Nataka lost 44 pounds

Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Nataka has lost 44.5 pounds since the beginning of the year.  She was inspired by fitness and weight loss instagramers.  Counting macros and lifting heavy helped her to lose the weight.  Here is what she shared with us:

Hi, my name is Nataka. I am 36 years old and I’ve lost 44.5 pounds since the start of 2014.  My motivation came from following fitness pages on Instagram (@skipfitness, @taifitness, @anowaadjah, and @easybeingfat). Also, at our annual Christmas party last year I looked at a picture of myself and realized how much weight I had gained.  Holding my stomach made absolutely no difference in the picture.

My initial goal was to lose 20 lbs. I accomplished that goal. Then, I set another goal to get into a size 12 pants and I accomplished this one as well. I started following @skipfitness on Instagram last year around Thanksgiving. I ordered his nutritional and workout videos. The nutritional video really explained why I wasn’t losing weight no matter what I’d tried. He easily breaks down how to read food labels and how to count macros. The workout videos encouraged me to get my first gym membership. I had every excuse not to join a gym. His video told me exactly which machines to use.

I stopped eating fast food for lunch at work. I used to eat out everyday. I ordered Skip’s wife’s (BeBe) meal plan.  It was a four week plan that showed me how to count macros (carbs, fats, and proteins). Now, I measure all of my meals out. I eat 5 meals a day instead of two like I was doing before starting this journey.  I eat more vegetables (mostly as a snack). The biggest change is I stopped drinking sodas (sometimes 4-5 a day), juice, and alcohol.  I now drink at least a gallon of water a day.

My workout routine focuses mainly on lower body because I wanted to shape and tone my legs and thighs.  I started lifting weights at the gym.  In Skip’s workout video he says don’t be afraid to lift heavy.  I love the leg press, leg curls, squats, and leg lifts.  I just started doing cardio.  For the first six months, I lifted only. No cardio. Upper body workouts are my weak point.  I have been working on that as well, but just not nearly as much as lower body.   For days when I can not make it to the gym I have several workout videos that I complete at home.  My favorite at home video is Anowa’s full body curve down and powerhouse physiques.

My starting weight was 233 lbs.  My current weight is 188.5 lbs (5’9″). I really do not have a goal weight right now.  I just want to be healthy.   My advice to others wanting to lose weight is not to give up. Even if you have a bad day, the key is consistency. You didn’t gain it in a day, you won’t lose it all in a day.

Instagram: @Na_ta_ka

In the picture, the first and third are my before pics. I was so embarrassed by the way I looked. The 2nd and 4th pictures were taken in July 2014. I am no longer embarrassed and I’m proud to post those pics.  My birthday was last month and I fell off track but I have quickly picked myself up and I’ve gotten back on track. It has not been easy but I keep on pushing.