Lana lost 41 pounds

Weight Release Journey: Lana lost 41 pounds. This young lady went from running track in high school to gaining over 50 pounds as an inactive college student. She wanted to get back to a competition mindset and ditch the extra pounds. Now, she is a personal trainer working to inspire others. Check out what she shared about her journey.

I went from being a high school track athlete to an inactive college student and gained over 50 pounds in 3 years. I was motivated by the need to reignite my “competitor’s edge”. I didn’t even know I’d gotten up to 165 pounds, and when I finally weighed myself I was embarrassed. There were days that I’d cry in my room because a 5 minute warm-up killed me!

I started a food journal, writing everything I ate and when I ate it.  I also implemented the 50/40/10 rule. all my meals were 50% protein, 40% carbs and 10% fats. I eliminated dairy, processed sugars and anything I couldn’t weigh or measure.

I worked out 4-6 days a week and started to run daily. I began with just running around the block and doing push ups, tricep dips, and other exercises in my room. Eventually my run around the block turned into a 9 mile run though the neighborhood. Now, I like to use HIIT (high intensity interval training) with weight lifting to keep my body lean and my muscles full. I do squat jumps, burpees, bicep curls, deadlifts, lunges and squat presses. I love to work the booty!

I’ve gone from 165 pounds to 124 pounds? My height is 5’3″. My transformation took place from 2009 to 2014, so it took about 5 years.

My one piece of advice that I have for others: Write down your goals, feelings, emotions and doubts. Next, Write down why you want to change. Keep that list of whys close to you and read those daily. When you feel like missing a workout, eating an unplanned cheat meal or reverting back to the “old you”, REMEMBER YOUR WHYs and keep fighting to become the best version of you possible.

Now I’m a personal trainer. I feel like it’s my mission to help empower all women, but especially black and brown women, to be the best version of themselves. In a community where “bigger is better”, “thick is good” and health is sometimes a second thought, it’s important to me that people understand being healthy doesn’t mean losing your curves, being too thin or looking like a twig. It means living a longer, more fulfilled life by incorporating a more active and balanced lifestyle. I’m not only a trainer, but I’m a black girl who lost weight and truly found herself.

Instagram: @FitsLana