Cynthia lost 31 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Cynthia lost 31 pounds in 6 weeks. This mom’s inspirational story should serve as motivation for anyone wanting to avoid a family history of severe illness, especially heart disease and stroke. She’s turned tragedy into triumph. Read her story.

In 6 weeks, I lost 31 pounds. My height is 5 feet, 5 inches tall. My starting weight was 206 pounds and my current weight is 175 pounds.

My motivation:
My children and my husband are my motivation. I lost my mom at an early age. I was blessed to have 9 wonderful years with her. She was diagnosed with heart disease and high blood pressure at the age of 24. I can’t remember her exercising and/or eating healthy. The food we ate was well seasoned and I remember having sweet favored drinks at every meal.

My mom died at the age of 32 from a massive stroke. I remember it like it was yesterday. She was sitting on the couch and her mouth was twisted. She could hardly speak and was drooling from one side of her mouth. This is the last memory I have of my mom and to this day the imagine is still vivid. I can’t help but think that if my mom had changed her eating habits, exercised regularly and increased her water intake could that have made a difference?

Cardiomyopathy is a hereditary condition that claimed the life of my two younger brothers. Jason, my baby brother, had his first heart attack at the age of 2 and passed at age 9. My brother Robert received a heart transplant at age 16 and passed at age 18. With that being said, I have to do everything in my power to be fit and healthy in the hopes of combating the heart disease, stroke, diabetes and obesity that is common in my family.

It was sad growing up without my mom in my life. I was in and out of foster care for several years before I was finally adopted by a maternal aunt. I never want my children to experience that loss and that void I had to live with throughout my childhood. I promised myself that I would get in shape, eat healthy and take steps to ensure a healthy lifesytle. Each day I strive to keep that promise.

My eating habits:
I stopped eating sweets, bread and pasta. I decreased my carb intake, increased my protein, stopped drinking sodas and increased my water intake. Instead of fried food, I baked and grilled my food. I eat five to six small meals a day and I don’t use salt. I use Ms. Dash, red pepper, garlic and herbs to season my food.

The most important part of my changing my eating habits was having Terry Starks create a 35 day personalized meal plan for me.

My workout routine:
I started out walking 2-3 miles at a nice moderate pace for 16:00 minutes/mile. I did this 3 times a week for about 2 weeks. Next, I started walking 3-4 miles at a moderate/fast pace with my arms swinging – 15:00min/mile 4-5 times a week. I did this for a week. Then, I advanced to 4-5 miles at a fast pace – 14:00-14:30min/mile. I have been doing this for 7 weeks now.

I am at my goal with miles and pace, so to switch things up I no longer drive to the park. I walk to the park, which is about a mile from my house. I walk around lake, a 3.76 miles trail. When I finish, I walk home (which gives me me another mile). Of course, I do this when the weather allows. For the past few days, I have not been able to walk outdoors, but I make sure I keep active. I get on my treadmill, with my gospel music playing, and walk until I reach 4 miles at a 15:47 average pace.

When I don’t feel like working out or I feel like giving up, I think of my children and I just can’t give up on them. No way! NEVER! I dedicate 5 days a week to me. I give myself an hour to an hour and a half to walk 4-5 miles a day…..NO EXCUSES

Biggest Lesson:
The biggest lesson I learned is that the only thing in my way of my weight loss success is me. I have to tell myself the only way I will fail is if I don’t give myself some me time. That me time consists of my meal preparation and daily workout time.

Advice:
The best advice I can give someone trying to lose weight is to soul search and find your IF believe me it will make a d(IF)ference.