Jillian lost 131 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Jillian lost 131 pounds. Our Trinidadian sister was dealing with depression, high blood pressure and the potential for her health to get worse. With the help of a great trainer, a dietitian and others in her support system, she is running 5ks and feeling much healthier. Check out her journey.

Hello, my name is Jillian S. I am 42 years old and this is my story. I am Trinidadian and I live in the southern town. My journey started 5 years ago. I knew that I wanted to lose weight, but it was the hardest thing I’ve tried to do. I joined various types of weight loss classes in the past. I use to have sleepless nights and I was also dealing with high blood pressure. I was told that if I didn’t lose the weight, there were a number of negative things that could happen to me.

In the past, I’d been a very active woman. I would dance and take part in every activity possible. My life changed when my hand was fractured. After that, I had to ask my brother to help me get dressed and hook my bra for me. One day he said to me, “Girl, you are too fat. Lose some weight!” I think that moment was my wake up call. I cried for days and nights after that. Mind you, I also use to be depressed, so I would eat at night and just lay down. I weighed about 390 pounds at the time and when my brother hit me with that wakeup call. I was like, “Jillian, this is it!”

I joined Carolyn Gomez‘s diet plan on Facebook. I lost about 15 pounds and then I fell of the map. That was until I met up a guy named Dane Paul. He became my personal  trainer. I also got a dietitian to help me out.

I changed my whole eating routine. I don’t eat after 6pm and I don’t use sugar. No bread, rice, etc. I drink a lot of smoothies and drink a lot of soup. In the morning, the first thing I have is some fruit. Then, I’ll boil an egg and I have a smoothie. I have almonds for snacks and drink lots of water.

Now, I work out with Dane with a group called Actives. We work out 6 days a week in the evening. I also go on runs every morning. On Wed and Fri, the group does aerobics. On the other days, we work the entire body. I did my first 5K run at a time of 54:76. For my next 5k, my time was 45:33.

I am happy to say that I am down to 259 pounds. My height is 5’7″ and I have been on this journey for about 2 years now.

Thanks to my group members in Actives and Dane Paul, who never give up on me (I thank him for that.). I am still doing well and would like to get down to 200 pounds. I also have one of Trinidad’s top soca queens supporting me… so thank you Fay Ann Lyons for all your support.

I would advise people that whatever you put your mind to, you can do. Health is your wealth. Stop saying “I will” and start saying “I have started”.

Instagram: @jillian5463

What ah journey it has been … got to love my life …

A post shared by jillian smith (@jillian5463) on Jan 13, 2017 at 2:21am PST