Adura's Healthy Hangout

If I Did It , You Can! – Adura Odesanya

August 30, 2010 by Lounge Lady in Adura's Healthy Hangout, Healthwise with 18 Comments

If you don’t know me, you’ll soon come to learn how much I love food.

I vividly remember being told by a friend in secondary school that although I was lucky because I could eat whatever I liked, one day things will change. I felt like she was threatening me by predicting I’d get fat if I continued loving and eating food the way I did – I rolled my eyes and kept on eating Well… a year later, after a summer holiday in England, I went back to school chubby *shock horror*! Luckily for me, I was almost back to my usual size after a term in boarding school.

I wish I could say that was my only experience with being overweight but if you love food as much as I do and you’ve been overweight once, it’s bound to happen again especially if you fall back into bad eating habits. Or worse. That is exactly what happened when I moved to London in 1998. I ate, ate and ate a little more. I worked in McDonald’s for 6 months and had a burger, chips and a milkshake almost every day. Sometimes I treated myself to a chocolate fudge or caramel sundae, it was all free so why not? Was I surprised when I realised how big I’d become? Yes! Did I do anything about it? Yes because once in a while I remembered how slim I was in Nigeria and I was sad I’d gotten that big and No because I quickly got over my self-pity and carried on eating… of course.

I finally did something about it when I saw a picture of myself at a friend’s barbeque – I honestly couldn’t believe it was me! Yes I saw that same person in the mirror everyday, I’d seen pictures of myself from other occasions but they never had the same impact that this picture did on me (Note: This isn’t the picture but is from the same year).

Before After

To me, that was a life changing moment. Sorry if I sound dramatic but it was. I instantly made the decision to join Weight Watchers and I successfully lost 40 pounds in less than 4 months from eating healthily. Wouldn’t it be the perfect ending if I said I looked and felt good for ever and ever?… Yes but that’s not true.

Through my experiences, some even as recently as last year, I have come to learn, and still am learning; the right balance between healthy eating and exercise. Exercise is very important but healthy eating is even more important.

It doesn’t happen in one day. It has been 8 years since I initially lost weight and I am now coming to the point where I am much more confident with the decisions I make with my health and my fitness. Finally confident enough to provide help and advice to people who are in similar situations to where I was.

If you are where I was, I’m here to help as much as I possibly can.

Adura Odesanya is a Fitness Instructor and Trainer who works with Fitter London. Having been overweight in the past, she recognises the challenges that many people face in trying to overcome weight loss and fitness challenges. She will be sharing some of her experiences that have helped her achieve and maintain a significantly healthier lifestyle with us on Femme Lounge.

website/blog: http://www.adura-odesanya.co.uk/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/adura_odesanya.

Tagged Healthwise

18 Comments

VickiiAug 31, 2010 at 8:38 amReply

This is very inspiring, you look absolutely fantastic! Can’t wait to see what nuggets of healthy living and exercise wisdom you have to share with us!
NikkiAug 31, 2010 at 12:04 pmReply

good job! really inspiring….i was once in her position too. i didnt realize how big i had gotten in about 4years, until i made up my mind to get rid of the weight last year october.i actively started eating healthy and exercised 4 times a week, lost about 30pounds of weight in two months, im so happy about it, more confident ofcourse, and im still a work in progress!
MODUPSIEAug 31, 2010 at 1:01 pmReply

Amazing!
victoria adebolaAug 31, 2010 at 3:35 pmReply

its really inspiring. i will like to know more.
dtaSep 1, 2010 at 1:50 pmReply

inspiring!!!!!!!
AduraSep 1, 2010 at 3:38 pmReply

Thanks Ladies. Looking forward to future write-ups and sharing more with you.
ADETEJU ATANDA-AJIMOTOKANSep 2, 2010 at 12:09 pmReply

feels very great…am the happiest person on this!!!just the rite time for me…aadura, am expectant!!!
NimzSep 2, 2010 at 6:15 pmReply

Awesome post! I’m motivated to go to the gym right now.
Bisi OluyedeSep 3, 2010 at 12:02 amReply

WOW!*eyes popping out of the socket*
toyinSep 3, 2010 at 2:42 amReply

That was a 360 degree change!!!!.Good job but I wonder if there is any adivse for those ones slim but with bulging belly without being pregnant?
YTSep 3, 2010 at 10:55 pmReply

Adura inspired and motivated me to adopt a lifestyle of eating healthy and exercising regularly and I have enjoyed the benefits of this for over a year now. It’s been a great privileged knowing you girl. I look forward to reading more…
sofiyaSep 7, 2010 at 12:25 pmReply

am sooooooo interested.
AduraSep 7, 2010 at 12:30 pmReply

Thanks

@toyin Your belly is most likely a result of what you eat.
Have you read this: http://www.adura-odesanya.co.uk/2010/08/important-steps-towards-healthier.html ?

*Although stress could be a factor*

But definitely check your diet.
Suzanne BrumeSep 10, 2010 at 2:57 pmReply

Hi Adura. Just discovered you today. Love this, but you know how I feel about nutrition and exercise, so I guess I have to love it
Keep it up, you’re looking really good!
AduraSep 13, 2010 at 9:22 pmReply

Thanks Suzanne
Q&A With Adura | FEMME LOUNGE ::: Young Women Doing Life TogetherSep 21, 2010 at 9:09 amReply

[...] You remind me of where I was a few years ago (Read HERE). [...]
EbunJan 1, 2011 at 11:19 pmReply

Just discovered you today. What a way to start the new year. I’m so expectant.
AduraJan 20, 2011 at 11:10 pmReply

Happy New Year Ebun! Wishing you the best of luck…