Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Valerie lost 117 pounds, going from a size 22/24 to a size 10/12. Now, she is a fitness and lifestyle coach helping others to be healthy and happy. Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey…
My original motivation is that I love fashion and I wanted to chance to expand my wardrobe. I did want to go through life being bound by my weight. There are also a lot of cardiovascular health problems that run in my family and I know that being overweight can contribute to that and eventually it would start to catch up with me. I was already beginning to have heart flutters when I would engage in activities as light as walking.
At first I started by counting calories and after the first 50lbs came off I began to eat “clean”, which made all of the difference. I used the app “My Fitness Pal” to track my food and it was very helpful. If you have a lot of weight to lose I do think this is the best way to start out so that you can begin to train yourself to eat less. For the first 8 months, I drank nothing but water. My workout routines were 30-40 minutes of cardio on the elliptical and I incorporated weight training as well.
My starting weight was 317 pounds and I am now 200 pounds. I am continuing with my journey to try and lose another 30 lbs. I started my transformation in January 2012 and there were definitely bumps that I hit along the way. I would say it took me a good 2 1⁄2 years to get where I am now. It is not easy, but it is worth it! I am 5’9” tall.
My advice for anyone wanting to lose weight is to gain strengthen your consistency and patience. It is a journey that will not happen overnight. Do not try to rush it, take the necessary steps to cut things out one by one, not all overnight. For example, you cannot go from eating like everyday is thanksgiving, to small appropriate portions in one day. That is a sure way to fall off the wagon. You have to have a clear vision of your fitness goals and keep working until you reach them. Once you reach them you have to maintain, it is a lifestyle. The lifestyle will be easier to maintain if you naturally transition into it. I have had so many people ask for advice, I have decided to make coaching a way of life. I share healthy recipes and tips on my website www.myfreshlife.net. I hope that I can inspire, because if I can do it I know that anyone else can. You just have to believe that you can and you will!
Instagram: @freshlife.fitness
