This week our Stronger U Member Spotlight is shining down on Cathy Salsbury, who has worked with Coach Maggie Watson. Congrats, Cathy! We’re so proud of you!
What’s your name? (First and last names, pretty please)
Cathy Salsbury
Who was your Coach?
Maggie Watson
If there was one thing you could say to your Coach, what would it be?
THE GREAT MAGGIE WATSON! She is so attentive to EVERY detail of your journey — I felt her endless support every single step of this journey, and I could not possibly be more thankful to her for all she has helped me accomplish!
Tell us a little about you. Where are you from? Are you a parent? What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I just completed the program with Stronger U with the Great Maggie Watson! The Stronger U program helped me for the first time in my life to stick to a program and I have the results to show for it!. I am a wife, mom, and grandmother! I love exercising (CrossFit) and I love to quilt. I know those 2 things do not go together, but that is what I love to do!
What was the moment that made you decide to join Stronger U?
After a diagnosis with breast cancer, numerous surgeries, chemo, and IV steroids I had gained so much weight. I was going to be turning 60 soon and I just decided it was time to get back to being me. I had seen online about Stronger U and did some research and figured this was the plan for me. I lost 47 pounds over 48 weeks. I know that is a long time for some, but I was determined to get all of my chemo weight, surgery weight, and feeling sorry for yourself weight OFF.
Is there anyone from the SU community you would like to shout out?
There are too many to count! This entire community is supportive, loving, and here for you every single step of the way.
What dieting experience did you have previous to Stronger U?
I had been a life longer dieter. I was an overweight child, lost weight and gained over the years as an adult, and was stuck in an endless cycle that I wasn’t sure I would ever get out of. That is until I found Stronger U.
What were your eating habits like before joining Stronger U? Did you prep your meals? Did you eat out regularly? Did you think you were already eating healthy and in moderation?
Prior to breast cancer, I was a calorie counter, I did the Paleo thing for a while with some meal prep but as I found out later, I was just eating TOO MANY CARBS. Stronger U helped me tremendously know what my body needed to be a healthy person trying to drop some weight!! I loved there were NO PILLS or supplements of any kind. It was just me eating correctly and in reasonable amounts.
Why do you think Stronger U worked so well for you compared to other programs or diets?
I know what worked best for me!! It was having a one on one connection with a coach. Did I mention Maggie Watson? LOL
What was the biggest challenge or change when you first started with Stronger U?
My biggest challenge was learning how to plan my day out and shift around the foods in MyFitnessPal to make my macros balance. After I started getting better at that, it was like second nature.
What was something you regularly ate while on Stronger U that people wouldn’t expect you to eat on a diet?
When I would have my Halo Top ice cream some days I “HAD” to add pecans to my ice cream so I would have enough Fat Macros!! Who could’ve ever imagined! When would I have ever done that? Not until Stronger U.
What does your typical week of eating look like? How many days a week do you meal prep? Do you have certain meals you make most often?
I have now completed my program with Maggie and I am still meal prepping just about every day. I’m eating the same way and still practicing planning and prepping just about all of the food I eat. Everything I’ve ever done on this program has turned into a lifestyle for me, and that feels so good.
If you exercise or train for a sport, did Stronger U have any impact on your training? Or did Stronger U have an impact on your decision to start exercising or training for a sport?
I did feel much stronger when I worked out. I had gotten so sluggish with all of the weight and recovery and when the weight started coming off I just felt so much better.
How much weight did you lose with Stronger U?
47 Pounds
How did your waist measurements change with Stronger U?
8 inches
What were 3 major non-scale victories you experienced with Stronger U?
Feeling stronger in my workouts and in everyday life. Inches lost, so I fit into old clothes and get to shop for new ones! Oh, and I have SO much more energy every single day!
Outside of the scale, inches, and previously mentioned NSV’s, how has your life improved thanks to your time with Stronger U?
I am more aware of food choices now. When I go out to eat I am still kind of in the Stronger U mode! I think through my decisions and make choices that I know support me and help me feel my best. Which I love. I won’t ever stop this 🙂
What are 3 tips, based on your experience, that you’d give to new members of Stronger U to help them see success early on?
Take the before pictures when you begin, Don’t let anyone tell you “you need to stop losing weight”, Stay FOCUSED ON YOURSELF, and lastly Smile and ENJOY the envy of the people around you. (It’s fun)
If someone is thinking about joining Stronger U, what advice would you give them before beginning their journey?
Stick to the total program and IT WILL WORK. It might take time and it might require a lot of effort on your part, but it will be worth it. I’m proof of that!
