Agosthina lost 120 pounds

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Agosthina lost 120 pounds. Facing obesity and a number of health issues, she decided to change her life to be an inspiration to her children.  She’s reached that goal and is inspiring many more as a health coach.  She shared her awesome weight loss transformation story with us…

My name is Agosthina Louis (Aimee). I am a Certified Holistic Health Coach and a Certified Lifestyle and Weight Management Specialist (NESTA). I was born and raised in the beautiful country of Haiti. I am a mother of two beautiful children and I call South Florida home for the past 18 years.

As a young girl, I was always the skinniest kid in my class and among my neighborhood friends. I weighed 110 lbs up until I was 21 years old. I started gaining weight when I was pregnant with my daughter. I did not know how to eat right and have never exercised. At my heaviest, I weighed about 285 pounds.

Two and a half years ago, I was morbidly obese, depressed and unhappy. I had prediabetes, my cholesterol levels and blood pressure readings were high and my waist measured at 51 inches.  I had constant headaches and no energy. I used to skip breakfast on most days thinking that was going to help me lose weight. As a result, I’ve always ended up overeating at lunch and dinner time. I knew I had to make a change. I did not want to be a diabetic because I experience my dad’s daily struggles with that disease.

I started my weight loss journey by slowly changing my eating habits. I started drinking more water and eliminated coffee, sodas, fruit juices and all sugary drinks. Later on, I added more fruits and veggies to my meals. I also did a 30-day green smoothie challenge where I had a green smoothie daily for breakfast and ate regular clean meals and snacks throughout the day. The challenge helped me consume more veggies and curb my appetite. Before the challenge my typical breakfast used to be coffee with creamer, lot of sugar and bagel with cream cheese or I used to skip it entirely.

I went on to eliminate all refined carbs (white bread, sugar, white rice, white potatoes…) and replaced them with complex ones (whole wheat bread/pasta/couscous, brown rice and quinoa). I went vegan for 4 months; however it was hard for me to keep up with it. I now only eat fish and poultry (without skin) and no red meats or dairy.

I completely eliminated refined sugar from my diet except for occasional natural honey in green tea. I no longer eat fast food, fried foods or drink coffee which I was previously addicted to. I drink a green smoothie daily for breakfast, and eat clean portioned meals and snacks throughout the day. I meal prep every Sunday and pack my lunch, snacks and water with me daily in a cooler – this is the secret to my weight loss success. I drink an Apple Cider Vinegar drink (8 oz. water, 2 Tbsp. ACV and fresh squeezed lime juice) and green tea daily before breakfast. I take a multivitamin, fish oil, probiotics and vitamin C and D daily. I aim for 7 to 8 hours of sleep and meditate daily.

I was very heavy so it was hard to do strenuous workout routines; therefore I started walking for 20 to 30 minutes daily around the block, at the park and at work during lunch time. It was very hard at first. I was very slow. I had shortness of breath and I had a lot of knee pain, but I kept pushing.  I love walking; therefore I walk daily either outside or at my community’s fitness center on the treadmill.

In 2012, I had 2 gym memberships; but right now I have none. I work out mostly at home and at my community’s fitness center. I have a bunch of workout equipments at home such workout DVDs, dumbbells, medicine ball, resistance bands, jump rope, exercise ball, waist trainers, pull up bar, kettlebells and more. My favorite workout equipment is the elliptical and I use it all the time.

I like Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred (DVD) and I’ve completed that program twice with great result. I also completed the “Bikini Body Mommy” 90 day challenge and lost 20 pounds. Last summer I purchased and completed Beach Body’s Piyo workout DVD program and I am now more flexible as a result. I love Piyo and will continue to do it whenever I need more flexibility in my routine. Current workout schedule: I workout 5 to 6 days per week which includes 2 to 3 days of strength training and 5 days of cardio.

• What was your starting weight? 285 pounds
• What is your current weight? 165 pounds
• What is your height? 5’4 1/2″
• How long did your transformation take? 2 and a half years
• What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight? Don’t focus so much on the number on the scale, but rather on being healthy and the weight loss will follow. There is no magic to weight loss; we just have to eat clean and add activities to our day. “Consistency is key.”

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