an athlete! I set a goal and achieved it through blood, sweat, tears, and copious amounts of squats. Now, I can proudly hold my head up with a new found confidence to both those who supported me and those who said I could never do it. Regardless of the outcome, I will always feel like a winner, and my gratitude and new outlook on life and fitness are beyond words!
Looking back I think the top 3 major contributors to my success are definitely:
- Turbo Cycling
- Meal prepping
- Working out 6 days a week
Those 3 things helped me reach success on a daily basis and have resulted in this momentum that keeps me going. I also signed up for a 90-day challenge which helped me be accountable for my choices because I always knew I would have a weekly weigh in that I was committed to and a huge prize I could potentially win.? That would be my last bit of advice – to find something or someone to challenge you and hold you accountable. I could easily go on and on about my struggles and triumphs throughout my journey, but I will try and keep it short. You can absolutely go read more about my story and how I found success on my 90-day Challenge profile. Finally, thank you to Chris and Heidi for all the inspiration and the coaching, through your book and through this blog. I am so happy I get to share my story with all of you. – Sara
I love stumbling upon stories like Sara’s and discovering how people are finding a way to make it happen on their own in real life. Sara,? you are a rockstar! Thank you SO much for letting me share this on such short notice! I know you will continue to do big things and inspire everyone around you.
Xoxo,
Heidi
Related Reading:
Weight Loss Wednesday: Arenda Franken
Weight Loss Wednesday: Jill Cummings
35 Responses
I am beginning the Turbo Cycle today. The book mentions staying at 1200 cals on LC days and 1500 on HC days. I work with a personal training 3 days/wk on strength training, so I was wondering is the 1200 cals was too low. I have been adviced to consume 1500-1800 calories/day – (protein, veggies, fat), so I was just wanting to confirm that the low calorie intake will truly be fruitful and not counterproductive in my quest to lower my body fat % significantly.
Thanks!! Great book btw, it is my bible now 🙂
Katie
You should be okay, but if you find that it’s not working for you, you can change cycles at any time! 🙂
This is the post that motivated me and turned me onto the book! She looks great and the fact she has 4 kids helped me to relate to her story!
Ive been carb cycling for 3 weeks, been staying really good but Ive only lost 2 pounds.
Help!
Not to worry – sometimes it takes our bodies a bit of time to adjust to a new way of doing things. Make sure you’re following your chosen cycle exactly: meals times, portion sizes, low or high carb, slingshot week (week 4), reward days/meals, workout, drink your water, and just be patient. Also, depending on how much weight you want to lose can affect your rate of weight loss. The more you have to lose, the quicker you drop pounds, and the opposite is also true. You got this!
Thanks for posting! Just the motivation I needed. Bought the book and hopefully it will work as well for me:)
Hi Sara,
Congratulations… well done! You must be so proud. You look amazing!
I agree with kimber. I have both books and cant Get It. Need some easier way to figure this out. Easier meals n meal prepping. Limited income, 55yr old female here. Carbaholic 🙁
help me chris and heidi
I have both of Chris’ books. Im such a visual learner that I struggle with understanding the carb cycling. Its frustrating because it can’t possibly be as hard as I am making it appear
These transformations are inspiring and one day I hope to get it.
You can do this! Just take one part of the program at a time, use the charts in the back of the book, and you’ll get it. There’s an awesome graphic in this post (as well as some other great info) that might help: https://heidipowell.net/4514/carb-confusion/. Happy carb cycling!
Hola, soy Mery de argentina mido 1,65 y peso 90 kilos sufro de hipertiroidismo y ?stoy medicada hago una hora de bicicleta diaria y dieta y no puedo bajar nada ni un kilo ?stoy desesperada si me pudieran ayudar se los agradecer?a siempre veo su programa muchas gracias!!!!espero una respuesta.
Hola, Mery:(Traducido utilizando Google Translate) Confirmar Chris y Heidi programa de ciclismo en carbohidratos (la misma Sara sigui?) en su libro, “elegir m?s, perder m?s de la vida.” El libro contiene su programa de nutrici?n y ejercicio completo, y es el mismo que utilizan en el show. Se le ense?ar? todo lo que necesita saber y hacer para lograr su propia transformaci?n! Aprenda todo acerca de ello aqu?: https://heidipowell.net/9060/how-to-begin-your-transformation-journey-step-by-step/. Y por favor, discutir esto, o cualquier programa de nutrici?n y ejercicio, con su equipo de atenci?n m?dica. Usted puede hacer esto!
Bonjour
Je m’appelle C?line et j’ai 30 ans. Je n ?cris pas bien l anglais mais je le comprends et je reste ?merveill? devant votre courage Sara.
Tout comme vous Chris et Heidi sont mon inspiration de tout les jours et tout comme vous j’ai commenc? un programme de diet et sportif avec l aide d’une athl?te fran?aise Nathalie Foreau.
Merci pour ce coup de booste, car oui votre histoire et votre d?termination m’a boost?.
Merci merci merci ce sont des histoires comme la votre qui me permettent de garder mon objectif dans le viseur.
Can I ask where Sara does turbo cycling?
The Turbo Cycle is one of the four carb cycles in Chris and Heidi’s carb cycling program. You can get their entire program in their book, “Choose More, Lose More for Life,” and here are the nutrition basics: https://heidipowell.net/2713/carb-cycling-101/.