Today’s featured weight loss success story: Arlevia lost 202 pounds.
“I’m so excited to share that I’ve lost a total of 202 lbs since 2008 when I began my serious quest for health & weight loss. I was weighing in at 377 lbs. I went to what some call an extreme. I became a vegetarian/pescatarian (No meat; I only eat select fish & shellfish). I stopped drinking sodas & began walking 3 miles every morning. I also asked my doctor diet pills for the 1st time in my life. I lost 70 lbs in the 1st year; was down to about 307. I gained back about 39 lbs after stopping the diet pills & continuing my exercise routine. I became so disgusted with the process because I went up to walking 4 miles 2x’s a day & nothing happened in a 1 & 1/2 year span. My weight stayed at 345 lbs, no matter what I did. I refused to ask 4 more diet pills because of how they made me feel & the negative effect of gaining back more than half the weight the 1st time. I was tired of not getting results, so I consulted a nutritionist. I began by cutting out all beverages with natural sugar. I don’t drink anything with more than 15 calories in it. I eat from a saucer instead of a regular size plate. I began by increasing my protein intake, exercising 90 minutes daily, drinking 64-72 oz of water daily, & eat 3 small meals & 3 healthy snacks (protein smoothie or protein bar daily). I’m now at 175 lbs, which is the smallest I’ve ever been.
Simone says
You look fantastic!
keisha says
Looking great
Arlevia says
Thnx, Keisha!!!
Bridget says
Congratulations, it’s one step at a time.
Arlevia says
Thnx, Bridget!! It’s 1 day & 1 step at a time!!!
Mia says
You look GREAT! Keep up the good work!
Arlevia says
Thnx, Mia!!!
LaShawnda says
Wow! Great job and what an inspiration to me I have over 100lbs to lose myself and I have decided to just do it! Looking for as much motivation as possible! Thank you for sharing!
Arlevia says
LaShawnda, u can do it!!! It’s just a matter of patience & persistence. It starts difficult, but it gets easier as u go along!!! Stay motivated & surround urself with positive ppl.
Arlevia says
Thnx 2 every1!!! It has been a journey, but I made it!!!
Arlevia says
Thnx!!!
Arlevia says
Thnx, Simone!!!
Leria says
Wow!! That is awesome. Did you have surgery to remove skin?
Arlevia says
Leria, I haven’t had surgery 2 remove the excess skin yet. I’m trying weight training right now 2 see how much I can tighten up b4 seeking surgery.
Ramona says
Congratulations!!! Thank God for persistence!!!
Arlevia says
Thnx!!!
Brandii says
CONGRATS!!!!! So happy for you!!! How do you feel now?
Arlevia says
Thnx, Brandii!!! I feel great. No more high blood pressure, back pains, r sleep apnea symptoms. I feel like a totally different person. I’m still getting use 2 having a smaller body. It’s amazing 4 me bcuz I can now wear regular size clothes.
Yvonne says
Congrats!!! You look AWESOME!!!!!!!!
Arlevia says
Thnx, Yvonne!!!
Monica Spatcher says
You look great,you go girl.
Arlevia says
Thnx, Monica!!!
Lisa H says
I’ve been waiting on you! I am attempting the pescatarian lifestyle due to my best friend eating this way but she’s always been small. It’s great to see it really works! Congrats to you and thanks for sharing!
Arlevia says
Thnx 2 u 2, Lisa!!! It’s not such a bad lifestyle. I love it. The key is getting in ur protein daily. U wanna get in at least 64 grams daily. U can initially substitute them with sum protein shakes until u learn 2 balance out ur fish/seafood portions. I also substitute sum proteins with the vegetarian products (Morning Star Farms, ToFurky, & Boca r others). There r several brands. U have 2 try them 2 find the products that work well 4 u. Good luck!!! U can do it!!!
Courtney says
That’s awesome!!!!
Arlevia says
Thnx, Courtney!!!
kym says
You look great! You stuck it out and changed where you needed to. Great inspiration!
Arlevia says
Thnx, Kym!!!
Kimberly says
THAT IS AWESOME!..YOUR SUCH AN INSPIRATION!..WAY 2 GO!..
Arlevia says
Thnx, Kimberly!!!
Yolanda says
Wow truly amazing and a true inspiration. Can I ask when you started did you have pain in your lower back when walking and if so how did you cope with it.
Arlevia says
Thnx, Yolanda!!! I did have back pains. I would walk in 15 min intervals & take a small break as needed. I just made sure 2 take Tylenol r Ibuprofen 4 the pain, if it bcame 2 bad. I knew I had 2 keep going in order 2 build up stamina. So. I wold challenge myself 2 going 20 minutes without stopping 1ce I was able 2 do 15. I increased my time every 3 – 4 wks.
Gricelda says
Your story is very inspirational. I am going through this challenge right now myself. I think your process is amazing and the results are fantastic.
Arlevia says
Thnx, Gricelda!!! U can do it 2!!! Patience, persistence, & preseverance r key. U have 2 accept a new lifestyle change. It’s not just sumthin that u can do 4 a little while & get great results. Stick with it!!!
Tracie says
Wow, wow, wow…. You look wonderful keep up the great work.
Arlevia says
Thnx, Tracie!!!
kenya says
Wow!!!! You are an inspiration!!!
Arlevia says
Thnx, Kenya!!
Maticia says
Arlevia you ROCK!
Arlevia says
Thnx, Maticia!!!
Cynthia says
AWESOME, Arlevia!
Arlevia says
Thnx, Cynthia!!!
Monique says
You look wonderful. Keep up the great work. You are truly my inspiration 🙂
Arlevia says
Thnx, Monique!!! Stay motivated!!! U can do it!!!
Delmarie says
You are my inspiration! Congrats on your ongoing success!
Arlevia says
Thnx, Delmarie!!!
Lisa says
Arlevia,
Congrats!!! Very inspirational!!
Question, how did you handle the extra skin or did that reduce with the weight loss?
I loss about 125, gained back 25, and am losing again. My main concern is the excess skin. Any pointers?
Lynn says
Great job! I know it is not easy. I am also concerned about excess skin. I have been told exercise can prevent it but what if it hangs anyway?
Arlevia says
Thnx, Lynn!!! Exercise daily does decrease the amount of excess skin. However , I do still have a lot of excess skin bcuz of the amount of weight loss. Surgical removal is probably going 2 be my last resort due 2 cost. It’s a sad reminder of how I used 2 b, but I manage it as best as I can by wearing special garments.
Arlevia says
Thnx, Lisa!!! & congrats 2 u 4 ur weight loss. There r not very many alternatives 2 decreasing the amount of excess skin bcuz we lost a whole person. So, my current attempt at tightening is weight training. If there is still an abundance of extra skin, then surgical removal is the only other alternative I know.
felicia says
Good for you, you never gave up…..when one thing don’t work alway try something else….I’m so proud of you….
Arlevia says
Thnx, Felicia!!!
Robbin says
You are truly an inspiration!!! You look great!!
Arlevia says
Thnx, Robbin!!!
Cassandra says
Congratulations!!!! I was just thinking about becoming a pescatarian.
Arlevia says
Thnx, Cassandra!!! Pescatarianism is not such a bad lifestyle. It has helped me a whole lot. It also takes ur body shorter time to process/digest food. In addition, u still must have portion control. Good luck 2 u!!!
Chandra says
So inspiring! You go girl!
Arlevia says
Thnx, Chandra!!!
Elizabeth says
woooo! so insipiring, keep it up girl
Arlevia says
Thnx, Elizabeth!!!
gigi says
u look sooooo good im going to try it!
Arlevia says
Thnx, Gigi!!! Stay motivated!!! U can do it!!!
Denise says
Thank you for sharing your challenges and perseverance in losing weight and becoming healthy.
Arlevia says
Thnx, Denise!!! No problem. My prayer is 2 motivate sum1 else!!!
Lynn says
Great job! I totally appreciate the way you stayed true to yourself and your goals despite any setbacks. Way to go and thanks for inspiring me!
Arlevia says
Thnx,Lynn!!! Stay motivated.
Kymberleigh says
Wow! You look great! Thanks for sharing your awesome story…
Arlevia says
Thnx, Kymberleigh!!
Cherron says
GOOD JOB, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
Arlevia says
Thnx, Cherron!!!
Deara says
You look fabulous! I was considering going back on Medifast or changing to the competition Wonder slim. They encourage 3 meals and 3 snacks (protein shakes & bars). The key I guess is stick with it! You are very inspiring! Keep up the good work!
Arlevia says
Thnx, Dearra!!! U r totally correct. The 3 keys r persistence, patience, & motivation.
Jackie says
Fantastic,
You look wonderful. Fantastic Job!!
Arlevia says
Thnx, Jackie!!!
Renae says
Great job! what can of protein shake did you use?
Syltina says
You Look Great!! Congratulations, sometimes we have to pick ourselves up and try again if we fall. That is wonderful that you didn’t give up when you stopped using the diet pills. Your story is truly an inspiration to me. Thanks for sharing.
Yolanda Michelle Hixson says
I am soooooooo happy for you!!!!!!!!! You look amazing
debra says
I wish i can do like u..i tried alot of diet pills,detox and drinks none seem o work..i was never over 200lbs until i had all my kids..i do go to the gym 3xs a week and walk for 30minutes 2xs a week…i been dieting for 3yrs now..i lose weight then gain weight..idk watelse to do…can u give me some advice plz…
carnetta says
Arlevia my name is carney please add me to face book or email me on carnettaskippings@hotmail.com. i am facing your exact past experience and would love to have someone to give me some tips…God bless and you look great keep it up.
RM Wilson says
I like your story, it’s not a microwave fix. It took time and you did it with out the temporary fix (diet pills)! You did it realistically! I have 159 pounds to go!
Amanda says
Hi. You look wonderful. I have the same problem so I am going to try and see if it works for me. Thanks for inspiring me.
Pearl Massey says
Congratulations and thanks for sharing your inspiring journey. Your story gives me hope.
Janis says
You did a great job. I am on a similar journey as yours and have lost half my weight and now working slowly to the other half. You have inspired me not to give up. You go girly!!
Michelle says
Congrats on your achievement!! You look greeeeaaaat!! What did you do to control your appetite after you stopped taking the diet pills?
Emerald says
Congratulations. This is great inspiration. its such a simple formula. Change your food, exercise and stay consistent. so simple yet so hard to execute. But seeing your story helps. thank you.