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Ajima Jackson

Destiny lost 65 pounds

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Weight Loss Story: Destiny lost 65 pounds. After a wake up call from her doctor, she was very motivated to avoid diabetes and potentially having to take insulin shots. She wrote to us to share her journey and let us know what actions she took to release the pounds.

destiny before and after

The moment that I decided to take control over my life was when my doctor told me in March of this year that I was at risk for diabetes. I was scared and all I knew was that I did not want to give myself shots, nor did I want to take medicine.

Now, I’m 5’2″ tall and weigh 257 pounds. I started out weighing 322 pounds. It took a total of 7 months for me to lose 65 pounds. Eventually, I want to lose 100 more. Then I will be at my goal of 157 pounds.

What did I do?: I made major changes with regard to what I eat. Now, I only eat fish, chicken, seafood and lots of veggies. I cut out a lot of sweets, pasta, rice, bread, and red meat. I work out 5 days a week for one hour.  In terms of exercises, I mainly do 30 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes of strength training.

My best advice to anyone wanting to lose weight is to take baby steps and set realistic goals that can actually be accomplished.

destiny weight loss

Safari lost 67 pounds

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Transformation Story of the Day: Safari lost 67 pounds and went from a size 22 to a size 10. This wife and mother of 4 is on a fitness journey that has changed her life.  She’s an avid runner, marathoner, triathlete who shares her journey with the world online with her brand, FitMomma. Check out what she shared with us about how she released the weight…

safari before and after

What was your motivation?
My daughters were my motivation. They watched my every move and wanted to be just like me. I had to become someone I wouldn’t mind them being. Also, I was simply sick and tired of being sick and tired. I was depressed and miserable. I was on a vicious cycle and was depressed because I was overweight. I was overweight because I ate too much and I ate too much because I was depressed (emotional eater). I hated what I saw when I looked in the mirror and hated how I felt every day. It was uncontrollable, to the point of feeling stuff and sick!!! Miserable.

What inspired you?
Jennifer Hudson…I saw how fabulous she looked and thought…heck, I’ve tried EVERYTHING else…may as well try Weight Watchers.

How did you change your eating habits?
I joined Weight Watchers online. I tracked EVERYTHING I put in my mouth. If it didn’t have a label, I didn’t eat it. If the restaurant wasn’t on the app, I didn’t go there. I didn’t start or stop eating anything, initially. Over time, I gradually fazed certain foods out, not because they were off limits but because they weren’t worth the points. I completely cut out most fast foods, like McDonald’s, Burger King and Taco Bell. I can’t tell you the last time I’ve been to any of those places and I used to frequent them, almost DAILY!

What did your workout routines look like?
My journey started with fitness. I started working out first with the Couch to 5k program. I ran 5-6 days a week, but I didn’t lose a pound. It wasn’t until I changed my eating habits, along with working out that I did see change. I lost 67 lbs (went from a size 22 to a size 10) and ran FOUR marathons. I still can’t believe that because I always wanted to run one, so I never thought that I would run FOUR. I also completed 5 triathlons (2 sprint, 1 Olympic Distance, 2 Half Ironmans – 70.3), 14 Half Marathons and a ton of other races (5k, 5 miler, 10k, 10 miler, 15k). Again, I pinch myself. I can’t believe this is MY life!

What was your starting weight? 246 pounds
What is your current weight? 179 pounds
Height: 5’7″

How long did your transformation take?
My transformation is still a work in progress but it took me about a year and a half to get down to 179 pounds. My weight fluctuates, I gain and I lose, but I don’t quit

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
Take it one day/meal/pound at a time. The weight did not come on overnight, so it and the bad habits won’t leave overnight. Make subtle changes, changes you can live with. If it makes you miserable, you won’t stick with it. When making the changes I made, I phased them out so subtly that I don’t even miss them. Don’t deprive yourself. If you want it, eat it but in moderation! Don’t start something you have to “come off of”. I may not track my foods as religiously as I used to, but my habits are still the same. I still eat everything I used to eat, just not as much or as frequently. Be patient. It’s a marathon…not a sprint. If it’s something you plan to do for the rest of your life, what’s the rush?

Instagram: @4fitmommas

http://facebook.com/4fitmommas

http://fitmomma.me

safari weight loss transformation

Michelle lost 126 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Michelle lost 126 pounds. This proud mom of 4 experienced weight gain over the years and battled with emotional eating. She found success with Weight Watchers and by working out regularly at a pace that worked for her.  Now, she is a fitness instructor and works for Weight Watchers. Check out her awesome transformation story…

michelle before and after

It didn’t just happen overnight. The path has not always been straight. But, I am so happy to be on this journey of health and wellness. Over a year and a half a ago, I met my goal of getting rid of 120 pounds. As a mother of 4, I packed the weight on quickly and easily over the years. But honestly, motherhood wasn’t my first bout with being overweight. Emotional eating had been a constant and well known foe of mine. However, there came a point where I became quite tired and frustrated with being so unhealthy. Through prayer, I decided to follow a plan that would change my life. For me it was Weight Watchers combined with a slow and steady workout routine. I have been greatly blessed and look forward to so much good in this zig zag journey. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. I am now a fitness instructor and a Weight Watchers employee. I’m truly loving life and facing it with a renewed perspective.

I started my weight loss journey through Weight Watchers. I started by drinking more water. Now, I only drink water, a gallon each day. I ate more fruits and vegetables as well. Now, I meal prep for me and my family ( I have a husband and 4 children).

I started off working out 3 days a week at 30 minutes per session. I would walk or do DVDs at home, like Turbo Jam and Walk Away the Pounds. I did everything at low impact until gained more strength and endurance.

My starting weight was 288 pounds. My current weight is 162 pounds. It took me 1 year and 1 month to lose the weight. I would tell others who are on this journey to be patient with yourself. The weight was not gained overnight and it won’t be lost overnight. Love yourself and forgive yourself when you fall off track. Get back on the wagon, and celebrate every success.

Anisha lost 96 pounds

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Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Anisha lost 96 pounds. This amazing lady was determined to live her dreams of being a member of the US Army.  Having been overweight all of her life, she was not sure that she could meet the physical requirements. She changed her mindset, started running, taught herself about nutrition and was able to become a Soldier.  Here is what she shared with us about what she did to change her life…

anisha before and after

Good morning, My name is Anisha T. and I’m from Vidalia, GA via FT. Bliss, TX. All my life, I had been overweight, but I knew deep down inside there was more to life and more that I wanted out of life.  Unfortunately, being overweight would never allow me to accomplish my dreams and goals. One of my biggest goals was to join the United States Army so that I could travel and live an adventurous life. However, that required being a certain weight or BMI for my height. I pushed my dreams aside because I didn’t think I’d ever be small enough to meet the weight requirement.

In 2010, at the age of 27 and weighing in at 240lbs (height: 5’4″and 1/2), I was tired of just living and knew I had do what was on the inside of me. I walked into an Army recruiting station and asked them what would it take to join. After they told me the requirements, I went out, bought a new pair of running shoes and never looked back. It was a very difficult process and I had to rethink the way I thought and felt about food. I had to teach myself how to eat, how to count calories and how food intake and exercise work together. I had to learn that weight loss is a lifestyle change, not just a diet plan. After two years of determination, sweat, tears, and rejection after rejection from the Army for not being small enough, I finally met the requirements to join! In 2012 at the age of 29 with 96 lbs of all natural weight loss achieved, I weighed in at 144 pounds and proudly became a U.S. Soldier. Life has been amazing and the struggle was well worth the fight!

Eating Habits and Exercise: I changed my habits by eating smaller and more healthier meals, four to six times a day. I cut back on breads, pastas, and sweets. Also, I cut out sodas and starting drinking water with flavor packets added. In terms of exercise, I started by teaching myself how to run until I was able to complete an entire 1.25 mile track and just kept going. I run anywhere from 1-6 miles day. I also do the stair climber machine, squats with weights and weight lifting at least 4 days a week and I take Zumba classes.

It’s been 5 years total since I changed my lifestyle and I’ve been able to maintain my current weight well. My advice to those who want to lose weight: set a goal and work towards it. No matter what, never give up, never give in. Just keep working and most importantly, believe in yourself! It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks of you, what’s important is what God has placed in your heart and what you think of yourself. “All things are possible through Christ who strengthens me!!” Phil. 4:13

Instagram: @imjusttayy83

anisha weight loss transformation

Sade lost 53 pounds

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Weight Loss Story: Sade lost 53 pounds. After the birth of her 5th child, this mom experienced significant weight gain.  With her family as her motivation, changing her life was a priority. She changed her daily eating habits and worked out 5 days a week to reach her goals.  Here is what she shared with us…

sade before and after

Hi, my name is Sade V. I’m 29 years old, 5’2″ tall and I have 5 kids. After I had my fifth child in 2011, is when I started to gain weight. From 2011 through 2014, I went from 114 pounds to 176 pounds. I didn’t feel like myself, so I decided to change. I have five kids to take care of and my parents, so I had to do something about my weight gain.

I stop drinking anything with caffeine, like coffee. Stopped eating all the junk food and replaced my drinks with water. Now, I drink different flavors of Bolthouse Farms tea and soy beverages. They have drinks with different things, like protein, fiber, vitamins and other essential nutrients. It’s also heart healthy. In the past, I ate ice cream and cookies all the time for snacks. I stopped that and started eating peanuts, Honey Nut, gluten-free Chex cereal and granola bars. I also stopped eating pork and started eating more fruits and vegetables.

I exercise one hour a day regularly, 5 days a week… Monday through Friday. I do sit ups, push ups, squats, lunges, jumping jacks, leg rises, planks, crunches, mountain climbers and bicycle crunches. I even work out with the kids using the Wii.

My weight loss journey took about 8 months (maybe a little less). My advice for others: Stick to your diet and exercise no matter what. Your results might take longer than others, but you will get and see the results. That’s how I went from 176 pounds to 123 pounds. If you eat healthy and eat good food, you will feel good and be at your best. Stay positive.

sade weight loss story

Healthy Eating on the Go: Tips for Busy Women

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busy women eating on the goEating nutritiously has long been a mainstay of remaining in optimal health. This is something we all know. However, as schedules have gotten busier, women have found that eating healthy is not always the timeliest option. After all, between professional responsibilities, hobbies, significant others, children and myriad extra-curricular activities – all that is to be done in a day can easily fill up 24 hours and then some. This means eating healthy may be at the bottom of the to-do list. Breakfast becomes a cup of coffee, lunch is had from the nearest drive-through and dinner is delivered or picked up on the way home. The good news: there are some healthier options other than take out and convenience food for women on the go who may be pressed for time when it comes to meals. Consider these healthy eating tips:

Choose fast but healthy: A 2015 Food and Health Survey determined that 31% of American meals are consumed in the car. The bottom line is that sometimes, there is no avoiding fast food. That being true,  make it the healthiest option available to you. Instead of a burger and fries, try a grilled chicken 6-inch sub on wheat bread or from the local grocery store deli counter. Skip over extras like mayo and replace them with spicy mustard and tons of green veggies. If you are craving a burger, consider opting for a veggie burger or replacing the bun with lettuce, when possible (depending on your eating goals). Go for untried veggies or apple slices over fries (or just omit a side of extra carbs). Replace sugary sodas or juice with water. If you need breakfast on the go, grab a whole grain english muffin with egg whites with your coffee and skip the bagel and cream cheese.  The number one tip in this area: Do your research!  You can visit various restaurant sites online and review the nutrient and calorie information for the foods you eat.  No excuses and no surprises.  Meals on the go can fit into your overall eating goals.

Engage in meal planning: If you are completely adverse to the idea of going through any drive-through (which can be a good thing), then you just need to do a bit of at-home prep to eat healthy on the fly. If you plan meals a week at a time or a few days at a time, you are less likely to find yourself hungry with few options. Just make sure to vary your menus; if you get stuck in a rut eating the same thing all the time, chances are good that you are more likely to start abandoning your planned meals in favor of pizza delivery. People get bored at times and variety can help keep you interested.

  • Get your family involved and educate them about healthier eating. They can help with meal planning and meal prep to make cooking/prep time go faster.
  • Use spices – even exotic ones – to jazz up otherwise bland dishes.
  • Incorporate veggies and proteins that you don’t normally use.
  • Experiment with healthy starches like bulgur or quinoa.
  • Use your Crockpot to save cooking time – you can simply add your ingredients in the morning and come home to a fully-cooked meal after work.
  • Invest in containers and insulated bags to keep your food fresh on the go.
  • Cut up fruits and veggies and always have at least a sandwich bag of healthy snacks that you can go to instead of less healthy snacks on the go.

Keep your fridge stocked with easy snacks: The best way to eat healthy is keep nutritious choices at the ready. Slice carrots and celery and store them in plastic baggies. Keep nuts, raisins and dried berries for an instant energy fix. Avoid sugary granola and energy bars, as the influx of sugar can cause your energy to bottom out after your blood sugar drops. Opt for whole food snacking choices when possible.

Eliminate added sugar where possible: You might be surprised to find out how often added sugar pops in your diet. Enjoy sweetened cereal or coffee with creamer and sweeteners at breakfast? Perhaps a fruit cocktail with your lunch salad? Or maybe you down a can of Coke and energy drink after lunch for an afternoon boost? These are all sneaky ways that sugar enters your diet. Opt for whole foods where possible; this doesn’t have to be a time-consuming endeavor. Nestle, for instance, now makes a natural creamer with minimum added sugar for your coffee. Instead of canned fruit cocktail, slice some bananas and strawberries for a whole fruit option and swap out the can of Coke for black coffee (if you need the caffeine) or a big glass of caffeine free tea.

Stay hydrated: Hunger pangs can sometimes be misinterpreted; your body may actually be trying to tell you that you’re thirsty. Drink water throughout the day, starting with a nice tall glass when you first wake up in the morning. You are less likely to overeat or reach for unhealthy snacks if you are properly hydrated.

Treat yourself: This might seem like an odd inclusion on a list of healthy eating tips, but the fact is that regular treats are an important part of a healthy eating regimen. After all, not only are you learning to choose more nutritious options, but also you are learning moderation and portion control. Small indulgences are fine – in moderation. In fact, some indulgences – such as dark chocolate, for example – have nutritious properties. Treating yourself is an important part of maintaining a balanced diet. The key is that you can’t let your cheat meals turn into cheat weeks. That is where planning and goals come in.  Having a clear understanding of how your cheat meals figure into your overall goals for your intake of protein, fat, sugar, fiber, carbs and sodium is key.  If you don’t have goals in mind and limits in mind, then how do you really know that you are eating in moderation.

Stephanie lost 67 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Stephanie lost 67 pounds and her story should give hope to women who are still dealing with lingering baby weight.  This Alpha Kappa Alpha soror gained 60 lbs during her pregnancy and found out that she needed high blood pressure meds after the baby was born. Now, 16 months postpartum, she’s dropped the 60 lbs she gained plus 7 more.  Here is what she did to transform her body and her health…

stephanie before and after

Maintaining a healthy weight has never been easy for me. After my second son was born, I was at my heaviest and had gained over 60 pounds, weighing 220 pounds. I was looking forward to losing weight and getting healthy so that I could feel like myself again. After the birth of my son, I was not only overweight, but I also had high blood pressure. I started taking blood pressure medicine at 33 years old.

After 9 months, I was disappointed to find that I only lost 15 pounds. I always heard it takes 9 months to gain so it will take 9 months to lose, but I hadn’t made much progress. So on January 5th, I decided to really watch what I ate and commit to working out. I did the green smoothie cleanse for 10 days and then did at least one smoothie a day with healthy meals. By my son’s 1st birthday (3 months and 12 days later) I was down an additional 25 pounds. I was finally making progress and could fit in my pre-pregnancy clothes. Now, I’m 16 months postpartum and I am down 67 pounds.

What inspired you?
Getting healthy, and getting my blood pressure back normal. My inspired was my husband and kids.

How did you change your eating habits?
I did the 10 Day Green Smoothie Cleanse and then started eating clean;

  • drinking water and detoxing
  • stopped eating white carbs
  • stayed away from processed food

What did your workout routines look like?
Running and strength training, 4-5 days a week

What was your starting weight? 220 pounds

What is your current weight? 153 pounds

Height: 5’7″

How long did your transformation take?
My son was born April 17, 2014 and I didn’t get serious about weight loss until January 5th, 2015. I reached my goal weight of 160 pounds on July 10th (almost 15 months post-partum at that time).

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
Take it one day a time and set small weight loss goals instead of focusing on your whole weight loss goal. If you get off track, start over and keep going

Instagram: @mrsprettypearl

Erica lost 75 pounds

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Weight Loss Story: Erica lost 75 pounds and now she’s sharing her story to inspire others.  Realizing that she’d gotten comfortable and complacent about her weight, she took action and the results are awesome!  Here is what she shared with us…

erica before and after

The struggle was real and I was tired of being fat… It wasn’t enough to just be tired of being “cute for a big girl”, because I had been a big girl for so long. As far back as I can remember, I have always been the chubby one, the chunky one or better yet the one who is “cute for a big girl”. Over the years you get comfortable and just adapt. Some women and young girls confuse comfort with confidence. In doing so, they get complacent and start telling one of the lies I told on many occasions: “ I’m fat and happy”. That is such a large lie that is told by the heavier side of society. You see, I don’t think anything is happy about being fat.

It wasn’t until my best friends 30th birthday on July 25, 2014, with mine fast approaching, that I decided to make a change. I believe that we all change for one of 2 reasons, which are pain or pleasure. Sadly at the time my change was pain driven, but driven nonetheless. After a long day of birthday festivities, my thighs had rubbed together so badly that they begin to blister and swell. It wasn’t until that night that the pain really sank in and was at that point of me barely being able to walk up the steps of my townhouse. It was then that I fully decided that I had to change. I was 29 years old, 5’2″ tall, single, had no children and weighed almost 250 pounds. In previous years at my heaviest, I weighed in at a whopping 274 pounds. However, my confidence would say, “ I’m cute so I don’t care”. Well, I’m thankful that I began to care because on June 2, 2015, I walked out of the 200 lbs club and weighing 199 pounds. Excitement is a mere understatement. I realize now more than ever that you can do anything you put your mind to. You just have to believe and be diligent and patient. My goal weight is 150 lbs. It feels great to put on a size 12 coming from a size 20 in pants.

My transformation: I changed my eating habits per my trainer, cut out all sugar and began to eat 6 small meals a day. Please Note: This was one of the hardest things I have done in my life and it took me almost a year (mentally that is) to accomplish this. It has been a little over a year since I have become committed to the new me and I have so much advice to share with other women.

In short, I will say that you can accomplish your goals and transform your body I am living proof. The best thing to do is to focus on the 24 hours in front of you each day instead of looking at the big picture. It’s true that small baby steps over time become inches off your waist, your thighs and your arms! The scale will move slow but that shouldn’t be your focus. Eating clean (no sugar), lifting weights, doing moderate cardio, getting plenty of rest and drinking water are a few key ingredients you will need to get things rolling.

It had been a long time coming. After I had a long talk with myself, I decided it was time to not only practice what I preach but preach what I practice and share my weight loss journey. I pray that my transformation inspires people all over the world and encourages them to not give up on their dreams of living a healthier life! Follow me on IG and FB: @preciousericamcgee

Have the best day ever Every day! Love you mean it! Yours truly, “ Ms. Motivation!

Chernika lost 102 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Chernika lost 102 pounds. She shared with us how she was able to deal with the loss of a child, 2 additional pregnancies and the resulting weight gain.  By eating healthy food, exercising regularly and never giving up, she has transformed her body.  Here is what she shared with us…

chernika before and after

My name is Chernika and I am 34 years young. I began my weight loss journey 3 years ago. I was walking in the mall with my mother and I looked at myself in the mirror. I saw a very unhealthy and overweight ME. I was devastated and asked my mom how she let me get like that. She replied, “You are the one who ate all that food.” That night I went home and cried.

I already had two boys, ages 10 and 7 and my husband told me he loved me no matter how big I was, but he wanted a son since we were newly married. So, we became pregnant and we were so happy, but God had other plans. We left the hospital with no baby (I had a miscarriage). A few months after that started trying to lose weight on my own. At this point, I weighed 290 pounds. I was taking herbalife and joined the gym with my husband trying to be as active as I could and eat less. Then, I got pregnant again and I had my baby boy in November of 2012, but I was still heavy.

I lost weight after my pregnancy and the doctors told me that I was obese at 220 pounds. I became more motivated to be healthy, started going to the gym, cut out sodas, ate less fried foods and I got down to 210 pounds.  That’s when I found out my I was pregnant again. I was devastated because my husband’s vasectomy didn’t work and I had worked so hard to lose the weight. Now, I knew I was gonna gain it all back.

I continued to use herbalife while I was pregnant, along with my regular eating. I ate whatever I wanted because I was so upset that I was gaining weight. I got up to around 260 pounds and had another baby boy in June 2014. After I gave birth, I was at 220 pounds. I gave myself four weeks to get to 210 pounds. When I went back to the doctor 4 weeks later, I had reached my goal but I was still unhappy about my weight. So I started running and walking in my neighborhood and going to the gym.  I now do Zumba twice a week and run the walking trail at Polk State College. I can now complete three miles in about 30 minutes. I do leg lifts, crunches, and squats with weights as well.

Eating Habits: My eating habits consist of replacing 2 meals a day with an meal replacement shake, and having a main, balanced, low carb meal with protein and veggies. I have been off sodas for about 4 years and drink a gallon of water daily. I also eat healthy snacks on between meals, such as granola bars, fruit, and yogurt. I used to eat McDonald’s often (2 double cheeseburgers, Mc Chicken, and 3 chocolate chip cookies and a sweet tea to wash it down). That’s no longer part of my eating routine, along with fried foods.

I started at 290 pounds and now weigh 188 pounds (height: 5’8″). My advice to others who want to lose weight is to start working out and start eating right… and never stop. I’m currently a coach helping anyone who wants my help. God is good and I feel so good.

Facebook: Chernika

chernika before and after

Andria lost 58 pounds

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Weight Loss Story: Andria lost 58 pounds by working with an online trainer.  Here is an interview where she shares what she learned during her journey and what she did to release the weight.

andria weight loss story

What was your starting weight?
296/294 pounds…in the 290s!!!

What is your current weight?
238 pounds – Inches: Down 63 ¼”

What is your height?
5’7.5″

What was your light bulb moment that made you decide to get your health in order and/or lose some weight? Did you think you were overweight?

I believe my light bulb moment to lose weight occurred when I was in an extremely remote country for business. My luggage had gotten lost somewhere along the way and I was left with just the clothes I wore during the flight (rookie flier mistake). I needed clothes for the business meetings the next day so I went shopping to try to find something to wear. I have no clue how many stores I went to, but NOTHING in the stores were my size. I went to one store where a sales person took one look at me and said in the best English possible that I couldn’t fit any of the clothes in the store. I eventually got to a point of frustration where I stopped trying on clothes, and just started walking into stores, pointing to a dress or some slacks and then to myself and waited for a salesperson to shake their head yes or no. Long story short, everyone said no. A very nice colleague of mine suggested we go to the outskirts of town where the large ladies clothing stores were located. I politely declined. Luckily, as the stores were shutting down, I found a dress made out of very stretchy material that I was able to wear to the meetings. It wasn’t a work dress in the least bit, but it was better than sweats.

I can’t say I actually ever thought I was overweight. I always just thought I was “thick.”

Have you always been overweight? If not, how long have you been overweight? When did you notice you started to gain weight?

I haven’t always been overweight but honestly, I have been pretty much overweight throughout my entire adult life. Weight gain for me definitely started when I began college. I gained the “freshman 15” and then some!! Luckily, once I graduated, I lost it all and a little more. However, I decided to torture myself again and went to grad school. I have packed on the pounds ever since.

Thus far in your journey, has it been difficult… challenging… or what would you call it?

I will say it has been challenging. I have good weeks and bad weeks, all of it depends on how closely I follow the recommendations given by Kurt, my trainer. It is completely on my shoulders with the challenges. Don’t get me wrong, Kurt can be a handful sometimes and it isn’t always easy interacting with him, but I know that he is just passionate about what he does. When I follow Kurt and what he prescribes down to the letter, I lose weight. It flies off! When I don’t listen to Kurt or my body, even if I go out of the plan a teensy bit, I never lose weight. I’m not even talking about food. There is no such thing as going outside of your plan a teensy bit. You either follow it or you don’t. Took a while for me to understand that. There are a variety of factors that impact weight loss. Eating and exercise are just two of the many.

At the end of last year, I **THOROUGHLY ENJOYED** the Holidays. I had been losing so much weight with Kurt, and so easily, I figured I could eat a cookie here, a piece of pie there, a helping of mac and cheese over there and still be able to lose the weight in the amounts I was losing previously. Point blank, after the holidays, it took me MONTHS to get on track, My weight loss stalled and I did not start losing weight again until about 4 months later. Piece by piece, I had to get my body back to what I was doing before, not only cutting out the food, but going to bed at an appropriate time, getting enough rest, being active, drinking enough water, etc. I definitely learned my lesson.

How did you change your eating habits? What did you stop or start eating?
My eating habits changed dramatically. In the past, I was not big on eating fast food, however, as part of social outings, I did eat out at restaurants multiple times during the week. A lot of the meals I ordered usually contained rich sauces, cheese, or a good ole ribeye. On a normal day, I would usually skip breakfast and sometimes lunch, and eat a decent sized dinner. I used to snack throughout the day and while I did try to eat a balanced meal whenever I had lunch or dinner, it still wasn’t the healthiest of options.

Once I started with BRI, I ate way more food, way more frequently. I began eating 6 meals a day (3 full meals/ 3 snacks), at specific times of the day. The meals contained mainly vegetables and/or lean meats with no red meat. Though sometimes it was a struggle, I made sure to eat ALL of my food ON TIME. Currently, my foods are primarily plant based. For the most part, I do not eat animal products (no dairy, no meat), and I have significantly upped the amount of protein in my diet. Because I knew that social eating was a weakness, I started limiting participation in the social outings that revolved only around food.

Are you satisfied w/ where you are now? If not, what more do you want or can you do?

I can’t say that I am satisfied, but I am definitely not dissatisfied. I love the progress that my body has made thus far, but I know I can take it even further. Check back with me in a few months, lol.

During this process, what have you learned thus far?

I have learned that many things impact your weight loss. I really used to think that exercise was the main way to lose weight. It is so much more than that. Weight loss is a completely systematic effort. Touching on just one factor out of the many, will do nothing. You can’t just try to maintain a healthy lifestyle when it is convenient for you. It has to be a 24/7/365/lifetime commitment. I have also learned to make healthier choices, whether it’s taking the stairs, being able to select healthier foods, or declining a late night out with friends in favor of some good sleep!

What advice would you give someone who wants to lose weight/improve their health?

I would say, you have to make a conscious effort to commit to a healthier lifestyle. It is easier to say it than to actually follow through. You have to actually want to lose weight for yourself and no one else. Not because people are telling you to do it, but because you, yourself want to be healthier.

How do you feel now vs when you were at your biggest?

I feel fabulous now. I have way more energy!! I can easily recognize signals/feelings that my body gives off and I know what they mean. I actually do feel amazing. When I was at my biggest, I can honestly say I would feel miserable after eating. The foods I was putting into my body, were not right. I was not taking the cues of tummy aches and overall sluggishness as a sign of anything other than it being a big meal.

What kind of support, if any, did you get from family and friends? And in contrast, did you experience any negativity from friends and family?

I received and currently still receive tons of support from my family and friends. They are my biggest supporters and are also the ones that tell me to drop the cookie! I wouldn’t say I experienced any negativity, I did get the usual, “don’t lose too much weight”, “don’t lose those curves.”…trust me, these ride or die thighs aren’t going anywhere.

Have you ever tried to lose weight before? If so, what was the difference in what you did this time vs other plans or programs you tried before?

I have tried to lose weight before. I joined Weight Watchers with a friend when I got out of grad school. While it worked wonders for her (yay, Ysh!), it did not have the same effect on me. Weight watchers aside, when I did try to lose weight, I did it in the fashion of not eating food and working out heavily, which did nothing for my waistline. Working with Body Refined, I found myself eating way more food, way more frequently and feeling like I was putting half the effort I put in at the gym….with fantabulous results.

How did you end up working w/ Body Refined? What has your experience been like working w/ Body Refined?

Body Refined came onto my radar after a couple of my friends liked the business page on Facebook. I checked the page out and I immediately became interested. This was mainly due to the fact that some of Kurt’s clients (in their before pictures) looked very similar to me in terms of physical build and weight. There is nothing worse than researching weight loss options where the before pictures of the participating individuals look nothing close to how you currently look. I lurked on the page for about a year before I actually decided to contact Kurt.

Hmmm…my experience? As much as I would love to say that it has been 100% positive, my experience working with Body Refined has not been all roses. At times it has been rough and I feel like shaking my fist at the sky and fussing Kurt out, and at times I love everybody and want to kiss babies, ride unicorns, and jump for joy at all the progress I made. I love the way my weight has gradually come off. I love the information I have learned from Kurt on nutrition, fitness, and everything in between, however, I’m stubborn. I definitely hear what Kurt says and what he is trying to teach me (sometimes I don’t, but I will nod my head and say ok just to go along with it), but I don’t always listen to Kurt. 9.9 times out of 10, he is right, and 9.9 times out of 10, I definitely set myself and my weight loss goals back by just not going along with the program in its entirety. I know these things, yet I still don’t always listen. I’m a work in progress.

I wasn’t skeptical about getting online coaching. I knew that I travel a lot, my life gets busy at times, and that I needed help losing weight. Online coaching was the perfect balance for me. Personally, I feel like weight loss is totally up to the person who wants to lose weight. Whether you have a person in front of you or over the computer, in the end you are going to have to straighten up, push yourself and do what it takes to lose the weight. Having someone help you with your weight loss goals is fine, but you bear a majority of the responsibility, if not all, for whatever outcome you get.

In comparison to what I have done in the past, online training has made weight loss way easier for me. When I would be on my weight loss kick, I would do things like walk/jog for 5-7 miles or work out for 2 hrs in the gym every other day and scale back what I ate by dang near starving. That would get me a 1 or 2 lb weight loss over the course of a couple of weeks. Following meal plans and the exercise plans provided by Body Refined has me losing the more than that in a weeks time…IF…and ONLY IF…I stick to the plans.

Andria’s Instagram: @dulcedria 

Trainer: Kurt Dixon, CPT HFS, Body Refined Inc
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