Nykesa lost 100 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Nykesa lost 100 pounds by focusing on fitness and embracing a plant-based diet. While focusing on business, motherhood, and schooling, she wasn’t taking care of herself. When her health took a turn for the worse, her doctors didn’t have answers. With prayer and hard work, she found solutions to her problems.

A year ago I weighed in at 238 pounds. I wasn’t taking care of myself. Between working full time, being a single mother, running two small businesses on the side, and doing online classes I had no time for anything outside of work, motherhood, and schooling! Little did I know it was killing me.

At the end of 2017 and into all of 2018, my health took a significant turn for the worse! I was in and out if the hospital. I went back and forth to doctors and specialists, but no one had answers. No one could tell me why I was having the issues I was having. After feeling helpless, hopeless, and fearing my life could be cut short, I sat and meditated (prayed). It was then that I had an awakening moment! No one would be able to fix this but me!

With many ups and downs, I decided in January 2018 to stop my intake of all animal products for 6 months I went on a high alkaline diet and removed most if not all (hybrid) man-made foods. Throughout my journey, my eating habits became much better. After I regained some control over my health, I was able to identify when and what my body needed and didn’t need. I accomplished this by keeping a food journal. After about 3 months I had a pretty good idea of what foods were helping me and what foods were harming me. I still keep a food journal. It helps me to keep track of my journey.

I slowly reintroduced some foods back into my diet. I experienced too much weight loss, and my doctors were concerned with how much I was loosing in such a small amount of time. I added in foods such as fish (salmon, haddock, and tuna) and eggs.

Later, I became ill and had to take a break from working out. I got the clearance to start working out again in November 2018, and I’ve been going 5-6 days a week since Nov 19th. My workout routine looks a little like this:

• 3 days of HIIT
• 1 day of upper body
• 1 day of lower body
• 1 day of core/glutes
• 1 day of cardio

Being back in the gym has been like regaining a piece of my life back. I stopped making excuses because my reasons for being healthy, active and alive outweighed everything else.

Now, I am 100 pounds down. My height is 5’7″, and I weigh 138 pounds. My goal is to gain 18lbs of muscle by May of this year! I didn’t think I could lose the weight or even get in shape, until doing it was my only option! I’m 31 years young, and I’m in better shape today than I was when I was 21!

Once we figure out our reason and make it bigger than our excuse, then we can see the beauty within us! I no longer suffer from PPD. I’m no longer diabetic, and my foot issues have vanished. I can now keep up with my six year old. In fact some days, I run laps around him! I’m truly happy!

My motivation to keep going and not give up is my son! I need to see him grow into an amazing young man and have a family of his own! He deserves the best of me, and that’s what he will always have! Every day I look at him I continue to be motivated.

My biggest lessons I’ve learned on this journey so far;

• Never take anything for granted.
• Be kind to yourself, (mind body and spirit).
• Every day your eyes open be thankful! It’s not until we lose something, or someone that we realize how much we didn’t appreciate it and how we take it/them for granted!

My advice for anyone who would like to get in shape and take back their life is don’t let anything or anyone stop you. The doctors had no answers and still don’t, but I refuse to stop fighting. This journey opened my eyes to what I needed to do to regain my life back!

What’s your reason for wanting to be healthy? Once you figure out your Why and make it bigger than your excuses, nothing or no one will be able to stop you! I found my reason (my son and seeing him grow) and I’m making it my business to be there for him every waking day that I’m blessed to be on this earth! So find your reason and never let it go!

I’m rebuilding me, and I can’t wait to see what 2019 has in store!

Instagram: @nykesa_87

Facebook: Nykesa Hilts