Healthy Weight Loss for Permanent Change

Journal Entry for 2-15-09

As you may have noticed I haven’t updated in awhile. Why? You guessed it! I have not been able to go the gym hardly at all in the past month. It’s been frustrating, and I have not liked the fact that I have not reached my personal “after” goal yet. For several weeks my daughter was going through the whole attachment phase, wanting only mommy and daddy and crying when someone would even glance her way. Crazy! So, that was the primary reason I had to stop using my sitter at the gym. For awhile I was able to go at nights when her dad came home from work but he has been traveling a lot lately which eliminated that option for the most part. I do admit I could have been a bit more diligent about working out at home during this time but it, too has been challenging.

Although I am not at my personal best as far as how my body looks, I am perhaps for the first time in my life truly learning to be appreciative of my situation for what it is and all that I learned because of it. Now don’t get me wrong, of course I would love to have my usual defined abs and tight buns right now! I know, however, had I not experienced this entire past year and a half of pregnancy difficulties, post partum depression, weight issues, health issues and difficulties balancing motherhood and career, I would not have the insight that I do today. Previously I could never relate to those who had weight issues. I realize weight issues are relative, and although it may seem like my weight issues were insignificant compared to what some women experience, to me they were very real. For me, having spent my entire life being in shape, this was an extremely difficult period for me. The same is true of the post partum depression. Truly, unless I had experienced it to the depths in which I had, I could never fully understand or relate to other mothers that had been in the same situation.

I am now thankful for these experiences, and grateful for the strength and wisdom I have gained. I know I am a better person because of it. As for the motherhood/career balance… Right now being a mother is the most important thing in the world to me. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love my job, career-wise and am thankful to be in a position where I inspire and motivate others. I wouldn’t change that for anything! I know in my heart, however, that at this point in time my real job is spending this precious time with my children. My son is now 11 years old and of course still needs me but is becoming more independent by the day, spending more time with friends, etc. My daughter on the other hand is still very young and completely dependent on me for everything. I realize it is such a blessing that I am able to stay home and raise her during her early years. So, even though I am not as lean as I would like to be, I am ok with the way I look right now. My stomach is flat, my arms are toned and for the time being, I absolutely accept where I am at this point. I think I look pretty darned good for a mother whose baby is not yet even crawling or even has her first tooth.

 I will continue to take my supplements, the Accelerate(CST boost) and the Coco trim  because not only do they help me maintain my weight, they really help with my energy and my moods. I will be able to go to the gym this week, so I am happy about that. I know I will have my six pack abs again soon and until I do, it’s ok. I now believe I can be a mother and have a career and I don’t have to choose one over the other or make sacrifices that I am not ready to make. Finally after 37 years, I am learning to live my life one day at a time. It feels amazing!

Body slimdown-1-15

It’s been a few weeks since my last entry, and I’m happy to report that I am doing great!! I have been exercising in some way shape or form almost every day. At the minimum, 5 days a week the last couple weeks. I went to the gym, rode the stationary bike and did band/ab workouts at home, walked outside quite a lot, did yoga, and danced. My new favorite cardio activity, I must admit, is the dancing. I hold my baby, who is nearly 21 pounds now, and dance like a maniac all around my living room. I get a great cardio workout, while she giggles the whole time and looks up at me with that sweet face. It is the best!!! I have also really enjoyed getting outside. I have walked a lot this past week, and its felt great to be in the fresh air. My arms are now showing some definition, as well as my abs. I’d like to get my legs a bit more firm and shapely, as well as my butt, but so far I am very happy with my results. It seemed like the longest time I was out of shape, and for me it really was. My daughter turns 8 months this week, however, so I guess I should cut myself some slack considering all the obstacles I have overcome these past months. The only fairly unpleasant thing left for me to confront, is my upcoming breast revision surgery. I have nothing scheduled yet; as I need to make sure I have ample help with my daughter. I will need help pretty much around the clock for the first 3-4 weeks, since I will be unable to lift her, or anything for that matter. At this point I’m looking forward to just getting it over with. Until then, I will continue to take my Coco trim, CST boost, and keep working out!

Body slimdown- Dec. 30, 2008

 I have to be honest, getting to the gym between sick kids (yes, my son got sick, too) and Christmas was nearly impossible for me. I am happy to say though, that I have now been to the gym the last 3 out of 4 days, and I feel soooo much better. My energy is great thanks to the CST Boost, and because I am having such great workouts, I am sleeping much better at night also. For my workouts this week I took a CST Boost and coco trim before I went to the gym, and I had the best results! I had more energy than I can remember having in so long. I was so excited that I even called Dean on my way home to tell him that if it weren’t for the fact I needed to get home for my baby, that I could have easily worked out for another hour. I had so much extra energy! I have noticed a big difference in my body in the last week, which has been a really great feeling. I am getting smaller, and more defined, and I am finally back in my sexy jeans! My plan is to continue the slimdown program for another 4 weeks, beyond the Jan. 3rd date because I know if I stay on the program a little longer, that my results will be far more noticeable; especially since I am able to workout again now. Stay tuned?

Body slimdown-Dec.15th

So I’ve been on the program for a little over a week now, and I have lost 3 lbs. I have been sticking to the eating plan, and recording my meals in a food journal. I worked out a few times right when the program started, but since then my daughter has gotten sick. She has her first cold, so needless to say my workouts have been on hold for a bit. Thankfully, with the supplements I’m taking, my energy is good, and I am keeping my weight off. I will just do what I can until I am able to get back in the gym.

Body slimdown- Dec. 6

Got my supplements and eating plan for Lookcut’s 30 day slimdown! I’m so excited to kick start my program. I got the CST Boost, Coco trim, and Bodyglo. Looking forward to getting some noticeable results really soon.

Body slimdown- Nov. 27

Thanksgiving week…What can I say? I did an okay job of getting to the gym in the first part of the week, but I definitely enjoyed the holiday weekend with my family and friends. We went to our friend’s house for Thanksgiving, so I only did a little cooking this year. Then, we lounged around the house and watched football and movies for the rest of the weekend. I plan to get to the gym more next week.

Body Slim Down Journal – Nov. 21, 2008


This past week was by far my best gym week since I had my daughter. I went to the gym at night all three times, and will go this weekend also. I typically am not a nighttime workout person, but I’m at a point that I just simply need to get it in when I can. Trying to go last week in the mornings to meet the sitter was pretty much a bust because the baby was up a lot during the nights, and waking at 4:00 am. By the time 9:00 am rolled around, we were ready to go back to sleep, not go to the gym. So, right now my only solution is to go at nights. I can get my energy up mid-day, and am ready to train at 6:30 pm. This works out great because baby can stay home with daddy, and I get home just in time to put her to bed. So, it’s a win-win. I do also not have to pay a sitter each time I work out, which of course is another perk.

Body Slim Down Journal – Nov. 13, 2008


I’m so happy to report that I have had some really great workouts over the past week! My new sitter seems to be working out just fine, and it gives me total peace of mind being able to check on my baby occassionally while I am at the gym.
 For my last workout I did my old-school, pre-baby leg workout. It felt so incredible to do squats again! I was of course sore the next day, but I knew I was one step closer to getting my nice legs back, so it was completely worth it!
I have decided that I am not only determined to get my body back.  Instead, I would actually like to get in the best shape of my life. I think it would be so great to say, “At 37, and after 2 kids I look better than I have ever looked before, even in my 20’s.” Right now, all I can say is that I look pretty okay for having a 6 and a half-month-old. But that’s not good enough for me, because I am a fitness model, and I want to look like one again!!!
I must get back in amazing shape so I can inspire other women (especially mothers) and prove that it’s possible to do without a posse of hired help. After all, most women I know do not have private chefs, live-in nannies, nutritionists, personal trainers, yoga/pilates instructors, herbalists, etc…in their every day lives. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with it! That’s just not the case in my life, nor is it the case for most women I know who are moms. And I am one of you. That’s why it is my responsibility to get off my butt, get to the gym and eat right!

Body Slim Down Journal – November 5, 2008

Well, I did it!!! I finally got my butt back in the gym. No turning back now…I went once last weekend and trained my whole body. I did two exercises per muscle group, and about 20 minutes of cardio. Strength-wise I was pretty weak, but it felt great to be working my muscles again. I was motivated and had lots of energy. I probably could have spent several hours there, but I was trying to hurry home to my baby.

I went to the gym again on Tuesday, bringing both my baby and new sitter with me. I must say I definitely had peace of mind, knowing I could check on her anytime I needed to, and I was therefore able to really concentrate on my workout. I trained legs, and abs, and did 20 minutes of cardio. It felt amazing to have a real workout, and I love that my legs are sore today. I am going again tomorrow, this time to train my upper body and abs. I will also increase my cardio to a minimum of 30 minutes per session.

I am excited to be back at the gym. It feels so great, and I am looking forward to soon being able to really notice the changes in my body!

Heather Downey's Body Slim Down Journal – October 29, 2008

Since my last entry, I have been walking a bit outside, but other than that, I have unfortunately not begun my gym workouts. I would like to have started sooner, but have been unable to, due to lack of appropriate child care. I finally found a solution and hired a sitter to accompany me to the gym twice a week, beginning next week. I can’t wait! In addition to working out on those two days, I will also go to the gym at least twice a week in the evenings and perhaps one day during the weekend as well.  I am so motivated, and ready to get my body back in the worst way!

Good thing is… I have continued taking the CST Boost. It’s now been three weeks that I have been taking it, and I can’t imagine my life without it.  My moods are still stable and I feel energetic, and happy. My days are now productive, and I am enjoying my life again. Also, I have lost about 5-7 lbs, and it seems I am getting smaller by the day. I’m very happy to say that I am finally back into most of my pre-baby clothes. Can’t wait to see how my body changes once the workouts are in full-force. It’s on, now!

Heather Downey’s Body Slim Down Journal - October 17th, 2008

Some of you know me as a top fitness model. You may recognize me from various magazine covers such as Oxygen, Muscle and Fitness, M&F Hers. Or, you may have seen me on commercials for Bow-Flex, infomercials such as Body by Jake Ab Rocker and  Form Shaper, or in National print campaigns for Oxygenfit, just to name a few. In a nutshell, I have always been in shape. Thanks in part to great genetics, but also hard work on my part, spent in the gym, and eating right. Even when I had my son, 11 years ago, I exercised throughout my pregnancy until two weeks before he was born. I was back in the gym a few weeks after his birth and in a bikini again almost immediately. To say that is not the case this time around, after having my daughter 6 months ago, would be an understatement. You may be surprised by what I’m about to share, but this is the truth about my life experiences from the past year, until today…

First of all, being pregnant for the second time at 37 was much more difficult for me than it was when I was only 25. I was far more fatigued the entire time, had some frightening complications early on, and had severe lower back pain. I tried to work out during my pregnancy, but it was very difficult. For several weeks or more, in both the first and second trimester, I didn’t step foot into the gym. By the last trimester, the back pain I experienced was debilitating, and I rarely left my house. Mentally, I also suffered from depression, and was put on anti-depressants during my pregnancy. I eventually weaned myself off of them before my daughter was born, but I definitely paid the price.
 In May, I gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby girl, and couldn’t have been happier. After the euphoria wore off around day 10, however, life for me became very trying.

In the first two weeks after giving birth, one of my breasts implants rutured. The reality of knowing what needed to be done to correct the problem, became more than I could bear. I couldn’t even fathom the idea of having major surgery with a newborn baby; not to mention the fact that I would not be able to continue to breastfeed her for at least a year, like I had planned. I had never felt so frightened, stressed or overwhelmed in my entire life!
 

Needless to say, finding out this information was the onset of major postpartum depression. So severe to the point I was crying up to several hours a day, feeling totally hopeless and helpless. Other than caring for my children, I could do nothing else. I did not see my friends, I was unable to do much of anything at home, and had zero energy, and didn’t leave my home unless I absolutely had to.

Unfortunately, my trials did not stop there. About a month ago, I went to see my dermatologist to have a few moles checked, and both of the biopsies came back as basal cell carcinoma. I had already battled with melanoma skin cancer 2 years prior, and had just hoped to be done with all of it.  I really didn’t need one more thing to add to my already over-flowing plate!

To make all these matters worse, of course, I have not been exercising at all. I tried to go to the gym a handful of times, but my workouts were unsuccessful. I was completely unmotivated, and it felt like a complete waste of time. Sadly, in the past month alone, I have now turned down 3 very big fitness modeling jobs, simply because I am not in shape. I know that my being out of shape directly affects my depression, as well, and I am ready to make it all stop. And I have. Here’s how I did it:

A couple of weeks ago, in a desperate plea, I called my long-time friend, Dean Tournabene, whom I have known for over 10 years. I explained my current situation, and told him everything that’s happened in my life over the past year. I told him I was severely depressed, overwhelmed, unmotivated, 10-15 lbs. overweight, and losing work in my industry because of it. I needed help, and I knew he was just the person who could help me. I was right. One week ago to the day, I met him for lunch, and he gave me the single best product I have ever used, hands down. It is called CST Boost, by LifeBurst, Inc. The very next day, I felt better. Not just a little bit better, but 100% better. I have now been taking it for one week, and I truly feel that my life has completely turned around. In fact, here are my exact, unedited words, taken from an email that I sent him a few days ago:

“Can I just tell you something? I truly feel sooooo much better. My moods have stabilized completely, and I have energy for the first time in nearly a year. I am actually feeling back to my usual fabulous self! :) It's been so long since I had the energy to do much of anything. What a blessing to feel like I have my life back.”

I meant every word. I have had to rely on anti-depressants in the past, and did not want to start taking them again. Because of CST Boost, I do not have to. The CST Boost makes me feel happy, motivated, and energetic, and hopeful.  As far as physically, I have already lost several pounds, my stomach is flatter, and I have not even begun my gym regimen, yet!

In addition, I have had the energy to do more than just take care of my children. I have been able to really, really enjoy them, and feel the happiness of being a new mom all over again. This weekend, I took them to a picnic at the lake, and the zoo! I look forward to doing many more fun things with them now that I am feeling so great.

As I begin to really transform myself back into the fitness model that I am, I will continue to update my progress, regularly on this site. I will soon be adding additional supplements to my regimen, as well as getting back to my regular workouts.  I will be back soon, better than ever! Thank you for your interest in my Body Slim down journey.

Heather