Update: Shout out to De. She’s lost 75 pounds.
Transformation of the Day: De lost 45 pounds. This proud wife and faith filled mom of three is spreading the good news about fitness and nutrition. She went into detail about how she released the weight and gave us some excellent advice. Check out her story.
My name is De Bolton. I am a Faith-Based Fitness Blogger for FaithFueled Moms. I blog about clean eating, gluten free and dairy free recipes, workouts, workout adventure and faith and fitness. I am studying to get my degree in Fitness and Exercise Science and my NASM Personal Training Certification. I am the mother of three little divas, ages 12, 8, and 2. I’ve also been married to my best friend for almost 14 years. I want to spread the message of the value of a healthy lifestyle and honoring your temple mind, body and spirit.
What was your motivation?
There are the obvious things, like family and faith. I have three little girls that I have the responsibility of teaching how to be women, and they are watching my every move. I want to teach them to honor their temple and be different in this world by honoring and serving God. I am also trying to be the best that I can be for my husband, as God says to do.
What inspired you when you wanted to give up?
I have given it to God through prayer. I also focus back on my Why. Vanity will only get you so far in weight loss. You need to have something that means so much more to keep you going.
How did you change your eating habits?
I went “clean” 2 years ago, slowly taking out processed food, helpers and meal starters. Going to basic grains, fresh vegetables and farm raised protein. I have completely eliminated dairy from my diet and eat plant-based twice a week. Eventually, I cut out most basic grains with the exception of oats, quinoa and occasionally brown rice. I’ve also been gluten-free and dairy-free for six months, because of allergies and intolerance. Eliminating gluten and dairy has helped me with digestion and bloating.
Within the last six months, I have been Carb Cycling and Intermittent Fasting. Carb Cycling and fasting took me out of my four-month plateau, jump started my metabolism, and I lost 18 pounds in six weeks. I am currently doing another round of Carb Cycling and Intermittent fasting for the next six weeks. I have a goal to meet.
Carb Cycling is alternating the days that you eat carbs weekly. It goes from No, Low and High carbs, and when I am speaking about carbs I am talking about rooted vegetables (sweet potatoes, carrots, beets), not simple carbs like bread or complex carbs like rice. I eat those on occasion, but my main diet consists of Protein (~165g) and Produce (520g), with anywhere from (~50g-180g) of “Carbs.”
I’ve been intermittent fasting all throughout my weight loss journey, but doing it more specifically and strategically within the last two months. This is where I have found an energy boost, a leaner look and I’ve reset my metabolism. The “fasting” plan I follow is: 8:00p to 8:00a doing workouts fasted. I now do two-sixteen hour fast a week and one 24 hours fast. I “fast” from 8:00p-1:00p twice a week and then Saturday at 7:00p to Sunday at 7:00p I do not eat. I usually end my fast with a protein shake and eating Sunday dinner with the family.
What did your workout routines look like?
I love HIIT and lifting weights. I am a mom of three and HIIT is nice because it is hard, intense and you are done before you know it. I do that 2-3 times a week. I then train specific areas with weight lifting for 40-60 minutes 2-3 times a week; finishing with 10 minutes sprints. I rest on Sunday’s and, if my body needs it, on Wednesday or Thursdays. I always rest on 24 hour fast days.
Starting weight/Current weight
My starting weight was 196 pounds and now I weigh 151 pounds. I would like to get to 132 pounds by Sept. 24th of this year. (Not sure why the 2 lbs, but it’s the number in my head) My height is 5’ 3.”
How long did your transformation take?
I started on August 11, 2015. My transformation is not complete, but it’s been a year long journey.
What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
Take pictures. That scale will lie to you and defeat you don’t let it. Just keep taking pictures and put in the work. Give yourself grace. It’s okay that you messed up today; don’t give yourself permission to continue to “cheat” (which I hate that word). Just start off new.
Begin to measure your food. A food scale is $15 at Walmart, so invest. Also, our portions are not what they should be. Measuring you food consistently will re-train your portion control. You won’t have to measure forever but it’s a great way to visually see how much you should be eating.
Drink water; I know everyone says it, but do it. It will help you with cravings, hydrate you and urine is how you get rid of fat.
Find an accountability group that will not blow smoke up your dress. They need to be honest with you as well as celebrate you.
Switch things up. Don’t let boredom be your reason for falling off the wagon. Do something different. It’s okay if you lost 20 lbs doing the same routine and now you’re bored. There are other routines that will help you lose weight too. Try new things.
Nutrition is critical. One week, I didn’t workout for six days. I walked, focused on food and lost 6 lbs in one week. That’s more than I have still lost working my butt off. Nutrition is 80% of the battle and if you don’t know where to start to find someone who does and learn.
Instagram: @faithfueledmom
Ej says
Awesome! You have a lot of discipline and focus.
DE Bolton says
Thank you!
Kim says
Fantastic!
DE Bolton says
Thank you so much
Adina says
Great work!!
Myriee says
Great journey b