Frances lost 151 pounds

Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Frances lost 151 pounds. An embarrassing visit to the doctor’s office led her to start her journey 5 years ago by cutting out meat and sweets for a fast with her church. She changed the way she thought about food and started walk/jogging. Now, she is clocking 100 miles a month. I think you will be inspired by her story, so check it out…

What was your motivation? What inspired you?
What inspired me to lose weight this time? Approximately five years ago, a nurse in the doctor’s office took my vitals during a routine doctor’s visit. The nurse had no regard for my feelings or the fact that my husband was in the room with me. She constantly repeated my weight from the scale to her computer. I was so humiliated when she repeated my weight over and over. For me to hear my weight repeated put me in a state of depression. However, I couldn’t blame anyone but me. My most humiliating embarrassment was my motivation.

How did you change your eating habits? What did you stop or start eating?
My eating habits changed during our church’s corporate fast for the Lenten season.  For the next 40 days, I chose a “no meat, no sweets” fast. The “no sweets” portion of the fast included no artificial sweeteners. I exclusively used natural honey and I still do, whether I am fasting or not.  I stopped drinking all sodas (regular and diet) too. Over time, I significantly decreased my portion sizes. I went from super sizing meals to ordering kid’s meals (if we eat out). I also ate no fried foods (6 days out of the week). When I wanted pizza during the week, I would have a vegetable pizza. I would have one slice – not the three slices I used to eat. I also increased my fruit intake. The fruits I ate were either frozen with no sugar added or I would get fresh fruit cut it up, put it in individual sandwich bags and freeze it. I started eating more vegetables, sometimes blending my fruits and vegetable together to have smoothies. Removing unnatural sugars, significantly limiting the fried food intake, and reducing my portion size by more than half of my previous intake worked for me.

What did your workout routines look like?
Initially, I only focused on what I ate. I didn’t have a workout routine until approximately 1 1/2 years ago.  My workout started at 5 a.m. with Black Girls Run Panthersville. After three months of wogging (walk/jogging) at about a 17-20 minute/mile, I started wogging during my lunch hour. So, I accomplished wogging 6 1/2 – 7 miles per day.  I currently wog approximately a 11 1/2 – 13 minute/mile averaging at least 100 miles per month.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?

My starting weight was 343 pounds.
My current weight is 192 pounds.
My height is 5’8″.

How long did your transformation take?
Up to this day, my transformation has taken approximately five years. I am still in the process of transforming.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
Weight loss is not found in a pill, a secret formula, nor in having weight loss surgery. It starts in your mind. For me it took a lot of prayer for strength and endurance to overcome the desires of what my body had become accustomed to eating. There are going to be days that you feel like you have failed in attempting to reach your goal(s). Please don’t stop working towards being healthier, having better self-esteem, and becoming more active/productive. Don’t deny yourself, just limit what you eat.

Instagram: @franzpicts