The Your Level Fitness Podcast 019: Chat With Tasha
Where’s the best place for listeners to connect with you?: They can find me over on Instagram @totaltashformation2020
What’s one habit you do almost daily?: As cliche as this sounds, I track my food. I like to pre-track so I can set myself up for success in maintaining a deficit. Also, I’m less likely to go “off plan” if I have my foods prepped and tracked.
What’s one of your normal routines?: Normally I do my workouts first thing in the morning. This helps me check that off the list and not allow excuses to creep in throughout the day and stop me from getting a workout in!
How long did it take for the above routine to stick? : My entire life! Ha! So, I’ll be honest, I am NOT a morning person. This takes effort, but completing a workout in the morning and not having to think about it at night is rewarding!
Describe your weight loss journey.: Roller. Coaster.
I’ve been overweight my entire life. I remember in school being weighed by the school nurse and your weight was recorded on your report card. I feel ashamed and embarrassed. Growing up, I remember my Mom having me try different things to help me lose weight. I remember drinking SlimFast. I remember taking diet pills. I remember eating diet meals.
As an adult, I think I’ve tried just about everything. I’ve tried Weight Watchers, maybe Jenny Craig, SlimFast, I think Herbalife at one point, I did Advocare, Optavia (twice), and Keto and a weightloss surgery consultation. I’ve done the gym thing twice and even lost 50 pounds. In 2018, I injured my back and discovered in 2019 that I needed surgery.
In December, after 3 babies, yo-yo weightloss, depression, anxiety and THE picture (you know, the one that finally makes everything click and brings you to tears and a change)I decided I’ve had enough and I’m taking this day by day! I’m down around 25 pounds and 20 inches.
What’s a skill you developed as a result of working through your weight loss journey?:Keeping it simple. I’m not sure that’s technically a skill, but if you really know me, you’ll know how much effort that takes. I look at my daily calories and stop there. I’m such an overthinker I can’t look at macros. I have to keep it simple and it’s slowly working for me.
What has that skill led to outside of weight loss?: Confidence that I can reach my goals. It’s also taught me that I don’t have to be perfect.
What have you learned about yourself over the last year or so?:
First, I’ve learned that I’m stronger than I give myself credit for. I’ve learned that I can reach my goals and I’m capable of doing so. I’ve recently been working on more of the mental aspect of my journey and this is forcing me to be more raw and vulnerable.
I’ve always struggled with self confidence and my worth. As I start to peel back layers, I’m learning that this is all part of my environment and my childhood. I’ve always looked at it as something wrong with me and something to be ashamed and embarrassed of. Instead, these thoughts are just someone’s opinion and not the truth. I’m working at separating these thoughts and learning to love myself for who I know I am and who I’m learning I am.
I’m not perfect by any means and I’ve made mistakes, but I know I’m worthy of finding true happiness and I’m actually capable of doing just that!
What advice would you give to someone working through their weight loss journey?:Keep things simple. Don’t give up. You aren’t going to be perfect and you’ll have bad days, but you just have to keep going and trust the process.
What resources would you recommend listeners check out?:
My Fitness Pal for tracking foods
Fitbit
Beachbody on Demand
Podcasts:
The Self Love Fix
Word, The Podcast
The Nikki Hynes Podcast
Books:
Anything by Rachel Hollis or Jen Sincero
Gary Bishop- Stop Doing That Sh*t
Mark Manson-Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
James Clear-Atomic Habits
Instagram:
Fitness:
@syattfitness
Mental health/self love:
@hannah_neese
@megan_rose_lane
@thebirdspapaya
What are you working on now?: I’ve definitely switched gears and am working on my relationship with myself and how that ties into my weight loss struggles. I’d definitely say I have codependency traits and always wanted to please everyone and strive to be perfect because that’s the only way I would be happy - by making everyone else happy and proud of me. So, I’m working on healing from that mindset.
I’m working on figuring out who I am and how to love that person and be confident in that person. I’m still building healthy habits, but I’m not so focused on a weight goal as much as working through all of this right now. I am considering any weight loss an added bonus right now!
