The 10 Pound challenge
Published:Sunday | July 6, 2014 | 12:00 AM
Rochelle Keane, Gleaner Writer
Kamila McDonald knows all too well what it's like to love spending time with people and enjoying life, but she crawled into her shell and hid away from the world because she didn't feel confident in her own skin.
While in college, McDonald was very uncomfortable with her size, and would constantly hide under layers of clothes. "I'm an extrovert, very outgoing and with my large personality. I love being sociable. But my weight made me depressed and very self-conscious - my confidence was low and I was ashamed of who I was. One day, I decided 'No more', because I hated being so uncomfortable, and then came the need for change," McDonald told Outlook.
Beginning her journey in her early 20s, McDonald said it took longer compared to many because she lost and regained the weight over and over again, trying different diets and different training methods. "I went through a series of failures before really understanding what it takes to lose weight and keep it off."
When McDonald posted it on social media that she had lost more than 40 pounds, people were shocked and inspired. She, in fact, lost 62 pounds and, by training herself to eat right and keep fit, she moved from her heaviest weight of 188 pounds to her current satisfied weight of 126 pounds.
Shifting from wearing a cloak of shame to a leather jacket of self-esteem, McDonald has created the '10 Pound Pledge', which is a thorough package for persons to not only lose weight and get fit, but have the tools to make better choices about fitness and nutrition for the rest of their lives.
McDonald, like any wise entrepreneur, found a brilliant partner whose skill sets complement hers. Marc Gayle provided an extensive technology and business background, having created web products and consulted clients all over the world - from Australia to Texas to New York. The 10 Pound Pledge is created to be an ultimate home workout and nutrition guide to losing 10 pounds in five weeks. It is a video workout series that can be used and downloaded instantly on any device from a computer to a tablet to a smartphone.
It also includes McDonald's first nutritional book, which is a 100-page guide that lays out the foundation principles that she adopted in order to get into the best shape of her life. Also included are fresh and delicious recipes by Gina May Mair from Fresh Monger. Her FRESH recipes are an excellent companion to the rules spelt out in the book.
"Staying motivated is key, and that is also what 10 Pound Pledge is all about - keeping our customers excited about healthy living, exercise, and making a lifestyle change. If I had 10 Pound Pledge when I first decided to change my life, I guarantee you the process would not have been as treacherous as it was! In fact, I probably would not have enjoyed it. I wanted to create a product that I could share with the rest of the world that felt like I was literally holding your hand through the process."
McDonald entered the Miss Jamaica World Pageant in 2009 and won the title of Miss Jamaica Beach Beauty. She told Outlook that entering the competition was one of the best decisions of her life, because it helped her by giving her that push to lose the last few pounds that still kept her feeling trapped. "I stayed committed to my goal, lost the weight and, although I didn't win the overall competition, winning Miss Jamaica Beach Beauty represented me finally conquering what had weighed me down (literally and figuratively) for so long. I completed my mission, broke down my personal barriers, and set myself free. It was the best feeling in the world. Any time I get discouraged or have a bad day, I think back to that moment of accomplishment in my life. It still keeps me on my toes to this very day."
Having been through it herself, McDonald has three easy steps to help you achieve the best you.
1. Acceptance: It's time to realise that you need to make a change and understand the root of your struggles. Making the mental choice is the hardest, but because you have got yourself into a hole, it's time to climb out.
2. Measurable Steps: Stop thinking about all the weight you want to lose. Break it down and make your goals reasonable. If you have 40 pounds to lose, take it 10 pounds at a time. You can't shock yourself into weight loss, so there has to be balance. Set realistic goals.
3. Don't Hide: Be all right with what is going on. The results may not take place instantly, so pace yourself. However, don't hide under layers of clothes and cover-ups. Start by being confident as you change your diet and workout.
Take it one day at a time.