Today’s Weight Loss Story of the Day is a little different. Zhivi didn’t just lose weight, she transformed her body. She lost 22 pounds and then put on muscle to sculpt her body the way she wanted it. Now, she is inspiring others to get healthy. Here is what she shared with us about what she did to change her life.
When I decided to started to come back to fitness, in December of 2012, I weighed 149 pounds and everyone told me I didn’t need to lose weight. That was nice of them to say, but my journey was really never about losing weight. It was about getting my stomach to look like it did when I was 27 years old. I had a photograph of myself when I was 27 and I told Tiffany Rothe [amazing Black fitness expert] when I joined the Inner Circle FitClub that this is what I want my stomach to look like. She told me that it would look better than what was in the picture. I believed her. So, I started my journey by following the workouts and eating plan to a T. I was determined to put in the time and commitment to get the results I wanted.
I started taking pictures of myself every four weeks so I could see my progress. This was the first time in my life I wore a bikini and let other people see me in it. I trusted the ladies in the Inner Circle, so I posted the pictures and shared them with the members. I would wear the same bikini for months. One day, Tiffany and one of the other ladies of the Inner Circle told me it was time for a new bikini because the one had been taking pictures in was too big. I did not notice bathing suit had gotten too big. I purchased more swimming suits to take picture in. The summer of 2013 was the first time I wore a bikini in public. The experience was a little awkward, but I did it.
This journey for me was filled with ups and down. My husband, co-workers, friends told me I was losing too much weight and wanted me to stop. I kept going because I have to live with this body and I wanted it to look a certain way. I kept working out and following the food plan that was given to me and no matter what anyone said I was going to keep going until I thought I was too small. The food plan given to me consisted of, eating a lot of raw and steamed vegetables. My carbs consisted of oatmeal, brown rice and sometimes red skinned potatoes. I love black beans now and eat them also. The only drinks I have are water, almond milk and lemon water. All of my meat (turkey, chicken breast and fish) is baked. I also eat 5 times a day. I eat three meals and two snacks.
Once I hit 127 lbs. (57.60 kilos) that was too small for me. I began the process of gaining weight back, but not by eating unhealthy foods. I planned to build muscle instead. Now, I am up to 136-138 pounds. I am fine with this weight. I don’t mind going up in weight as long as it is not from fat. Not only do I track my weight, but more important is that I track my body fat percentage. I am at 20.2 % body fat. It took me 3 months to transform my body. I have accomplished much more than I have ever thought I would on this healthy lifestyle journey. Although this journey started out about getting my stomach down, I now have a women’s fitness specialist and fitness nutrition specialist certificate. I learned that I love to motivate individuals on their healthy lifestyle journey. At some points on this journey, we all need someone to motivate and encourage us to keep going.
I ran my first half marathon in November 2013. This is something I have never thought I would do, nor had I ever planned on running a half marathon, but I decided to challenge myself. I ran the half marathon in 2:18 with minimal training. I could have done much better if I trained for the race. I have done personal training and radio interviews. I’ve learned the importance of living this lifestyle in front of others. We never know who is watching us and who will decide to change their lifestyle because of us. One of the best feelings in the world is when someone tells you, “Because of you, I have decided to eat healthy and lose some weight.” You never know where this journey is going to take you, but as long as you continue on it through the ups and downs, good and bad times, you will accomplish what you have set out to do. Remember, living a healthy lifestyle is something you do for the rest of your life; it is not a diet. You don’t start living a healthy lifestyle today and complete it once you reach your goals. Once you reach your goals, you have to continue to do what you are doing to maintain your goal weight. If you don’t, the weight will begin to creep back on and usually you gain more than what you started with. Encouraging others is what keep me motivated and keeps me working out and eating healthy.
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which pushed me to the point of finding myself. The book began when I enrolled in a prophetic class that goes in depth into your purpose in life, etc (at 
Hi, My weight loss started when I was doing a 4 month course. That was last year in May. We were doing physical training three times a week. My weight when I started was 105 kg (231 pounds). At the end of the course i was 95 kg (209 pounds). However, I relaxed and did not exercise anymore. On Dec 6, 2013 I decided to register with the gym and I haven’t stopped since then. I even join their classes; spinning class which starts 5:30 in the morning till 6:30 and a 30 minute abs classes. I workout 3 times a week at the gym, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 1 day for spinning 2 days I would do cardio and strength, including abs. Now, I jog when I get a chance on the weekends, do TaeBo, skip rope and use an ab wheel. Today, I just bought 10 kg (22 lb) sets of dumbbells. I’ve invested a lot in home equipment like a skipping rope, an exercise ball, ab wheel and women’s health dvds. I’m currently going to the fitness house (gym) 3 times a week and I’ve joined endurance class which is spinning. When I started working out again at the gym I was 98.5 kg (217 pounds) and my body fat was 43%. The last time I checked my body fat it was 32%. I’m not sure what my percentage is now because when I want to check it the machines are always offline. My current weight now is 79kg (174 pounds). My height is 5’5″. My motivation to want to lose weight was because of my health. I’m a diagnosed asthmatic, so I would struggle with breathing and easily get tired. As a person who works in the medical field, I knew that if I didn’t do anything about it I would not live long enough to see my 3 beautiful baby girls group. My Eating Habits: I’ve cut all junk food like fried chips and soda drinks. I avoid eating too many carbohydrates and sugary stuff. My meals For breakfast I always have high fiber cereals, with fat free milk or plain yogurt. Mid day – Fruits, nuts, raisins Lunch – I can chose to eat my Low go bread which is also high in fiber with no sugar or salt added with peanut butter and boiled eggs Dinner – Brown rice, 2 servings of veggies with grilled meat (chicken, turkey or fish). Sometimes sweet potatoes with any meat or High fiber spaghetti Don’t forget the greek salad as well. The discipline that is most important is food portion control. You can use food scale or just a palm of your own hand. It works. Also, eat before 6pm in the evening and try not to stress a lot as you know stressing too much decreases ones digestive system. For those who want to lose weight, I suggest you start a motivating routine and set a realistic goal. Find a weight loss partner or group, this will help you cut down a mental strain by sharing what you going through with someone. Start an exercise log because writing down your progress makes everything concrete. Find an old photo where you look good and post it on your fridge. That will remind you how you used to look and see that what you want to be is attainable is motivating. Lastly but not least, set up a reward, think positively, pace yourself, keep it fresh and have fun.
