Reyma lost 50 pounds 

Transformation of the Day: Reyma lost 50 pounds by embracing healthy habits and a new mindset. The stress of running for office, leading a nonprofit, and being a single parent, led to weight gain. Today she is thriving, sober, and committed to living a healthy lifestyle.

What was your motivation? What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up?
I gained 70 pounds when I was pregnant in 2014 and lost most of it afterward. Then I gained most of it back in 2018 due to the stress of running for office, leading a nonprofit organization, and raising a child as a single parent. 

By May 2019, I was overweight, exhausted, and a functional alcoholic. I was also fed up with myself. By this time, my daughter was five years old, and I didn’t want her growing up with a miserable drunk for a mother.

How did you change your eating habits?
I started Noom in May 2019, and it really helped me get to the psychological causes of my overeating. I was eating and drinking to compensate for the total lack of emotional support in my life. All in all, I lost 50 pounds and have kept it off by maintaining a calorie deficit and focusing on plant-based, nutrient-dense, low-calorie foods. I also committed to sobriety in November 2019.

What did your workout routine consist of? How often did you work out?
When I began working out in May 2019, I focused on power yoga and spin class at my local gym. Like so many women, I was reticent to do strength training at all because I didn’t want to gain weight. Then the pandemic hit, and I started working out at home with dumbbells. Not only did I NOT gain weight, but I got ripped. 

My current routine is 90-120 minutes of strength/fasted cardio almost every day. For me, working out has become less about how I look and more about how I feel mentally.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
May 2019: 165 pounds
Feb 2022: 115 pounds

What is your height?
I’m 5’10”.

When did you start your journey? How long did your transformation take?
I started in May 2019 and reached my initial goal weight (130 pounds) in November 2019. I reached my current weight of 115 pounds in August 2020 and have maintained it consistently ever since.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far? What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight?
Lift heavy, maintain a calorie deficit, and keep haters at a distance.

Website: www.reyma.org