Mignon lost 100 pounds

Update 2017: Mignon has lost over 120 pounds. “Feels so good going from a 20 to a 10. I’m not sure if I want to cry or shout with joy, but not having to shop in the plus size stores anymore is really a great feeling! I’m so incredibly proud of myself!”

Transformation of the Day: Mignon lost 100 pounds. This mom is just trying to be health and fit. When a friend who is a personal trainer offered her a free assessment, she pushed fear aside and hasn’t looked back. She shared with us how she changed her eating habits and embraced strength training to get results. Check out her story.

I’m just a regular girl trying to be fit and healthy. Basically I hit my heaviest weight in late October 2015 at 275 pounds (height 5’1″), and I knew it was time… time for a lifestyle change. I joined a weight loss challenge at work for 3 months, which got me down to about 260 pounds by eating less, walking, doing a few workout videos here and there. This was over the course of a 12 week period. Upon completing that challenge, I gained 8 pounds back, because I wasn’t consistent and I wanted to eat at food trucks instead of meal prepping.

In March, I was contacted by a friend of mine, who’s a personal trainer, asking if I’d like to do an assessment with him. I was afraid (and intimidated), but I agreed! And the rest is history… I’ve been training with him since April 1st. I’ve also been meal prepping and cutting back on what I eat. Wth MY support system, I can’t fail.

I’ve lost 100lbs, which was the goal I’d hoped to hit in January 2017, but did it 2 months sooner than expected.

What inspires you to keep going during the rough times?
I look at my 6 year old and know that I can never go back to where I used to be. I need to live and be healthy for her.

Can you give us more details about how you changed your eating habits?
I was used of eating everything fried, creamy, rich because here in New Orleans, everything is rich. Along side my trainer I learned to meal prep and how to cut out the fatty and carb filled foods. Now, I’m eating more baked fish, chicken and lean cuts of steak. I also incorporate a veggie with every meal, even breakfast. However, the biggest change was portion control. I learned to eat one time and one time only in a sitting. NO SECONDS. I also cut down on eating sweets. I still have a taste of something sweet each week, but it’s once a week and that’s it.

What did your workout routine look like?
My workouts started as just walking around my neighborhood, but that became boring. That’s when I decided to take my trainer up on the assessment offer. We have always worked out with weights from day one and done minimal cardio, consisting of step aerobics, short jogs and brisk walks up to about 50 yards. As I became stronger, those step ups turned into box jumps, jump squats, burpees and up downs, for cardio, but all done with weights. Now, we do the same, but I have now started to bench press 35 pound dumbbells, do over head squats with 65 pounds and deadlift up to 165 pounds. Along with battle rope exercises, medicine ball slams, mountain climbs, etc., all this is done in one day’s workout. My workouts usually last about 60 to 90 minutes, with a max calorie burn around 1100.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
Never give up and never listen to naysayers or negativity. You control your destiny. Only you can write the final chapter in this book of life! Remember, everyone was a beginner at some point. It all begins with you!

Instagram: @Naturally_Fit_Mignon