Crystal lost 80 pounds

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Crystal lost 80 pounds. Pre-diabetes and PCOS did not stop this busy mom.  She took her time and embraced true lifestyle change to lose the weight.  Check out all the info she shared with us about her journey…

My name is Crystal and I have been on my weight loss journey for almost 5 years. In 2010, I weighed 270 pounds. I felt like I just woke up one morning and I was really overweight. However, what really happened was that my eating habits and lack of doing any activity that made me sweat or uncomfortable finally caught up with me. I mean I could go on to blame stress from going to college, from work, etc., but I was to blame. About mid-2010, my boyfriend and I started walking and eating healthy (he’s already pretty thin so he was really just there for me for support). I lost 10 lbs on my own then BOOM…we found out we were pregnant. Morning sickness (or in my case all day and night sickness) made me lose like 30 lbs additionally. After I had my daughter, I was about 240 lbs and I wanted to continue on the journey to health.

I was previously pre-diabetic and I had Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). I am no longer on meds. My insulin and blood sugar levels are completely normal again! My current weight is 190 pounds and I feel great!

As far as my eating habits, I try to minimize the amount of carbs and empty calories I consume. I carry a bento box for my lunch with has perfectly portioned compartments for my snacks (usually fruit). I usually eat chicken, fish, turkey, and minimal red meat. I also eat a lot of greens and low-starch veggies. I have found that when I prepare my food, I naturally cook healthy meals so I try not to eat out even on days when I’m super busy. Obviously, I’m human so I have days where that doesn’t happen but I make sure that if I do have an off day I have a really good exercise session. As far as exercise, I started with a trainer and then went to group fitness. Now I’m at the point where I have the motivation to go on my own. I go to the gym around 4-5 tines a week. I have found that strength training and cardio are a perfect match and I try to do a weekly 5k run on Thursday (#5KThursday) some weeks because of work I miss it but I still do it whenever I can.

Losing weight has given a new confidence that I didn’t have before even when I was smaller! My advice to anyone just starting out would be that slow and steady wins the race. You’re more likely to keep the weight off if you take your time because you begin establishing healthy habits and not just following some quick fad diet. I know we get tired of hearing the phrase “lifestyle change” but that what weight loss truly is.

Instagram: @cryxtal87