Jessica lost 54 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Jessica lost 54 pounds. Being a new mom, a wife and a working career woman brought on excess weight and emotional struggles, including depression and insecurity. When she began her transformation journey, she vowed that she would not give up on herself. Check out how she kept that promise.

Hi! I’m Jess and believe it or not, that’s ME on the left. The photo was taken 2 months after having my baby girl. As any new mom, I remember having so many feelings and emotions, including “When and can I get my body back?” Sure, I gained baby weight, but I also remember using my pregnancy as an excuse to eat any and everything. I didn’t exercise at all.

Fast forward to a year later, I was still weighed over 200 pounds and honestly felt like crap! I was ALWAYS tired and my back and knees always ached from the excess weight I carried. On top of that, I still ate whatever I wanted because I had been doing that for so long. I hated having my picture taken because I did not like what I saw in the pictures. I struggled with depression and insecurity and all of the emotions of being a new mom, wife and working career woman. I knew I didn’t like how I felt and I was so ready for a change.

In November 2015, I weighed around 218 pounds at 5’2″ tall. I officially started exercising and vowed to myself that I wouldn’t quit. Boy, am I glad that THIS time I didn’t give up. I initially started by walking for 30 minutes a day, three times a week. I gradually switched up my workouts to using the elliptical machine, weight training and light jogging… still just for 30 minutes a day.

I remember that so many people would tell me, “Keep going.”, “Trust the process.”, “#RomeWasntBuiltInADay” and so many other encouraging words. I must admit that at the time I didn’t believe them, because it seemed that it was taking my body soooooo long to transform. Little did I know, everything was happening little by little. When I wanted to give up I remember telling myself that if I just keep going, I WILL see a change. I had to remind myself of why I started.

We are all busy and some may say “I don’t have the time to work out,”, but you have to make time for what’s important to you. My health and happiness finally took priority and I made a way out of no way to invest in myself. Why not? We can’t enjoy anything else in life if we are not healthy. Yes, Health Is Wealth.

I also learned the importance of nutrition and was introduced to Herbalife products. I began replacing two meals with two protein shakes a day and ate lean protein and snacks in between those meals. I cut out all fried foods, fast food, sodas and sugary drinks. I cut back on junk food and sweets and made a conscious effort to drink at least 8 cups of water a day.

I was feeling better and the weight and inches began coming off even more. You truly are what you eat! You have to take care of the body in order for your body to take care of you! Working out and still pigging out on faty, unhealthy foods will not give you results. It just makes your workout null and void!

So, here I am today, in photo on the right, 54 pounds lighter, healthier, stronger and happier. Exercise and proper nutrition has become and always will be a part of my lifelong journey. I have created a personal page on instagram in hopes of sharing my story and encouraging others. Please visit @jess_be_consistent to follow my journey.

My advice for others wanting to lose weight is to find your “WHY” and reflect on that when the motivation gets old or hard. You also have to be very disciplined and committed to this journey. Nothing happens overnight. It takes time. It took me a year and 3 months to lose 53 pounds, but I kept going. I did NOT give up. I definitely recommend finding exercises that you actually enjoy doing so that you will stick with it. That way you will look forward to working out. Also, MIX it up! Go for a walk, take the stairs, do jumping jacks, try the elliptical or go for a light jog. Mix it up, keep it fun and remember your WHY! Consistency is key. FIND YOUR CONSISTENCY. I pray that I am proof that hard work pays off.