Featured Weight Loss Success Story: Essence lost 46 pounds. Her story shows that you don’t have to chase quick weight loss. She gives the full details of her 2 year journey to weight loss and greater health and tells us what she did to make the difference. Here is her story:
I would love to share my story and the struggle of just flat out being HUMAN. The set backs, the come backs, the sweat, the tears, and over the struggle of getting to where I am today. I always like to tell people to ENJOY the struggle. And the reason why I say that is because it took me to find something that I love to do in order for me to PUSH to lose the weightI am 5’3, and at one point of my life I was 23 years old, weighed 184 pounds and was wearing a size 13. I was laid off from my job in 2007 and had just recently moved to Texas. It took me a year to find a job while living at home with my parents. There was nothing to do but lay around, apply for jobs, and eat. I was depressed.
2 years ago my doctor expressed to me that I was border line Diabetic and I had High Blood Pressure in which I would have to take blood pressure pills to get it under control. I use to be one of those women who was big but “carried my weight well” as a lot of people would say. I felt like that was a nice way of saying “you’re big, but not THAT big.” I would go to the gym 3 times a week, doing 45 minutes on the elliptical, but still eating whatever I wanted to. I knew this was not going to get me where I needed to be and I tried to be content with myself but at the end of the day I was very unhappy with my weight.July 1st 2012 was the day that turned not only my health around but my life around! This is the day I started a 7 day all fruits and Vegetables cleanse.
Breakfast- frozen fruit smoothies, with my favorite fruit and apple juice
Snack- cup of cantaloupe
Lunch- garden salads with light vinaigrette dressing or sometimes no dressing at all
Snack- bananas, strawberries, grapes
Dinner- Vege stir fry ( Spinach, Onions, Broccoli, bell peppers with low sodium teriyaki sauce and garden salads if I didn’t feel like eating stir fry for dinner).
After this cleanse, I lost 6 lbs in a week. (mostly water weight of course) but it was a START and just what I needed! I’m not perfect, I can honestly say that I was one of those people who bought chips, cookies, and all other snacks you can think of, I’m not afraid to admit I told myself I would eat all of it before I started this cleanse. Again, I’m human and who wants to waste food…smh @ me I know….I went from 3 days of 45 minutes on the elliptical to 6 days a week of doing 1 1/2 hrs of a combination of Turbo Kickboxing, Body Combat, Nike Boot Camp Classes, running 3 times a week (for 1 mile at a 6.3 speed on the treadmill) and incorporating weight lifting at least twice a week at 24hr fitness! I don’t like diets, so my meals consisted of eating better choices and smaller portions. Was I perfect? Nope, Did I cheat? Yep! I mean let’s be realistic. I am not the person to cook on Saturdays, so when I would eat out, I wouldn’t hold back but yes I would work out that day to shed some calories. My eating consisted of no pork and I cut back on Salt and Sugar. I did this for 1 year and before I knew it I was down to 138 pounds, and wearing a size 9. My blood pressure is now under control and I am no longer border line diabetic. Matter of fact my doctor was even impressed with my results.
I am not where I want to be physically but I’m better and stronger then I was before July 1, 2012. My self-confidence and spirit has lifted tremendously even my friends and family notice it. (Let’s just say I take more full body pictures then I do selfies these days) lol! I am now 30 years young and on a new journey of lifting more weights and eating more protein to obtain a more toned and fit body. I am also proud to say that I have recently been certified to be a TurboKick Instructor, and I’m on a new path to help others achieve their fitness goals as well!All in all, if I don’t leave you with nothing else as you read about my journey, I do want to say this; THERE IS NO SECRET TO LOSING WEIGHT, JUST MAKE TIME FOR YOUR HEALTH. I waited until I had bad results at the doctor’s office to make a lifestyle change. Some people don’t get the warning before the end results of sickness or even death. So make your lifestyle change TODAY! And don’t forget SLOW progress IS progress.”
~Essence – Instagram: @essencedw
alberta atieno says
hi essence,
im so impressed by your weightloss and fitness journey. im on a simmilar journey myself and i am sometimes feel really impatient but your story grounds me. :)-]-[
Essence says
Hello Alberta!
Girl — the anticipation of the NEW YOU is crazy right?!! Keep going though! I promise it will be so rewarding at the end!! I didn’t care to have FAST results nor did I step on the scale every day! I mainly went with how my clothes fit! But go at your own pace and you will get to where you want to be! I wish you the best with everything! =) ~Ess
Lisa says
Essence,
sister thanks for “keeping it real” Congrats on your healthy journey. You are looking GREAT! Keep up the good work, and small steps can equal BIG success!
Stay happy, healthy and whole!
Essence says
hey Lisa!
Thank you!! We can only be true and honest with ourselves before taking on a life changing journey! I really appreciate the comment/compliment!
~Ess
Gloria says
Congrats on your success! Your story is so inspiring. It shows we are human May have setbacks but we can do this if we stick with it. Thanks for sharing!
Essence says
Hey Gloria!!
Yes I think that is something people must remind themselves. YOU ARE HUMAN! if you decide to eat a cookie one day after eating clean for a month it’s not going to ruin everything — just prepare to turn the setback into a comeback!!
Thanks for the comment/compliment!
~Ess
Danette says
Thank you so much for telling it like it is and being honest about your journey. You look fabulous girl! I started this journey a few months ago and am down 12 lbs in 60 days. I was a little depressed about it thinking it should be more, but you just put it in prospective for me. ” Slow progress IS progress” I love that and I am going to print it out and put it in my office, car and home.
You rock chica!!!!
Essence says
hey Danette!
No problem! I LOVE to read success stories no matter how big or small the amount of weight lost— a number is truly a number and you need to give yourself credit because 12 lbs is outstanding! Did you know you are only suppose to lose 1-2 lbs a week? so your doing GREAT! And keep in mind Muscle out weighs Fat as well! I noticed with myself that I fluctuated because I was also gaining muscle and becoming toned! — so don’t give up! and don’t be hard on yourself! It will be rewarding!!
thank you for the comment/compliment!
~Ess
Felicia Tolbert says
Essence,
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I could really relate to your story. I’m 5’5 and weigh 180. I’m employed at the moment but it’s ok because I do use the time to work on me. I go to the gym 5 days a week. It’s hard going by myself because it takes alot to get motivated. I haven’t quite mastered my eating habits yet. I’m not a chef, I’m not that creative when it comes to cooking. Sometimes I feel like I’m losing weight but when I step on the scale and take those clothes off….it’s a different story. Thanks for sharing your story. It really gives me motivation to push forward to continue with my journey to be a healthier me.
Barbara says
Thanks for sharing. You look great.
Deja Renee says
Great story! You are much indeed an inspiration to me, and others, keep up the progress. I’m inspired!:)
Deja Renee says
Your are absolutely right, “slow progress is progress” there’s no “quick fix” for a life style change. Putting time in a having a positive mind set is key to success!!
Walteretta says
I can relate lost 28 pounds, binged on junk this weekend, but getting back up and fighting for my life
Barbara A says
Thank you essence for your wonderful and truthful Human weight loss story. I’ve lost 37 pounds and was feeling it should be more, but, your encouragement helps me to realize it is a life style change and it takes time. I’m the opposite of you in I’m getting the eating part down my don’t have a consistent work out schedule yet. But I joined a pre-diabetic group that comes with a membership, so I’m moving towards the light. 🙂 Also, just wanted to mention I see you are wearing a Parker shirt. I’m a Pittsburgh Steeler fan also. So I don’t know about you but I’m from a City of Champions. We are winners; we can do this! Thanks again!
Jeanne says
You look great,I was recently diagnosis as pre diabetic .thanks for sharing giving hope to others.