Meet Amanda, a 42-year-old assistant principal, wife, and mom of two, who has spent years navigating the ups and downs of weight loss. Like many, she tried countless diets, saw short-term success, but struggled to find something sustainable. That all changed when she discovered Stay Fit Mom. What started as a journey to improve her health quickly transformed into a complete lifestyle shift—one that not only helped her lose 40 pounds but also led her to inspire others as a fitness instructor. Her story is one of perseverance, mindset shifts, and finding joy in the process. Keep reading to learn how she made macro counting work for her, the habits that have fueled her success, and the incredible impact this journey has had on her family.

SFM: Tell us a little bit about your story. Work? family? What’s a typical day in your life look like?

Amanda: I’m a 42-year-old working mom and wife who thrives on a busy life. My husband and I have been together for 24 years, and we have two kids, 16 and 13. I’ve been in education for almost 20 years and currently work as an assistant principal.

Weight has been a lifelong struggle. I’ve tried multiple diets, losing about 20 lbs each time, but none were sustainable. After my second child, I found motivation through a local gym, spending two years doing Zumba and running races (including four half-marathons—hated every one! LOL). Eventually, life got in the way, and I slipped back into old habits, but I’ve been working to get back to my “fitter” self.

My day starts at 5:30 AM. I get ready, prep some food, and head out with my high schooler. I work until 4 PM, then either work out right after school or later around 7:30 PM, which helps me sleep better. Evenings are spent making dinner, decompressing, and winding down before bed at 9:30 or 10 PM. Weekends are for errands, family time, teaching my Sunday class, and planning the week ahead.

How did you find Stay Fit Mom and what made you decide to take the leap?

Amanda: In August of 2022, I decided to try to lose some weight again. My son had shared with me that another student from school had said something about my weight, upsetting him so much.  At this point, I knew that my weight wasn’t just affecting me, but also my children’s emotional well-being and also their own health choices.  I was at my heaviest weight and knew that I needed to find something sustainable.  When I did other programs, I knew I wasn’t eating enough.  I had tried macros before, but didn’t really commit.  Being more a math person, I figured that counting macros had to work mathematically, it just made sense.  I scrolled through Instagram looking for meals and came across the Stay Fit Mom page.  It was great to see meals already calculated for me, taking out some of the leg work.  I lost about 20lbs on my own and then decided that if I was really going to commit to this then I would sign up for a six-week coaching session.  I figured if I could see a difference with the 6 weeks and truly commit to this lifestyle, I would sign up for one-on-one coaching.  In my mind, if I could see the changes in myself (physically and mentally) with the program then it was worth the expense.  My health was worth it.

SFM: You’ve been with Stay Fit Mom and Coach Mariesha for over a YEAR and you’re down 40 pounds! CONGRATS! Tell us about some highs and lows from the past year and then also how you’ve managed to balance living a full life while macro counting for this entire duration?

Amanda: It has been over a year with SFM and Mariesha and it has been great!  Having a one-on-one coach gives me the accountability that I need.  I remember when I first shared my goals with Mariesha and she told me my goal would take the better part of a year to obtain.  That hit hard!  You see all these people lose weight quickly and think why not me?  But I figured I would trust the process and just go with it.  Nothing had worked before.  This journey has definitely had some highs and lows.  I have been pretty consistent throughout the process so when the scale has climbed or stayed the same for a long period, my mind starts to play tricks on me.  All your old thoughts start to flood back in.  Having a coach is what gets me out of the weeds and reminds me I am doing the right things.  I would say that some of the biggest highs from the experience have been making my way back to the 100s and then confidence that I have gained as I have seen my body change.  The best part about macros is that you can live your life and make it work. It is a lifestyle and not just a quick fix.

SFM: What habits do you have in place that makes this process easier for you? What lifestyle changes have you made that have enabled you to lose this much weight?

Amanda: Macros can seem overwhelming at first, but as time passes with consistency, it has become so much easier.  I am type of person that can hyper-fixate on foods and eat them for several days; however, I am not a leftover person.  It is hard for me to eat foods that have been in the fridge for a few days.  Knowing that about myself, I choose breakfasts that I can make easily each morning.  My lunches are usually something equivalent to an adult Lunchable where I can fit in fats, proteins, and carbs.  For dinners, I usually stick to some main staples of proteins and carbs, then change up the meals with sauces and seasonings.  Finally, I always preplan a sweet treat for the evening, just in case I need something.  If it gets to be dinner time and I don’t think I will need the treat, I add the macros into dinner time.  

Over this process, I have learned to love cooking more.  We don’t eat out much, however when we do eat out, I have my go-to places and meals planned out.  I work on educating my children about their food choices and about making movement a priority.  By making it a discussion, I hope that it will encourage them to make healthier choices also.  I don’t want them to have to struggle like I have.  We didn’t talk about these kinds of things when I was younger. Now my daughter attends my class on Sundays and my son asks about foods that have protein. 

What’s your most used, favorite SFM recipe?

Amanda: My favorite SFM recipes are the Bang Bang Chicken and Mexican Street Corn Chicken bowls.  They are probably one of the few meals that I eat leftovers for.  My family and I also have enjoyed the Beef Stroganoff, Pumpkin muffins, and the Chili Cheese Mac.  There are so many good ones that we have tried.  

Besides shedding pounds and inches, what are some Non-Scale Victories that you’ve experienced? 

Amanda: It is so important to fall back on these non-scale victories.  Weight loss can be slow and when it stalls out, it can be frustrating, so the non-scale victories are what keep me going.  I think some of the best ones for me have been feeling comfortable enough to wear a dress to work, hearing that I have inspired others, or seeing the tiniest gap between my thighs LOL!  Some really special ones have been having my son say that he can wrap his arms around my waist and sharing clothes with my daughter.

Coach Mariesha tells us you’re now a fitness instructor! Tell us about how that came to be!

Amanda: Some days it sounds kind of crazy, but somehow, I have now morphed into this identity!  When I started exercising again, I found this class called WERQ.  It is a dance fitness class they offered at my local rec center.  At the first class, I was so out of breath and just dying, but it was so much fun and there were so many different fitness ability levels in the class.  At the end of class, we took a group picture and it was just a judgement free zone.  The class reminded me of how much I had loved dance classes before.  I started going to the class any time it was offered and would fit into my work schedule.  This class became my new Friday night!  Eventually and unfortunately, only one night class was being offered with the occasional weekend class.  I just wanted more of this class!  So, after a year of taking the class, I got my certification to teach the class!  I started teaching to a small group of teachers after school twice a week.  I now also teach a class on Sundays at a local cheer gym that has brought all different kinds of people together.  Sunday’s class has become my most favorite time of the week.  I find so much joy in teaching this class and bringing fitness to others.  I am finally looking in the mirror and seeing this other person that I have been working so hard to build.  

Tell us about your experience working with Coach Mariesha specifically.

Amanda: Mariesha has been a blessing to work with.  She is the person that has kept me grounded when my mind starts to spiral!  You begin to think to yourself, “I am doing all the right things, why isn’t it working?”  Then here comes Mariesha with her positivity and she is just able to ground you and bring you back to reality.  Then sure enough, things get moving again.  The best part about working with Mariesha is that she is realistic about your goals and your progress.  She keeps it real and is your biggest cheerleader.

If you’ve struggled with weight loss, yo-yo dieting, or finding a sustainable routine, you’re not alone. The good news? You don’t have to figure it out by yourself. Our 1:1 coaching program is designed to help you break the cycle, build lasting habits, and finally see results that stick. With personalized guidance, accountability, and a plan tailored to your lifestyle, you’ll have the support you need to succeed. Ready to take the next step? Join us today and start your journey to a healthier, stronger you! Click here to get started!