Episode after episode of the hit show Extreme Weight Loss, you are taken through a whirlwind of emotions as you learn of through each participants triumphs and heartaches.
Season four of the show opened with Charita Smith’s story, a 32-year-old hair dresser and mother of three from Colorado Springs, CO who began her Extreme Weight Loss experience at 310 lbs. With coaching and support from husband and wife team Chris and Heidi Powell, along with a host of other helpful folks who championed her, Charita’s final weigh in at the end of the year was an amazing 160 lbs.
“As a mom, you’re so prepared to think about others and put yourself on the back burner,” says Charita. “But I was so surprised at how much gas I had left in the tank when it came time to put the petal to the metal.
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Even though the cameras were rolling, Charita’s weight loss struggle was real. She shares how she lost the weight and continues to keep it off.
Charita’s ABC’s of Losing Weight:
A. Eat fewer carbs at night. “I’m a big snacker. By not eating carbs [around dinnertime]—and sticking to proteins, veggies, and healthy fats—it helps me resist cravings later in the evening.”
B. Split up your workouts. “Obviously, I was working out [on the show] for extreme weight-loss results. Now that I’m done with filming, I work out maybe an hour and a half to two hours a day. Working out in the morning gives me the energy I need to get me through the day—and then I usually do a nice little jog with my mom at night to help me relax.”
C. Set a clear-cut goal. “The weight-loss journey sucks at time, but it’s important to remember why you’re doing this. Your why should be strong enough to [motivate you]. It can’t be frivolous or small. Why is it dire for you to make this happen? It has to be that important because it has to be able to sustain you on those days when you mentally and physically need to be strong.”
“One thing that resonated with me the most is that I’m a fighter. I kept saying ‘I just wanna make it, I just wanna finish.’” admits Charita. “I didn’t realize that every step forward I took, I was fighting for my life, my family, my future. I am a fighter. But it doesn’t hurt to incorporate a workout into your routine that you love, like Zumba!”
” The one that resonated the most was, ‘Keep your promises.’ At the end of the day, when no one else is around, you and only you are accountable for yourself. I wanted to stay true to myself and discover who I was.”
