Take Charge of Your Life: How Fit Mother Claire Overcame Emotional and Medical Obstacles and Lost 90 Pounds

Written by: Dr. Anthony Balduzzi,

Founder of The Fit Mother Project & Fit Father Project

Founder, The Fit Mother Project
Founder, The Fit Father Project

Written by: Dr. Anthony Balduzzi,

Founder of The Fit Mother Project & Fit Father Project

Founder, The Fit Mother Project
Founder, The Fit Father Project

take charge of your life

Want to take charge of your life? Fit Mother Claire was able to do just that — and lose 90 pounds in the process!

Claire is a busy mother of four with an incredible story to tell.

And, it’s not just because she lost over 90 pounds on the Fit Mother Project!

That alone is amazing, but it’s more about what Claire overcame in the process.

Claire could’ve easily fallen back on a number of excuses: she's a single mom raising four kids, and just a few years ago, her former husband was convicted of a crime and sent to prison, which sent their whole family into financial and emotional disarray.

Plus, after many years of marriage, pregnancies, and kids — a host of medical issues — Claire found herself overweight and out of shape.

She knew she needed to get healthier, so she decided that it was time to turn things around.

So, Claire joined the Fit Mother Project along with her friend Kristen and together, they’ve lost almost 200 pounds!

Listen to Claire's Story on the Fit Mother Project Podcast:

Life Changes, Health Issues, and Weight Gain

Growing up, Claire was quite athletic — she played sports and had an active lifestyle.

“In high school, I was pretty athletic. I didn't struggle with my weight at all. I enjoyed moving and being active.”

However, by the end of her freshman year of college, Claire began gaining weight and was diagnosed with PCOS, among other physical issues.

She had gained close to 30 pounds. 

“I grew up in Greece and came to the US for college. My freshman year was also the time to learn to be independent and eat independently, having to take that responsibility myself for the first time. So there was a lot of processed and fast food and things I didn't have available growing up. So I ate it.”

Soon after Claire got married, she started gaining more weight.

And with every pregnancy, her weight kept creeping up. 

“I would lose some weight, but I never really went back to even where I was when we first got married, and I was already overweight when we got married.”

As time passed, Claire consistently gained weight to the point where she became, in her words, ‘morbidly obese.'

She was facing several problems with her health.

Moreover, her husband's perception was that her poor weight control directly reflected her affection for him.

Nevertheless, she had accepted that she had no control over her weight and would never lose it. 

“I had believed there wasn't anything I could do long-term to sustain the weight loss.”

Fast food had become an easy option for her. However, the excess weight started posing serious health problems. 

“Part of the exhaustion was the extra weight I carried around all the time. I developed GERD. So I was taking medication for that. I couldn't go up and down the stairs anymore without sweating and getting out of breath. I had gotten so heavy that I developed sleep apnea, which is why I was even more tired because I wasn't getting rest at night. So I was basing much of my self-worth on my weight and deciding what other people would think of me because of it. I was just embarrassed and couldn't look in the mirror. My husband would also pick on me for my weight quite often.”

Around Christmas in 2018, Claire weighed close to 220 pounds, and around the same time, she was going through some serious ups and downs in her personal life.

Suddenly, her life changed drastically when her former husband was sent to prison, and she was a single mom to four children.

That's when she decided to get back to her nursing job.

However, she was skeptical about doing the same due to her appearance.

“One of the things I thought about becoming a nurse was that I was going to help people get healthy, and I was in really bad shape.”

At the same time, her family faced a lot of emotional turmoil, and everything added to Claire indulging in stress-eating. 

“When I was feeling down or wanted to not think about what was going on, it was easy to grab something to eat and sit and watch TV. I just ate because I felt like it. Gradually, it became a binge-eating disorder, and I gained 40 pounds.”

When weight loss became life-threatening and started taking a toll on her self-esteem, Claire tried several diet programs with her friend Kristen.

Some helped her lose weight, but she couldn't sustain the weight loss. 

See how Claire was able to avoid excuses, overcome obstacles, and take charge of her life!

 

Deciding To Take Charge of Your Life

As Claire's struggle with weight loss continued, one day, she and her friend Kristen came across their church's pastor, who had lost a lot of weight with the Fit Father Project.

That's when they searched for something similar for women and found the Fit Mother Project. 

When asked why she decided to join the Fit Mother Project, Claire explained that she was fascinated with how the program educates and informs its members. 

“The program provides a lot of material upfront. You get to see a lot of nutrition information, and it involves a lot of educating yourself. Other weight loss programs are different; they give you a plan, and you're supposed to jump in and do it. So the Fit Mother Project taught us what was right to eat, what was not, and why. So, we also understood what we would do and why, which was helpful.”

Another aspect of the Fit Mother Project that Claire loved was the flexibility it offered.

“The Fit Mother Project enables you to create your recipes and find food that your family would enjoy.”

Claire also loves the Sisterhood Facebook group. 

“The group turned out to be an enormous blessing because the ladies there are very supportive and encouraging.”

Her kids and friend, Kristen, also contributed to her success with the Fit Mother Project. 

“I was in a precarious financial position at the time, and the program required investing in workout equipment, such as weights, etc. But Kristen and I split the costs and worked out together. We both used the same stuff.”

Before joining the program, Claire weighed 273 pounds.

She was overweight and, as a result, faced many medical conditions.

However, after joining the program, she achieved the milestone of losing 90 pounds in 16 months.

She now weighs 180 pounds.

After losing 90 pounds with the Fit Mother Project, Claire experienced drastic changes in her health. 

“I no longer have sleep apnea, so I sleep better every night. I have more energy. I don't wake up tired in the morning. And my GERD is significantly less. I enjoy spending time with my kids and taking pictures with them.”

Claire also has restored her self-esteem and feels confident in her skin, and now aims to work hard enough to go completely medicine-free.

So what would Claire say to someone looking to join the Fit Mother Project?

“Don't be afraid. Take the first step, and don't let your fear of failing make you never start. You won't ever get anywhere until you take that step. Don't test the waters. If you're going to do it, commit all the way and give it 100 percent. Also, dive into the groups and connect with others because they will help carry you when you can't do it yourself. Keep going one day at a time, one workout, one meal, one choice. Keep moving.” 

take charge of your life

3 Key Takeaways From Claire's Journey

To summarize, here are three key lessons you can learn from Claire’s successful health and fitness journey:

Lesson 1: Stop Giving Yourself Excuses

Claire could've easily fallen back on several excuses: she's a single mom raising four kids, and just a few years ago, her former husband was convicted of a crime and sent to prison, which sent their whole family into financial and emotional disarray.

But she chose herself and worked hard all the way, and today she is in the best shape of her life.

You will always have excuses for not doing something.

It takes real persistence to stick to your purpose of health and fitness.

Lesson 2: Accountability Is Key

If you think you lack the motivation to start a fitness journey by yourself, having a loved one on board is a great idea.

This helps you bounce support and encouragement onto each other, especially in the initial days of joining the program when you're more vulnerable to doubting the process and yourself. 

Lesson 3: The Right Mindset Will Sustain You

Claire tried many fitness programs before but saw only moderate benefits from them because she didn't have the right mindset.

To be true to your journey, you must hone in your nutrition and engage in more physical activity.

Moreover, you must set clear goals and relentlessly work to achieve them.

Indulge in positive self-talk and continue to instill positivity in your mind.

Make your mind strong, and health and fitness will follow. 

What is FM30X?

FM30X is a simple, sustainable, and specific weight loss program that is designed especially for busy women over 40. With short metabolic training workouts, an easy-to-follow meal plan, and an accountability team that is there for you at every step, FM30X can help you lose 30, 40, or even 50+ lbs — even if you’ve never picked up a weight in your life.

Click here to see what you get when you join the FM30X program today!

If you loved what you heard on the Fit Mother Project Podcast, please follow, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts.

REVIEW GIVEAWAY! WIN ONE MONTH'S SUPPLY OF SUPER FUEL WHEY OR VEGAN PROTEIN

To take part, simply write a review at Apple Podcasts, post a screenshot of your review on your IG stories, and tag us (@fitmotherproject) along with two of your friends!

You can also listen to the show on:

And don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!

Dr. Anthony Balduzzi
Founder of The Fit Mother Project & Fit Father Project

Founder, The Fit Mother Project
Founder, The Fit Father Project

After watching his own Dad lose his health and pass away at the young age of 42, Dr. Balduzzi founded The Fit Mother Project and Fit Father Project to help busy moms and dads get and stay healthy for their families.

Dr. Anthony Balduzzi holds dual degrees in Psychology & Nutrition from the University of Pennsylvania, a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine, and is also a former national champion bodybuilder. He’s is most proud of the fact that he’s helped over 40,000 families in over 100 countries lose weight and get healthy for life.

If you’re a busy mom who wants to finally lose weight, get healthy, and actually keep the pounds off for good, this is the simple program you’ll love sticking to…

Fit Mother Project is the answer you’ve been looking for. Inside the program, you’ll receive:

  • The simple & delicious Fit Mother Meal Plan with easy recipes for you and your family.
  • The metabolism-boosting Fit Mother Project workouts to kickstart your metabolism for fast fat burning.
  • VIP email coaching where we’ll personally walk you through the program.
GET STARTED TODAY FOR FREE

If you’re a busy mom who wants to finally lose weight, get healthy, and actually keep the pounds off for good, this is the simple program you’ll love sticking to…

Our Fit Mother 30X Program (FM30X) is the answer you’ve been looking for. Inside FM30X, you’ll receive:

  • The simple & delicious Fit Mother Meal Plan with easy recipes for you and your family.
  • The metabolism-boosting Fit Mother 30X Workout (under 90 min/week) to kickstart your metabolism for fast fat burning.
  • VIP email coaching where we’ll personally walk you through the program.
Learn More About FM30X

*Please know that weight loss results & health changes/improvements vary from individual to individual; you may not achieve similar results. Always consult with your doctor before making health decisions. This is not medical advice – simply very well-researched info on how to take charge of your life.

Join Fit Father 30X

The World’s First Weight Loss Program for Men 40+

Lose Weight. Keep it Off.

Fit Mother Project Fact-Checking Standards

Our Fit Mother Project Team’s deepest commitment is to helping you live healthier for both yourself and your family. And when it comes to online content, integrity and trust is everything. That’s why our Fit Mother Project staff-writers are all trained professionals in the field of health and wellness (registered dieticians, licensed personal trainers, and licensed physicians) – see the full team here. We rigorously run all of our articles through a rigorous editorial process to ensure the accuracy, simplicity, and utility of the information. And we aren’t just a team of “academics” sitting in an ivory tower. We are real people – with jobs, responsibilities, and families – working hard in the trenches and testing our tips & methods out to make sure you can stay healthy for family.

Here is what you can expect from us on our Fit Mother Blog and YouTube channel:

  1. All of our content is written and reviewed by licensed health professionals (dieticians, personal trainers, doctors).
  2. In nearly all of our articles, we link to published research studies from the most respected peer-reviewed medical & health journals.
  3. We include research-based videos to accompany our articles to make it easier for you to consume our content, put it into action, and see results.
  4. Inside our articles & videos, we do promote our free meal plans, workouts, and/or paid programs, because we know they have the potential to change your life.
  5. We openly take feedback here on our contact page. We welcome your content suggestions… and even feedback on grammar (we’d like to thing that we’re pretty OK at spelling and “stuff”).
  6. Above all, we are a community of likeminded men and women committed to living healthier. We do not advocate any health advice that we wouldn’t personally implement with our families. Because as far as we’re concerned, you’re our family too.

Thanks for checking out the blog. We can’t wait to support you toward greater health, energy, and vitality.

– The Fit Mother Project Team

 

Terms of Service & Privacy Policy

Get Started for FREE

Get Started for FREE

Join the #1 Health & Fitness Program
for Busy Women 40+

Trusted by over 11,859 Busy Moms 40+

See & feel results before you buy

Limited Time Offer

Get Started for FREE

Join the #1 Health & Fitness Program 
for Busy Women 40+

Get Started for FREE

Join the #1 Health & Fitness Program 
for Busy Women 40+

See & feel results before you buy

Limited Time Offer