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Andriana lost 67 pounds

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Weight Loss Story: Andriana lost 67 pounds. She was tired of feeling unhealthy and insecure, so she decided to eat clean and workout regularly. It’s been about 9 months and her work has paid off. Check out what she shared with us…

Adriana before and after

Hello, my name is Andriana. In May of 2015, I decided to lose weight through clean eating and exercise. I have lost 67 lbs so far and still counting.

Motivation: I was tired of being unhealthy and insecure. I also felt that looked older than my age. I have always been the overweight, so I decided that it was time for me to take better care of myself.

Eating Habits and Exercise: I eat lots of fruits and vegetables. No juice or soda, just water. I workout at least 5 days a week. My workouts consist of mostly cardio exercise and I recently started weight training.

It has not been easy, but with hard work and dedication I’ve done it. I wanted to prove everybody who said I couldn’t lose the weight wrong. I still have a few more pounds to lose, but I want to be source of inspiration to anyone struggling to lose weight. You can do it! Don’t give up.

Instagram: @and_reana

Adriana weight loss story

Diana lost 144 pounds

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Congrats! Diana is featured in the Jan 2017 “Half Their Size” issue of People Magazine. More info.

Transformation of the Day: Diana lost 144 pounds. She had been morbidly obese for her entire life and felt that weight loss wasn’t a real possibility for her. This young lady took action after seeing her prom photos and has not turned back. She shared with us how she lost the pounds over the course of 2 years.

diana before and after

Hey guys! My journey has been intense and a little painful (at first), but trust me. It’s been totally worth it. I had been morbidly obese my entire life. I never felt like losing weight was even an option for me. I was the largest person in my house, weighing 270 pounds. I was bigger than my dad and my brother.

To make a long story short, after attending my senior prom and seeing all of my friends with dates, beautiful dresses, and with so much confidence, I knew that something had to change. About two weeks after my prom I was looking at my pictures. I noticed the smile on my face in all of the photos. I was trying to look confident, but I just looked scared. That was the day that I decided to change my life.

I joined my first gym. I started working out once a day for at least 2 hours a day. Sometimes, I would work out twice in one day. Workout example; I would do 40 minutes of the treadmill, 50 squares, 100-400 sit-ups and 40-80 arm reps.

I started dieting as well. I changed my eating habits by cutting everything in half. I didn’t really stop eating pizza, I just wouldn’t eat the whole box. I started eating a salad with every meal and some meals were salads.

Within my first year of changing my lifestyle, I had lost 80 pounds. I know I am blessed and I’m proud to say that I now weigh 126 pounds. I went from 270 lbs to 126 lbs. I am 5’5″ tall. My mom motivated me everyday on my journey. It took me a good year to lose the first 100 pounds. Another year for the rest of the weight.

My advice for others: Never give up. Ever. Even if you see the scale keeps climbing, don’t give up. When you give up your body gives up.

Instagram: @chefdifitnessjourney

diana before and after

Can Loose Skin be Tightened?

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loose skin after weight lossBelieve it or not, one of the fears that holds women back from losing weight is having loose skin. This can definitely happen to anyone and it can be very pronounced on those who lose over 50 lbs. That being said, you should not let fear of loose skin stop you from losing weight. 

We want to share some tips with you may help lessen the development of loose skin during weight loss, but there is no fool proof way to avoid it or cure it completely. Again… most people who have been very overweight (obese) for a number of years who achieve significant weight loss experience loose skin. 

There are some cases where surgery may actually be needed to remove loose skin, but even so, by following these suggestions you may be able to minimize the effects of loose skin. The goal is to keep your skin toned and healthy.

Exercise

Exercise isn’t just about burning calories and toning muscle. It’s about creating firmer skin. Muscle takes up much less room than fat. One of the biggest myths about women and weight lifting is that it will cause you to “bulk up.” Unless you are getting into competitive bodybuilding, it will have the opposite effect. Muscle is more dense than fat and takes up less room, so the body appears more toned.

The key to using exercise to reduce loose skin is to work the whole body and not just target specific areas. This allows your muscles to begin supporting each other and as they grow. Thus, you become leaner and your body shape improves. Exercise can also help with cellular health, allow your skin cells to begin to rejuvenate themselves and clearing out old toxins.

Lose weight slowly to reduce loose skin

While the idea of dropping 30 pounds in 6 weeks is hugely appealing, but it will almost guarantee the appearance of lose skin on your body. Weight loss should rarely exceed 1-2 pounds per week. When you first start an exercise and diet regimen, you may lose more but it will quickly taper off. This weight loss rate reflects that your lifestyle is changing in a sustainable way and that your body is beginning to redefine itself in a manner that is inclusive of all the parts of you needed for healthy living. You want your fat stores to diminish while your muscles fibers strengthen and your cardio and lymphatic system become stronger. All of this is surrounded and held by your skin and your skin cells need time to adjust to the new shape beneath them.

Age and skin elasticity are a factor

How old you are and the level of skin elasticity you have retained are going to be a huge factor in how much control you have over developing loose skin. With age, we lose collagen and the loss of estrogen also affects our skin cell structure. There isn’t a magic age where you are guaranteed to NOT have loose skin if you lose weight, but after 35 you should look into adding to a diet and exercise regimen certain supplements and hydration habits that help to support skin elasticity. Vitamins A, E, and D all help support healthy skin cells through supporting collagen and elastin production. You should also consider skin creams that feature Aloe as more studies support this as an effective agent in skin care. All of these have proven to help tighten loose skin.

Hydration and sun exposure

Not getting enough water on a regular basis often is a contributing cause to loose skin that will not go away. When you do not hydrate yourself enough and on a regular basis, your body begins to hoard water leading to water weight gain. This water weight puts strain on your skin and keeps it stretched out. A large part of maintaining proper hydration is managing your exposure to the sun as well. The sun can seriously damage the integrity of your skin. Some women make the mistake of tanning because it “makes their skin feel tighter.” It makes the skin feel tighter because it is dehydrating and damaging the skin cells. If you are concerned about loose skin, avoid too much sun exposure – but don’t avoid it all. Exposure to the sun remains the body’s best way to take in valuable Vitamin D.

Sometimes surgery is the only solution

Like it or not, surgery is sometimes the only way to get rid of loose skin. Genetics can play a factor in the generation of loose skin and even if you weren’t morbidly obese, you may have a hard time losing weight and keeping taut skin. There are several different procedures, all related to liposuction that can be performed. Talk to your doctor about your options if this appears to be the only solution for you.

Cherlette lost 113 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Cherlette lost 113 pounds. She had weight loss surgery 2 years ago due to a number of serious medical issues, but it was not a quick fix. She had to learn portion control, exercise regularly and stay focused on why she lost the weight in the first place. Check out what she shared with us about how she lost the pounds and maintained her victory.

charlotte before and after

I started my weight loss journey with the help of weight loss surgery two years ago. I have successfully maintained my weight loss journey through consistent exercise, portion control and staying away from fried foods. I had been overweight during all of my childhood and most of my adulthood. This journey has not been easy, but well worth it. I was on 3 blood pressure meds and Singular for asthma, as well as using my nebulizer twice a week. Since my weight loss, I no longer have sleep apnea or Gerd. Prior to my weight loss, I couldn’t do 20 minutes on the treadmill without needing my inhaler. Last year, I ran and completed my first 5k. I have more confidence and I feel great. My mindset on life has become more positive and my life has taken an awesome turn.

My transformation took 12 months. My starting weight was 293 pounds and I currently weigh 180 pounds (height: 5’7″). I am thankful that I decided to take control of my health. I had Gastric Bypass surgery no complications. I chose the bypass procedure because it was more permanent in my opinion and my surgeon recommended it due to my health issues. In the past, I tried Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem, diet pills, Weight Watchers, Metabalife and more. The most I could lose with those diet methods was 20 pounds and then I’d gain 30 pounds back.

How did you change your eating habits?
I was a junk food,high carb fried food sugar eater. I changed my eating habits my initially decreasing my fried food and sugar intake. I started challenging myself to drink 40 oz of water at least per day. I challenged myself to start cooking more and less and less fast foods. I began juicing my veggies and fruits and adding protein and stevia to taste. I replaced my snack foods for Peanut butter,crackers,nuts,almonds,fruit raw veggies. I chose not to have a cheat day but rather be realistic with my daily routine of eating.

What did you do in terms of exercise?
I started walking in my neighborhood. As my love for exercise grew, I joined the gym and started doing Zumba. Then I stared walking on the treadmill for 30 minutes and now I’m Running/Walking 45 minutes for one hour. I’m also lifting weights 3 times per week for toning. My workouts start with cardio, either the treadmill or the gliding machine, for one hour and then on to the weights. On days that I do not use the treadmill/gliding machine and weights, I do a Les Mills Body Pump class at my gym, which I absolutely LOVE, or Zumba.

What advice would you give to others who want to lose weight?
For anyone of any age, race, etc., if you want to lose weight the first thing I would ask is, “Why do you want to lose weight?” and I’d ask you to be honest with yourself. Whatever you answer is, have that answer as your focus. Keep in mind that weight loss is a life long journey, its not a destination. Don’t focus on a certain weight and begin to think that once you reach that goal weight the journey is over. Remember that you want to maintain that weight/size. In the maintaining stage, you will need to continue to do what you did in order to achieve that weight goal. I would also say that this is a journey that requires you making up in your mind that no matter how many times you fall you will get right back up and continue this journey.

Surround yourself with like minded people. Search for groups and sign up for 5k races. Although you may not come in 1st, 2nd or 3rd, the most important thing is that you finished the race. Be realistic with yourself and your goals. You didn’t gain weight overnight or in 6 months, so don’t get discouraged if you dont lose 100 pounds in 3 months. Last but not least, begin to watch your portions. If you need to eat from a smaller plate, do that. Remember: Get committed, Be Realistic, Exercise, Set Goals, and Surround yourself with like minded people.

Instagram: @qtpi36

charlotte weight loss story

Cynthia lost 250 pounds

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Update: Shout out to Cynthia! She’s maintained her success and she’s looking fabulous.

Transformation of the Day: Cynthia lost 250 pounds over a two year period. She became very overweight by the end of her college years and tried lots of diet plans over the years. Eventually, health issues, like high blood pressure and the risk of heart failure, led her to change her life. She was able to lose 80 pounds on her own before having weight loss surgery. Check out what she shared with us about her hard work and the actions she took to achieve success.

cynthia before and after

Hi, my name is Cynthia McDonald. I lost a total of 250 pounds over a two year period. At my heaviest, I weighed 467 pounds (height: 5’10”). I always been big, but I transitioned to morbid obesity before I graduated from college. I tried a lot of different diets over the years, but I would always lose weight and then gain it back, plus more. I then started to develop health issues, like high blood pressure, severe joint pain, sleep apnea and I was a borderline diabetic.

In January 2014, I was admitted to the hospital because I was experiencing chest pains. At first, I thought I was having a heart attack, but the doctors told me it was a side affect of my high blood pressure. They said that I really needed to lose weight because if I didn’t, the symptoms I was experiencing could develop into heart failure. A month later, I started working under the care of a nutritional doctor. Soon after that, I joined the gym at my job and started to exercise. I ended up losing 75 pounds in about in 8 months.

On October 7th of 2014, I had a duodenal switch weight loss surgery that helped me lose more weight. I am now proud to say that I have lost 142 pounds since the surgery and 250 pounds since I started my journey! I exercise regularly now and I signed up to earn a certification to become a Zumba instructor next month! I did document a lot of my progress on Facebook and a lot of people have reached out to me since they saw me losing weight. I tell them always to do their research, because it never hurts to get expert guidance. I also tell them to never, ever GIVE UP!

How did you change your eating habits?
I started changing my eating habits slowly. I would do one thing at a time. In the past when I would diet, I would make drastic changes, like practically starving myself and always end up failing. I did not want to do that again. First thing I did was cut out sugary beverages, like soda, juices, etc. I did this because my doctor told me I was drinking the majority of my calories. I then switched to drinking a lot of water and using sugar substitutes for my tea and coffee. I also started to increase my protein intake and cut down on carbohydrates. I also have a major sweet tooth, so I would use fruit, like grapes, to satisfy my cravings. I ate more fresh fruits and veggies, and began taking vitamins. With cutting certain foods out of my diet, I realized I was cutting a lot of vitamins that my body needs to properly function.

Another thing I do to keep myself from going crazy is I give myself a cheat day. It is like a “Job well done”, pat on the back type thing. That has really helped me stay on course with eating properly and still keeping a balance without completely cutting out foods that I love. I feel that this has been a major factor for me being able to stick to a routine that works very well for me.

What did your workout routines look like?
First of all, I’d like to say that adding exercise was very scary to me, especially since I was not active before I started on my journey. When I started, I did just cardio. I would do the sit down bike for a half hour, 3 times a week. Once I started to lose weight, I started to challenge myself more. I stuck with the bike, but then I started looking up different exercises online to do after my cardio routine, like sit ups, knee pushups, squats, etc. Now, I do a lot of classes at my gym. I do Zumba, Spinning, lots of core work, elliptical machines, stair master and weights. Now, I usually workout 4-5 times a week.

Instagram: @camglamming

Carina lost 75 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Carina lost 75 pounds. This young lady didn’t want her weight to hinder her early in life. Being overweight led to low self esteem and depression, which blinded her from her passions and purpose. She was able to embrace God as her trainer, nutritionist and coach and she gives God the glory for getting her through this journey. Here is what she shared with us about how she took action.

carina before and after

I started my weight loss journey simply because I am young and I have so much more life to live. The photo on the left is me at 19 years old and the photo on the right is me last Sunday at church at 21 years old. 75 pounds down and still going. Throughout my entire weight release journey, Jesus has been and is still my trainer. I couldn’t have done it without him and I mean that. Losing weight has changed my life and gave me a second chance to know how who I am and be what GOD has called me to be. Being overweight led to low self esteem. Low self esteem comes with a lot, so let’s just say I had NO IDEA what I was supposed to be doing. I was so blind, depressed, and miserable that I didn’t even have time to hear the voice of GOD, better yet spend time with him to even recognize his voice. I was to busy trying to feel accepted and wanted. I am forever grateful that The Lord agreed to be my workout partner. He has changed my life for good. No, it’s not easy, but nothing is impossible. It’s all about Dedication,  Determination, and Discipline! Today, I am the happiest I have ever been and I give all the glory to GOD for it! Now, I just want to encourage someone and tell them, “Don’t give up.”

Eating Habits: I had a tendency of eating out a lot. Eating fried foods, eating at every hour of the night and eating huge portions. When I started my journey, I stopped eating past 8pm. Everything became organic and whole grain (rice, bread, pastas, tortillas, etc.). I cut out most fried foods and anything that needed to be fried was cooked in olive oil (only if I didn’t grill or bake it). I love fruit, so I eat that often and I had to fall in love with veggies because I didn’t eat a lot of them before.

Workout Routine: For the first 6 months, my workouts consisted of walking in my neighborhood at night, 5 to 6 times a week for about 2 to 3 miles a night. Once I dropped the first 60 pounds then I started going to the gym to start working on toning up.

My starting weight was 295 pounds and now I weigh 220 pounds. My transformation took about a year and my height is 5’10”. The advice that I would give to others is to be patient with your weight loss and don’t give up because you won’t see results in one day. Don’t try to make anyone else’s workout story yours! Make your own story. Jesus is my workout partner and nutritionist, so I advise you to make him yours as well. I assure you that you he won’t let you down!

Instagram: @styledbyc

carina weight loss story

Tameika lost 90 pounds

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Shout out to TameikaG! She is still going strong and inspiring the masses with her story. Scroll down to read her story. Also, check out the awesome guest post she wrote for us on how she keeps health and fitness a priority despite having a busy schedule.

 

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Everyday I am asked “How did you do it?!” . The answer is always the same… I ate well and exercised – all while remaining patient, consistent, and determined. . While that answer doesn’t excite most people, it’s the truth. And I wish I could tell you it was a secret pill, formula, or surgery that helped me on my path. But in actuality, it was just good ol’ fashioned hard work. . What I will tell you is what I encourage you to stay away from. Stay away from extremes. When approaching this journey – no matter how big or small – ask yourself…. This approach I’m taking, can I do this for the next 5, 10, or 15+ years? If the answer is no, then my friend – you are likely entering the glorious cycle of yo-yo weight loss. . I’ve kept this weight off for 11.5 years now because of one thing and one thing only – I’ve built a lifestyle that works for me… long term. . I can’t go to the gym 7 days per week – so I don’t I love carbs – so I eat them I hate counting macros – so I don’t I love wine – so I drink it . You see, when you approach this lifestyle realistically, only then are you able to see true long-term success. Am I binging, eating all the carbs and drinking all the wine daily – No! But I am not neglecting the things I love from my life completely, knowing that they’ll inevitably re-enter at some point down the road. Instead, I enjoy everything in moderation – so I never feel without. . Will the journey take longer? Yes. You may not shed as much while eating a balanced diet vs. being on Keto. But, with the right amount of consistency, patience, and determination… you’ll get there. And, you’ll stay there 🙌🏾 . So that’s my number 1 advice for people entering, re-entering, or on this journey. Make the lifestyle work… FOR YOU. Stay away from following what you see on social media and create your own masterplan ❤️ . . Be sure to follow my other pages! For Health Retreat Updates in Bali, Thailand, South Africa, and Colombia – follow the @Whole_Experience. And to join my Travel journey, follow @tameikagtravels

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Transformation of the Day: Tameika lost 90 pounds.  Her initial transformation took 9 months and she’s kept the weight off for 9 years. After being overweight for her entire life, this Canadian fitness diva lost the weight by eating clean and training hard. Now, she wants to inspire and help others to do the same. Check out what she shared with us…

tameika g before and after

I was another classic story of the girl who had been overweight her entire life. Growing up, I was the fun, jolly, overweight friend that everyone loved! I was in the arts, so performing was my life and it took up the majority of my time. Being active and playing sports was never a priority. Also, my family loves to eat. We’re of Jamaican descent and needless to say, but being health conscious was never of true importance. We just ate great food and ate it well! Traditional foods were a huge part of our culture and lifestyle.

As I got older, the weight piled on. I went from being the cute, chubby Tameika to becoming severely overweight. After my first year of university and gaining yet another 20 pounds (forget the freshman 15), I’d reached 220 pounds. This is what became my breaking point.

From that point on, there was no turning back. I was fed up with creating excuses and decided to commit… For good! I’m not a failure and I wasn’t about to start to become one. After many failed attempts, it was time. It started with small changes, then blossomed and then the changes snowballed into the healthy lifestyle you see today! 9 years later and I haven’t looked back! Now, I’m fulfilling my purpose to helping others!

How did you change your eating habits?
It all started (at the very beginning) with cutting out soda and juice! I used to have a lot of soda and juice daily. I saw the positive effects of that change almost instantly. Then, I decided to cut back on white sugar, so that included most sweets. The weight was melting off. The next thing to be cut was fried foods and then salt. All of this snowballed into a clean lifestyle as I began to feel amazing!

What did your workout routines look like?
It all started with group classes at the gym where I learned the basics. At the time, I couldn’t afford a trainer, so I took advantage of the well qualified trainers who held group classes. There, I learned the basics of weight training. Then, I did a LOT of research on my own. I decided to start with simple, basic weight training and again, like most people who become addicted to this lifestyle, it just snowballed!

Starting Weight, Current Weight, Height
Starting Weight: 220 pounds
Current Weight: I range between 135-140 pounds. The lowest I’ve been is 130 lbs.
What is your height? 5’2″ and a half

How long did your transformation take?
9 months. I’ve kept the weight off for 9 years.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
Educate yourself first. Create a plan that works for YOU. There are no shortcuts or cookie cutter solutions. Trial and error will be your norm. The only one that can change this is YOU, so it’s time to take accountability and just go for it. Stop making the excuses and commit.

Instagram and Twitter: @TameikaG
Website: www.tameikag.com
Huffington Post profile on her story

Moving forward, each Tuesday I’ll have a transformation tip for you! So for today’s #transformationtuesday let me share with you my opinion on Cardio vs. Strength Training! I’m often asked which I suggest for those starting their journey… and what the breakdown should be. My answer is always: Both! Treated 50/50. Cardio targets and works the most important muscle in our body: Our heart. Sure, your heart rate increases during many exercises – but nothing is more targeted and intentional than focused cardiovascular exercise. Cardio can come in many forms but the key is to make it intentional and ensure that your heart rate is raised for extended periods of time. My preference is interval training. That can be via sprints, stairs, hopping on a machine, doing some plyo, or even hill training. Now weight training is the other half of the equation I suggest doing as early on in your journey as possible! Any form of strength training will do, and we are blessed to be in a day and age where you literally have the world of options available to you! Studios are popping up everyday in most cities offering weight training classes in all forms – CrossFit, Les Mills, Power Lifting, Calisthenics, F45, Orange Theory … you name it. When it comes to my preference, I personally love body building in its traditional sense. I love the fact that you can strategically sculpt your body with some hard work, focus, and discipline! Sure it’s not as sexy as some of the new age stuff… but it’s damn effective in building the body of your dreams. We work hard on this journey, and I’d like to say at the end of the day I am standing in a body I am proud of. I meet so many people that have lost a lot of weight, and are still uncomfortable in their skin. Which breaks my heart. Body building helps to eliminate that. You can intentionally and strategically round out your shoulders, cut your waist, sculpt the thighs, and lift your butt – all with some targeted body building and consistency! If you need help designing a plan that works for you, I have online coaching available via the link in my bio 😘

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✨New Blog!!✨ I got really personal and finally talk about my road to recovery from food addiction (Link in the bio to read) . Pictured above we have another before and after for you… but this time with a vulnerable and honest story behind my negative relationship with food. I dug deep for this post, guys. I cried while writing it, and cried again while re-reading it. If you struggle with food addiction, this post will resonate. I thought it was important to address, but also share tips on how I’ve dealt with it over the years. Here’s a snippit for you . “…. Now I’m not referring to the person who indulges every “once in a while” and easily has constraint and discipline. I’m talking to the person who constantly struggles with overeating to the point where it becomes a serious mental battle. You know who you are, and I’m speaking to you. It wasn’t until I addressed my negative relationship with food that I was able to understand that I in fact have an addiction, and struggle with it every day. The hardest part is, my “drug of choice” is necessary for survival. My “drug of choice” is easily accessible, legal, and cheap. My “drug of choice” is a silent a killer and likely has taken more lives than any other substance out there….” . Read more on the blog. And PLEASE share your feedback to me. If it resonates with you, and you suffer, let’s start some dialogue below. Love you. xoxo

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Shakina lost 60 pounds

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I worked sooooo hard this past month but the numbers don’t show that I did. 😔😕☹

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Transformation of the Day: Shakina lost 60 pounds. This petite diva did not want to be on medication for asthma for the rest of her life and knew that she wanted to lose the pounds. She took a nutrition class, joined a local boot camp and took action to create a new, healthy lifestyle. Check out what she shared with us about her journey.

shakina before and after

My name is Shakina Y. and about 2.5 years ago I knew I needed to make a change, a lifestyle change. I weighed my heaviest, which was 241 pounds, standing 5ft, 2in tall. With very step I took, I was tired and out of breath.  I told myself that I will no longer be on asthma medication for the rest of my life. I told myself that I would not rely on medicine to keep me alive and that it was time to take action. (Currently I no longer take daily asthma medication, except when the seasons change)

My first step towards achieving my goal were enrolling in a weight loss study program called ImWel (Improving Weight Loss) at a local hospital.  ImWel taught on nutrition. I learned about reading food labels, good fat vs bad fat, swapping out foods slowly, portions sizes, meal prepping and so much more. At this point is where I began exploring different food options. When I first started my journey, the only vegetables I ate were greens and cabbage. As of today, I eat squash, zucchini, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, and spinach, just to name a few but the list goes on. I gave up fast food and started cooking at home. I also gave up fried foods and ate a lot of grilled/baked lean meats. Learning about nutrition helped me to lose 20 lbs.

In the early part of 2015, I went meatless which was supposed to last only a month but I went a total of 3 months. I also began to explore a lot more healthy foods because I had to get my protein intake. I now eat different beans and nuts that I did not eat before. Since going meatless, I only eat meat once a day which is usually at lunch.

During the following year, after being taught about nutrition, I joined “Firm Body Boot Camp” today known as “Squad Fitness”.  It was challenging at first and I wanted to give up, but I knew what I wanted. I also knew that no matter how long it took I wanted to do it the “Natural” way; no pills, diets, shakes, etc.  It took support of family, friends, and coworkers to keep me motivated. I was determined to achieve the results I wanted.

I missed so many social events because I had to work out. I was afraid that if I missed, I would keep making excuses and I am the only one that can hold myself accountable.  Squad Fitness, in my opinion, is better than working out at the gym. No two workouts are the same and you have a group of people who encourage you and hold you accountable throughout the workout. The exercises target your entire body and, most of all, Squad fitness is a mixture of strength and cardio. We do not use machines, like in the gym, and most of the workouts are dealing with your own bodyweight.

It will be 3 years for me in September 2016 and I have made so much progress. I have lost 60 pounds. Although I have not kept up with my measurements, I’ve gone from a size 18 in jeans and to a size 10. In shirts I was an XXL/XL and now I am a M/L. I was a 42 DD in bra size and now I am a 36 D! Some may say I should have lost more weight than 60 pounds in these 2.5 years, BUT the scale does not define me. The scale just makes you want to give up when those numbers do not decrease from week to week. I set realistic goals, I do not starve myself, and I eat the foods I love in moderation. I also know I am not perfect and I will fall, but the key is not staying down for long. Rise back up and keep going.

My advice for others would be to not give up. You didn’t gain your weight all in one day so don’t expect to lose it quickly. You have to work hard to get the results you want. Also do not go on a “DIET”, they are only temporary. Make a “LIFESTYLE” change which will last forever. Set short term realistic goals until you reach your ultimate long term goal. You have to want to make a change, because no one can do it for you or make you do it. You must stay focused, be dedicated and not let excuses get in your way. Exercise should be like brushing your teeth and taking a bath. You shouldn’t have to think about doing it, because it is like HABIT and a task that you learned as a child. I first started working out 3 times a week and today I work out 5-6 times a week. My “REST” days are not actually rest days because I usually take a 30 min walk. I am now a fitness addict and fitness is my “DRUG”!

You can read more about my journey at ShakinaYoung.Wordpress.com, follow me on Instagram and Twitter: @ShakinaYoung2, and add me on Facebook at Facebook.com/KeepingUpWithShakina

shaking weight loss story

Moneka lost 39 pounds

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Weight Loss Story: Moneka lost 39 pounds. This mom of 4 got a wake up call when she stepped on the scale at a physical for her commercial license. Now, she is sharing with us the steps she took to lose the weight.

moneka before and after

I have always been on the big side, and after 4 kids I just couldn’t seem to get the weight off. On July 7th of this year, I went to do my DOT physical for my commercial driver’s license. I stepped on the scale and saw how much I weighed. That’s when I knew then it was time for me to make a change. I weighed 245 pounds and that was the heaviest I have ever been. July 15th, 2015 was the day that I said I need to take control or let it take control of me.

I cut out sodas, fried food and junk food. I also started drinking lots of water and eating more baked foods. For exercise, I would walk 3 miles a day, even when I didn’t feel like it. There were days when I fell off track, but I didn’t let that stop me.

As of Dec 6th, I weigh 206 pounds and I feel great. I want to tell everyone who is struggling with their weight, “Don’t give up.” All that it takes is having faith and being consistent. I did this on my own…no coach, no personal trainer or anything. My next step is to reach 200 lbs and then 175 lbs.

I just got tired of looking in the mirror and seeing what I saw. I have come a long way and I’m not done.  Don’t let anybody tell you it can’t be done, because it CAN. I’m sharing my story and hoping that it will inspire others to take that first step to lose weight.

Ashley lost 63 pounds

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Weight Loss Story: Ashley T. lost 63 pounds. After struggling with her weight since childhood, a wake up call at the doctor’s office motivated her to commit to healthy lifestyle change. She shared with us about the actions she took and how she fell in love with healthier living.

ashley before and after

I have always struggled with my weight since I was young. I was the big girl with a pretty face or the funny girl. I would tell myself all the time that I would start my diet tomorrow, next week, next year, etc. However, I never followed through. I hit rick bottom when I went to the doctor for my yearly physical and was nearly topping the scale at 260 pounds. I couldn’t believe this. How did I let myself get this big? I was overweight and my self esteem was always at a low. I had put my health at risk and I knew then that it was time I make a change and follow through.

I started out slow. That way I wouldn’t shock my body completely. First, I decided to stop eating fried foods, junk, sweets and soda. For exercise, I started out just walking the track at my college a couple times a week. I even walked with my grandma some days. I built my way up to 3 miles. Then worked my way up to jogging and later added weights to my routine. The weight started falling off, I started seeing a new me and I loved the way my body was looking.

Now, I’m at my lowest weight since middle school at 197 pounds and I’m loving it. I am 5’10” tall, so I can hold some weight on my body. Now, I do HIIT workouts, strengthen training and I’ve fallen in love with a living a healthy lifestyle.

My advice to others is to just start out slow and work your way up. Use the words “living a healthy lifestyle” because diets are just too much of a commitment. Motivate yourself and have determination. Be your own biggest supporter. Always bring 100% to your workouts, because you only cheat yourself when you slack off. Your body is a canvas, so make your creation!