Let’s show some BWLW love to Stephanie. This proud mom lost 71 pounds by eating right, working out and drinking lots of water. Here is what she shared with us:
My name is Stephanie and I’m a single mom of two kids. Pretty much, I have been struggling all my life with my weight. I had went to the doctor and was put on blood pressure medicine. I knew then that I had to make a change. On June 4, 2012, I decided to make a lifestyle change. With two kids at the time, it was hard to work out at a gym since the ones in my neighborhood didn’t offer child care. I decided to first take Zumba classes that were offered for free at my job. I started off my first two weeks doing protein shakes from GNC. One shake in the morning, afternoon and my meal in the evening. I drank a lot of water throughout the day, ate fruits and vegetables as well. I soon moved off the shakes and slowly moved into eating regular healthy foods. I ate what I wanted but in moderation. During the time of transitioning into my weight loss, I hit a plateau and decided to move from Zumba to doing kickboxing videos that were offered through my cable company on demand. I can now workout in the pleasure of my own home. I get up on several mornings around 4:30am and workout before getting my children up for school and having to be to work at 8am. I workout in my home 5-6 times a week doing Kickboxing/martial fusion.
I was determined and as if today I’ve lost 71 pounds by eating right, working out and drinking lots and lots of water. I was on nobody’s diet but my own. Being a mom it was hard but a sacrifice had to be made so I could have the energy to play with them and to work towards living a healthy lifestyle. It’s not easy but its so well worth it because you feel good about yourself. Prayer works, dedication works and motivation from others works. Most importantly, knowing what “YOU” accomplished is the best feeling. I have no goal. I workout to be healthy and that’s what keeps me going. I know with being a single mom working a 8-5 job, coming home to make meals for the kids and doing homework was a struggle of its own. However, when you have the mindset that you are determined it all works out for the good. I shifted my atmosphere to better me. Praises to God for the push.
Dee says
You look great! Your story is very inspirational!
Haley says
Great job!! May God continue to bless and strengthen you!
jasmine says
You look soo beautiful now…what a awesome transformation. Good job !
michele says
OMG! U look fabulous!! I’m so SO VERY happy for you! I am officially inspired. I’d love to chat to hear more about your journey and how you did what you did while being a single mom. I need more encouragement. Like you, I work, but I only have 1 baby and I have a husband and can’t seem to lose more than 7lbs since March. I want to lose the rest (93 more) by Oct 2014 – I KNOW I CAN DO IT but need some motivation. Please write back when you can…thanks so much and REMAIN BLESSED!
Alecia H says
U looks great Stephanie, keep the work, am to a single parent, it does get hard sometimes make me want to give up sometimes, but with motivation likes yours I want quit, I want stop, cause u look good girl, I will be going back to the gym tomorrow, thank u mam
Althea says
Stephanie, Awesome job. You look amazing. Keep up the good work. You are truly and inspiration, I will think of you as I continue on my journey to lose 65 pounds. I’m halfway there and your story and others like it are helping me to stay on track.
Sam says
Stephanie, your story is a huge inspiration!!! I have the same struggle and my hat goes off to women like you and Samentha (another woman who shared her story on BWLW) who have children but are SO determined to be a healthier version of themselves that they don’t let ANYTHING stand in their way! I was feeling sorry for myself the other day after I made dinner for my sons. I was wishing I could eat what they were eating. I believe that is what makes it harder when you have children. When I was single, I could better dictate what was in the house (healthy food) and what wasn’t (junk food). But my children live off of what I call “kiddie” food. Mac N’ Cheese, chips, cookies, etc. And I can’t afford to buy them healthier options. I also don’t want to eat that food, no matter how “healthy” and “organic” it claims to be. I know it isn’t going to help me.
Women like you make me feel that I can do this no matter how much I have to do for my sons in the morning/night. I need to carve out time to workout and make sure I am eating healthy meals.
Thank you for your story. Take care!