Transformation of the Day (Update): Elizabeth lost 245 pounds. We’ve been following her fantastic transformation story since 2021. This talented makeup artist wrote to us to share how she’s maintained her success with healthy food and exercise and her biggest lessons and insights.
Social Media:
Instagram: @facesbypureness
Read more about her journey in previous posts.
What is your current weight?
150 pounds
How have you maintained your weight loss/continued to lose weight?
For some time, I decided to go “all in” to test my body and see if I really fell off or had a life crisis, how long it would take to put on weight, and how hard it would be to take it off. I did different things and ate in different ways. Many around me didn’t know, but I went as far as to check my vitals and get blood work to see where I really sat during this period of time.
I went up to 200 pounds and realized many things about myself, my form, energy, cravings, and so much more. It was an amazing experiment! Then, I used the same methods I used the first time to lose weight during my initial weight loss journey. I did intermittent fasting paired with Keto. My findings were that I had to be slightly more aggressive this time around – More calorie restrictions and eating more healthy fats within my diet were key!
I worked out harder, too, with more steps and heavier lifting. This experiment really helped me to see why people fall off the second time they enter a weight loss journey. Because it really doesn’t work exactly the same way the second time around, so it’s easy to give up or think that you are doing something wrong. I could go on about this forever, but all I can say is go just a little harder than before. When you reach your goal, re-assess ways to maintain your results so you aren’t in a malnutrition situation moving forward.
Looking back on the lessons you’ve learned on your journey, which one stands out the most?
I have learned so much, including learning I am much stronger than I knew. Also, this world can be so cruel. Even those people you bring close can try to hurt you, but that means nothing if you are determined, healed, and hyper-focused on your goals. So, I always suggest starting your journey with a self-assessment of what you are really ready to do.
The lesson that sticks out the most overall: Don’t let anyone get in your head. This is your journey. Unless your practices are unhealthy, do what feels best for you. It’s easy to fall victim to following random advice or leadership, but generally, if it’s not for you it won’t work anyway. Everyone has something to say about your journey, but only you are on it.
Would you like to offer any new or different advice to women who want to lose weight?
This is honestly a lifelong journey. It isn’t for the weak. I knew early on that I was no longer the same as everyone else. If I got lazy or “fell off,” I could instantly be right back where I was, weighing 400 lbs. So there are no true off days because the off days create days later that I have to work twice as hard just to maintain. So be mindful that once you get to your target, that is when the real work begins!
Hello! My name is Nikia Dejoie and I wanted to share my journey with you all. In 2003, at only 22 I finally got on a scale…and to my surprise it read 389 pounds. I was blown away. Already boarderline diabetic, I was taking high blood pressure medicine and was in the worst physical shape possible. I was also informed that due to my weight, I had a hormone malfunction which put me in the 90% chance of never conceiving a child category. I took control of my life and decided that I wanted better. I then began to workout religiously, I completely changed my eating habits, and in about 1 year and a half I was down to 178 pounds in 2005. Over the years I celebrated this new found person i had become, I lived life like I had never lived before, met the man of my dreams, I fell in love, I got married, i started a new career, and in 2011 (shortly after I got married)…I became PREGNANT. (Yippee) With everything happening so fast and life being so good, of course I gained about 80 pounds back. After celebrating a good friend’s birthday in January 2013 she posted pictures on Facebook. I almost screamed when I saw myself. I was becoming that person AGAIN that I had buried in 2003. I started my change immediately. I worked out 5 days a week for 1 and 1/2 hours, I eliminated all fried foods, soda, pork, starch, and beef. On June 2 2013, I was down 52 pounds! I am still on this new lifestyle change and I still have a long road ahead of me to maintain this. I plan to stick with it and provide support to any and everyone on this road to a healthier life… Here are a few photos. Anyone can follow my journey on 
