Sheila lost 20 pounds

Great Weight Loss Story: Sheila lost 20 pounds, going from a size 16 to a size 12. She shared some real talk about the ups and downs of weight loss. Despite having gained weight back during the course of her journey, she still stayed the course and didn’t give up. Check out what she did in terms of eating and exercise to change her life.

I have struggled with my weight for many years, especially after having my daughter. At my highest weight, I was 214 pounds. At 5’6”, that was too much weight on my body. My energy level was low and I was always feeling sluggish. I also began to develop lower back pain and knee pain. Late in 2014, I was diagnosed with a pinched nerve in my lower back where one of my discs was slightly out of line.

My husband brought me a pair of Sketchers Shape Up sneakers and I began to walk in March of 2014, once the winter weather broke,  in order alleviate my back pain. I started feeling better, so I decided that I would walk 3 to 4 times a week for at least an hour. Once I began to see the weight loss from walking, I started making healthier food choices. The weight seemed evaporate even more. Next, I started to eliminate all fried foods and sugary drinks from my daily food intake. I began eating more fruits and vegetables and I make water my only beverage.

By the summer of 2014, I was down 20 pounds and I’d gone from a size 16 to a size 12. I weighed in at 185 pounds, just by walking 3 to 4 times a week. My doctor’s advice was to continue to walk as much as possible.  By the time the Fall began to settle in, it became difficult to walk during the week. With the days becoming shorter, I was only able to walk on the weekends. Slowly but surely, I began to gain the weight back that I’d lost.

In no time, I was back up to 199lbs and the back pain began again. My girlfriend kept insisting that I join a local bootcamp. Even though I had joined Planet Fitness and was actively working out 2 to 3 times a week, I was not seeing any weight loss results. In November 2014, I decided to try a workout class at Team Demarco Fitness and I liked the exercise regimen. Even though it was tough, it was just what my body, mind and spirit needed.

In April 2015, I noticed that I was down 20 lbs again, from 199 pounds to 179 pounds. I began eating healthier, but doing it as a lifestyle not a diet. I don’t do diets because they don’t work. I began calorie counting and started choosing healthier food options. I started eating brown rice instead of white rice. I began to eat avocado, black beans, oatmeal and granny smith apples. I removed ALL fast foods and incorporated more salads and vegetables into my eating regimen. Most of all, I began eating small, healthier meals every 2 to 3 hours in order to speed up my metabolism.

My exercise routine would include intense exercise routines, like 50 jumping squats; 100 jumping jacks; 100 calf raises; 50 pushups – 5 times each. Each workout I do is always different so that my body does not become use to the same routine.

This way of life has worked for me in so many ways. My overall well being has improved. My stress level is almost non-existent and I feel so much better about myself.  I was always a confident person, but my weight was a real issue for me. I’m SO glad I made this transformation. I still have a ways to go in order to meet my long term weight goal and I’m sure it will happen. I’m a determined BLACK woman losing weight.  This can be YOU to if you put your mind to it!