Jasmine lost 118 pounds

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Jasmine lost 118 pounds in a year. This proud single mom of 2 worked to create a better life for her and her children on several fronts.  She not only took action on her daughter’s behalf but she’s taken steps to improve her health and drop the pounds.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey…

Hello, I’m Jasmine. I was once at a very unhappy place in my life. I got comfortable with just existing in this world. It wasn’t until I started really living that I realized I needed to change my life. I never had health issues, like diabetes or high blood pressure. I changed my life because I wanted to. I got tired of looking in the mirror and hating how I looked. I got tired of being unhappy with myself.

After ending a long term relationship with my children’s father, I became a single mother of 2 beautiful little girls. One of my daughters has emotional issues. I worked as a section 8 case manager and when my daughter started having issues in school because of her father not being around it was stressful. Then the weight started piling on me. I was crying a lot and eating to comfort myself. In South Carolina where I lived there isn’t much help for kids with emotional issues other than putting them on meds and I refused to put my beyond smart daughter on meds. After a year of fighting with the school board, being depressed, being unhappy and gaining weight, I reached 317 pounds. I started doing research and talking to people and family up north. In 2012, I left my career, my friends, my church and my Mom in South Carolina and moved to Boston. It was one of the hardest decisions in my life.

Let’s fast forward to January 2015. Now, I am beyond happy! My 2 daughters are doing wonderful in school and they are very active with dance and cheerleading. My daughter with the emotional issues is doing phenomenal in school with the help of therapy twice a week…and guess what? She’s not on meds! I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my life!

Feb 1, 2014, I realized since everything else in my life was going well for me as far as my Section 8 career, my kids and my finances I figured that it was time for me to work on ME. I just got tired of hating the physical and at 29 yrs old I’m too young and too pretty of a girl to just let myself go like that. I started working out at Planet Fitness 5 days a week. The first 2 weeks were so hard and uncomfortable for me but I pushed myself. I did 45 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes of weight lifting for 5 days a week. That helped me drop weight but to get more results I HAD to change my eating habits.

Being a single mother, working full time with 2 kids being in school and doing extra curricular activities plus therapy twice a week can make it hard not to eat on the run. I HAD to learn to eat 3 small meals and 2 snacks a day. I had to learn to eat breakfast at home everyday and pack my lunch and snacks for work. My diet consists of a lot of greens and fruit. Sweet potatoes and asparagus became my best friends. As well, I learned to drink water and now I drink a gallon a day. I have my cheat meal once a week but because I am in habit of my healthy lifestyle I don’t over do it.

Exercising and healthy eating is not a diet…..it is a LIFESTYLE. I still work out 4-5 times a week at the gym. I go running around my house at times when I can’t make it to the gym. Currently, I am at 199 pounds so I’ve lost 118 pounds, Feb 1, 2015 will make it a year since I’ve decided to change my life! I went from a size 3x to an xlarge. Aside from work, my kids and the gym; I’m a cheerleading coach as well and will be coaching on the competition level this year. My advice to all women out there trying to lose weight…..NEVER GIVE UP! There is nothing easy about this lifestyle but NOTHING in life comes easy. Don’t let fear, awkwardness, or excuses stop you. I moved 15 hours away to find happiness and help for my daughter. I’m in the city with little to no help with my daughters and a career. My daughters keep me busy with sports, extra curricular activities and therapy. If I can make time everyday or at least 5 days a week to workout then ANYONE can do it!