Before and After Photos

Transformation of the Day: Jay lost 100 pounds. As a busy new mom, she took on the challenge of finding the time to workout and changing her eating habits to have the life she wanted. She wants people to know that no matter how difficult it may seem, it’s possible to be healthy and fit. Check out her journey.

It is really difficult for me to post this picture. I sometimes still see myself as the before picture. I’m sharing because I want people to see my journey so that they can be empowered and encouraged. This is an example of what a woman can do with willpower and determination.

In the first picture, I was only in my second trimester (7 months pregnant) with my son BJ who is now 4 years old. This wasn’t even close to my largest weight. Some people say, Well, a least you had an excuse. You were pregnant!” But once I had my son, I no longer had that excuse.

Looking at my old pictures also motivated me to lose the weight. I didn’t feel comfortable looking at myself in the mirror. It was almost like I was looking at a stranger. I also wanted to be able to play with my kids and be active without the extra stress on my body.

I was determined to lose the weight. I changed my diet and started out exercising whenever I could. Being a new mom, it was hard to find the time.

I started out by eliminating sweets from my diet. I would eat grilled chicken and vegetables, wheat bread and pasta. No soda, just water. By making these changes, I started seeing a fast change!

I would work out 5 days a week. I started out walking for 30 minutes initially and then joined a gym. At the gym, I would take whatever class I could, Zumba, Pilates, kickboxing, step aerobics, hi low aerobics, etc. I was determined and I knew it wasn’t going to be easy being one of the larger participants in the class trying to keep up.

Today, I’ve lost a total of 100 pounds and I am proud of my accomplishments. My starting weight was 255 pounds and I currently weigh 156 pounds. I am 5’7″ and it took me about 10 1/2 months.

My advice to other women is that no matter how difficult it may seem, it’s possible to be healthy and fit! I’ve come a long way by acknowledging all of my accomplishments, even the small ones. Don’t be too hard on yourself! We all have setbacks but be sure to get back on track and don’t let it discourage you.

I just want people to know that nothing is impossible once you put your mind to it. If you are struggling, know that you are not the only one. You can do it to. I really hope this touches someone today.

Instagram: @Get_fit_with_Jay

GetFitWithJay.com

Weight Loss Transformation: Kim lost 80 pounds. Not only did she change her eating and exercise habits, she took her son along for all the fun. She is just about to turn 40 and wants people to know that it’s never to late to commit to self love and make significant life changes. Check out her story.

I want to share my personal weight loss journey for those people who feel like it is too late or that it is impossible to make a significant change in any stage of your life. I’m a 39 year old single mother who will be turning 40 in a few short weeks. I made a conscious decision to not enter into the next phase of my life unhealthy and unhappy. I started this journey weighing 280 pounds at 5′ 3″. Today, I’m happily under the 200 mark and counting. However, this is about more than just about the “numbers”. This is a journey of freedom and self-worth.

In November 2015, I decided to make some dramatic changes in my life in a effort to stop the insanity of repeating the same mistakes and bad habits. Food has always been my comfort and I knew I needed another outlet. My bad habits had transferred to my son and I knew I had to set a better example and break the generational curse.

I signed us both up for a membership at the UFC gym. I made the first step and sometimes that’s all it takes… making that first move. At the beginning, it was so hard. It’s difficult to change years of habits, and at first my body fought me every step of the way. Soon, my mindset, my son and my determination became my strength to keep going. Somedays were harder then other but we both stuck it out. My son tried boxing, I tried CrossFit and Hot Yoga (and I do mean hot!). We fell in love with it all.

We stopped eating cookies, cake and ice cream. A Blue Bell ice cream hiatus was the best thing to happen to me! I used to eat cheeseburgers daily, and now I’ve let go of red meats completely. I eat more seafood, more chicken and LOTS of fruits and vegetables.

I’m proud of the progress we have both have made. We can run a mile straight now! How about that! We do some type of exercise everyday. I’m more health conscience when it comes to grocery shopping and what I cook for me and my son. I’ve replaced junk food with healthier alternatives, like apples and peanut butter vs. chips and dip. I do have cheat days, but I work hard to earn those cheat days!

My mind has not caught up to what I see in the mirror and I’m still working to put all the pieces together. This journey hasn’t been easy, by any means, but it has certainly been worth it. I didn’t do this because I was going on a cruise or because the summer was fast approaching. I did this because I knew that I needed to change. It’s never too late.

My advice for others would be to make a commitment to start loving yourself again. This is the only body we have, so we should do our best to take care of it. In the words of FLOTUS…”Just Move”… but I’d add to that “Just Start Loving You”.

Transformation of the Day: Kimberly lost 99 pounds. At 28 years young, she was taking insulin and Metformin to control her diabetes. Wanting to live a long life for her family, she sought out nutrition guidance and began exercising regularly. With consistency and lots of support from loved ones, she has transformed. Check out her story.

My name is Kimberly B. I once weighed 350 pounds and I suffered from diabetes. I had to take insulin injections and Metformin daily to control my diabetes at the young age of 28. After being diagnosed with diabetes, I cried like a baby all day. After my pity party ended, I made up my mind to do better. I made the decision to strive for a lifestyle change to live longer for my husband and children.

I started seeing a nutritionist who guided me along the way. I have incorporated more protein into my diet daily and I eat smaller portions. I started eating healthier options as well, such as spinach and vegetables. I stopped drinking sodas, lowered my sugar intake and started drinking more water and protein shakes.

I joined the gym and started off on the treadmill. Then, I got comfortable and started attending Zumba and step classes. I attended these classes with my sister and close friends, who have supported me this entire time.

My transformation started in December of 2014, so it’s been approx. year and 6 months. I currently weigh 251 pounds, down 99 lbs, and I’m looking to loose 51 more pounds. My height is 5’8″. I have a family to live for. Being healthy is what I need to do in order to see my children grow into adults.

With prayer and faith, losing weight is possible. You have to pray for God’s guidance to help you get through. Always encourage yourself and surround yourself with others who support and love you. Dont beat yourself up if you indulge in your favorite candy bar from time to time. Also, keep your eye on the prize. It is a very long journey, however you didn’t gain overnight and you wont lose overnight.

Instagram: @kimmies_journeyfat2fit

Transformation of the Day: Tiffany lost 59 pounds in 9 months, going from a size 24 to a size 16. This single mother of 3 was determined to find greater health and greater happiness. She figured out what works for her in terms of eating and exercise. Check out how she changed her lifestyle to get results.

I’m Tiffany and I wanted to share my continuing weight loss story. I tried Jenny Craig a few years ago. I started the program at 250 pounds and ended at 200 pounds about 5 months. However, I fell off of the program when I lost my grandmother. While dealing with the loss, I gained back all of my weight, plus an additional 50 pounds.

I was living in Memphis, at the time, and was very unhappy and struggling financially with the task of feeding my 3 kids. I made the decision in July of 2015 that I wanted to move back to my hometown of Indianapolis to allow my children to experience a better life. I was presented with an even better job opportunity there.

Well, they say happiness affects your weight. I moved to Indianapolis in August 2015, weighing 300 pounds at 5 feet tall. Today, I weigh 241 pounds. I’ve gone from a size 24 to a size 16, and I’m still going. Today, I’m no longer struggling with anxiety and depression on a daily basis. I am no longer taking meds for being borderline diabetic either. I’ve still got a ways to go and I’m still a work in progress. I’m a single mother of 3 who is changing her life daily and hoping to inspire others.

Eating Habits: First, I changed my eating habits by cutting out chips, which I’m a big fan of, as well as alcohol. I’m a big wine drinker. I was drinking wine about 4 days a week and now I only drink it one day durning the weekends. I drink water only now and I try not to count the ounces. I just sip as much as I can all day and on the weekends. I keep a gallon of it with me at all times. I still eat the foods I like, but in moderation. I used to eat fast food everyday. I went from eating 3 sandwiches and fries from McDonald’s in 1 sitting to now where I hardly eat fast food at all. If I do eat it, I make healthier choices, like wraps and salads. I’ve also become a fan of snacking on hummus with organic rice chips.

Exercise: I started out with an hour of cardio 3 days a week. Now, I do an hour of cardio 4 or 5 days a week and I’ve added weight training.

Advice: The advice I have for others is once you make the decision to change, stick with it. If you mess up, it’s ok, because you can jump right back into it. The pounds weren’t put on overnight, so they wont come off overnight. Also, having a tool, such as a step or exercise tracker, will help motivate you to get your exercise in. At least, it does for me.

Weight Loss Journey: Michelle lost 175 pounds. She was inspired by seeing how health impacted parents and motivated by encouragement from her husband and kids. She opted to have weight loss surgery, but she also had to adopt healthy habits to for lasting results. Check out what she shared with us.

What was your motivation?
My motivation was my husband and children. They encouraged me by telling me that I could do it. I was also motivated after seeing both of my parents go through serious medical conditions that we’re life threatening.

How did you change your eating habits?
I had to adhere to my tool. I had gastric sleeve weight loss surgery. My sleeve would only allow me to eat a certain amount. I also understood that my children had to be taught the correct way to eat, because I never was taught. In the beginning, I stopped drinking sodas. Then, I stopped eating all white foods (sugar, bread, etc). I incorporated more water, vegetables and fruits in my daily diet.

What did your workout routine look like?
I danced every day. I workout at least 3 times a week, just by dancing. I didnt have a DVD program or a specific dance routine. I just dance to music I love, like Prince, T.I., Michael Jackson, etc.

Starting and Current Weight
My starting weight was 329 pounds and my current weight is 154-159 pounds. My height is 5 feet tall. It took 1 1/2 years to get to my current weight after surgery.

What advice do you have for others who want to change their lifestyle and lose weight?
Your mindset has to be on point. Also, if you don’t have a good support system and mindset it, will not work!

YouTube: michellelocke1975
Instagram: @mrslocke_

Transformation of the Day: Jeannette lost 49 pounds. After being diagnosed with high blood pressure and pre-diabetes, this loving mom of 4 decided to seek out expert help to get her health under control. She shared with us how she modified her eating habits and exercised to create a healthier lifestyle.

2 years ago, I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and prediabetes. I was frustrated because I was unable to sleep comfortably at night and was always feeling tired. The urge to eat was constantly on my mind. I decided to go see a nutritionist and a diabetic specialist to see what I could do to get my health under control.

I started out at 217 pounds and with my new tools and information from the experts, I changed my eating habits and started to exercise. It took me one year to lose 50 pounds.

Here are three things that I did daily and I still do;

• Drink lots of water.
• Get a good night’s sleep.
• High protein lifestyle.

I’m very comfortable where I am now. I no longer have high blood pressure or prediabetes. I have kept the weight off for two years now and at the age of 39, I feel better than ever. I started at 217 pounds and I have gotten down to 168. My goal is 150 pounds and I’m 5 foot 5 inches tall. I’ve been married for 13 years and I have 4 children. My children’s ages are 18, 19, 22 and 23. I want to encourage the next woman and let them know that they can do it.

How did you change your eating habits?
I changed my eating habits one day at a time. I’m a person who really had an addiction to sweets. They had a mental hold on me. Because of that, I had to make sure that I already had my meals planned out daily. I started eating high-protein/low carb meals with vegetables and fresh fruits when I had a craving for sweets.

When I started my high protein lifestyle, I also cut back on fried meat. Baking and Grilling meat became the norm for me. I have eliminated almost all processed food from my diet. I started to eat lots of hard boiled eggs, salads, green veggies, carrots and bell peppers (my favorites). When I want something crunchy, I always keep cucumbers on deck for a late night snack.

How did exercise figure into your journey?
I started slowly working out at the gym, doing cardio at first. Then a trainer showed me how to strength training. I began lifting weights and that’s when I saw major changes in my body and the shape of my body. Exercising is extremely important for the mind, body and the soul. However, I still firmly believe that your eating must be under control to get the results that you want.

What is your advice for others who want to lose weight?
I would tell someone who is trying to lose weight to take it one day at a time. Accomplish the goal for that day. Also, find a good gym or a good support system, like a workout buddy, to help keep you accountable. I think a lot of times people take on too much, like weekly goals or monthly goals, and they set themselves up for failure.

Instagram: @Jeannetteferguson

Transformation of the Day: Stephanie lost 70 pounds. She didn’t want to be one of the moms who is unable to be active and keep up with their children. Making small, practical changes over time and figuring out what worked best for her schedule was key to her success. Check out what she shared with us.

Starting weight: 236 pounds
Current weight: 166 pounds
Height: 5’1″ 
How long did you transformation take?
I stated in November 2014 and I’m still going! 

What was my motivation? A few things really. My son definitely played a major role! In 2011, after having my first child, I realized how uncomfortable I felt about my weight. I also started to realize that I wanted to be healthy for him. I have a very busy, very active little boy, and I’d like to be able to keep up with him. I don’t want to be one of those moms that can’t race and chase after her kid. I want to get down and dirty with him. Getting adjusted to having a new baby and being a single mom at that, really didn’t give me a chance to jump into my weight release journey. Finally, after tipping in at 236 pounds, I got serious.

I stared with small changes that made a big difference! Avoiding fried foods, cutting back on pop, drinking more water, and trying not to eat after 8 or 9 PM. After a while I noticed it was working. I had dropped 14 pounds! That never happened for me in the past. Sure, I’d lose 5 or 6 lbs but never more than 10! I remember weighing in at a friends house, who was currently on a weight loss journey on her own. I went and brought a scale that day, because I was no longer afraid of owning a scale. I started realizing how much better I felt, and that while it is important to be here and healthy for him, I should be here for me too! The healthier and happier I am, that happinesss will make me a better mom to him.

I still eat fried food, but I don’t over indulge like before. I started eating more food but in smaller meals throughout the day. My problem in the past wast that I would get up and go until I felt hungry, not knowing that by that time I was actually thinking I was hungry, I was starving and running on nothing. I started having breakfast, lunch and dinner, with snacks in between. I learned to snack on the on the right kinds of snacks. I learn to fuel my body with the right things, and still managed to not deprive myself of things I loved, I just had them in moderation. I also did the Green Smoothie Cleanse (loved, loved, loved), as well as Beachbody’s 21 day Extreme Fix program! (I also run a Green Smoothie Challenge group on Facebook.)

When it comes to workouts, the gym doesn’t work for me because I don’t have the time to commit to it, and my son didn’t like the childcare there. I started taking him to the track and walking. Sometimes I’d jog, but mostly I’d walk. I also do home workout videos; 21 Day Extreme, Biggest Loser Home Challenge and Hip Hop Abs.

My advice for others: It’s hard, but its so worth it! You owe it to yourself and you deserve it too. Be the best possible version of yourself.

Instagram: @Findingabetterme88

Weight Loss Story: Bobby lost 24.6 pounds, gained 8 lbs of muscle and won an online transformation contest. Her body fat when from 35% to 22.7%. She is a mom of 3 who truly values family time and a nurse practitioner. Check out how this busy mom changed her life.

My name is Bobby M. I am a wife, mother of 3, and a full time nurse practitioner. During nursing school, I gained 30+ pounds and began to think that at my age (35) and with my family history of obesity this was just normal. I assumed that I’d reached the point of no return in regards to my weight.

I didn’t want to succumb to my families history of heart disease and diabetes. Being in the healthcare field, we tend to take care of others but not ourselves. I wanted to show not only myself, but my children and my patients that you need to put yourself first in order to be able to fully take care of others.

I started following workout blogs again, in particular Ashley Horner‘s Becoming Extraordinary Facebook page. I decided to enter her Transform You challenge on January 1st for extra motivation. After that, I went full throttle. I worked out 1-2 hours per day, 5-6 days per week and tried my hand at meal prepping. I also eliminated fried food and fast food! I focused on mainly lean ground beef, chuck steaks, chicken and pan seared tilapia with a veggie and sweet potatoes. I also drank two protein shakes per day. I usually consumed 5-6 meals per day. No snacks.

I started out simple and after 4 weeks I started getting more creative with my meal choices. I used My Fitness Pal to track my macros and I told everyone who would listen about my goals. I figured the more people I told the more they would keep me accountable.

Exercise wise, I started out opposite of what most people do. Because of a knee injury, I shied away from most cardio and focused on strength training. Then I slowly started attempting to trust my knee again and implemented more cardio, which included mostly running. Every now and then I’ll use the rower since I’m doing more of a crossfit type workout now, or the elliptical when my knee is bothering me.

I wasn’t willing to cut out going to my kids gymnastics, boxing and track meets, or helping with everyday after school stuff. So, I started going to bed at 9pm and waking up at 4am to hit the gym before work. It’s a routine that I still keep today. I also try not to get too stuck in my routine, because if I don’t get up I have to workout after work. This means that I miss out on quality time with my kids, which is motivation for me to make sure that doesn’t happen too often.

I ended up WINNING my transform you challenge in March 2016. Thanks to Ashley Horner, my family and I have $3,000 more in our pockets. This is all from me doing something I needed to do it the first place!

At this point, I weigh 129.4 pounds at 5’3. I started at 154 pounds in January of this year. For someone who thought they were at the point of no return, it took four months and taking some me time to shed 24.6 pounds and gain 8 pounds of lean muscle. I went from 35% to 22.7% body fat and I went from wearing large/extra large to small/extra small clothes. I am not where I want to be, but that’s only because a life of fitness and health has no stopping point. I am happy, healthier and I’ve learned to take time for myself which allows me more time for everything else.

>My advice to others is to never give up. I’ve had many “Day Ones”, but that only means I never quit. Once I decided I was truly going to make a change, I made a plan and that helped me stick with it. Also, meal prepping was a true game changer for me. With 3 very busy children, a husband and a full time job it makes my life so easy when I have food readily available. It also helps me not snack on what I’m making for the family when I have my own food close by and ready to go.

I would also suggest starting slow and working your way up. The way I did things can be intimidating, but what I did may not work for others. Use my story as inspiration to develop the plan that works for YOU.
Instagram: @beefit2016