Empowering Yourself
Lana Simmons is an Air Force spouse, mother of two beautiful children and an inspiration to many. Like many woman, Lana has struggled with her weight for most of her life. While she was stationed in Germany, she weighed her heaviest at 275 lbs. She elected to have Lap Ban Surgery, which is surgical procedure to have an inflatable silicone device placed around the top portion of the stomach.
This was nothing but a temporary ban-aid for Lana. She ended up gaining all the weight back and then some to finally weigh 290 lbs. Lana had hit a wall and hoped to find a solution to weight at her next assignment in Hawaii.
Things seemed different in Hawaii. Her husband deployed while stationed there and she knew she needed to make a change for herself and for her children. She’d given up on losing weight and focused more on being healthy. She became more comfortable in her own skin, motivated for the right reasons. After two years, she lost 100 lbs. – all by healthy eating and exercise – no diets, no surgeries. Lana completed a half marathon and became President of the Enlisted Spouses Club where she began the process of empowering others in their weight journey.
Today Lana is certified Personal Trainer and Yoga Instructor. She loves working with larger women because she understands the obstacles they face. She hopes to soon publish a cookbook and exercise guide for military spouses hilariously named If I Were Just A Few Inches Taller, I’d Be A Size Six. To find out more about Lana Simmons look her up on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BadMotherFitness
Power Chili (Rawwwr)
1lb of 96% lean ground beef (or ground turkey or ground chicken)
1 28oz can of crushed tomatoes
1 6 oz can of tomato paste
1 15 oz can of kidney beans
1/2 red onion chopped
4 oz can diced green chilies
2 green bell peppers chopped
Sliced jalapeños (from a jar) to taste (I use about 1/4 – 1/2C)
Cumin to taste (I use about 1/2 tablespoon)
Chili Powder to taste (I use about 1/2 tablespoon)
Garlic salt or salt
Throw everything in the slow cooker. I use my hands to break up the ground beef. Put slow cooker on Low and let cook for about 8 hours. Top with diced avocados, a dollop of greek yogurt or 1 serving of cheddar cheese.
