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Jen McElroy - Sharecare Transformer

Bio

 Weight has been a problem for me my whole life. I tried several different diets but I never stuck with them for more than a few months. Things got worse when I started having severe abdominal pain, diarrhea and nausea. I missed months of work and had to take a leave of absence from school. After being diagnosed with Crohn's disease, I spent years trying to manage the disease with many different medications and surgery. One day my friend told me she and her daughter were joining Weight Watchers and asked if I wanted to join. We jokingly called ourselves Fatties Unite Tonight. It was so much easier to make healthy choices when the people closest to me were changing right along with me.


To make weight loss and increased activity achievable, I made small changes and set small goals. At first it was to make better food choices or to drink more water. I'd also set small weight loss goals - just 10 pounds - because that always seemed so close! After I'd hit a plateau, my sister asked if I wanted to walk a 5K with her. So, I started a walking program, slowly building up the distance, time and speed. As I crossed the finish of my first 5K with my family and friends cheering me on, I couldn't wait for the next race. In 2011 I completed 4 5K races, a 9K race and a 10K race.


In total, I've fought my way through 172.6 pounds. Today I celebrate every single pound lost with family, friends, Weight Watchers group, my blog readers who always encourage me to keep going. As a result of these lifestyle changes, I've been able to reduce the frequency/dosage of medication to manage my Crohn's. I love the fact that I have so much energy now that I'm planning on doing 18 races this year. Every time I cross the finish line I am reminded that I don't have to be someone I don't want to be. I've finally found my inner fighter! And, now, we have a new club: Fitties Unite!



Activity

  • Amanda Lingerfelt
    Amanda Lingerfelt is now following Jen McElroy - Sharecare Transformer
  • Jen McElroy - Sharecare Transformer
    Jen McElroy - Sharecare Transformer answered:
    As a Sharecare Transformer, how do you handle stress to help lose weight?

    This question is probably the toughest of all the questions that I've answered so far! I normally don't deal well with stress at all; in fact, stress is one of the triggers for my Crohn's disease so I struggle with this all the time. I've tried to use exercise as the way to clear my head, especially

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  • Jen McElroy - Sharecare Transformer
    Jen McElroy - Sharecare Transformer has posted a blog entry: Food Cravings

    In the blogs and twitter friends that I read regularly I've seen quite a lot of discussion about cravings and how to avoid them.  My take on food cravings is a pretty simple one - avoid them.  Easy to say, maybe, but harder to really do?  I don't think so.  I try to really balance out my diet so that it includes

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  • Jen McElroy - Sharecare Transformer
    Jen McElroy - Sharecare Transformer answered:
    As a Sharecare Transformer, how do you use a food diary to lose weight?

    When I started Weight Watchers I would mindlessly graze on food all day and I had no idea how much food I was consuming because I never took the time to really enjoy the food. Once I started journaling what I was eating it made me aware of what (and how much) I was eating. When I look at it now

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  • Jen McElroy - Sharecare Transformer
    Jen McElroy - Sharecare Transformer answered:
    As a Sharecare Transformer, how do you get your family to eat healthy?

    For me this is twofold:

    1. They know how important this is to me so they are willing to try new (aka healthy) things
    2. I find ways to make our favorite dishes in a healthier way.

    Many times they can't even taste that it's a healthier version of something rather they realize that it just tastes good.

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  • Jen McElroy - Sharecare Transformer
    Jen McElroy - Sharecare Transformer answered:
    As a Sharecare Transformer, what's your favorite post-workout food?

    I am a big fan of practically anything with protein after a workout. My current favorite is a protein shake made with Weight Watchers Creamy Chocolate smoothie mix, 1/2 cup 1% milk, 1 cup of water and frozen dark sweet cherries. I throw that all in the blender and blend until creamy and smooth. It's

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  • Jen McElroy - Sharecare Transformer
    Jen McElroy - Sharecare Transformer answered:
    As a Sharecare Transformer, what are your favorite healthy snacks?

    I generally try to make sure that my snacks include protein in some form so that I stay satisfied and don't reach for more snacks. My current favorite snacks would start with fruit or vegetables. Whatever is fresh in season is the best! I love apple slices with a Laughing Cow Cinnamon Cream Cheese

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  • Denise Miccoli, NASM Elite Trainer
    Denise Miccoli, NASM Elite Trainer posted on Jen McElroy - Sharecare Transformer’s wall:
    Hi Jen, great to meet you! Keep up all the great answers!
  • Jen McElroy - Sharecare Transformer
    Jen McElroy - Sharecare Transformer answered:
    As a Sharecare Transformer, what kind of diet worked for your weight loss?

    I have found great success following the Weight Watchers plan and going to weekly Weight Watchers meetings. The support from other meeting members and my leader has been amazingly encouraging to keep me engaged and accountable. The Weight Watchers plan has also taught me how to prepare food in a healthier

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  • Jen McElroy - Sharecare Transformer
    Jen McElroy - Sharecare Transformer answered:
    As a Sharecare Transformer, how do you set an example for your kids?

    I don't have any kids of my own but I do have a niece and nephews and friends with children and I think it is important to set a good example for them. I'm generally reaching for fruits/vegetables and encourage them to do the same. I also encourage them to drink lots of water, especially in these

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  • Jen McElroy - Sharecare Transformer
    Jen McElroy - Sharecare Transformer answered:
    As a Sharecare Transformer, how did you build your exercise endurance?

    I started out really slowly! I started on the treadmill going slow for 20 minutes and then built up the amount of time and speed. When the weather improved (I live in the midwest so winter workouts are not always possible) I moved the workouts outside. Initially I was disappointed when I couldn't

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  • Jen McElroy - Sharecare Transformer
    Jen McElroy - Sharecare Transformer answered:
    As a Sharecare Transformer, what do you eat for a healthy breakfast?

    I have a couple of breakfasts that I love and will alternate them depending on my mood. The first is an egg over easy with toast OR a bowl of oatmeal (not the instant in the packet kind but the kind you have to cook) with some frozen fruit, (my favorite is dark sweet cherries) cinnamon and vanilla

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  • Jen McElroy - Sharecare Transformer
    Jen McElroy - Sharecare Transformer answered:
    As a Sharecare Transformer, how do you control your calorie intake?

    I don't technically count calories because I am on the Weight Watchers program but I understand how calories factor into nutrition. Generally I will fill half my plate with fruits/vegetables, 1/4 of my plate with protein and 1/4 with anything else for a healthy balance. I think it is really important

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  • Jen McElroy - Sharecare Transformer
    Jen McElroy - Sharecare Transformer answered:
    As a Sharecare Transformer, how do you stay motivated to live healthy?

    I have joined the healthy living through social media movement!  I've sought out other people who are on a weight loss journey for support. Seeing how active and getting new recipe ideas has helped encourage me to eat healthy and stay active. It's fun participating in the conversations that keep

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  • Jen McElroy - Sharecare Transformer
    Jen McElroy - Sharecare Transformer answered:
    As a Sharecare Transformer, how do you use sleep to help you lose weight?

    For me sleep is necessary for two health related reasons, weight loss and to manage my Crohn's disease. I know that if I don't get enough sleep that I start to choose foods that are fast rather than stop to cut up fruit or vegetables. This generally leads to junk/fast food which is really bad for

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