Anyone who wants to lose weight knows that shedding excess pounds can be a hard thing to do, at least, that's how Leah Hope feels. Leah Hope's journey is a testament to the power of sustainable lifestyle changes and a focus on overall well-being. Her story is not just about weight loss; it's about gaining a "bigger life" filled with health, confidence, and freedom. The 34-year-old portrait photographer lost an astonishing 180 pounds last year and now looks unrecognizable.
The Disneyland Wake-Up Call
Hope's journey began with a difficult experience at Disneyland. "Last year, I had a horrible experience at Disneyland with my sister's family. Weighing almost 400 pounds at the time, Hope said she remembers being in pain after just a few hours of walking at the theme park. What was supposed to be the happiest place on Earth was anything but that for me. I got a migraine a few hours in, my feet hurt, my back hurt and I was profusely sweating and exhausted," Hope told Newsweek. "I just had to end up spending most of the day by myself while my sister's family was out enjoying the park," Hope recalled. "I just left that day saying, 'This is not the life that I want to be living, and if I continue on the path that I'm on, this is what my life is going to continue to look like.'" This experience served as a turning point, motivating her to reconsider her diet and lifestyle.
The "Invisible" Exercise Revolution
March 2022 was when Hope decided that she needed to reconsider her diet and lifestyle, but what helped her become a happier and healthier version of herself wasn't a strict gym routine or a clean eating regimen, but an exercise so low-maintenance and stress-free that it's practically invisible. Hope attributes her weight loss to her prioritization of gentle, "invisible" exercise and her determination to not pressure herself to workout or count calories day and night. In fact, the Arizona-based woman deems the secret to her new sense of wellbeing to be so obvious that it's "silly." Her secret? To combat this, she began walking on the spot indoors, which is what she calls giving herself "permission to start small," making it a firm part of her daily life from March 2022 onwards.
At her heaviest weight in 2021, she had been very close to 400lbs and for long periods of time, had been hard on her body, refusing to go on walks or exercise in public for fear of being seen and sneered at. "I started adding movement into my life by marching or walking on the spot inside my home and by walking outside in my backyard. I would often split up my movement throughout the day to reach my original goal of 8,000 steps a day so that I wasn't overwhelming my larger body with too much all at once," she said.
The Importance of Sustainable Habits
Taking things easily and keeping consistent with the new and healthier lifestyle changes is exactly what personal trainer David Mason encourages his clients to do. "One of the biggest challenges with weight loss is maintaining healthy eating and living habits," he told Newsweek. "Most of us know what we should be doing, and often start a new diet with enthusiasm, but maintaining it around the business and stresses of daily life is where the hard work comes in. It can be especially tricky if you are travelling and out of your usual routine."
Read also: Sustainable health: Leah Mancuso's journey
Hope is currently 211lbs and considers herself to still be on her weight loss journey, because she's shifted what she'd learned to help her shed a few pounds into a long-term lifestyle. She still walks on the spot at home for five minutes at a time while watching television or waiting for something to cook in her oven, and she can't see herself "ending" that anytime soon.
"I've learned that the amount of time it takes to lose the weight doesn't matter. What matters is that the behaviors you are changing are sustainable in the long run. If you are adapting to a new lifestyle, it doesn't matter how long it takes to lose the weight because there is no end date, this is simply your new life," she explained.
A Holistic Approach to Weight Loss
Dietician Kimberly Gomer backs Mason, arguing that the best way to lose weight is by going about it healthily, gently and in a way that can be sustained as a new approach to life. "Every individual has their own unique needs, including health and lifestyle and including both mental and physical challenges, the best weight loss plan may vary greatly from person to person," she told Newsweek.
"What prompted me to try to lose weight naturally was my focus on wanting to get healthy from the inside out, both internally, hormones, organs, all that, and mentally, emotionally, just holistic health, changing my lifestyle overall," Hope said. "And so it seemed like it would make most sense to approach this naturally for myself."
Getting to the root of her unhealthy habits was essential for her which is why she invested in counseling throughout her journey.
Read also: Inspiring Weight Loss Journey
The Mental and Emotional Transformation
Hope went on to share that since making these lifestyle changes she's been feeling healthier and more confident than ever, and is keen to never miss out on opportunities and experiences again. Hope added that while small changes and a natural approach to weight loss worked for her, everyone is different. People should consult with their health care provider before starting any weight loss routine.
"I strongly believe everyone has to decide what the best route is for them," Hope said.
She said she started small and focused on making one change at a time and then layering on more changes. "Once that thing didn't feel overwhelming anymore, then I added another thing," Hope said. For example, Hope said she started her weight loss journey by just adding one nutritious food to her diet each day. Once she was comfortable with that change, she added one nutritious meal, and then began walking 10 minutes per day and later began writing what she was eating in a food journal.
Today on Talk To Me, Debra Fileta had an on-air counseling session with Leah, one of her “real life” clients, who has found that true healing comes from the inside out. Along the journey of healing mentally and emotionally, she’s also lost over 200 lbs completely naturally. DEBRA FILETA is a Licensed Professional Counselor, national speaker, and founder of the Debra Fileta Counselors Network. She is the bestselling author of eight books including Choosing Marriage, Are You Really OK?, RESET, and Soul Care. Debra is the host of the popular podcast and nationally syndicated radio show Talk To Me where she facilitates on-air authentic counseling-style sessions with notable pastors and leaders. You may also recognize her voice from her appearances on national television and radio, including Better Together, The Kirk Cameron Show, Focus on the Family, The 700 Club, and many others. She reaches millions of people each year with the message of mental, emotional, and relational health.
More Than Just Weight Loss
"I'm feeling so much more capable, strong, energized, confident, resilient and fulfilled and those are the things that matter most to me! It's not a smaller body I'm after, it's a bigger life I'm chasing," she said. "And that's exactly what I'm getting! Being healthier has impacted my life in every way! My relationships are richer, my days are fuller and my dreams are bigger than ever! I feel true freedom for the first time in my life and that is priceless!"
Read also: Discover Leah Remini's story
A woman who lost over 200 pounds said she accomplished it by focusing not on the weight she was losing, but the life she was gaining. "I wanted to gain life more than I wanted to lose weight," Leah Hope told "Good Morning America" of her motivation, adding, "There's a much bigger picture that this is not about wanting a smaller body, but it is about chasing a bigger life."
Sharing the Journey on Social Media
As she started to change her lifestyle, Hope began sharing her journey on social media. Maybe the scale didn't go down this week, but I did 2,000 more steps this day,' or, 'I actually enjoyed this healthy meal that I prepared," Hope said. When it comes to weight loss and physical health, everyone loves a good success story. But what if success in the journey of physical health was found from the inside-out?
Leah Hope's Recommended Products
- Collagen from Perfect Supplements: Helps her get 20g of protein in the morning by adding 2 scoops to her coffee! Plus more benefits! Use code "leahhope" for 10% off!
- Counseling with Debra Fileta's Network: Use code "leahhope20" to receive $20 off your first 3 sessions with a trained Christian counselor who can help you on the path to health and healing!
- Potassium Cocktail from Jigsaw Health: This "cocktail" (and their Electrolyte Supreme) is a clean electrolyte drink that she loves the taste of! It keep her headaches away when she's physically active!
- Adrenal Cocktail from Jigsaw Health: This "cocktail" includes the 3 nutrients needed to help your adrenals and hormones function optimally! And it helps her stay hydrated while being active! *Use code "leahhope10" for 10% off your Jigsaw purchase!*
- Amazon Storefront: Has some of her favorite products from workout essentials to clothing to books to supplements to food brands and more!
- YAZIO - my calorie tracking app: Tracking my calories has been an essential part of this journey for me. I use YAZIO to help me stay in my calorie deficit! There is a free version available to download at any time! Purchasing the pro version through my link for 50% off means you'll have no ads, access to recipes, fitness tracking through the app and more!
- Clean Simple Eats Protein powder & more: This protein powder has been a staple for me throughout my journey. It's the best tasting protein powder I've tried! Plus, they have so many other amazing products too! Use code "LEAHHOPE" for 10% off!
- My favorite protein bars - g2g bars: These bars have been a staple for me when I need a quick and easy "meal" on the go that I know has healthy ingredients, tastes delicious, and will satisfy me! Use code "leahhope15" for 15% off!
- LoseSmart program at Skyterra Wellness: I've attended the LoseSmart program at Skyterra Wellness 3 times throughout my health journey. The program, along with their podcast Inspired Intentions, has been a life-changing part of this journey for me!