Valene lost over 70 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Valene lost over 70 pounds. This mom from St. Lucia experienced significant weight gain while pregnant with her daughter and tried for years to lose the weight, but nothing worked. In 2014, she put her food down and changed her lifestyle to get results. Check out her story.

My name is Valene and I want to share my story in the hopes that it can inspire others. I’m from a tiny island in the Caribbean called St. Lucia. I migrated to the US at the early age of 17 in pursuance of school and a better life. I am tall for a girl, standing at five feet, nine inches and I’ve never been skinny. I felt like I was just right.

I got pregnant while while going to college here in the US and it seemed like that was the trigger for my weight gain. After giving birth to my beautiful daughter, I’d gained a whopping 70 pounds and it was hell to lose. For years, I attempted to lose the weight with no luck. I’ve done the pills, juices everything… but the weight came back with a vengeance. At my biggest, I weighed about 230 pounds.

In 2014, I was feeling completely depressed. My relationship with my daughter’s dad was suffering because of my insecurities from my weight, amongst other things. I had lost my confidence, which was always my biggest asset. What I wanted to wear didn’t fit. My breaking point was in March of 2014. When I hit my lowest, I prayed, cried and put my foot down.

I began the process with healthy eating and consistent exercise. I started eating all salads and drinking lots of water and walking every day. I soon realized that I would have to start eating
differently, because I started getting tired of salads. So, I did extensive research and started eating fruit or nuts and grains for snacks. I also changed everything I cooked with. For example; I used low cholesterol, Omega 3 butter to cook with. I ate farm fresh eggs, chicken, etc.

I lost my weight by walking and running 3 miles a day, five days a week. After I lost weight, I joined planet fitness to tone up. Right now, I walk/run 3 times a week and I’m in the gym 3 times a week as well.

I made it to my goal weight in December of 2014, which is 150 pounds. I am currently 155 pounds, because life brings my weight up and down. At this point, I’m trying to get 15% body fat. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is patience. It seems like it takes forever, but the before and after pictures make all the difference.

I just want other women to know that even a C-section can’t prevent you from having a flat stomach. You are your biggest enemy. Anything can be achieved. I just want to inspire other people and let them know that Yes, it may be challenging, but if you approach it like something new and exciting it will be easier. Just look to your future self and be excited. It will make it easier to do. Never give up, no matter what.

I share the foods I eat and motivation on my fitness page on Instagram. You can follow me at @stluciasfinest to see the rest of my journey.