I've been super skinny for as long as I can remember, but when I was around 17 or 18, I was literally tiny - 158 cm tall and only 44 kg. People would often joke that I 'ran away from school' and stuff like that. I was really self-conscious about my weight, and I desperately wanted to put on some muscle and grow taller, but unfortunately, my height stayed the same at 158 cm. However, I did manage to put on some weight, and I worked in the service industry back then, which meant I had access to free food and lots of tasty treats. The problem was, it was hard to eat properly when I had to juggle work, classes, and trying to get some rest and do my assignments.
My go-to snacks were always on-the-go stuff like buns, hot dogs, and sandwiches with sausages.
Fast forward to when I was 20, and I was already tipping the scales at 52 kg. At first, I was thrilled to be putting on weight - my legs weren't stick-thin anymore, and my chest had gotten bigger, but my stomach had also started to show. When I hit 55 kg, I started to freak out. My legs were getting thicker, my stomach was jutting out, and my sides were getting bigger too. My face had also started to get rounder. That's when I decided to wage war against my extra kilos.
I tried all sorts of diets, cutting out food, doing detoxes, exercising, dancing, and even using creams. It worked for a bit, but the weight just wouldn't stay off. I'd easily gain 3-4 kg over the weekend, and then struggle to lose it. It was like Groundhog Day.
Now I'm 29, and when I started this weight loss journey with Leslie's Walking Program, my weight was 53 kg, and my measurements were 87-70-94, with 54 cm thighs. To be honest, my stomach had three folds when I sat down, and it was really prominent when I stood up. I had obvious issues with my thighs, and I really wanted to get them toned. I also had problems with my glutes, which needed some serious work. To make matters worse, I have a herniated disc in my lower back, which means I'm not allowed to do any high-impact exercises. So, I'm always on the lookout for low-impact, accessible, and gentle workouts.
I decided to give Leslie's walking program a try. It's basically a home workout that doesn't require a huge gym space - just a small area of about a few meters will do. You can wear any comfy clothes you like, and the only additional equipment you need is dumbbells. I actually started without them, though, and only got them later on.
I took a selfie before starting my workouts, just to make sure I wouldn't go back to that shape anytime soon. And the results were pretty obvious. I just wanted to cry looking at that body.
Before the workouts
Day 1
I decided to start with the '2 miles' option, thinking it would be relatively easy. I figured if it was too simple, I'd move up to the '3 miles' option. I've been trying to walk more and also do some home workouts. I thought I was definitely ready for the Leslie walk.
But nope, it wasn't that easy. Already at the beginning of the workout, I felt pain in my glutes. The workload on my muscles was moderate, or so I thought. The hardest part was starting and not stopping until the end. After walking 1.5 miles, it got easier, my muscles warmed up, and I got interested. I easily completed the second half.
The step counter showed: 1.8 km walked, 2700 steps, 43 calories burned.
For comparison, I walk 2 km to work every day and I don't get tired. These exercises were a completely different story.
Day 2
I woke up feeling great, no muscle pain at all. But I still didn't want to increase the workload too much and decided to stick with the '2 miles' option again. It was pretty much the same as the day before - the hardest part was at the beginning, my muscles tensed up, and my glutes ached a bit. A great workout for my upper and lower thigh muscles.
3 days
I have to admit, I wasn't able to commit to a full 30-minute workout. Life got in the way, and I was only able to fit in some quick mini-exercises throughout the day. I actually used a few of the lighter steps from Leslie's video as a starting point.
4-7 days
I finally got back into the swing of things! With renewed energy, I started dreaming about getting in shape. I also included a 2-mile workout, which didn't seem as daunting as before. However, the monotony was starting to get to me, so I added some music and even watched a movie or two while exercising. The best part? I could pause the video and still understand what was going on.
On the 8th day, I decided to push myself and try the 3-mile workout. Let's just say it was a challenge! The more intense exercise really took a toll on my back, and I woke up the next morning feeling stiff. I had to scale it back to 2 miles.
I learned a valuable lesson: in my case, 2 miles is enough. Any more and I start to feel the effects. When it comes to a healthy body versus a fit physique, I'd choose health any day. Even the most toned body will quickly deteriorate if you're not taking care of yourself.
I also discovered the 1-mile workout, which is surprisingly easy and only lasts about 20 minutes. At first, I didn't think much of it, but it has its own perks. For instance, when time is limited, this workout is perfect. Even 15 minutes of walking can make a big difference in your overall health and fitness.
After completing the 3-mile workout, I took a 2-day break and then returned to the 2-mile workout.
Three weeks in
After a few weeks of on-and-off use, I've finally seen some changes in my weight - it's now hovering around 51-52 kg, depending on the time of day. I've lost about 2 cm in my waist, and my stomach isn't as bloated as it used to be. My glutes have even gotten a bit more toned. It's not a huge difference, but it's nice and motivating.
But then things got tough: I'd work out, but my measurements wouldn't budge. My motivation started to dwindle, and I found myself skipping workouts more and more, eventually giving up altogether.
Back in the game!
My second wave of motivation started in the spring, as I wanted to get in shape for the summer. A clear goal and a gradual approach are key - don't expect overnight results, or you'll be discouraged and give up. It's better to set a lower bar and work your way up.
5 miles
I took this approach, and it worked. I started enjoying my workouts, and my daily walks with Leslie became a staple. I even found time to fit in shorter workouts during the day, like a 15-minute walk while I was cooking dinner. On weekends, I'd do longer walks - up to 3 miles - but I'd still struggle to reach 4 or 5 miles. The added weight of the dumbbells made it tougher, but the results were worth it. I'd recommend increasing the weight gradually, as it's easier on your joints and back. I'm not sure I'll ever reach 5 miles, but I'm happy with my progress so far.
Everything you need for a workout
I love that there are various workout videos available for free with Leslie, ranging from 1 to 5 miles. It's great to mix and match them to keep things interesting. I've even joined her Facebook group and follow the videos there - they have some awesome short bursts and interval workouts that only take 5-10 minutes, but still pack a punch. Plus, they're perfect for warming up and stretching.
The variety of workouts is what really stands out to me, even though they might seem repetitive at first glance. Leslie uses a range of equipment, including resistance bands, dumbbells, and balls, which keeps things engaging. And the best part? The workouts are dynamic and don't feel monotonous.
It's been a bit over two months since I started following Leslie Sansone's program for the second time, and I haven't seen any significant weight loss or changes in my measurements. But, I have noticed some real changes in my body composition. My waist is more defined, my hips are toned, and my legs are looking leaner. My stats are: 84-66-93, with a 54-inch thigh measurement and 51 kg weight.
I've lost the most weight around my bust and waist, which is great, but I'd love to see more definition in my waistline. My thighs, on the other hand, haven't changed much - I guess I need to give it more time. The thing is, I haven't been following a strict diet or making any major changes to my eating habits. I've just been trying to cut back on junk food, sugar, and salt. It's amazing how much of a difference regular workouts can make - now I can maintain a decent figure without too much effort.
The Result After
I've gotta say, using the Quick Walk with Leslie has been a game-changer for me. It's been a week and I'm already seeing some real results in terms of my figure. The extra energy and motivation it's given me have been a huge help, and I feel like I'm finally getting back on track with my fitness goals. Of course, it's only been a week, so I'm not expecting miracles just yet, but I'm optimistic about the progress I'll make if I keep it up and combine it with a healthy diet.