Hi, my name is Yunecia C. I have been following your page on Facebook and I love the way you are empowering women to get fit, healthy and stay that way. I started my weight loss journey about 2 years ago and I’ve lost a total of 83 pounds so far. I decided that I want to be healthy and not have any health issues. Also, I want to live in a way that will help me have a longer, healthier life.
My motivation is my son, Za’Marrious Washington. I wanted to be able to see him grow up and be active in his life. My inspiration comes from all the people that I know or have met that are inspired by my weight loss journey. I have met so many people that have told me I am their inspiration and who want me to give them my healthy tips so that they can lose weight too.
I changed my eating habits by drinking only water and green tea, eating green vegetables and eating plenty of protein. I also picked a time to stop eating each night, such as 7 or 8 pm. The foods that I stopped eating are sweets, pasta and grains. My workout routine is a 2 hour workout in the gym on the treadmill, bicycle and elliptical machine every other day or at least 3 days a week. The advice that I have for others is, “Stay strong, no matter how hard the journey might get.” You will not see the results at the very start your journey, but if you keep striving the result will be satisfying and all the hard work will pay off. Always remember: Your Journey will not be Easy but it will be Worth It!
Shaquan lost 196 pounds
Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Shaquan lost 196 pounds over the course of 3 years. She was motivated by a doctor’s office wakeup call and inspired by the success that an old friend had with low carb eating. Check out what she shared with us about how she changed her lifestyle and lost the pounds…
Hi, my name is Shaquan H. and at my heaviest I weighed 370 pounds at only 31 years old. I’d given birth to five children, but mostly gained weight from taking the Depo birth control shot. During a doctor’s visit, my regular physician was out and I had to see the on call doctor who blatantly told me that I needed gastric bypass weight loss surgery. That inspired me to change.
In 2012, I saw a girl I hadn’t seen in awhile who shed so much weight that I had to ask her to teach me what she did. She told me that she was basically following the Atkins diet. I worked with her and we hit the gym pretty hard. I started going to the gym every morning with my old friend. We started off with the elliptical, leg press, squats, leg throws and various strength machines.
I was so excited about seeing results from just eliminating carbs (which is difficult). At 5’4″ tall, all that weight wasn’t healthy for me to carry. Now, I’m down to 174 pounds and I could not be more happy. It has take me about 3 years total to lose it all.
My advice to others would be to eat fewer carbs and drink more water. Even if you cant make it to the gym, workout at home doing moves like planks, jump rope or jogging around the block. Just try to stay active. I hope that my story inspires other women who are trying to become more healthy. I hope to help motivate them to take any small step towards their goals. Any progress is good progress.
Instagram: @tattedrabbz81
Measure Your Progress Without the Scale
It is very easy for us to become obsessed with our weight as a number and start to weigh ourselves every day. Stepping on a scale isn’t the only way to judge whether you are making progress or not. In fact, it isn’t even the best way to know how much fat you’re losing and how much muscle you’re gaining.
Obsession with the scale can become a serious problem and lead to depression, eating disorders or giving up due to disappointment. The reason for this is because even the healthiest individual’s weight fluctuates on a daily basis. Instead of relying solely on the scale to judge how well you are doing, try some of these methods instead.
Photo Track Visual Progress
One of the best ways to track your weight loss progress is to take photos biweekly or monthly. There are a couple reasons why tracking with pictures is a good idea. Most women tend to want to lose weight or workout for their appearance. It isn’t the only reason but generally it’s up there in the top 3.
Taking pictures enables you to see how your body changes from an outside perspective. Often, women don’t realize how much their body has changed because they see it every day in the mirror. Seeing a photo from a month ago can really give insight into how well you are doing.
Photos taken in the same positions and angles every time will also show much fat you’re losing and from where, as well as how much muscle you’re gaining. How visible your abdominal muscles are is another great indicator of body fat percentage as your abs will only become visible when you reach a low body fat percentage, generally.
These photo don’t need to be fancy and you don’t have to show them to anyone- just take them for yourself. If you plan to keep your progress photos private anyways, try to wear clothing that really let’s you see your body vs bulky clothing. A bathing suit is a great choice. As mentioned earlier, try to take your pictures from the same angles every time. You may also want to take 2 sets of pictures, one where you are totally relaxed (don’t hold anything in!) and another where you tighten/flex your muscles. Even if you still rely on a scale, taking pictures should still be done as it is truly eye-opening and motivational.
Track Body Measurements
A second excellent way of tracking your progress without a scale is to take body measurements. Just like tracking with pictures, measuring your body will tell you a lot more about how your body is changing than a number on a scale. It is also extremely easy to do, so there really is no excuse to not track these numbers.
You can measure whatever parts of your body you feel you need to, but overall you’ll want to track you:
- Waist
- Hips
- Legs (thighs & calves)
- Arms (bicep area)
- Chest (under and over bust)
Some women also choose to track their wrists, ankles, neck, etc. It’s really up to you. As you take your waist and hip measurements, calculate the ratio between them as this can be an important way of measuring health. Typically women should have 0.08 ratio. You can find more about waist-to-hip (WTH) ratios here.
To make measuring easy, it is best to use a cloth tape measure or a special body measurement flexible tape measure. You can probably find one at your local $.99 or $1 store.
Use a Body Fat Caliper
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A lot of women can get so hung up on weight that they don’t realize the more important number is body fat percentage. A super fit woman who has a lot of muscle could actually be considered “overweight” just based on her weight alone, even if she is really healthy with a low body fat %. There are so many different body types out there and people who are bigger boned may not be as unhealthy as they believe if they have their body fat tracked.
You can see a professional to get a body fat analysis but this isn’t necessary to do on a regular basis. There are body fat calipers and monitors you can buy online from websites like Amazon and in health stores so you can measure yourself at home. It is important to thoroughly read the instructions that come with the calipers and even do some research online to ensure you measure yourself properly.
Body fat is the best way to judge your health and you should never just rely on the automatic body fat calculator on some digital scales as they are not perfectly accurate. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to buy some calipers and then visit a doctor or personal trainer to get help with measuring body fat. Most will be happy to show you how to use calipers at home. Here is some additional info on ideal body fat percentages.
Get Weighed by a Professional
Finally, you can get “weighed” by a professional. There are two techniques which will measure your weight but more importantly, they will show you far more about your actual body composition. These two methods are:
- DEXA Scanning: Judged by some fitness professionals to be the absolute best method of body measurement. DEXA stands for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry which measures fat and lean mass as well as bone mass. Many universities offer DEXA scanning and it’s well worth the $75-$100 price tag to gain so much insight into your body. It would be best to get a scan done before starting your weight loss journey and every 3-6 months during your journey is this is something in your budget.
- Hydrostatic Weighing: Hydrostatic weighing is done in water and tends to also be offered by universities and high end, retreat-style weight loss programs. Some very high end gyms may do this as well. Even though technology like the DEXA scan is more accurate, hydrostatic weighing is still an excellent alternative to a scale. It tends to be much less expensive than a DEXA scan as well.
A scale still has its place in everyone’s weight loss journey but should be a tool saved for biweekly or monthly tracking to avoid obsession. Remember that muscle is more dense than fat, so if you find your weight isn’t dropping off despite hard work, you could be gaining muscle. Don’t convince yourself that you’re not making progress just because the needle is not moving. Weight is just a number, so don’t become fixated on it. Focus on how you look, how you feel and your body fat percentage.
Felicia lost 57 pounds
Update 2018: Shout out to Felicia. She lost 61 pounds and has kept it off for 7 year with exercise and healthy eating habits.
You still have to stay motivated and know that your weight can be maintained through the proper channels of healthy eating and exercising. Since you last heard from me, I have only been losing inches and adding weightlifting to my regimen. I lost 61 pounds 7 years ago and I have been able to maintain since then. Recently, I became a grandmother and I am full of energy to run and workout with my grandson. I’ll be 43 years old in July, and I’m looking forward to more years to come. Instagram: @focus_inspo
Update April 2016 – Felicia has lost 10 more pounds since we featured her in Sept 2015, for a total of 67 pounds gone.
It’s 7 months later. I wanted to share that since I was featured in 2015, I have gotten inbox messages about how encouraging and inspiring this page is and that they see a little of themselves in someone like me. Hats off to this amazing, empowering movement. We must and have broken the cycle of unhealthiness and hereditary stigma that we have to live with health and weight issues. Women, like myself, that are over the age of 40 are looking and feeling well. I love it. Since my feature, I’ve been keeping my diet clean and doing strength training. I have lost an additional 10 lbs and gained 4lbs of muscles. I continue and encourage others to use your hashtag, #bwlw, on social media to help spread these ladies’ accomplishments/stories and to keep others uplifted. Instagram:
@focus_vines
Sept 2015 – Weight Loss Story of the Day: Felicia lost 57 pounds. She just turned the big 40 but she is feels like she’s a twentysomething due to her new lifestyle and renewed energy. Clean eating, weight training and high intensity training has made the difference for her. Check out what she shared with us about how she did it…
My name is Felicia V. and I just turned the big 40. Five years ago, I stood at 5’6″, 194 pounds and a size 14/16. I was tired of feeling sluggish, being constantly drained and having no energy. One day when I was playing in backyard with my daughter, I felt a sharp pain in my chest and couldn’t continue. I was 35 years old at the time and I realized that I had to make some changes.
I went cold turkey and started eating clean to change my eating habits because I wanted to live for my kids. My fried, fast food was traded in for lean meats. I turned from bad carbs to good carbs. My snicker bars were let go for fruit instead. My sweet tea and sodas turned into water and green tea.
I didn’t know anything about a gym when I started. High intensity workouts have become my best friend. I jumped rope, did squats, did jumping jacks, ran sprints, jump off and tree trunks.
I lost 42lbs in 5 months and then, over time, I’ve lost another 15 pounds and lots of inches by eating well and working out at least 4 times a week. Just last year, I incorporated weight and strength training into my life and I really began to see my body transform. Now, at 40 years old, I weigh 137 pounds and I’m a size 4. I am aging backwards and I have more energy. My daughter that I couldn’t keep up with is now a teenager and is in the gym getting pointers from me. I set new goals each year because I’m not where I want to be but I am glad I started. I am 40 years old, but I feel 20 years old.
My advice to others is trust your process and you will make progress. Take one day at time and know that it doesn’t happen overnight. Read, read and educate yourself on food choices and to find out what exercise will work that for you. Every body type is different. Grab a partner and have fun.
Nia has gone from size 24 to size 18
Non-Scale Victory: Nia is just getting started on her weight loss journey this year. She started in February and has gone from an 3XL to a 1XL and from size 22-24 to size 18-20. The support of great trainers and a boot camp community is keeping her motivated. Here is what she shared with us about how she’s losing the pounds.
My name is Nia C. I wanted to share my weight loss journey with the hope that it will inspire and motivate others. My motivation was to be a healthier me. I tried several fad diets and failed. I even considered weight loss surgery.
I started attending cardio classes in February of 2015, but I would only go on Saturday mornings. I had a few friends who joined a group of trainers called #BEASTMODE. I wanted to see what the hype was all about because I’d tried Zumba classes with little results. I would also go to the gym, so I decided to give them a try. Why not, right?
After a few classes, I actually began to feel better but I didn’t see much of a change. That’s when I began to eat differently, cutting back on certain foods, eating smaller portions and eating out less. Beastmode offered a 5 day boot camp and I reluctantly signed up. Instead of paying daily, I payed in advance because I knew that would motivate me to attend daily. That was a life changing week for me because I actually saw great results attending the boot camp. After that, I decided to sign a contract with the trainers at Beastmode Augusta and that was the best decision for my new fit life. These trainers are so concerned with your physical and mental well being, more like family.
I do an hour of fasted cardio 2-3 times a week and walk on the track some days in between. The hour of cardio can consist of jumping jacks, squats, jump squats, push ups, sprints, burpees, etc. I also try to eat clean low carb/high proein meals with smaller potions. I drink a lot of water; infused w/cucumbers, lemons, limes and mint. I get a lot of good recipes from Pinterest.
I honestly haven’t weighed myself because I don’t want to get discouraged. I didn’t gain the weight overnight and I know I’m not going to lose it overnight. The advice I’d give to others on this weight loss journey is to set goals for yourself, focus and aim high. My goal is not to be skinny, but healthy. Is it easy? Of course not. Will it be worth it in the end? Absolutely. This is just the beginning of my weight loss journey. Stay tuned for my #futureafter.
Instagram: @cuteniac
Chaunda lost 120 pounds
Transformation of the Day: Chaunda lost 120 pounds. After years of battling clinical depression, she retreated into food, sleep and daily despair. This petite diva found the strength to come out of depression and walk into her destiny of being an inspiration to help others get healthy and lose weight. Here is what she shared with us about the steps she took to lose weight pounds and change her life…
I lost 120 pounds, and it took me 18 months. I have been healthy and maintaining my weight loss for eight years now. I exercised daily with weight resistance training, lots of running and jumping roping. I changed what I ate and how much and how often. I learned everything I could about living a healthy lifestyle, and I implemented what I learned to see how my body responded. I got positive results and kept doing things like going heavier on my weights and adding more protein to my diet.
Eight years ago, I was a different girl. After years of being a wife, stay-at-home Mom and battling clinical depression, I weighed over 230 pounds. Remotely, I went to see a psychiatrist every three months to restock my prescribed supply of Prozac. I did that for eight years straight. I slept most of each day away because it was the closest thing to death. Oddly, I remember very little about that period of my life. I wore a version of the same outfit almost every day- a “Just My Size” t-shirt in a size 3X and black elastic waist pants in a size 2X. I couldn’t feel. My heart was shrouded in darkness and despair most days. I wasn’t living, I merely existed. I ate crap and did not exercise my body. I’d lost sight of my goals and my dreams. The rude and hurtful comments that people would make about me being so fat would play over and over again in my head every day. My identity was that of an invisible woman. I had lost… ME.
Eight years later, God woke me from that season of obesity, depression, and despair. God said, ” It’s time for you to walk into your destiny” and I began a journey of a thousand lives to overcome obesity and reclaim my life. What did it take?? Precisely what I teach my clients and the world today: IT TOOK CHANGING EVERYTHING. I had to put myself first. I had to learn how what and when to eat. I had to learn how to exercise and lift weights. I had to remove toxic people and relationships from my life. I had to change my mind and make the decision to go forward. No matter how many setbacks, no matter how much weight I had to lose and no matter how many people said I couldn’t do it, I did it.
It took me 18 months to lose 120 pounds. I now cherish that time because even though it seems like a long time, it allowed me to learn how to eat and to move in order to heal my mind and body. I began by reading the book, The Best Life Diet, by Bob Greene.
Then, I added more lean protein and veggies to my diet, as well as lots of water, nuts, berries, and healthy fats. I removed fried foods, processed foods, sodas (diet and regular), sweets and refined carbs. I worked out daily with weights, treadmill sprints, and body weight exercises. My starting weight was 227 pounds and currently at 127. (Height 5’2″)
I grew spiritually and in so many different ways into the person you see pictured in the “after” photo. As a Biology/Pre-Med major in college (Hampton University-big ups), I always knew that I wanted to heal people, but I knew I didn’t want to become a Doctor. I graduated with that Biology degree, but God had an alternative plan for me that wouldn’t be revealed until many years later. Bella Fitness Group was born out of my struggle. That ugly cocoon of depression and obesity birthed a beautiful, spirited butterfly whose purpose is to ignite and heal the hearts, souls, and bodies of people struggling with obesity. To God be the Glory. If my Dad had lived to see what I’m accomplishing and building now, I think he would be so proud of me. After all, like me, he was a Visionary dreamer, Educator, Entrepreneur and somewhat of a Renaissance Man. I never got to share all my plans, dreams and the Visions God has given me because he died three years ago. Daddy, continue to shine on me and continue to be that silent wind beneath my wings! I hope I’ve made you proud, even though I didn’t become the M. D. you always wanted me to be.
In 2009, my story was featured in a number of publications, beginning with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper. People from all over the world started reaching out to me to help them get healthy, but I wasn’t certified as a trainer. My gut said to get certified and help create a healthier world. I wanted to give the gift of New Life that I had been given.
So, I created a company called, The Bella Fitness Group, which means “beautifully fit”. I started with five clients at boot camp, did Personal Training in homes for a few years and finally opened my first Boutique Fitness Studio in 2012 with meager beginnings. Today, although the company has grown, I am still not nearly where I want to be because the VISION God has given me is so great. There is so much work left for me to do. As an entrepreneur doing everything on my own with no safety net, no “real job,” and being a Single Mom of 3 amazing kids, this path is not an easy one. There are days when I wonder how I will keep the lights on at the studio. Days when I wonder if anyone will show up. Days when I wonder if my message of optimal health is getting through to my clients. But, STILL I RISE and meet the challenge every day, albeit sometimes in tears and desperation, but I know that my faith is merely being tested. I thank God for deeming me worthy enough for HIS tests.
I share my journey periodically as a reminder to all of the people like me. I hope that my story can speak to people who are still in the struggle fighting depression, obesity and living less than what they know their destiny calls them to be. There’s hope for you too. There’s another life waiting for you. There will come a moment in time when you’ll wake up. Your heart will beat faster again, and you’ll dream again. You’ll live again! There are a blessing and a testimony mounting, but you just have to BELIEVE and never cease in your praying and faith. Once you get sick and tired of being sick, fat and tired, you WILL FIGHT. There’s a beautiful butterfly in each of us. Let her fly! Come on! You got this. So, to everyone reading this post, I ask that you share this with someone you know who needs to hear my story. Tell them they have a choice.
bellafitnessgroup.com
Instagram: @bellafitnessgroup
Facebook: Bella Fitness Group
Update Nov 2015: After being featured on our site Chaunda was contacted by The Real and featured on the show in October. Now, her wonderful work with clients is being celebrated as well.
“Today will be my 2nd appearance on the TV talk show THE REAL. This time I will be introducing two of my clients, James Ferguson and Tiffany Olivia, as they embark on their weight loss journey together! This is a beautifully spirited young couple who just got married in April. When I first met James, I was touched by his heart to help others get healthy and I immediately wanted to help him and his beautiful wife to also get healthy. You guys will get to follow James and Tiffany over the next 6 months via The Real’s website, Instagram and Twitter to really see what losing weight along with a spouse is really like. It’s such an important message to young people and folks of all ages that HEALTH IS OUR ONLY TRUE INVESTMENT regardless of age. We want you to follow, like, share and tweet with us as you watch along. The show airs TOMORROW ON FOX AND BET – set your DVR’s and follow me here to watch, support and learn: TWITTER: @bellafitnessgroup09, INSTAGRAM: @bellafitnessgroup, PERISCOPE: @bellafitness09.
I am so blessed to be a blessing to James and Tiffany because I get to help them change the trajectory of their health. Getting healthy together as a married couple is such a beautiful thing. Thank you to all of my supporters and followers for your messages and love. Let’s get it Team Bella!”
A Running Start: Kim lost 21 pounds
Weight Loss Story: Kim is celebrating losing 21 pounds. At 44 years young, this proud mom has started her journey off right, going from walking to running and embracing healthy eating habits. She has seen her anemia improve and now believes that her health is her wealth. Here is what she shared with us…
I’m 44 years young, 5’6″ tall and currently 181lbs. My starting weight was 202 pounds, so I have lost 21 lbs as of 9/8/2015. My journey has been going on for 2 months and still working. My inspiration was my only son who joined the US Navy. After getting severally depressed after he left for boot camp, I reached 202 pounds in June. One day he called and simply said, “Mom you need a hobby!” Boy, was that an eye-opener. All work and no fun was making me obese. I decided I would train for my 1st virtual run on July 4the in his honor.
I joined a run group (Dashing Dolls) and began to watch what I ate. I refused to take supplements or fat burners, because I wanted to see what I could do without them. Initially, I had a private chef for a month until I had all the fast food, sodium and garbage purged from my system through exercise, eating more greens and drinking lots of water (96 ozs a day). I don’t drink soda or juice and I switched to eating foods which were “alive” (namely veggies) and I felt so much better. I finally got a handle on my anemia by taking a iron supplement called Hema-Plex. It even made a difference in my vision. My optometrist says my eyes are much better and I no longer needed a bifocal in my prescription.
I started off walking from my living room to my kitchen and back around. My house is a little over 2000 Sq ft! My mom even thought I was loosing it for making circles around and around indoors. I was too embarrassed to get outdoors and exercise. I was ashamed that I had let myself get in such poor health. Also, my anemia was to the point of being severe. That left me with little to no energy and often very depressed. I began walking 1 mile and then moving on to walk/running a mile. I finally built up the courage to walk with a running group, since after 3 weeks I could walk without feeling like I was going to pass out or cough up a lung.
It’s a journey everyday. One that I am embracing. I love me more than I ever have and now feel “I’m worth” being healthy and wealthy! I never knew “my health is my wealth”. I didn’t spend any extra money on personal trainers. I didn’t use fat burners or appetite suppressants. I used good old fashioned “controlling what goes into my mouth” and burning more calories than I consume. I have run 2 5Ks and one 7 miler in 2.5 months.
I have set aside a year to gey myself lean. I’m not aiming for any particular size, just lean and fit. With God all things are possible. My favorite bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11 and that carries me when I feel like giving up. I’ve also set a goal to run a marathon every month until my “wheels” no longer work…lol. I just want women to know that it can be done and the results may not take long!
Instagram: @kdaigle504
Elisha lost 125 pounds with weight loss surgery
Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Elisha lost 125 pounds with weight loss surgery. After being molested as a child she used food for comfort and weight as a shield of protection. Later, she would be diagnosed with stomach cancer. Despite all of this, she found the power to change her life to be healthier for her family and to be free from the extra pounds. Check out her emotional weight loss story…
Hello, my name is Elisha Fant and I would like to share my weight loss story. I’ve been obese my whole life. Growing up, I was always the biggest child in school. I was bullied and teased about my weight as well. My mother went to jail when I was 8 or 9 years old and then I was molested several times. Thus, I became very depressed. I began to use food to comfort me and felt that If I continued to gain weight then nobody would want to violate me anymore. Also, it was hard childhood for me because I didn’t have many friends. I was very lonely and food was the only thing that I felt had never let me down.
Fast forward to 2005, I meet my husband who showed me what it felt like to be loved. We later had kids and my weight just kept creeping up. As my kids began to walk and run, I could no longer keep up. In 2008, I joined a gym and began to workout. I enjoyed working out, however I never changed my eating habits. A co-worker of mine told me about a diet pill called Phentermine. I tried it and lost about 65 pounds. Once I stopped taking it, I became pregnant again and gained all the weight back..and then some. After many failed “lose weigh quick” schemes in 2012, I was diagnosed with stage 1 stomach cancer. My doctor blamed it on my weight and poor eating habits. I then promised myself that I would take control of my life and loose the weight for good.
After speaking to a family member about weight loss surgery, I decided to have the Gastric Sleeve procedure. I was approved in 2013 through my insurance company, however being that my previous medical problems were not taken care of no doctor wanted to operate on me. That took me into a stage of anger and depression and my weight went up from 317 pounds to 392 pounds. At 5’8″, that was just too must weight to be carrying around. I was devastated and I no longer wanted to live. I remember going to Six Flags and not being able to ride the kiddie ride with my son because I could fit. I felt like I failed my child. Later that evening I remember having the discussion with my husband about going to Mexico to have the operation done. He supported me but was very concerned about me going there.
Eventually, I found a doctor in the US who was willing to help me get my life in order. In April of 2015, I had the Gastric Sleeve weight loss surgery done. My starting weight was 392 pounds and as of today I weigh 267 pounds. I can say that weight loss surgery was not the easy way out. It is just a tool that was given to me to utilize. I currently eat a low carb diet and I still workout 5-6 days a week, doing an hour of cardio and 45 min of weight training. If I hadn’t changed my lifestyle and my mind about how I viewed food, I wouldn’t be where I am today. My journey is not over. I plan to lose 72 more pounds and then maintain that weight. Losing weight is hard but being fat and out of shape is even harder. Today, I’m in a much better place and I know that if i continue at the rate I’m going I will soon be where I need to be.
Instagram: @lishaflawsandall (inactive)
Imani lost 62 pounds
Weight Loss Journey: Imani lost 62 pounds. After she quit smoking, weight gain followed. (I’m sure that many can relate to that.) Eating clean, cardio and strength training have been very important tools on her journey. She gave some great advice: “Don’t base your progress or failure of anyone else’s life.” Check out what she shared with us…
Hi, my name is Imani and I’m from NYC. I’ve recently lost 62 pounds through clean eating and training 5 days a week. I strength train and do cardio. I quit smoking 3 years ago and my weight spiraled out of control. I decided to take my life back and get it all the way together. I still have work to do, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come. I’ve faced the early mornings, the cravings and the painful days with and without my trainer. I’m always pushing myself, moving forward and it has been paying off.
There is no magic formula or diet that got me results. I simply stopped eating and drinking everything that I already knew was not good for me. That includes fast food, fried food, greasy food, sugary food and drinks. I prep meals most of the time, but even when I don’t I make reasonable and healthy choices. I’m not perfect. I eat pizza, ice cream and chocolate, but all in moderation and not every day. Once in a while it completely fine to have a treat because we’re human.
My starting weight was 269 pounds and I’m 5’10”. (I wasn’t this weight in the before picture because I had already started my journey) My current weight is 207 pounds. I have lots more work to do, but I’ve gone from size 16-18 to a size 10-12. I feel fit, strong, and healthy. I began this journey in September 2014. I began alone, but I decided to hire a trainer to take me to the next level of fitness after I hit a plateau with what I was doing in my own.
My advice to others: Don’t base your progress or failure of anyone else’s life. We are all individuals. You have to find the regimen and lifestyle that makes sense for you, and that you will be able to maintain. Most accurate formula for getting fit is “eat clean and train mean”. Strength training is essential. Consult a trainer or a gym representative to learn the proper use of equipment and avoid injury before you begin strength training.
Don’t give up. Run and you’ll get faster, lift and you’ll get stronger. The only action not worth anything is the one not taken! Thank you for allowing me to share and possibly motivate someone else.
Lakisha lost 80 pounds
Weight Loss Story of the Day: Lakisha lost 80 pounds. Seeing her mother’s weight loss success motivated her to lose weight too. She took to the internet for help, information and recipes and found the resources she needed. By combining clean eating and exercise, she’s been able to release lots of pounds. Here is what she shared with us…
My Motivation:
My mother she got the Gastric Sleeve put in and lost a lot of weight! I was jealous, but I turned that jealousy into a drive to change!
Changing My Eating Habits:
I changed my eating habits by doing a lot of Googling! Allrecipes.com was my friend and it helped me find new recipe ideas on my clean eating journey. I cut all junk food and I only have a cheat meal on Saturdays, that’s it. I eat mostly vegetables and all my meats are lean or deli bought. I try to stay away from red meat, focusing mostly on turkey and chicken. Nuts and nature valley granola bars are my favorite snacks! I also put something green (veggies/leafy greens) with everything!
Exercise and Working Out:
My workout consists of 30-60 minutes of Zumba Latin Burst or Super Cardio in the morning and weight training in the afternoon, followed by squats and crunches. Also, my legs are my transportation, because I walk everywhere.
Weight Loss:
My starting weight was 306 pounds. Now, I’m down to 229.08 pounds. My height is 5’6″. I started in July 2014, so it’s been a little over a year since I started my weight loss journey.
My Advice for Others:
My advice is this: Ignore the scale and your clothing size. Keep fighting! Don’t give up no matter what your emotions or feelings try to tell you! Pray without ceasing! Let your desire to be free of your weight be grater than that cake you want to eat.
Instagram: @heart_of_kiki
