How i lost 71 lbs!
I was 190lbs and went down to 119 lbs in 3 years!
It was a long process, but i had made a promise to myself to work on being healthy (not that weight has anything to do with how healthy you are, but in my case it did) physically and mentally. I used to deal with a binge eating disorder, depression and i had 0 confidence.
So i decided to take action!
1- I started eating breakfast!
i would skip breakfast, not eat lunch, and then at night i would eat absolutely everything i could find. Once i started eating breakfast every day my metabolism started speeding up and those cravings i had at night started going away because i wasnt hungry anymore.
Always a breakfast high in protein that would fit my calorie deficit!
2- I walked 30 minutes every day!
You don’t HAVE to go to extremes and do 4 hours of cardio every day, you won’t be able to be consistent with that. I started walking on the treadmill for 30 minutes every day, some days i would do more and other less but i made sure i always moved my body somehow.
3- STAY CONSISTENT
I can’t say this enough, STAY CONSISTENT! I didn’t start seeing progress until month 3!
4- Drank 2L of water every day!
Drinkkkkk your wateeeeeeeeeer, it’s so important for EVERYTHING. Your body doesn’t really know the difference between thirst and hunger and sometimes you can confuse them. There’s times where i would eat because i thought i was hungry when in reality i was just thirsty.
5- Regulated my thyroid.
This is not something everyone has to do in order to lose weight, but i have Hashimoto’s disease which made it harder for me to lose weight (HARDER, NOT IMPOSSIBLE !) Once i actually started taking care of myself and following the right directions from my doctor and regulated my thyroid levels losing weight became a little bit more easier.
6- Got a gym membership!
I’m not going to lie to you, i didn’t start the gym until year two because i was too scared of people judging me. I started going with friends and that made it a lot less scary, now i go by myself and enjoy it so much!
7- Worked on self love.
I always struggled with loving and accepting myself. I would cry every day because i hated everything about myself, but i was tired of that feeling I just wanted to be free, enjoy my body exactly how it was. I started doing affirmations, switched my mindset, started taking action and of course did my shadow work!
I am now a completely different person than who i was 3 years ago and i am beyond grateful for past me because she never gave up. It wasn’t easy, i have struggled with ed’s, there were days were i didn’t want to do absolutely anything and didn’t see the reason to keep going because i looked the same in the mirror but that didn’t stop me. I still struggle, some harder than others, but at the end of the day i always remind myself that progress isn’t linear!
Let me know if you would like a more specific post with workouts, meal ideas, how i lost face fat and tips !
Check out my latest posts for breakfast meals that helped me lose weight !!!
#embracevulnerability #Lemon8Diary #glowup #weightlosstransformation #weightlostjourney #mentalhealthjourney #beforeandafter #unfiltered #weightlosstips #selflove
My journey of losing 71 lbs over three years wasn't always easy, and I've learned so much about sustainable health along the way. Many of you might be wondering about the nitty-gritty details, like how to achieve a steady weight loss or how to see changes in specific areas. Let me share a bit more about what worked for me, going beyond the basics. First, let's talk about setting realistic goals, like aiming to 'lose 8 lbs a month'. While I didn't focus strictly on monthly numbers, I found that consistently maintaining a calorie deficit of around 500-750 calories daily led to a healthy and sustainable loss of 1-1.5 lbs per week. This translates to roughly 4-6 lbs a month. To hit 8 lbs a month, you'd need a larger deficit, closer to 1000 calories per day, which can be challenging but doable with careful planning and consistent movement. For me, focusing on whole, unprocessed foods and those protein-rich breakfasts, like the delicious pancakes with strawberries and bananas I often enjoyed, made it easier to stay full and satisfied without feeling deprived. Regarding visual changes, like seeing a '10 pound weight loss face' or 'arm tattoo after weight loss', I learned that specific spot reduction isn't really possible. However, as my overall body fat decreased, every part of me changed! My face became noticeably slimmer, and my arms toned up significantly. It's truly amazing to look back at my 'before and after' mirror selfies and see the difference, even in how clothes fit – those 'oversized light-wash jeans' are now a fun reminder of how far I’ve come. The body adapts holistically, and patience is key. Understanding and managing a 'calorie deficit' was fundamental. It's not just about eating less; it's about eating smarter. I focused on nutrient-dense foods that kept me satisfied. I calculated my Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) and then factored in my activity level to get an estimated Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE). From there, I subtracted 500-750 calories to create my deficit. Apps helped me track my intake initially, but eventually, I developed an intuitive understanding of portion sizes and nutritional content. This wasn't a temporary diet; it was a complete lifestyle overhaul that taught me how to fuel my body properly for long-term health. Finally, for those who worry about maintaining results or even going through a 'fit to fat weight gain story', consistency and self-compassion are your best friends. I had days where I felt like quitting, but reminding myself of my progress and focusing on my mental well-being alongside physical health kept me going. It’s not just about the numbers on the scale, but how you feel, your energy, and your confidence. Remember, progress isn't linear, but with consistent effort and a focus on overall health, you can achieve amazing transformations.
You did that!! Awesome job! That takes some serious dedication and love for yourself