Candice lost 135 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Candice lost 135 pounds. The pounds started to pile on during her college years and the methods she tried to lose weight didn’t bring lasting results. She found the help she needed while working with a trainer who provided direction and accountability. Check out what she shared about her journey.

Hi, My name is Candice. I’m a 32 year old woman and I am 5’6″ tall. I started gaining weight at a rapid pace when I went to college. I was doing all the wrong things when it came to trying to lose weight. At my highest weight, I weighed 300+ pounds. I tried doing tons of cardio, and even tried drastically cutting calories in an attempt to lose weight. I’d lose a little at first and then hit a plateau. I would end up quitting after a while, because of feeling discouraged with the lack of progress.

I finally made the decision to be more consistent with eating and exercise. I was tired of not seeing my efforts pay off and tired of not really committing to my goals. At first, I started out with Zumba on my Xbox360 to get moving, which helped a lot. After I lost the initial 30 or 40 lbs, I hit another plateau. Something needed to change. I finally signed up at a gym and sought out a personal trainer.

She was a great motivator and ultimately helped keep me accountable for my fitness journey and my eating habits. She incorporated weight training as the bulk of my workout, along with some cardio. I started getting involved in kickboxing classes as well. I work out at least 4 times a week, including weight training and a couple of group classes.

I had to totally revamp the way the I was eating too. I started logging the foods I ate and how much I ate with MyFitnessPal. I found out that I wasn’t eating enough at all. More vegetables and protein were added to the mix, while simple carbs and processed food were brought to a minimum. I do allow myself to indulge in a cheat meal once a week. Meal prepping for the week has really been helpful as well.

I currently maintain my weight at 160-165 pounds. I learned that this is really a lifestyle change and it’s not just about losing weight or numbers on a scale. The main thing I learned is that this whole process takes time and effort. You have to be patient. I was empowered with tools to change my health for the better by my trainer. I also had people motivating me along the way. It took me a couple of years to reach my fitness goals, but this is a lifelong change that I plan on sticking with.

Instagram: @kandyice1