A lot of people have been asking how I lost so much weight, so here it is short, real, and honest.

On February 26th, 2025, I decided the time is now. I was going through a divorce, and I poured all the pain, anger, and emotions from that failed marriage into my weight loss journey.

I started with a 30-day liquid diet… but honestly, I went 39 days. I only drank Nigerian spicy pepper soup (just the broth, no meat). At the same time, I walked 10,000 steps daily on my walking pad and did cardio morning and night. In that first month alone, I lost 40 lbs.

After that, I switched to eating once a day (around 2pm) high protein and high fiber, very small portions. I cut out soda, fast food, alcohol, rice, bread, fufu, fried foods basically everything. I avoided carbs completely (not the best idea, I learned later).

Month 2, I lost another 28 lbs… but I struggled with constipation badly. That’s when I realized my body actually needed carbs.

By month 3, I slowly reintroduced carbs in controlled portions. The weight loss slowed (lost about 20 lbs), and I also learned that obsessively checking the scale was not helping me at all. I just stayed consistent workouts, portion control, water, and one thing people underestimate: SLEEP. I started sleeping at least 8 hours going to bed by 7pm, waking up at 4am to work out.

By month 4, I started eating twice a day (still small portions), with my last meal before 5pm nothing after that except water. I felt clean, lighter, and more in control.

Before I even saw physical changes, I felt them. My blood pressure normalized, back pain disappeared, knee pain gone, no more heavy breathing. That alone meant everything to me.

I didn’t even realize how much weight I lost until I went to an event and people barely recognized me. When I finally checked, I was down 99 lbs by September 2025. Eventually, I crossed 100 lbs.

Now (April), I’m 119 lbs down started at 309 lbs, now at 190 lbs. I’ve been stuck here for a while, but honestly, this is no longer just about the scale.

I still work out, but now I focus more on strength training to help with loose skin. I eat everything in moderation, stay hydrated, sleep well, protect my peace, and stay active.

I’m never going back to soda or junk food. This is my lifestyle now.

Disclaimer: I didn’t use any weight loss medication just discipline and consistency. If I had known about those options earlier, I might have considered them because this journey was HARD at the beginning. What worked for me may not work for everyone please do what’s best for you and consult your doctor.

I went from 3xl/4xl - M/L in clothes .No matter where you’re starting from… just start. 🤍

4/29 Edited to

... Read moreWeight loss journeys are deeply personal, and I want to share some insights I've gathered from my experience that might help others considering a similar path. Starting with a liquid diet for over a month was challenging, especially relying solely on Nigerian spicy pepper soup broth. However, pairing this with daily 10,000 steps and consistent cardio created a calorie deficit that jump-started my transformation. One major lesson I learned was the downside of completely cutting out carbohydrates. Initially, I thought avoiding carbs altogether would accelerate weight loss, but it led to severe constipation and energy drops. Gradually reintroducing controlled portions of carbs helped restore my digestive health without stalling progress significantly. Another underrated factor is quality sleep. By going to bed early and ensuring 8 hours of rest, I found my workouts were more effective and my cravings reduced. Sleep plays a crucial role in hormone regulation, including those that control hunger and metabolism. Strength training became a cornerstone after shedding the bulk of the weight to manage loose skin and build lean muscle. This not only improved my physique but also boosted my metabolic rate, making weight management easier. The emotional aspect was just as important. Pouring the pain of personal struggles into a disciplined routine provided focus and motivation. However, it’s critical to approach such changes with compassion and patience; weight loss is not linear, and mental well-being must be preserved. Lastly, avoiding junk food and sugary drinks permanently has been vital. These foods sabotage progress and affect energy. Hydration, portion control, and balanced meals enable sustainable results. My journey confirms that with discipline, consistency, and attention to health beyond just the scale — including blood pressure normalization and pain relief — significant transformation is possible. Everyone’s body responds differently, so consulting healthcare providers before drastic changes is essential. Remember, starting is the greatest step; the rest follows with perseverance and self-care.

Related posts

A dark, moody painting of a mountainous landscape with a river, overlaid with the text "things i didn't know were caused by my bpd" and the Lemon8 logo.
A dark, overgrown painting of ancient architectural ruins with pink flowers, overlaid with the text "experiencing limerence instead of love" and the Lemon8 logo.
A dark, nocturnal painting of a body of water reflecting a full moon and distant lights, overlaid with the text "fast outbursts of anger" and the Lemon8 logo.
Do You Have BPD?!
Having BPD can be so lonely at times and you can feel like nobody around you can understand you, but I promise you there are people that love you! try support yourself as much as you can as well… it’s means a lot it others to see that your trying too.. you can do this, Your Strong! 💜🖤🖤 #bpdaware
🦋Aqua Moon✨

🦋Aqua Moon✨

1173 likes

MUST HAVE Content Creating Apps🌸💋🎀
Content creating is NOT as easy as people think it is. So if you do it or want to - some of these may help a TON. Also linking a #blog with a bunch of tips for content creating that are super easy read and follow. 🙃🫶🏼🎀 Some of these get you FREE things for reviews and content and some of t
Ayla Jane

Ayla Jane

1001 likes

Must have apps for Japanese studies 🇯🇵🤍
I've been learning Japanese for a couple years now, and these are the apps I use the most! 💪💗 Lingodeer: a lot like Duolingo but better, except it's a free trial rather than free to use completely. My favorite part is the story aspect, where you read and listen to stories and answer ques
My ☁️

My ☁️

1430 likes

A person in a white lab coat takes a mirror selfie, with the text overlay "What I used to pass the first two years of medical school" at the top.
A screenshot of the Med School Bootcamp website interface, displaying various medical subjects like Immunology and Nephrology, with a text overlay "MEDSCHOOLBOOTCAMP".
A screenshot of the Sketchy learning platform interface, listing medical subjects such as Microbiology, Pharmacology, and Immunology, with a text overlay "SKETCHY".
Must-haves study materials for medical school
As a third year medical student, I can speak on the third-party resources I used that helped me do well my first two years of medical school and when/how often I used them. Medschoolbootcamp - I used these for the most difficult classes which for me were renal, pulmonology, and cardiology. I lik
vivinmed

vivinmed

191 likes

I Have Mastered the Everything Shower 🍑🫧🧖‍♀️
As a gym girl, the everything shower transcends mere hygiene—it's a holistic self-care ritual designed to rejuvenate both my body and mind after a long workout. From lymphatic drainage massages to luxurious post-shower masking, each step is crafted to maintain clear, soft skin and luscious hair
Chalie_Baker

Chalie_Baker

1419 likes

You should have more than one stream of income!
Here's the truth about having multiple steams of income: You are going to have to give it a lot of time and effort before you start to see results. I started working in 2019, and I only looked at other sources of income in 2020. And when I got laid off last year, I was so glad I at le
moneyandcourage

moneyandcourage

201 likes

apps I don’t hear enough people talking about!
here are just some apps that are essentials to me recently as I learn to manage things. the one I’ve used the longest is libby ever since highschool. love especially borrowing audiobooks. my friends and I even trade library cards to access different library databases. timetree has to be my
k.shrsth•ᡴꪫ°*

k.shrsth•ᡴꪫ°*

4426 likes

HOW TO HAVE A 4.0 GPA? ✨
After completing 100 credits in college, I have still managed to maintain a 4.0 GPA! I am very proud of myself, but I also know that it is just a number and does not define me. It is just a reflection of my daily habits when it comes to school. I also acknowledge that I do not have the hardest majo
Itsleilahclaire

Itsleilahclaire

125 likes

I HAVE MISOPHONIA
It has become prevalent to me that a lot of people are in the dark about this subject. My intent is to spread light on the situation, and help people who have misophonia. - Every single day of my life since around 5 years old I have struggled with the mental disorder titled Misophonia. Mis
Jacqui McDonald

Jacqui McDonald

2989 likes

A woman in blue workout attire is shown lifting a barbell in a gym, with text overlay "3 pieces of advice for people new to lifting" and a pink dumbbell icon. The image sets the theme for gym advice.
A woman with headphones is shown in a gym, concentrating intensely while using a leg press machine. The text overlay advises to "practice lifting to true failure so you know how it feels" and explains why.
A woman in light blue and purple workout clothes is bending over in a gym, with text overlay "don't try to learn too much at once." The text further advises focusing on basic movements first.
3 pieces of advice for people new to lifting
There is a lot to learn when you're first starting out lifting at the gym, so here are 3 pieces of advice: 1. Practice lifting to true failure so you know how it feels - A lot of people underestimate how much they can lift, and they think they’re pushing close to failure - Practice pushing
Trisha Morrison

Trisha Morrison

7 likes

A black book cover for "Women Who Run With the Wolves" by Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Ph.D., featuring gold text and an illustration of a woman with a wolf. The cover notes it's a New York Times bestseller. Overlays ask "Have You Read This?" and state "Book Review."
Have You Read This?
Women Who Run With the Wolves By: Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Ph.D. Reading the last few pages of this book reminded me of how much love was put into it. There was a lot to grab and understand from every page that I had to take long breaks in-between to finish in 2 years time. The last 20 pages I d
Redd D. X 🪶

Redd D. X 🪶

1073 likes

Money Myth: You Need A Lot of Money to Invest
Let’s address a money myth. Some people think you need a lot of money to invest, when the truth is you can start with just $10 a week. And it might even be beneficial to start with smaller dollar amounts. This way you can learn about investing, and make mistakes, without having a lot of money on th
Money with Kait

Money with Kait

18 likes

things i wish people had told me about college pt2
cause y’all seemed to really like the last one i wanted to share some more #collegediaries #collegestudent #collegelife #collegetips #college
Stephanie

Stephanie

35 likes

The image displays two notebooks and a pen on a soft blanket, with the text 'COLLEGE necessities' overlaid, introducing the topic of essential items for college students.
An open planner is shown with 'MY DEADLINES' written on one page, listing assignments and due dates, and a weekly spread on the other, illustrating its use for organizing college tasks.
The image features two types of pens: a package of pastel gel ink pens and a collection of colorful felt-tip pens, highlighting options for note-taking and writing.
college must-haves from a senior 🚨
i know this post has a lot of information on it but this is me trying to convince you to go get these items before you go to college in the fall! i hope this helps ❤️ 📓 PLANNER - a planner is so important for college! - professors aren’t going to keep reminding you about due dates so it’s ni
brailey

brailey

379 likes

you have 198 days left of 2024! how to spend them:
just a little reality check - this year is almost halfway over! take some time today to think about how you want to to spend the rest of it 🫶 my suggestions! ⤵️ 🌼 being present don’t focus so intensely on building your future that you forget to enjoy your present. appreciate the journey
carley ◡̈

carley ◡̈

201 likes

If you think people won’t like you read this!!
I literally cannot tell you the last time I walked into a room & thought, “they probably won’t like me.” At this stage, it’s a normal, programmed belief for me that when I meet people, they will probably like me! And if they don’t, that’s okay, because I still like me. #anxiety #th
S H A Y ᥫ᭡

S H A Y ᥫ᭡

89 likes

famous people i met
met a lot of famous people at madame tussauds wax museum #orlando #florida #waxmuseum #Lemon8 #travelwithme2024 #Lemon8Diary
bri

bri

159 likes

People always gon have an opinion..
#fyp #motivation #inspiration #quotes #relatable
HeartBreakHotel

HeartBreakHotel

454 likes

A lot of us women do exist!
Jhia’e

Jhia’e

1520 likes

I just don’t get why people do this.
I have a lot of obsessions, and there are times where I get excited about some of them - whether it’s music or a certain subject of even just some character from a movie or something. Why does there always have to be that one person or friend who makes you look stupid just because your happy and ex
sienna !!

sienna !!

214 likes

A vintage-style photo of a young Black girl smiling, with text overlays discussing "THE CONS OF GROWING UP IN A STRICT BLACK HOUSEHOLD," including "I FELT LIKE I DIDN'T HAVE A VOICE" and "KEPT A LOT OF THINGS IN."
I felt Like I didn’t Have a voice
If you’re a 90s baby like me there was just certain stuff we could NOT do. Like talking when an adult is talking. Like talking back. Like saying any word that even resembled a curse word. (What the heck) or Like even making a face that even looked like we had an attitude. When I was growing up kids
Charrion

Charrion

839 likes

A hand holds a pink package of a collagen face mask, with overlay text indicating it's a viral product review for a hydrating, pore minimizing, and firming mask.
A person wears a white sheet mask on their face with a light green headband, with text stating the mask has been applied and needs to sit for 3-4 hours.
A close-up of a person wearing a face mask that is peeling and appears to be ripping, with text describing issues after two hours of wear.
Trying The TikTok Face Mask So You Don’t Have To
Here’s my review of the viral TikTok mask- Bio Collagen real deep mask from biodance Price: $19.00 for a 4 pack/ $4.75 each on Amazon overall rating: 3/5 - It’s hydrating and makes your skin look glowy. But the peeling when it hardens to your face was driving me crazy, and after I took it of
dani :)

dani :)

134 likes

More People Need To Know About This Country
Guatemala is one of my favorite countries- it has so much to offer and such a unique landscape. I was blown away by the kind people & local feel to every town in this country. Nothing ever felt consumed by over tourism. I would recommend knowing a few spanish phrases because there is not a lot
Bailey

Bailey

136 likes

A mirror selfie of two young women with the text 'other ways to SAY "NO"' and 'SWIPE', introducing tips for setting boundaries. The Lemon8 handle @its.carleynicole is visible.
Two young women in a mirror selfie with a text overlay providing example phrases for 'when someone asks you to make plans'.
Two young women in a mirror selfie with a text overlay providing example phrases for 'when someone asks for details about your life'.
this is for the people pleaser 🫶
saying no is hard 😅 it can feel awkward and uncomfortable, and sometimes it seems so hard that we don’t do it - we just say yes, even when we know we don’t want to. if you struggle with people pleasing, or saying no, these tips are for you ⤵️ when you should say no: ✅ when you feel uncomforta
carley ◡̈

carley ◡̈

1486 likes

I have BPD.
hoping this goes to the right people 🫶🏻🌱 a lot of my life I have been I had depression and anxiety, but after being diagnosed with BPD, it’s been a lot to take in. i have been more in tune with my emotions even if they haven’t gotten better. i am going to therapy. i am making steps to heal.
callie

callie

45 likes

SKINCARE MUST HAVES🧴💭
here are some of my current skincare favorites! some are new & some are tried and trues 💌 • glow recipe watermelon toner this is my third bottle! it’s helped my pores and texture significantly. it does have fragrance so keep that in mind if you have sensitive skin. personally i love the wat
chellene

chellene

601 likes

Bible Study Got A Lot Easier
📒Notes: • Use tools You can try word studies to see how the same word is used throughout the Bible, or color coding to organize ideas. For example, you can highlight things that stand out to you, or add a color key to the beginning of a book to organize different types of information. • Memo
Virtuous Vybez

Virtuous Vybez

741 likes

Signs you aren’t B🤬 You just might have ADH…
The older I get the more clear it is to me that I definitely have adhd. Honestly, I feel like a lot of people have it and they don’t know it or want to admit it. & Truly, I don’t even care! I don’t think it’s anything to be ashamed of at all ADHD is a neurological condition that's charact
Brittany Scovel

Brittany Scovel

255 likes

A person with braids in a blazer and jeans, leaning on a wall with a city skyline and Ferris wheel in the background. Text reads: "Tips & Tricks Burned out w/ ADHD?" with a heart graphic.
A light brown marble-textured background with text: "Establish Routine: Create consistent daily schedules to manage tasks and energy levels effectively." The Lemon8 logo is in the corner.
A light brown marble-textured background with text: "Set Boundaries: Learn to say no when necessary and prioritize tasks to avoid overcommitting." The Lemon8 logo is in the corner.
How to heal burnout when you have ADHD! SAVE
I was diagnosed with ADHD Inattentive at 27 & honestly I was relieved! So much clarity came once a had a word for what I couldn’t articulate! My natural passion for wellness helped find the tools to help support my needs. 🫥: I establish a routine that works for me. Particularly an evening ro
Jalloh⚡️

Jalloh⚡️

23 likes

Handing Out 1,000 Slices to Hungry People!🥹❤️
Joshlilj

Joshlilj

4760 likes

See more