Today’s featured weight loss story: Ari lost 37 pounds. I love her story because she talks about how weight loss is more than eating and exercise. It’s about looking within, reflecting on the past, dealing with your emotions and deciding who you want to be & why you want to change.
Ari
22
New Orleans
Artist (Poet/Singer/Photographer)/Student
Starting weight: 235 pounds
Current Weight: 198 pounds
Height: 4’11”
Started:Mid October
Method: Atkins (Low Carb) at first, then portion control and working out.
“Motivation: I have struggled with weight my entire life. Since I was a child, I was always considered the “fat one”. Verbal abuse by ex-boyfriends and others close to me was so common I accepted it as normal. 235 pounds was my peak weight. At 4’11”, I couldn’t walk up stairs or across campus without feeling like I’d just ran a quick mile. Although I pretended to be jovial around my peers, I was depressed beyond measure. One day on Facebook, I noticed a family member of mine had lost a tremendous amount of weight. I asked her how she did it. She said, and I quote ” I started with soul searching. Who I was, how I got here, unresolved issues, etc…then eating habits, then exercise. Everything begins within.” That began a year long journey to confront my fears, insecurities, and let go of everything negative I was holding on to. I essentially had to learn to really love myself. That led to me making a return to my passions; spoken word and music. After I learned to love myself with the weight on, I decided to take it off. I tried in the past, but it never stuck because I was doing it for everyone but me. I knew when I began this time would be different. Since starting my journey, I’ve changed completely! Confidence is through the roof, my art has gotten more personal, and I now love myself enough to not take ANY bullshit off a man (excuse my french). My advice to anyone who wants to lose FOR REAL: Love yourself. Everything begins within. Confront your demons and find out the real reason behind your weight. ”
