Sacred-Brenda lost 85 pounds

Update July 2018: Sacred-Brenda has lost 91 pounds.

How have you continued to make progress?
I’m at 129 pounds now. I’ve maintained my weight loss by continuing my healthy eating habits (lean meats, plenty of veggies, fruits as snacks, etc.) I also continue to exercise regularly. Lately, I’ve placed an emphasis on weight lifting so that I can tone up a bit.

I use my weight loss app less, only because now healthy eating is now natural to me. It’s much easier than when I started. I don’t view it as “being on a diet” or anything. It’s literally my lifestyle.

At this point, would you offer any new or different advice to other women who want to lose weight?
My only advice is that focusing on nutrition is what really allowed me to drop pounds. Vegetables and fruits are your best friends! Also, invest in healthy cookbooks, so you can be creative with meals. That way, you won’t feel like you’re forced to eat something that “doesn’t taste good.”

Instagram: @Revolutionary_Black_Woman

Transformation of the Day: Sacred-Brenda lost 85 pounds. This Zeta Phi Beta soror cut out the junk food, ditched her sedentary lifestyle and became committed to creating a healthy lifestyle. Check out how she did it.

What was your motivation?
My main motivation was my desire to be happy whenever I looked in the mirror. That desire was also my inspiration whenever I wanted to give up.

How did you change your eating habits?
I was an avid junk food eater and I ate nothing but fast food. I changed my eating habits gradually by cutting back on junk food and fast food, as well as eliminating sodas and candy. I began incorporating fruits and vegetables into my diet (which I never did before). I also used an app called Noom Coach to help me manage my diet better.

What did your workout routine look like?
My workout routine began with me simply taking walks around the neighborhood. Beforehand, I had the most sedentary lifestyle. Once I got more comfortable with getting active, I began to go to the gym and workout on the elliptical machine, use cardio workout videos, lift weights, etc. I usually go to the gym 3-5 times a week. Even if I do not go to the gym, I make it a point to walk for at least 30 minutes each day.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
In the beginning, I weighed around 220 pounds, and now I’m down to 135 pounds. My height is 5’3”. It’s been my New Year’s Resolution to lose weight for a few years now. At the end of 2017, I’ve finally accomplished it.

How long did your transformation take?
I officially started my journey during Summer 2016, but I got off track when I started law school. In January 2017, I made it my New Year’s Resolution to stick to my weight loss goals. I refused to let law school be my excuse for not losing weight.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
The biggest lesson I learned was that you have to remain committed and disciplined. Change does not happen overnight. Even though I have made a lot of progress, I see my weight loss as being my new lifestyle instead of a temporary phase. Therefore, I am going to continue to eat healthy, exercise, tone up my body and keep the weight off.

What advice would you give to other people who want to lose weight?
My biggest advice to anyone wanting to lose weight is to continue to push forward even when you mess up. Whether you mess up one day or one week, it is never too late to get back up and try again. There were plenty of days when I had one too many slices of pizza, ate Chinese food, etc. Instead of giving up, I started fresh the next day.