A holistic weight-loss plan
Every woman wants to be in great physical shape, but getting the will to start the process can be difficult.
Certified personal trainer and sports nutritionist Kamila McDonald, who has had to confront her own problems with her weight, says it’s not as hard as you may initially think.
“A few years ago I hit rock bottom when I weighed almost 200 pounds and although it was one of the hardest, most painful experiences of my life, it was actually one of my biggest blessings. It was exactly the wake-up call I needed to once and for all change my life,” she said.
“To begin with, I started visualising a healthier, happier version of myself. I refused to settle until I reached the goal I had set for myself and although it was a long and very challenging journey, my motivation to change was so strong that I was able to sustain my willpower and do everything it would take to get there.”
She said one of the most common mistakes women make in the weight-loss equation is having unrealistic expectations and wanting to change their bodies overnight.
“Because the expectations are so unrealistic, women set themselves up for disappointment and an overwhelming feeling of discouragement which inadvertently leads to quitting the journey most times when it has only just begun,” she said.
“There are of course ways to lose a significant amount of weight in a short period of time, but the methods used are most times unhealthy and unsustainable, depriving the body of essential nutrients to function optimally. These unsustainable, extreme diets often lead to the dreaded yoyo — loss and gain of weight. Old habits easily trickle back in and the weight packs back on, sometimes more than before starting the crash diet.”
McDonald encourages women to avoid quick fixes when it comes to their health.
“Prepare yourself for a lifestyle change — mind, body and soul. Know that it will take time and it will be challenging, but it will all be worth it and sustainable in the end.”
Additionally, she said the weight-loss plan should be a holistic one, where the different elements — exercise, eating healthy, sleeping well — are all a part of the plan.
“Instead of trying to lose weight for a special occasion coming up or wanting to look good on the beach, women should shift their focus to things like wanting to live longer, sleep better, have clearer skin and more energy throughout the day. The focus should be on a better quality of life instead of superficial motivations.”
McDonald, now the Jamaican brand ambassador for Adidas Women, was able to team up with her business partner Marc Gayle to create a uniquely Jamaican fitness product dubbed the 10 Pound Pledge.
Released in May of last year, the product not only appeals to Jamaicans but to persons internationally.
“I wanted to design a fitness product that could produce real results,” McDonald shared.
“Sharing my journey and seeing how it inspired others led me to want to do more to help them.”
The 10 Pound Pledge is the ultimate in home workout and nutrition guide to losing 10 pounds in five weeks. In the videos McDonald takes participants through the various stages of the workout sessions.
“Most women can attest to feeling disappointed when they fail to achieve their weight-loss goal. The key to avoiding this disappointment is to set a realistic weight-loss target, such as that of losing two pounds per week. This will help to keep you motivated so that you can stay committed to your weight-loss goals,” she stressed.
If you want to get more of McDonald, she will be leading the Wata Winna Workout at Emancipation Park every first Tuesday of the month.
