Brenda L.

After years of struggling with weight loss, I decided to get serious about healthier life habits and exercise to improve my quality of life and be better prepared for when I'm ready to start a family.

Quick Facts

Favorite Health Food: Protein bowls! So yummy and filling!

Favorite Sinful Food: I have such a sweet tooth!

My Preferred Method of Exercise: Strength Training!

My Approach to Weight Loss: I exercise 6-7 times a week and try to stay in a calorie deficit.

My Weight Loss Program: I don't follow a program

My Diet Plan: Pescatarian but I try to be mostly veg!

Fitness/Exercise Apps: MyFitnessPal

Fitness Devices: Apple Watch

Recent Photos

Friends (1)

TIME PERIOD: All 1-Year 60-Days 30-Days
Unofficial Weigh-InVerified Weigh-InDietBet Runner-UpDietBet WinnerRound WinnerRound Runner-Up
-1.3% Since last weigh-in-3 lbs
-1.3% 1-Month Change-3 lbs
-2.1% Lifetime Change-4.8 lbs

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Brenda L.

02/17/2023 9:10PM in 2023 January Jumpstart!
Home stretch, y’all! I apologize for my recent lack of posting due to me being sick and traveling so much. I can’t wait to see how everyone did, though!! I hope you were able to hit your goals as much as possible!

Melinda A. and Jess like this comment.

Melinda A.

I have 2 pounds to lose :pray:

Brenda L.

02/06/2023 9:09PM in 2023 January Jumpstart!
How is everyone feeling? We’re about halfway through! I was feeling so good but just got hit with a cold so we will see how that affects me overall. Hoping I get over it pretty quickly!

Melinda A. , Kate T. , BunRunsJapan , Jess and Mileseventeen like this comment.

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Kate T.

Feel better soon!

Melinda A.

I’ve been doing good but now caught a cold , but feeling well enough to walk still

Melinda A.

02/06/2023 1:58PM in 2023 January Jumpstart!
I think I might win y’all 💪Are you almost there too?

Jennifer W. , Kate T. , BunRunsJapan and Brenda L. like this comment.

Brenda L.

That’s amazing, Melinda!

Kate T.

Working on it every day.

Brenda L.

01/28/2023 8:14AM in 2023 January Jumpstart!
First weekend of the challenge. How is everyone feeling?

Kate T. and Jess like this comment.

Melinda A.

Great!

Kate T.

I had too much sugar at a party. Back on track today!

Brenda L.

01/26/2023 9:15AM in 2023 January Jumpstart!
  • Got a recipe for y'all to try if you like shrimp!
    Shrimp & Kale Caesar Salad for 2 680cal/serving
    Ingredients
    - .5oz Sun-dried tomatoes
    - 4oz Green kale
    - .5oz Hazelnuts
    - 5.25oz Butternut squash
    - 4oz Creamy lemon-Dijon sauce (or your choice of dressing, I'd say keep it lemon based)
    - 1oz Parmesan cheese
    - 1.25oz Garlic, paprika & herb seasoning
    - 10oz Shrimp
    - 1tsp Cumin, garlic & fennel seasoning
    Feel free to substitute the seasonings if you don’t have the exact spices.
    1. Place sun-dried tomatoes in a small bowl. Cover with water. Let soak 5 minutes, or until softened. Once softened, roughly chop tomatoes.
    2. Roughly chop green kale leaves into bite-size pieces.
    3. Roughly chop hazelnuts if necessary.
    4. Small dice butternut squash into pieces, about 1?4 inch each.
    5. Place kale in a large bowl. Drizzle with about 1 tablespoon of the creamy lemon-Dijon sauce. Lightly season with salt. Massage until leaves soften. Add tomatoes and about half of the Parmesan cheese. Drizzle with remaining lemon-Dijon sauce to taste. Toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
    6. Place hazelnuts in a dry medium sauté pan over medium heat. Toast 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant, shaking pan frequently.
    7. Heat 1.5 tablespoons cooking oil in pan used for hazelnuts over medium-high heat. Add squash to hot pan. Season with garlic, paprika, and herb blend, 1?2 teaspoon salt, and a pinch of pepper. Cook 5-8 minutes, or until fork-tender, stirring frequently.
    8. Heat 1.5 tablespoons cooking oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add shrimp to hot pan. Season with cumin, garlic, and fennel blend, salt, and pepper. Cook 4-5 minutes, or until fully cooked, stirring occasionally.
    9. Divide kale Caesar salad between bowls. Top with butternut squash and shrimp. Garnish with toasted hazelnuts and remaining Parmesan. Enjoy!

Melinda A. , Mileseventeen and TayRay like this photo.

Kate T.

Looks really good.

Tash-0

01/26/2023 6:52AM in 2023 January Jumpstart!
  • Like a sweet breakfast?.. try this one out...

    I use a food scale for accuracy but.. "cottage cheese cake" is what I have been eating for breakfast lately. It's delicious.

    I take 1 small tub of cottage cheese and blend it smooth. Add in 2 scoops of vanilla protein powder and 1 serving (7g) of sugar free cheesecake flavor pudding.. let it sit and it is enough for 5 breakfasts.

    I top with fruit and a crushed Graham cracker and light whip cream. This breakfast packs 23 grams of protein with about 230 calories (depending on toppings added)

    Enjoy😊

Mileseventeen , BunRunsJapan and Brenda L. like this photo.

Brenda L.

I love this! Gonna have to add it to my recipe book!

Brenda L.

01/23/2023 3:00PM in 2023 January Jumpstart!
Intermediate Workout Routine

MONDAY
- Strength -
3 sets of 10
Weighted Squat
Bench Press
Bent Over Row
Overhead Press

TUESDAY
- HIIT -
10 min Simeon Panda Workout
https://youtu.be/NMSOpenaNRM
Repeat as many times as you can

WEDNESDAY
- Cardio/Strength -
Run/Jog/Walk1-2 miles
Complete the following circuit 10 times
2A. PUSH UPS × 10
2B. SQUATS × 10
2C. PLANK SHOULDER TAPS × 10

THURSDAY
- Strength -
3 sets of 10
Deadlift
Bench Press
Weighted Squat
Overhead Press

FRIDAY
- Cardio/Strength -
Jump Rope as long as you can
20 sec on 10 sec off (Total 4 min)
Squat to Press
Bent Over Row
Bulgarian Split Squat

SATURDAY & SUNDAY
ACTIVE REST DAYS

Kate T. and TayRay like this comment.

Kate T.

Thank you for sharing this!!!! So awesome.

Brenda L.

Hope you enjoy it! Definitely let me know how it goes if you try to stick with it!

Brenda L.

01/23/2023 1:25PM in 2023 January Jumpstart!
Beginner Workout Routine

MONDAY
- Cardio -
Hop on a bike or treadmill for 30 minutes at a comfortable pace. Think a level 5-6 out of ten in terms of intensity. If you don’t have access to these machines, a walk or bike ride outside works too! On week 3, bump this up to 45 min.

TUESDAY
- Strength -
Plank as long as possible
25 squats (bump to 50 on week 3)
10 lunges per leg (bump to 20 on week 3)
Push ups as many times as you can (modify to knee or floor push-ups if necessary)

WEDNESDAY
- Cardio -
Get out for a walk or light jog and some fresh air. Aim for at least 1 mile. On week 3, bump the goal to 2 miles.

THURSDAY
- Strength -
Plank as long as possible
25 squats (bump to 50 on week 3)
10 lunges per leg (bump to 20 on week 3)
Push up as many times as you can

FRIDAY
- Cardio -
Hop on a bike or treadmill for 30 minutes at a comfortable pace. Think a level 5-6 out of ten in terms of intensity. If you don’t have access to these machines, a walk or bike ride outside works too! On week 3, bump this up to 45 min.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY
ACTIVE REST DAYS

Kate T. likes this comment.

Brenda L.

01/23/2023 1:17PM in 2023 January Jumpstart!
Day One, fit fam! Hope you all are super pumped up and have already had a great start to the day.

Here are some tips if the goals of the challenge are a big change from what your lifestyle was used to.

The gallon of water a day will make you pee A LOT! Lol. You’ve been warned so just be prepared for that!

If you can’t do the full workouts as you start, don’t beat yourself up. Instead, applaud yourself for getting even just a bit of movement in.

And lastly, every day is a new day. Don’t worry about any mess ups you might have made the day before. Just keep your eyes on the goal and work to make more changes for better health with each new day!

These changes are hard, but you can do this! And use this outlet as a way to celebrate each victory, no matter how big or small, or even vent or ask for advice on things you might really be struggling with. We’re all in this together!

Kate T. and anon-40ec5487-3803-404d-b0c5-0471a8e2788b@422262f2-6b3a-4182-bb1a-1333e4cc5595.anon like this comment.

Kate T.

01/23/2023 9:41AM in 2023 January Jumpstart!
Just weighed in. I hope it's the last time I see that number in my lifetime! I have too much love and life to share to continue moving up the scale and down in happiness. Happiness and health, here I come!

Melinda A. , Christina R. and Brenda L. like this comment.

Brenda L.

THIS! You hit the nail right on the head! You’ve got this!!
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