Black Weight Loss Success

The Official Blog of the Black Women Losing Weight Community. Tips, articles and weight loss resources for African American Women.

Join Our Email List:
We respect your email privacy
You are here: Home / Archives for personal trainer

personal trainer

Amanda lost 90 pounds

by 6 Comments

Today’s weight loss success story: Amanda lost 90 pounds.  After years of yo yo dieting, she found a way to lose the weight and stop comfort eating.  She is very happy that her health has improved significantly.  Here is her weight loss story and her advice to others:

Amanda weight loss photos

“After the death of my father in August 2003, I started eating for comfort. I was 23 years old at the time, and I gained over 100 lbs throughout the next five years. Finally, On August 23, 2010, after years of yo-yo dieting, gym memberships and almost every weight loss trick known to man, I went to a personal trainer and said: “I’m ready.”  The trainer weighed me in on that day at 297 pounds.

I began to work ou 6 days a week with the trainer, doing 1-hour sessions which included cardio and weight training. My trainer also put me on a specialized meal plan that consists of meal replacement bars and shakes and low carb dinner (meat and vegetable only.). I also took vitamins and nutritional supplements. After three months of training and the personal meal plan, I lost my first 30 pounds, which was terrific.

I felt better about myself. I didn’t have the lower back pain issues that I had when I was 300 lbs. I also didn’t have the shortness of breath. My blood pressure was high at the beginning of August 2010, but by November 2010 it had come down significantly. I have a family history of high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke. My blood pressure had decreased, and I was feeling amazing. I felt like I had received everything I needed from the personal trainer, so I continued the journey by myself.

For the next year, I worked out on my own at home in my living room. Yes, I did workout DVDs such as the Biggest Loser, Jillian Michaels, Hip Hop Abs, and the most notable P90x. I continued to lose another 50 lbs in a year, all in the comfort of my home. Now, fast forward to the present 2013, and I’ve kept the weight off, and I still want to lose more. My total weight loss is 90 lbs. My current weight is 207 pounds.

I workout six days a week. I combine gym workouts and still do workout DVD’s as well. I use myfitnesspal.com to watch my calories. Most importantly I am committed to healthy living and feeling good. My primary motivation is to feel good. In the past, I hated not being able to walk for long periods of time and having lower back problems. I have to say to the readers, don’t give up! Again, I tried everything, but I believe when the time is right, the weight comes off. We have to hand in there and not give up!

I’m looking forward to reaching my next weight loss goal by December 2013. I am working towards losing another 40 pounds by March 2014.”

 

Prachel lost 72 pounds

by 2 Comments

Today’s weight loss success story: Prachel lost 72 pounds.  Her goal was to be able to wear a bikini and now she competes in bikini competitions.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey:

Prachel weight loss photos

“On March 17, 2012, I was driving home from work and stopped at In and Out Burger (a popular SoCal burger chain) and had a grilled cheese sandwich, fries and a strawberry milkshake. Then, I drove across the street and had two buttermilk donuts.

I was at an emotional low, after a very turbulent 3 1/2 years, I had gotten up to 222lbs and 38% body fat. After this “meal”, something stirred inside of me to move. So, the same night, I walked 15 minutes on the treadmill, because that’s all I could do. But, I went back the day after and walked again. I ended up walking on the treadmill everyday for 30 days. I had lost 10 lbs in a month and felt great. However, there was still something inside of me telling me to move. So, I increased my intensity with my workouts and by October of 2012 I was down 40lbs.

All the while I had one goal in mind – to walk onstage in a bikini. I hadn’t worn a bathing suit since I was 14 years old. In November of 2012, I hired Fit Diva Dawn Rae to work with me. Dawn taught me things about my body that I didn’t know before and together we worked on my plan to compete in a Bikini Competition. Well, just a few days ago, I achieved that goal and ended up with a first place trophy in my division.

I now weigh 150lbs and am around 26% body fat. I cut out all unhealthy foods and allow myself to have a treat every once in a while. I also don’t eat simple carbs after 5 and eat about 5-6 times per day. I eat very clean, healthy and fresh. I’m never hungry. I also take apple cider vinegar and drink fresh coconut water (from the coconut, not from a can) on a daily basis.

My life has been forever changed and I am so thankful that I listened to that voice inside of me telling me to move. I now know that my purpose is not to sit around and lead a boring life…it is to have fun, be excited and experience adventures. They say to never post anything online that you wouldn’t want on the front page news one day. I am very proud of myself right now and am posting these to hopefully inspire other people to live their dreams out loud. It’s a great feeling to be led by the spirit.”

Rachelle lost 136 pounds

by 2 Comments

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Rachelle lost 136 pounds going from 340 to 204 pounds.  She embraced exercise and eating healthy.  Now she is an inspiration to those around her who have seen her progress.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey:

My name is Rachelle and I’ve been losing weight for about 7 months now.  I started in February.  That’s when I began working out hard with a personal trainer (BO) and she was AWESOME.  Then I started doing the techniques that she taught me when I could no longer afford her services. I started taking core classes, and spinning classes 3 days a week. I also did lunges, squats, crunches, push ups and other arm exercises to build a little muscle and to tone up my body the best way I knew how.

I started eating healthy. I stopped eating fast food, stopped drinking sodas and I did 3 day liquid fasts once a month. Don’t get me wrong I did treat myself once a month but I’ve learned not to treat myself with food.  Instead treat myself to something else. I was at my highest weight, which was about 340 pounds and now I’m at 204 pounds. So, I’ve lost over 100 pounds it feels so good to see that I motivate my family and friends, and how individuals are asking me how to get started.  They just don’t know that while I’m motivating them they are motivating me to keep going and to never see that 340 pound girl that I used to be. My advice for others is just to keep going and never give up.  It’s hard and you might have your off days but the next day is a brand new day. Just start over and make sure you are doing it for YOU and nobody else.

I’ve also downloaded an app called couch to 5k and that got me running, step by step, and now I don’t want to stop. This has truly been a journey for me and I’m proud of what I have done and keeping this weight off.  I’m inspired to help and motivate other individuals to get on the right path so I’m trying to go back to school to study nutrition, get my bachelor’s, and become a dietitian.  You guys will see me soon because I’m motivated to travel the world and let my story be heard. I am a living witness that no matter how heavy you are you have to start from somewhere and you CAN do it!!!!!!

Rachelle weight loss story

Body Refined shares how Flo lost 71 pounds

by Leave a Comment

Personal Trainer Kurt Dixon of Body Refined, Inc in MD wrote to us to share another success story (We featured his client Michele back in June). His client Flo lost 71 pounds and he interviewed her about her journey.

“I was turning 30 in a matter of months and wanted to go into that new age of life looking and feeling better about myself.”

Say Hi to Flo! She started her journey to healthier, fit life last November. In this before and after picture, Flo is wearing the same exact dress. With all the changes she has made to her body and continues to do, she had the dress tailored to fit her new body.

Flo Akadje Body Refined Inc

Her progress in just 10 months…

  • Weight: -71 Pounds
  • Body Fat: -21.9 %
  • BMI: -11.8 Points
  • Dress Size: -10 Sizes

What was your light bulb moment that made you decide to lose weight? Did you think you were overweight?

My “Aha moment” (as Oprah would say) was when I was visiting my mother at her house. She had lost weight for health reasons. Looking at her, I saw how good and healthy she looked, and it made me want to lose weight as well. In addition to that, I was turning 30 in a matter of months and wanted to go into that new age of life looking and feeling better about myself.  I knew I was overweight but I just didn’t want to admit it to myself. So rather than trying to change it, I just bought bigger clothes.

Have you always been overweight? If not, how long have you been overweight? When did you notice you started to gain weight?

I cannot really say whether or not I was over overweight because I never got on the scale. I never really cared about my weight. Maybe I was overweight and I did not know it. (I guess you are right again!!! Damn you Kurt!!) I never got on the scale to see how much I weighed. I was always the biggest of all my friends. But my weight gain started when I got to college. I think instead of the “freshmen 15”, I gained more than that. My weight just kept going up from there.

Does being overweight or obese run in the family?

Being overweight in my family was acceptable. For the most part, all of my family members were overweight.  Being overweight I think was a sign that you were living the good life.    

Was it a difficult journey? Are you satisfied w/ where you are now?

Not at first because I was really determined to get in better shape. But now as I get closer to my goal weight I find it difficult because I am so anxious to see more results.

What have you learned about being healthy?

Being healthy is a way of life.  You cannot lose weight then revert back to your old habits.  I have learned that if I want to stay healthy I definitely need to continue to eat healthy and stay active.

How did you end up working w/ Body Refined Inc? What has your experience been like working w/ Body Refined Inc?

I was going to the gym everyday faithfully when I was given the card for Body Refined.  I hesitated at first because I thought that I was doing fine and did not need help.  Unsatisfied with the lack of results, I finally decided to call the number on the card. My life has not been the same since I have been working with Body Refined.  I have a new outlook on life and what it takes to make the change to a healthier lifestyle. My overall experience has been incredible.    

What advice would you give someone who wants to lose weight?

Someone who wants to lose weight should first be serious about it. Don’t just say I want to lose weight. Begin the journey with purpose.  Meaning if your reason to lose weight is to be healthier or wear a bikini, put that in your mind and go for it.  Every time you find yourself thinking you cannot do it, remember your purpose.

How do you feel now vs how you felt when you were overweight?

I feel better about myself than I ever did in my entire life.  I was very shy growing up since I was always the biggest of everyone around me. I was never really confident in myself and my body. Now I am very open and confident in everything that I do.

What kind of support, if any, did you get from family and friends? And in contrast, did you experience any negativity from friends and family?

I set out on this journey somewhat alone. I really didn’t discuss it with anyone. I knew that I wanted to lose weight but I didn’t tell anyone because I didn’t want everyone to make suggestions as to what I should do. Now as I am closer to my goal weight, I keep hearing “don’t lose any more weight”. People don’t really know what a healthy body should be.

Have you ever tried to lose weight before? If so, what was the difference in what you did this time vs. other plans or programs you tried to follow?

I have tried to lose weight but not with a customized comprehensive plan as provided to me by Body Refined. My attempt to lose weight included supplements recommendations by family members or as seen on TV.  I didn’t have the knowledge that I have now. 

Would you recommend anyone to Body Refined Inc? If so, what would be the deciding factor on your decision to refer someone to BRI?

I would definitely recommend people to Body Refined but only if they are serious about a lifestyle change.

As of right now, what more do you want? Are you at your goal? If not, what is the ultimate goal for you?

I am not anywhere near my goal.  I want to take my body to where it has never been before. I don’t want to just have a flat stomach; I want to have definition all throughout my body. I want to be able wear shorts and maybe even a bikini.

You can check out Body Refined on Facebook.

6 Tips to help you find the best personal trainer

by Leave a Comment

personal trainerHiring a personal trainer isn’t just for pro-athletes and celebrities. Everyone can benefit from even 6 sessions with one. The cost is worth it because you will benefit in two ways. For one, a trainer can show you the exercises and routines to perform to reach your goals and show you how to do them properly so you do not injure yourself. Secondly, having a personal trainer can be one of the best ways to motivate yourself to stick with exercise and makes it more fun to do.

If you think the cost of a personal trainer is too much, sit down and go through your expenses. Look at how much you spend on foods and wellness items as a result of ill health, catching a cold, loss of work due to sick days and general misbehavior on your free time. Chances are the cost of working out with a personal trainer will wind up saving you money because being fit reduces illness, gives you more energy and encourages healthier living choices that can benefit your budget.

Not all personal trainers are going to be a good match for you and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to training to guarantee results. It does take time and effort to find the best personal trainer for your goals. Here are 6 tips to save you time in finding the best one for you.

Tip # 1 – Make sure they are certified

They don’t have to have a full out degree in sports medicine or physical education, but the many trainers are certified by a nationally recognized agency. That said, you can also find highly qualified ones at your local gym who have completed that gym’s proprietary training program. The point is you want someone who is qualified and who has credentials you can verify. There can be a risk for injury in training and you don’t want to be someone’s learning experience.

Tip # 2 – Make sure they ask the right questions

Good trainers will ask about your fitness goals. The best personal trainers will ask you questions about your current fitness levels, past experience and involvements with sports and fitness routines, current goals and most importantly, your medical history past and present. Knowing your medical history is essential to being able to construct a fitness routine that builds your strength, stamina and overall health. If you aren’t asked about your history, don’t go any further with that trainer.

Tip # 3 – Ask for Recommendations

Ask your friends who they use as their trainer. You should also look around your local gym and find someone who is in the kind of shape you want to be and ask who they used. You will get a lot of good feedback, not just about local trainers, but often about working out and healthy living that you can start making part of your routine as you continue your search for a trainer.

Tip # 4 – Schedule an assessment

An assessment is very different from “trying out” a training session. During the assessment, the trainer should be asking you questions about your history and goals, and performing baseline fitness tests to measure your strength, endurance, flexibility and cardiovascular levels. Some trainers will charge for an assessment as they tend to last longer than a typical training session and some will not. Many gyms will offer them for free as a way of promoting the trainers associated with the facility. Even if you wind up not going with the trainer that performed the assessment, you will have that much more knowledge about your goals and fitness level to help your find a better match.

Tip # 5 – A trial period

Don’t sign on for life with a new trainer; arrange a trial period with them. Setting a time frame like 90-days is a good way to get used to the trainer, the routines and to see results. At the end of the 90-days, another assessment should be performed and the decision made then if you are going to continue on.  Don’t be pressured into signing up for some long term deal.

Tip # 6 – The blind leading the blind

This last tip is one of the most important. Take a look at the trainer and ask yourself if they live the life they are selling. If your trainer has chronic injuries or inflammation associated with over training, has bad habits and promotes them or is a walking poster child for steroids then you should consider these issues as you make your choice.  Ideally, you want to be trained by someone who has the type of health and fitness you want for yourself so that you have a synergy with them and you click.

Lawanna lost 97 pounds

by 1 Comment

Lawanna lost 97 pounds and is now a personal trainer and nutritionist.  She shared with us about the lifestyle changes she made to lose the pounds.  Check it out:

“Hey everyone!!  My name is Wanna. I just want to show everybody that it can be done. My weight loss journey has been a great learning experience.  I’ve lost almost 100 pounds and I’m still losing (just a little bit more).  I’ve gone from a size 20 to a size 8.  I’ve been a vegetarian for almost 14 years now, and have been a personal trainer/nutritionist for the past 2 years.  I eat 5-6 small meals a day.  I love to motivate and inspire others to join me in losing unwanted pounds.  If I can do it, so can you.

My motivation is the fact that high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer run in my family.  Also, watching my clothes get too big motivates me as well.  The fact that I’m a personal trainer and nutritionist….it comes with the territory. I’ve been a vegetarian for 13 years, so my meals consist on fruit, veggies, whole grains and tons of water. I workout 5-6 days a week doing toning and about 40-60 minutes of cardio…sometimes twice a day.  I love the gym, but I prefer to be outside, so I hit the park sometimes just to change it up.  At my heaviest, I was 252 pounds.  I’m currently 155 pounds, down from a size 20.  My weight loss journey started in 2006.  I went from a size 20 to a size 16 in the first 3 months.  Then I dropped down to a 13/14 and stayed there until 2012.  I joined a gym after I finished getting my certification.  I went from a 13/14 to a 7/8 between March 2012 and now.  Also, P90X and The Biggest Loser were very instrumental on my weight loss journey”

Lawanna weight loss

Update: Latoria lost 105 pounds

by 18 Comments

Update Feb 2018: Tori‘s transformation story has been inspiring us since 2013. She lost 110 pounds and has worked to keep the weight off off by focusing on nutrition and exercise. In 2017, she became a spinning instructor. Check out her awesome journey.

Tori before and after

Hey everybody! So many great things happened in 2017! I did run my 1st Marathon (26.2miles) in January 2017. It was by far the hardest fitness challenge of my life! The weather wasn’t great, it rained and was really cold, but I powered through and received my medal. I was able to maintain my weight for a few months for most of the time because I had trained so hard.

Last summer, I did something I had planned on doing for a while: I became a spinning instructor. Now I get to teach, motivate, and inspire others every week. I put on about 10 pounds during the holidays, which doesn’t normally happen to me, but it did. With proper nutrition, Iwas able to go back to my normal weight of 170 pounds.

Life is all about learning how to balance everything out. This is what I tell the people I meet who are looking to lose weight. It takes time to learn your body and find out what works for you. You can workout seven days a week, but if your nutrition isn’t on point, you won’t get tye results your looking for. Nutrition is key.

My goal for Summer 2018 is to become a Certified Personal Trainer so thatI can help people on their journey. To inspiring, motivating and encouraging people is apart of who I am. I love helping others reach their goals. When I tell people that I lost 110lbs – ALL NATURALLY – and now I’m instructing classes every week, it’s an amazing feeling… and I love every minute of it.
I’m on Instagram as @get_fit_tory and Facebook as @Getfittory.
Stay motivated, and continue on the course!

Oct 2013 – Featured weight loss story of the day: Latoria lost 84 pounds and found a love for exercise that includes 5k runs, Zumba and weight lifting.  Here is what she shared with us about how she changed her lifestyle to lose weight, as well as photos below:

“Hi, My name is Latoria and I am a black women losing weight. After giving birth to my son 4 years ago, my starting weight was 266 pounds and I was wearing size 20w in jeans. I now weight 182 pounds and wear a size 10/12. I love spinning and running 5ks. I have an amazing group of trainers who are showing me how to train effectively. Also, I am excited about my 1st Half Marathon that I will be running in December 2013 at the Official Biggest Loser Run/Walk series in Panama City Beach, Fl. I ran my first 5k last year.

As far as my eating habits, I stopped eating fast food and cooked healthier meals in the kitchen. I cut out fried foods and used portion control with all my food, all the way down to salad dressings. I included more vegetables in my meals. For example, I just started eating broccoli last year as well as spinach… lol.

My husband brought me an elliptical machine and I used it for 30 minutes everyday when I felt uncomfortable going to the gym at 220 pounds. I fell in love with spinning at my local gym, taking classes 4-5 times a week along with other class routines, like Zumba. I discovered through my personal trainer how much weight lifting is beneficial. Also, I plan on becoming a certified instructor in January 2014.

My advice for others is to educate yourself about eating healthy. For support, keep a positive group of people who have the same goals in mind about getting healthy and fit. Take small steps toward your goals. For example, eat brown rice instead of white rice and cut out sugary drinks. Before you sit down to eat, ask yourself “Is this a healthy meal or could it be changed to a better, healthy meal.” Thank you so very much for this opportunity. I never knew I could do this until I tried and put forth the effort. I hope my story will inspire black women everywhere who think they can’t do it!”

Instagram: @get_fit_tory

Latoria weight loss photos Latoria weight loss

Check out her previous updates

Dec 2016: Tori has been inspiring us with her story since 2013. She lost 105 pounds and has maintained her success for more than a year. She is a busy mom, wife and professional who has learned to balance all of the demands on her time and found the strength to never give up. Check out what she’s shared with us about how she released the weight.

tori weight loss update

“I just wanted give an update on my weight loss journey. Well, it’s been a few years since I lost 105 pounds. With consistency and hard work, I have been able to maintain and make some improvements a long the way. What has helped me continue this journey was making it a lifestyle change and working to make healthy food choices everyday. This year, I FINALLY challenged myself and registered for a Full Marathon (running 26.2miles). This is something that I have wanted to do for years, but I never felt like I was ready mentally and physically. This is the year of No Excuses, so in February 2017 I will be checking a marathon off my fitness list.

I have also learned a few lessons about myself on this journey and have learned how to handle these lessons. For example: One of the hardest things I had to content with was finding balance. I had to find a schedule that would work for not only myself, but for my family as well. Being a mother, a wife, and having a full time job makes it harder, but not impossible. Once I created a schedule, it allowed me to plan ahead and make sure that I am able to get my workouts in and prep healthy meals.

The best advice I have to give is what I tell myself daily… “Never Give Up!” No matter what obstacles come your way. You may feel like your journey is moving at a slower pace and that’s okay. You’ve just got to keep pushing! My goal is to help inspire, encourage and motivate others. You can do this! Follow my marathon training on Instagram: @get_fit_tory.  I am nervous, but determined to end this chapter and become a marathoner.

2015: “I’ve lost 105lbs. As a wife and mother of 2 kids, it’s hard to find time for yourself and make sure that we also take care of ourselves so that we can be around to take care of family. Since my weight loss story was posted, I’ve ran 8 half marathons and countless 5k runs. Since last year, I’ve started doing CrossFit. I’ve had my first CrossFit competition and my team placed 11th out of 25 teams. I’m looking forward to the future and looking to see what else I can do. My goal is to motivate and inspire others to let them know that it’s possible.”

latoria weight loss story

Vanessa lost 30 pounds

by Leave a Comment

Weight Loss Story: Vanessa lost 30 pounds by changing her eating habits and exercising. Here is what she shared with us about losing the pounds:

“I’m so inspired by the women I see. I have a 20 yr timeline of 5 pics showing my weight gain and loss, which includes breast reduction surgery this past March. I went from teetering into size 18 down to a size 12!!!”

timeline Vanessa weight loss

What was your motivation? 
“My motivation was to be healthy for myself. I did not want to gain any more weight as I was already 220 pounds at 5’3″ (on a good day) I was teetering on a size 18 and for ME, that was my turning point. I bought new sneakers and cute workout gear to match. I figured if I’m going to be doing it, I may as well look and feel good doing it.”

How did you change your eating habits?
“I stopped eating processed foods and ate more raw fruits and veggies and fish. I hadn’t eaten pork in 20+ years. I stopped eating beef 4 years ago, but the next step was chicken and turkey…which I did COLD TURKEY. I then started juicing 4 times a day for 30 days to shock my body into submission. I have since returned to eating chicken, but not on a daily basis.”

What did your workout routines look like? 
“I workout with a personal trainer 4-5 times a week. I get up at 4:50 am to be to the gym at 5:30. Some days we do high intensity cardio and strength training, other days we lift free weights. On the weekends, we go to our local parks or mountains and walk/trot/run …steps, benches, trees to pull up on…doing exercises in between stretches.”

What was your starting weight? 
“My starting weight was 220 pounds.”

What is your current weight? 
“My current weight is 190 pounds and my goal weight is to be 180!!”

How long did your transformation take?
“I started in July 2011, but because I didn’t know what I was doing, the weight wasn’t coming off. I was in a vicious cycle of going to the gym in the evening. I was tired and not working up a good sweat, but I was going!! Once I invested in a personal trainer and he CHALLENGED me all the time (who doesn’t love a good challenge), I began to shed more and more weight. From Nov. 2012 to now is when I shed 25 of the 30 lbs I lost. Even with all of that, I still had to have breast reduction surgery, which only took off 3lbs, but that was a definite change in my physique.”

Vanessa weight loss story

Tambra lost 33 pounds

by 4 Comments

Let’s show some love to Tambra.  This proud army wife and mom of 3 shared with us how she lost 33 pounds with exercise, juicing and changing her eating habits.  Here is what she shared:

“Hello, My name is Tambra. I’m a 29 year old stay at home Army wife and mother of three. I’ve been struggling with weight issues since I had my first son in 2006. I got up to 190 pounds and maintained 180 pounds for five years. I gave birth twice within a span of eleven months to my youngest children.  Soon after having my one year old daughter, my husband got deployed.

I decided that it was time for a change. I didn’t want my daughter to grow up thinking that it was okay to be unhealthy.  I was also tired of feeling out of shape and sluggish all the time. I now workout five days a week, doing weight lifting and cardio.  I’ve changed my eating habits and I work out with a personal trainer three times a week.

I went from eating 3 very large meals a day. I would fry food several times a week and I was addicted to sugar. I changed to eating 4-5 small meals a day and I rarely (if ever) eat fried food. Every couple of weeks, I juice for a few days and that helps to reset my body.

I haven’t seen my husband in close to a year. He will be home in December 2013. When he left, ten months ago, I was 190 pounds , today I weigh in at 157 pounds. I still have a ways to go, but I have decided to make this a total lifestyle change and not just a temporary fix.”

Tambra weight loss story

Aundra lost 45 pounds

by 2 Comments

Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Aundra lost 45 pounds by working out and eating clean.  She went from being afraid to sweat her hair out to loving a tough workout where she is pouring sweat.  Here is what she shared about her weight release journey:

“I stepped on the scale one day and saw the number 206.5. It was then that I decided I really needed to straighten up and fly right about making a lifestyle change. I had tried tons of “diets” and meal delivery plans to lose weight quickly. I’d always lose 10 lbs and gain it right back plus some. I soon realized that I had to change my overall thinking about fitness and eating. I was the girl who hated gyms and exercise. I worried about sweating out my hair not realizing that the key to helping you burn calories is to SWEAT. I set a goal last year (2012) to lose 30 lbs by my 30th birthday and let almost EVERYONE know so that I would be held accountable. I’ve since lost an overall total of 45 lbs, now weighing in at 161 since beginning my weight loss journey through clean eating and lots of exercise. Clean eating isn’t as difficult as it first appears and now that my body has adjusted. I no longer crave the artificial things that I consumed before. It took me a year and half to achieve this progress. I have a personal trainer that I work out with 3 times a week. The focus with him is full body, abs, endurance and resistance training. I’ve also incorporated boxing and hip hop dance into my workout routine. You have to find what you love and run with it. As of now, I don’t feel like I’ve worked out if I’m not drenched in sweat at the end. I’ve eliminated the word “diet” from my vocabulary because this is truly a lifetime effort. In the end, I feel as though I’m just a regular girl who finally decided to get serious about fitness with the focus on being lifetime fine,

Could you tell us more about what you did to change your eating habits?

As far as clean eating, I eliminated all processed and fast foods as well as sodas and juice. I drank half my body weight in water daily. My diet consisted mainly of broiled, baked or grilled fish, chicken or turkey. I ate lots of green vegetables such as spinach (raw and cooked), kale, broccoli and asparagus. I incorporated protein as often as possible to give me a feeling of fullness by eating foods such as greek yogurt, almonds (which I included in snack packs of apples and carrots), string cheese and boiled eggs for breakfast. I learned to eat 5 small meals a day which kept me from feeling hungry or eating just because I was bored.
How long did your transformation take?
I started my weight loss journey in May 2012 and reached my goal weight in July 2013.
Aundra weight loss