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Ajima Jackson

21 Day Step Goal Challenge – May 2021

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May 2021 Challenge

It’s time to Step it UP, Sis! – Join us May 1-21, 2021
This challenge is all about Step Goals! You’ll find this month’s printable Challenge Calendar below. (Click on the May Calendar graphic and download the PDF file.) Each day, you’ll have a step goal range to reach (min-max). Track your steps, record your totals, and check-in with the group for accountability.

  • Walking, jogging, running… it’s up to you to decide how to get your steps in.
  • You’ll need a fitness tracker, pedometer, or a mobile app that tracks your steps.

~Great trackers~*

We want you to work at your own pace and do what is comfortable for your fitness level. If you don’t achieve 10,000 steps a day, that’s fine. This isn’t a competition, and it’s not about perfection. It’s about challenging yourself to do the work. If all you can do is 15 minutes of walking, then let that be your starting point. If you are used to running several miles a day, keep it up! No judgment. Just do your best for 21 days.

Clean Eating Guide E-book

What should you eat during this challenge? If you have a nutrition plan/diet that is working for you, stick with it. If you don’t have a plan, start with the basics – Clean up your eating habits and eat more healthy, whole foods. If you would like to learn how to cut out processed food and fast food while not feeling deprived, read our helpful E-Book, “Clean Eating for Wellness and Weight Loss“.

How Can I Join? – No Signup Required.

All you have to do is BE Accountable and Check-in daily. Share your step/mile totals and answer the question of the day. You’ll see the post appear at 6:30 pm EST on our social media channels.

Print out the 21 Day Tracking Calendar (PDF file) and get started!

(Note: There was a date related error in the earlier version of the calendar that has been corrected. So sorry about that.)


Leave a comment below and tell us why you are committed to completing this month’s challenge.

*This post includes affiliate links. We may be compensated if you make a purchase. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on.

Tiffany lost 81 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Tiffany lost 81 pounds. She has suffered from depression for a long time. After having gastric sleeve surgery and changing her lifestyle, she noticed that her mental health improved along with her physical health. That motivated her to stay the course and not give up.

Tiffany before and after weight loss

What was your motivation? What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up?
What motivated me is that my mental health started to get better. I have suffered from depression for a long time. I noticed that I started being happy more, and I didn’t want that feeling to go away.

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
Yes, I had gastric sleeve surgery on February 18, 2020.

How long did your transformation take?
It took a year to transform.

How did you change your eating habits?
I cut out all the fried food, pork, fast food. I have also been using Herbalife products. (two shakes a day and one healthy meal). I only eat fish and chicken now.

Tiffany lost 81 pounds

What did your workout routine consist of? How often did you work out?
I work out five times a week. I will walk 5 miles at the park, run on my treadmill or do a HIIT workout. I have recently started using weights, and I am loving every bit of it. 

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight was 285 pounds, and my current weight is 204 pounds.

What is your height?
I’m 5’6″.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
Never give up!! No matter how hard it is and no matter what the naysayers say, just keep going.

What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight?
Create your plan, create goals, write them down, pray about them, and do it.

Instagram: @Tiffeygets_sleevevsg and @tiff_thehealthcoach

Tiffany lost 81 pounds

 

Andrielle lost 45 pounds 

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Andrielle lost 45 pounds by going Vegan and ditching all animal products. She calls it the best decision of her life. No more knee pain, no back pain, and her skin looks fantastic.

Andrielle lost 45 pounds

I’ve done so many weight loss challenges before, but nothing like this. My best friend introduced me to her coach, who’s vegan. I never thought I would become a vegan, but the results are amazing and so worth it. I started the program on February 4th, 2021, and I’ve lost a total of 45 pounds. I started at 255 pounds, and now I weigh 210 pounds. I feel great, and I look great. This has been the best decision of my life. 

What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up?
What inspires me and keeps me going is how much I love the way my body feels. I love how I look. My knees don’t hurt anymore, my back pain is gone, and my skin looks fantastic.

How did you change your eating habits as you transitioned to being vegan?
I completely stopped all animal products, meat, dairy, cheese, etc. Everything is plant-based.

What did your workout routine consist of?
I don’t work out as of yet, but I will be starting a routine soon.

What is your height?
I’m 5’9″.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
My biggest lesson learned is if you treat your body right, it will do exactly what you want it to do.

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
I didn’t have surgery. I was this close, but my doctor said no. (I didn’t have high blood pressure, no diabetes, no hypertension, or no sleep apnea. My BMI was only 38%.) 

What advice would you like to share with women who want to lose weight?
My advice would be to discipline yourself, believe in your self and you can do anything.

Instagram: @Arnie_ebony_cateringllc

Chandra lost 65 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Chandra lost 65 pounds. In 2016, a DVT blood clot in her leg traveled to her lungs and caused a pulmonary embolism. After that harrowing experience, this Delta Sigma Theta soror became committed to living a healthy, active lifestyle. By making fitness a priority, eating right for her blood type, and being accountable, she is thriving.

Chandra lost 65 pounds

What was your motivation? 
In 2016, I began having medical issues, and no one could figure out what was wrong. In October 2016, I had a DVT blood clot in my leg that traveled to my lungs which caused a pulmonary saddle embolism. It was a very scary time for me. 

The doctors could not pinpoint why it happened other than being possibly caused by prolonged use of birth control and being overweight. There was no family history of it, and the other factors were not applicable to me. I prayed and vowed that if I made it through this ordeal, I would make some changes in my life regarding my health.

What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up? 
I know that having blood clots is very serious. Living a stagnant lifestyle is not a good thing. My motivation came from knowing that I can never go back to what I was doing before. I almost died. I have to remain active. 

My family and friends are great motivators. I constantly pray to God and thank Him for bringing me out of that situation. When I feel like giving up, I just think about what I went through. That is the motivation that keeps me going.

How did you change your eating habits? 
In 2018, I consulted with a holistic doctor who was a proponent of eating right for your blood type. She knew before testing me that I probably ate a lot of chicken. She knew because of how bloated I was. She checked my blood type and was correct. According to my blood type, chicken is poison to my body. I decided that I would give it up for a month and see how my body would react. 

Well, 30 days turned into almost three years of being chicken-free. I could tell the difference in my skin. The constant bloating feeling was gone after a few months of not eating it as my primary source of protein. Was it hard to let go? YES! I miss lemon pepper wings and, of course, Chick-fil-A. I have learned to eat other proteins and incorporate them into my diet, like turkey and fish. I have fallen in love with salmon, and I still have beef occasionally. I also gave up my favorite sugary drinks (Sweet Tea and Dr. Pepper). I drink only water, and I no longer eat fast food.

What did your workout routine consist of? How often did you work out?
My workout routine is circuit/strength training with my personal trainer and Effect Fitness Bootcamps for cardio. I work out six days a week and rest on Sunday. 

Chandra lost 65 pounds

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight is 256 pounds, and my current weight is 191 pounds. 

What is your height?
I’m 5’11”.

When did you start your journey? 
I started my journey in 2017 with my personal trainer/Nutritionist, Regan. @reganjanell

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
No, I opted not to do weight loss surgery. I know it may be necessary for some individuals, but I felt it would be a last resort if I could not do it on my own. 

How long did your transformation take? 
When I started in 2017, I was consistent. Over the last two years, my weight fluctuated. I was not following the plan, and I let work and life get in the way. I went from 256 pounds to 228 pounds. It wasn’t until March 2020, when we all were forced to quarantine, that I decided to get a handle on my weight loss journey. 

By March 2020, I had gotten back up to 244 pounds. I knew that I needed to stop playing and get it together quickly. I began following Effect Fitness‘s live boot camps on Facebook and Instagram that were offered for free during quarantine. The first week I lost 8lbs. No equipment, just me in front of my TV following the routines. I also called my trainer Regan and immediately signed back up with her. I needed her guidance and support when it came to nutrition and strength training. I used Effect for my cardio. With those two programs combined, I went from 244 pounds in March 2020 to my current weight of 191 pounds (March 2021).

Chandra before and after weight loss

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far? 
Consistency is key to any transformation. You have to remain consistent and remember that the weight you put on did not happen overnight. So, the weight loss will take time to happen. You must change your mindset and stay focused. 

Get an accountability partner to help you on your journey. It truly makes a difference. My accountability partner and I post our workouts on social media and go live sometimes when we work out. Doing this on social media has sparked some of our friends and family to join in. Our accountability partners have increased over the past few months. We have become a team and more like family. We hold each other accountable, and it has truly made a difference. Team MOTIV8R is my crew for life!

What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight?
Start by setting a small goal and increase it every 30 days. For example, you may want to set a goal of walking for 15-30 minutes 3 days a week. Next month, increase your time and frequency and add light weights. Just start moving! That’s the key! 

I set goals, and every three months, my accountability partners and I post what we call receipts. These receipts can be before and after pics, testimonials, or praise reports. I love taking pictures. So, I decided that I would take pics of myself during my journey and post them on social media to hold myself accountable for my progress. I started my weight-loss photoblog on Instagram when I hit my ultimate goal of being under 200 pounds.

Change your mindset and watch what happens. I am a living witness that it can be done. Just take it one day at a time. Celebrate even the small accomplishments. Trust me. People are watching. They will notice the changes before you do. 

Instagram: @ladymotiv8r
Tiktok: @sojourner1913
Personal Trainer (BURN UNIT): www.reganjanell.com
Bootcamp: www.effect.fitness IG: @effectfitness

Imani lost 60 pounds

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Imani lost 60 pounds. After giving birth, her energy levels were super low, and she had no time for working out while caring for a newborn. She decided to start her journey by meal prepping and improving her eating habits. Eventually, she added exercise to the mix and continued to push toward her goals.

Imani lost 60 pounds

I lost 60 pounds over the course of a year. Today, I am 14 months postpartum. As you can imagine, my weight loss journey was not easy. My energy levels were extremely low. I was up all night with my newborn and had minimal time to rest during the day, so working out was out of the question. I also knew my body was recovering, so I didn’t want to hurt myself by trying to push my body to do something it wasn’t ready for. 

How did you change your eating habits?
I started my journey in January 2020 with a healthy diet. I began to meal prep and drink as much water as I possibly could. I tried my best to stay away from sugar and starch. I also made sure to add lots of fruits and veggies to my meals. 

What did your workout routine consist of?
When my body felt up to it, I would take short walks around my neighborhood, wear sweatbands, walk up and down my stairs, and do light yoga. The weight slowly started to fall off, and I began to feel like myself again. As time went on, I pushed myself and started doing home workouts (abs, glutes, and light cardio).

Imani before and after weight loss

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My start weight was 205 pounds (postpartum weight), and my current weight is 146 pounds. 

What is your height?
I am 5’4″.

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
No surgery for me. 

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to be patient with myself and move at my own pace. 

What advice would you like to share with women who want to lose weight?
My best piece of advice is to eat smaller portions and adopt a clean diet. Wean out sugary foods, starch, and processed foods. Drink tons of water and double up on vegetables.

Instagram: @essentialcurvee

Imani before and after weight loss

Kayelyn lost 80 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Kayelyn lost 80 pounds. A lack of self-esteem was eating away at her, and she was tired of making excuses. While her boyfriend was deployed, she focused on loving herself more and changing her lifestyle. She used one of Shaun T’s workout programs, traditional Keto and intermittent fasting, to release the weight.

Kayelyn lost 80 pounds

I’ve never shared these pictures before, so this is SUPER emotional for me. In September 2019, I was at my lowest point mentally and my highest wait physically. The impact of my weight gain affected every aspect of my life. At this time, instead of continuing to make excuses, I decided to make a change. Every day was a fight mentally, spiritually, and physically, but I could not, did not, and will not quit. 

In 2019, My boyfriend and I were having a conversation, and he asked me, “Tell me one thing you love about yourself?” At that moment, I could not answer him. My lack of self-esteem was slowly eating away at every good thing I had in my life. We found out he was deploying to the Middle East. I decided that during the time he was gone, I would learn to love myself, which began with weight loss. 

I started my journey weighing in at 230 pounds. I decided that if anyone could get my body right, it was Shaun T, so I started doing the Insanity workout program alongside the Keto diet. I wasn’t the person who did the “dirty” keto diet, though. I stuck to leafy green vegetables, cauliflower, avocados, fish, lean meats, and every keto snack I could find! 

I am the type of woman who LOVES (as in would sell a kidney for carbs). To succeed, I knew I would have to find healthy alternatives for the things I loved most. I’ve created a cheesy bacon cauliflower mash that would make you slap your mama! 

Between the Insanity program, intermittent fasting, and Keto, I lost about 30 pounds. After that, due to Covid, I focused mainly on my diet. I continued with the diet that I stuck to during Insanity for about seven months, and I lost about 40 more pounds. 

It’s been about a year and a half now, and I am down a total of 80 pounds, weighing in at 150 pounds! Today I focus on mental and physical health and overall wellness. I’m learning to develop a healthier relationship with food by eating healthy and clean during the week and eating the foods I love in moderation on the weekends. I also make sure to work out six days a week. I feel like a new woman. 

Kayelyn before and after weight loss

Do you still work out using the Insanity program, or has the content of your workouts changed?
The content of my workouts has definitely changed. I used the Insanity program as the first step to my journey. I still utilize different components of the Insanity program, such as the HIIT workouts and stretching techniques. Now my workouts are centered around weight lifting, focusing on different muscle groups each day. My workouts begin with 15 minutes of cardio (stair master or 15 minutes of sprints for 45 seconds at a 10 speed and rest for one minute)

What is your height?
My height is 5 feet, 7 inches.

How long did your transformation take?
I started my journey in September 2019, and my journey to lose excess weight and took until about December 2020. Now my current journey is maintaining my weight as well as toning my body. Stay tuned!

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned is to take everything one day at a time. I started my weight loss journey (not by choice) in 2011. Every time, I would begin to think about what I would look like in one month, three months, six months, etc., I would feel overwhelmed. I was overwhelmed thinking about what if I didn’t look like what I wanted to look like in that time frame. 

When I started focusing on the 24 hours that I was in and not thinking about the what if’s, I found it much easier to make it through the months! I also had to learn not to care AS much about the number on the scale. I was never satisfied even after hitting all of the goals I wanted to hit. I was the person who would look at the scale five times a day every day. Instead of focusing on that number, now I look for muscles that I’ve never seen before. Now I focus on setting new goals and loving what I see in the mirror. If I love what I see in the mirror, I don’t care about the number on the scale. 

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
I did not have weight loss surgery. 

What advice would you like to share with women who want to lose weight?
For any woman struggling to lose weight, I will tell you what I have told everyone who asks me about my weight loss: Take it one day at a time. The only obligation we have to ourselves on this journey is to make it through the 24 hours we are in. Don’t think about tomorrow or what your body will look like in a month. Get through the 24 hours you are in and make conscious choices about your health. 

I never thought that I would be able to do it. I feel so good and am working on inspiring women to feel good about themselves through my new personal motivational blog, OhKayeFitness.

Instagram: @OhKayeFitness 

Suzy lost 67 pounds

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Suzy lost 67 pounds with the Ketogenic diet and lots of exercise. She has a specific daily goal for net grams of carbs, and her workouts consist of cardio and weight training. Her 2-year-old daughter is her motivation.

Suzy before and after

What was your motivation?
My 2-year-old daughter is my motivation?

What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up?
What kept me going was seeing how my body changed.

How did you change your eating habits?
I started using the Keto diet. Two months after I started the diet, I had already dropped 25 pounds. My daily goal is less than 20 net grams of carbs. Most days, I don’t get past 12 net grams.

What did your workout routine consist of?
In the beginning, I was doing 5-6 days a week of cardio. I ended up hurting myself because my body wasn’t used to working out. I rested for a couple of months and took my vitamins. Then I began doing 4-5 days of cardio (on the treadmill or stairclimber for 45 minutes). Now I’m incorporating weights into my routine.

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by 365.keto/ keto coach 💫 (@365.keto)

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight was 265 pounds (highest weight 284 pounds). My current weight is 198 pounds.

What is your height?
I’m 5’11”.

When did you start your journey? How long did your transformation take?
October 1st, 2019. It took one year to lose 64 pounds.

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
I’m not pro-surgery, but that’s just because I believe you should give 1000% to yourself. How many of us can truly say we gave a 1000% to weight loss? However, I don’t knock anyone’s choice to do so.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
Anything is possible once you give your all.

What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight?
You just have to get up one day and start. Once you get past the first month, it starts getting easier.

Instagram: @365.keto

Lessie lost 70 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Lessie lost 70 pounds. During a visit, her doctor explained that she was at high risk for diabetes. She thought about how that would affect her husband and four children, and something finally clicked. With faith, determination, portion control, and consistent workouts, she has transformed and kept the weight off for a year.

Lessie lost 70 pounds

My journey started in 2018 and is very similar to most: visits to the doctor and warnings of diabetes and its repercussions. I understood the importance, but I lacked the motivation to change. I was depressed and unhappy with all the weight I gained. 

During one specific visit, my doctor told me how severe my situation was. They said I had a high level of risk due to my weight and age. I thought about how that would affect my husband and my four children, and something clicked.

By the end of 2018, I had lost 34 pounds with minimal dietary changes (I used portion control) and minimal exercise. This would be a huge accomplishment for anyone. However, I started noticing a lot of loose skin and worry and discomfort set in. Due to my hectic work schedule and raising a family, I didn’t really have time to work out effectively. 

Things changed in 2019. After losing my job for speaking up, I decided to shift my focus and find my purpose. I turned to my faith, followed God’s lead, and headed to the gym. I focused on my goals, let God lead me, found my purpose, and felt good about it all. Overcoming something that had been hindering my personal life for years gave me newfound confidence and peace.

This life reset gave me a feeling I knew I needed to share with women who struggled the way I did. More importantly, I wanted to reach black women who are struggling the way I did… black women who struggle with the fears of generational health complications. I wanted to encourage them, push them to do better, and help them go through the process without giving up. Thus Melan~aide was born. It’s a movement meant to inspire and uplift women (but now my mission expands to men and children too).

How did you change your eating habits?
I tried extreme diets in the past and was always unsuccessful. This time, I leaned towards eating more protein and using portion control. I ate more veggies, and I drank smoothies and herbal tea! 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Lessie (Melan~Aide Fitness) (@coco_lessiefit)

What does your workout routine consist of?
I worked out 5 to 6 days a week at the beginning of my journey. I based all my workouts around repetition! No matter what the routine was, I would do full-body workouts. I would target a specific part of my body to focus on each week.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
I started at 250 pounds. Now, I weigh 180 pounds, and I’ve been maintaining that weight for a year by building lean muscle! That’s the primary tool that’s helped me maintain a healthy weight and keep the weight off! 

What is your height?
I’m 5’5″.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
The biggest lesson I learned so far is I have to believe in myself no matter how hard it gets. Relying on others to validate what you consider an achievement will only set you back. Self-love is the top priority, and tapping into it will only set you up for success.

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
No surgeries and no extreme diets! Coming into this journey with nothing but God and determination have gotten me further than I’ve ever been on my journey with weight loss. 

Instagram: @Coco_lessiefit

Lisa lost 55 pounds

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Lisa lost 55 pounds with healthy food and exercise. After her thyroid was removed due to thyroid cancer, losing the pounds got even more challenging. In 2014, she started taking steps to transform her life and her eating habits. At 51 years old, she is thriving and encouraging people to embrace healthy habits. 

Lisa lost 55 pounds

There is a poem that perfectly describes my health journey. It’s called a “Beautiful Mess.” This is ME. I looked cute but felt like a huge mess. 

In 2008, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and underwent a complete thyroidectomy. Losing my thyroid set my weight challenge into overdrive. In 2014, seeing a photo taken during a girlfriend’s birthday celebration in Florida changed my WHOLE life. I couldn’t believe it was ME. 

I’ve been on this journey for seven years. I’ve had ups and downs. I can honestly say that I finally figured out what works and what doesn’t work for me. I enjoy this lifestyle, even the challenges. I’m still a work in progress, especially now that I’m 51 years mature, Lol. I purposely use every day to encourage someone to live a healthier lifestyle at all levels. I do this in my walking group, called SOLE2SOLE, and my fitness groups. Getting healthy to stay healthy is my goal! 

Lisa lost 55 pounds

How did you change your eating habits?
In the beginning, my eating habits were horrible. I didn’t eat. I basically starved myself. Then I tried different plans, from Weight Watchers to Nutrisystem. Next, I got a nutritionist who created a healthy diet for me. It worked for a few months, but then my non-metabolism body caught on. 

It took a couple of years to figure out how to trick my body into burning fat. Since 2017 I have done just that. I detox with JJ Smith’s green smoothies for two weeks every other month, followed by a meal plan which usually consists of Keto foods or micronutrients.

Tell us about your workout routine.
I love working out now. However, it was a struggle in the beginning. I would sleep in my workout clothes to motivate myself. I tend to work out 5-6 times a week. I do mostly strength training, HIIT, and cardio.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight was 215 pounds, and today I weigh 160 pounds. My goal weight is 150 pounds.  

What is your height?
My height is 5″5.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
Through the ups and downs, I think the biggest lesson has been never be ashamed to hit the RESTART BUTTON.  

What advice would you like to share with women who want to lose weight?
It’s okay to have a cheat “meal,” not a cheat day. I permit myself a cheat meal every 14 days.

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
Although I haven’t had weight loss surgery, I am considering a tummy tuck to remove the remaining loose fat around my abdomen. After four pregnancies and two c-sections, it’s my least favorite area. With it, it’s hard to achieve my desired look.

Instagram: @Lisaasil70

Lisa before and after weight loss

Shemeka lost 133 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Shemeka lost 133 pounds. PCOS and depression could not stop her. This mental health social worker was tired of the weight loss rollercoaster and, with time, she found the solutions that work for her.

Shemeka before and after

I started my journey in 2015. I would start and stop. I suffered from PCOS, which is a hormonal condition that leads to unwanted weight gain and infertility. It also made me sink into depression. My doctor tried to put me on many medicines to help, but it wasn’t successful. I’ve always been active, but the weight was tough to lose due to the hormone imbalance.

In 2020, I had gastric bypass surgery after losing 50 pounds on my own, and the rest is history. Even with the surgery, the weight came off slow, and then it stopped because I didn’t change my habits. One day something clicked, and I got aggressive about my diet and workouts. That’s when the weight started melting off. 

I work hard now. I work out for about 2 hours most days. My body is beautiful and toning. I love it, I treat it kindly, and I speak positively to it. I think our thoughts control our actions, and actions lead to reactions.

What was your motivation?
My motivation is the quality of life, and overall well-being exercise has given me. It’s so much more than looking good. It’s about being confident in your skin and presenting the “best version of yourself” first and others second. 

Exercise and food are gifts to me! Food used to be my addiction, but the root of the addiction stemmed from rejection and fear. I was an emotional eater. I used to eat when I was happy and sad, lol! That’s a bad combination. There were days when I mentally, physically, and emotionally quit, and that’s normal. We all want to quit sometimes. However, we have to COUNT THE COST. I kept going because I realized stopping would get me nowhere. Simply put… To move forward, you have to move forward.  

How did you change your eating habits?
It all starting with the basics. I started eating breakfast, lunch, dinner, and some healthy snacks in between. (Which was something most people don’t do.) I used to skip meals until I found out it slowed down my metabolism and caused my body to starve and store fat, which is the total opposite of what I was trying to do.

I ate simple breakfast food like oatmeal with nuts and cinnamon. Sometimes I had peanut butter and apple slices or boiled eggs and yogurt. I stopped eating bread, sugary foods, and carbonated drinks. 

I drink hot teas daily sweetened with raw honey or nectar. I also drink noncaffeinated coffee and water! I also enjoy wine from time to time. My daily diet consists of kale, spinach, chicken, salmon, protein shakes, nuts, cheese, and fruit. I also splurge on pizza, Mexican food, wings, and catfish sometimes. 

Shemeka lost 133 pounds

What does your workout routine consist of?
I work out 5-6 days a week. I train with a trainer for five days, do a light workout out on my own for one day, and have one rest day. My workouts consist of mostly HIIT intervals, controlled movements, jump squats, box jumps, battle ropes, sled, and tire flips. 

I love to lift weights, so I lift more than I do cardio. It has been the best thing for my body type. I’m a strong, black woman! Respectfully! I celebrate all people, and what fitness looks like for everyone! I do a lot of deadlifts, barbell work, and dumbbell exercises. I feel empowered when I lift. I also use my body weight to do yoga and pilates. 

What is your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My highest weight was 331 pounds, and my current weight is 198 pounds.

What is your height?
I’m 5’7″. 

What advice would you like to share with women who want to lose weight?
Be consistent and disciplined, but also strive to be realistic and have balance. It’s ok to eat the foods you enjoy, just within reason. Know your triggers and boundaries. Set small goals and crush them! They lead to bigger, better goals. Do the opposite of what you have always done to get the results you have always wanted. 

Exercise is my medicine. It has helped me beat anxiety depression and reversed my PCOS. I’m currently a mental health social worker, and I’m in school for personal training and weight management. In closing, I’m thankful for this journey. Wellness is a daily progression and not a final destination.

Instagram: @MrsRamsey2u

Shemeka lost 133 pounds