Weight Loss Story of the Day: Kia lost 103 pounds

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Kia lost 103 pounds.  This 6’1″ proud single mom lost the weight by changing her eating habits and finding workouts, including at home dvd programs, that work for her.  She is still on a mission to reach her ultimate weight loss goals, but she shared how she has lost the weight thus far with us to inspire others to do the same.  Read her story:

“Hello, My beautiful divas.  My name is Kia Rivers and I’m a single mom to 2 children. Let me first start by telling all of you, “YES YOU CAN”! Since I was about 19 years old I was chubby. It became worse when I started working in customer service. We would have a potluck at work just because. At some points, I would try a diet, then get bored and fall of the wagon. Me being 6’1″ tall people would tell me that I don’t look that big; so I would take that and run with it. By the time I was 26 years olds, I was 340 pounds. I always had low self-esteem so I didn’t love myself enough to get healthy. When I was 28 years old, I found out that I was pregnant with my little girl. I gained 58 pounds during the pregnancy. At 398 pounds I was miserable. My feet hurt, my back hurt and I was always tired. I started driving the public transit busses a year after my daughter was born. I tried to lose weight when my trainer told me in front of my training class that I was built like a big man. So, I starved myself and lost 62 pounds. That didn’t last because I didn’t do it for myself.

In November 2013, I told myself that I had to find me and love me for who I was. I began to seek God’s word and help. I started being positive, loving me and decided in January 2014 that I was going to eat right and get healthy. Within the first 3 months I was down to 340 pounds with a hour of elliptical, Zumba class, and weight lifting six times a week. At 340 lbs I hit a Plateau. I was getting bored and fustrated. I remembered a Turbo kick class at another YMCA that my sister told me about a couple years back. I was addicted. I added the Insanity program and a little PiYo. I loved the instructor and friended her on Facebook. I saw she was a master trainer for Beachbody and gave me samples of Shakeology, which I have for breakfast.  I then began to eat clean. Now I’m happy to say I’m down to 295 pounds since January 2014. My starting weight was 398 pounds. I am want to lose 100 more pounds and know that I will. I plan on getting certified in Turbo Kick when I lose 50 more pounds. My motto is “YES YOU CAN”. I love fitness and I enjoy my intense workouts. I still have too modify certain exercises in Insanity and PiYo but I know I will get to 110%. Do what you can. Find me on Facebook @Sweaty Diva Challenge!”

Instagram: @kiaimani3