Ebony lost 128 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Ebony lost 128 pounds. Over the last 4 years, she’s been on a quest to get healthy and take her life back. She was faced with high blood pressure and pre-diabetes in her early twenties. The death of her brother was her biggest inspiration to make every choice count. Check out her transformation story.

Starting weight: 315.8 pounds
Current weight: 187 pounds
Height:5’9″
Journey Started: 9/12/12
– During the 1st year lost 95 pounds
– Subsequent years lost the rest

My name is Ebony and I am 27 years old. I have been overweight all my life. At the age of 21, a doctors appointment made me aware that I not only had high blood pressure but that I was also pre-diabetic, Ultimately I ended up having to take blood pressure pills and was told that I needed to lose weight to better my health. Even with all of my newly discovered health problems, it wasn’t
until the tragic death of my older brother that I realized how short and precious life truly is.

On September 12th, 2012 after many previous attempts of trying to lose weight, I decided to give it another try. This time I knew it would be different. I could feel it. It was my time and I knew I had to lose the weight to get healthy. I wanted to live and I was going to fight to get my life back.

One of the first things that I decided I was going to do was cut back/stop drinking soda and juice and increase my water intake. Water has become my best friend and today I am drinking at least a gallon a day. I started making my own meals at home. No fried foods. I eat more fruits and vegetables and I cut back on the junk food (cookies,candy,chips etc.). Being that I was never a breakfast person, I made sure to start my day with a healthy breakfast. I wasn’t on any specific plan because I knew I wanted this to be something that could last the rest of my life. I wanted to learn what worked for me by trying new things and being opened minded.

For exercise, I started out walking for 45 minutes or more, 3-5 times a week. Now, I’m jogging up to 6 miles at least 5 times a week. I joined a kickboxing class and have started to incorporate strength and weight training into my routine at least 3 times a week.

I believe what truly inspires me is my brother and the loss of his life. He was killed in a tragic car accident, which he didn’t have a choice in or any control over the situation. Remembering that reminds me of the choices I have or the things that I have control over. So, everyday that I am blessed to see another day I choose to live a healthier life and fight obesity. Also I want to be able to help and inspire others. That is why I became a certified health coach and started my website
www.beautifullytoldlifestyle.com. My weight loss is all natural. No weight loss surgery, pills, etc were involved in journey

Advice for others;

• Be opened minded
• Try new things
• Get outside of your comfort zone
• Trial and error – You have to realize that something that may work for someone else may not work for you. If it doesn’t, don’t give up. Just keep going until you figure out what works for you best.

Instagram: @beautifullytold