Laura Lawrence’s story is one of resilience and transformation. After overcoming breast cancer, she faced a new challenge: weight gain. Discover how a simple, often overlooked method and a powerful ‘why’ helped her lose 61 pounds at the age of 61. This isn’t just about weight loss; it’s about finding your inner strength and redefining your identity.
This article explores Laura’s journey, highlighting the importance of finding your personal motivation, tracking a simple daily metric, and the power of small, consistent actions. Learn how she overcame self-doubt and societal expectations to achieve a life-changing transformation. We’ll delve into the strategies that worked for her and how you can apply them to your own fitness journey.
Laura’s Story: From Planning a Funeral to a New Lease on Life
Laura Lawrence: “I went from planning my funeral to a new lease of life”.
Laura’s journey began with a routine mammogram that identified breast cancer. The news was devastating, and her immediate concern was breaking it to her partner, Paul.
In a moment of profound vulnerability, she discussed with Paul the possibility of her condition being terminal and expressed her wishes to get married and make funeral arrangements.
“Paul, if this is terminal, there are some things I would like to put in place, such as getting married and starting to plan funeral arrangements. That’s only if you want to?”.
After overcoming cancer, Laura initially focused on enjoying life, perhaps a little too much. She admits to indulging and not taking care of herself, but she was simply grateful to be alive.
She humorously referred to herself as “just a big old bird,” a self-deprecating phrase that had become part of her identity—until a pivotal moment changed everything.
One Crucial Step Before Starting Your Fitness Journey
The cornerstone of any successful fitness journey isn’t a trendy workout or a restrictive diet; it’s discovering your ‘why’. This isn’t about superficial motivation; it’s about finding a deep, personal reason that fuels your commitment.
For Laura, the catalyst was the realization that carrying excess weight increased her risk of cancer recurrence. This wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was about her health and her desire to live longer and spend more time with her family.
Laura: “One of the things that puts me more at risk of it coming back is carrying too much weight. That’s a point at which I recognised I could do something about it. I can’t do anything about my genetics, but I can do something about my weight and put myself at less risk. So it was that — that started my journey and sparked my interest in wanting to do something about my weight.”
Everyone’s ‘why’ is unique. It could be boosting energy, overcoming illness, or improving self-esteem. The key is that it must be compelling and personal. As Jim Rohn wisely said, “Reasons come first. Answers come second.”
Track This Simple Daily Metric
When it comes to diet, consistency is key. Avoid extreme, unsustainable measures. Gradual, consistent changes will yield far better results in the long run. Think of it as an ocean liner, not a speedboat. Real success takes time, so embrace the journey.
Laura achieved remarkable results by tracking a simple daily metric: counting calories using an app. This awareness led to a 61-pound weight loss and a significant reduction in her waistline.
Calorie counting isn’t about obsessing over every morsel; it’s about creating awareness and identifying eating patterns that need modification. Think of calorie limits as a budget for your savings. You can’t save more without setting a spending cap, just as you can’t lose weight without some form of restriction.
Laura’s diet focused on a macro-balanced approach, ensuring she received adequate protein, carbs, and fats to fuel her workouts and stave off hunger. Remember, sustainable restriction is about balance, not deprivation. Dietician Albert Abaye explains the importance of balancing carbs, fat, and protein for energy, tissue repair, satiety, and hormone balance.
Every Action You Take Is a Vote for the Person You Wish to Become
The magic happens in the accumulation of small, incremental progress. James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, emphasizes that small habits provide evidence of a new identity. If a change is meaningful, it is actually big.
Laura started with a modest goal of 6,000 daily steps and two gym sessions per week. These small actions compounded over time, leading to noticeable changes and positive reinforcement from others.
Laura — “In my work role, it might be that people hadn’t seen me for 12 months, but it’s the look on their faces, like “Wow, what’s happening? What are you doing?”.
Challenge your limiting beliefs. Whether it’s avoiding exercise due to bad knees or shying away from weight training, question those assumptions. Often, the biggest obstacle is valuing others’ opinions too much.
Laura initially felt self-conscious about lifting weights in the gym, surrounded by “fit men hoying iron around.” She overcame this by gradually becoming more comfortable and focusing on her own progress. Now, she enjoys it and is less self-conscious.
99% of People Are Destined to Fail Because of This One Thing
The saying ‘Birds of a feather flock together’ holds true. If fitness isn’t a strength, seeking help outside your current circle is crucial. Without guidance, most people are likely to fail, especially if their friends aren’t fitness-oriented.
Laura’s success was a combination of her hard work and the guidance of a coach. Her weekly conversations shifted to macros, step counts, and strategies for social events.
Increase your time with fitness-oriented friends or work with a professional who has a proven track record. A study showed that overweight individuals in a weight loss program with a buddy shed more pounds than those who went it alone.
Final Thoughts
Laura’s journey is a testament to the power of inner strength and the potential for transformation at any age. She achieved her dream of fitting into a vintage dress, with Paul by her side.
While I provided the framework and accountability, Laura’s success was ultimately her own. She triumphed over adversity and achieved a complete weight loss overhaul. We all have that spirit within us. It starts with finding enough compelling reasons.
Replace the self-doubt with a “maybe,” prioritize small, manageable progress, and watch as it becomes evidence of your new identity. If Laura can do it, why not you?
Special Note from the Author
Laura’s remarkable journey proves that anything is possible. If you’re serious about starting and progressing on your weight loss journey, I’m offering a free discovery call. Take control of your fitness with a plan that fits your lifestyle.