Jewell lost 45 pounds

Weight Loss Story: Jewell lost 45 pounds over the last 5 months. She gained 50 pounds after her mom passed away due to complications related to weight. Now, this busy single mom has made her health a priority for the benefit of her son and released lots of pounds.  Here is what she shared with us about how she did it.

My name is Jewell. I’m a single mother of one and I’d gained over 50 lbs since the passing of my mother nearly two years ago (due to complications related to being overweight). I realized that if something happens to me, there would be no parent left to raise my son. I always put my son first, but in thinking about his future, I realized that must include making my health a priority in my life. One day the revelation hit me: fitness will be a part of my regular routine for the rest of my life. When I sucked it up and accepted that fact, I got to work.

I began by seeing a nutritionist who I visit monthly. He helped me with a jump start eating plan and track my weight. I stood on the scale on 4/24/15 at 252 pounds, the most I have ever weighed in my life. I’m only 5’7″ tall. I started going to the gym that same day and by 4/28 I weighed 254 pounds. I was so discouraged, but I knew if I kept at it, the scale would have to go downward.

I cut out all bread, rice, pasta and potatoes at the advice of the nutritionist. I began working out 4 days a week, doing 3 days of 45 minutes of cardio and then weights. This was followed by Saturday morning spinning class for an hour.

The photos below are of me at my dad’s wedding 5/10/15 then me at my brothers wedding in 8/22/15. I have lost 45 lbs to date. My goal is to lose another 40-45lbs.

My advice to women who want to lose weight, especially women like me who’ve struggled with weight since childhood is to just accept your fate. That fate is that fitness will be the norm for you, sweets will be the occasion, and not the other way around. For single mothers or just busy mother’s with husbands and multiple children, I say figure out a way to get in the burn and make it a priority. It’ll do more for your children’s health, in the long run, to understand at an early age that fitness is the norm. I fortunately live with my dad, so after I work, I take my son to sport’s practices, bathe him, cook dinner and do homework. I put him to bed and head out to the gym by 9:30 pm if I’m lucky. It doesn’t matter the time, the results are still the same.

Most importantly, I would say that putting your health first is not selfish, it’s just the opposite. I wish my mom was still here and had she put her health first, she might still be. Overall, I feel great. I get the best sleep, my skin is very clear and I feel good about myself above all else! Good luck.

Instagram: @jwllmrtn