Jai lost 50 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Jai lost 50 pounds. A health scare made her face her long-time fears and self-doubt about weight loss. She cut out the junk and embraced a plant-based diet to get results. Check out her story.

What is your motivation? What has inspired you to keep going?
My biggest motivation/inspiration is my health. When I began my journey, I was given some news about my health that I’d like to call a blessing in disguise. At the time, I didn’t look at it that way. I will admit that for the longest time after receiving the news, I was depressed, scared, terrified, lost, and almost feared for my life. I was almost sure that life was over for me, and I believed I would never be able to lose the weight. I realized that fear was the most significant thing stopping me from losing weight in the first place.

From the time I was just in middle school, I’ve struggled with my weight. I tried so many failed diets, only to find out that I was the problem. The only thing in my way was me. Well, that was the case until the day I experienced that blessing in disguise: mild heart complications. I soon found out that the complications were not life-threatening. Thank God! However, I knew that if I continued to gain weight, my condition would only get worse from then on. So, after many many years, I took action.

How did you change your eating habits?
I changed my eating habits by taking it one step at a time. I gave up one bad habit each day. I went cold turkey and quit drinking sodas, juice, anything that wasn’t water, which is a major thing considering that those kinds of beverages were all I ever drank. I never even liked to look at water in the past, and now that’s all I ever drink.

Now, I’ve adopted a new plant-based diet. I eat lots of fruit and veggies. I drink smoothies in the morning as a meal replacement every morning. I don’t have a meal plan, but I make sure to eat small portions, which was a major key in my weight loss and still is to this day.

I don’t eat fried foods anymore. I don’t eat meat of any kind. Over the past five months, I’ve come to know just how much I adore eating cucumbers and carrots. It’s funny because a year ago you would never find those foods in my hand lol. Juicing also works for me, because I love the taste of fruit, but I try not to consume too much due to the sugar content.

What is your workout routine?
I walk for 30 minutes a day, five times a week.

Starting weight/Current weight
My starting weight ranged from 274-284 pounds. My current weight is 234 pounds. I’m still not where I want to be yet. I plan on losing 34 more pounds so I can reach my target weight of 200lbs.

What is your height?
My height is 5’4″.

When did you start your journey?
My journey began around March of this year. Five months exactly is how long it took for me to get to my current weight.

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
No, and weight loss surgery is not in my future. I am not a fan of going under the knife — anything I’ve done or will do will be done naturally.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
My biggest lesson out of all this: Remain patient, be consistent, believe in yourself, trust God, and pray always. Self-discipline is important. It’s okay to fall off the wagon, as long as you get back on track. Be your own biggest cheerleader. Never doubt yourself, even if others around you do.

I’ve also learned that sacrifices must be made, no matter the goal. If you want something, go after it. There’s nothing in this world you can’t do. The sky is the limit.

What advice would you like to share with women who want to lose weight?
Never give up, and know that if no one else is in your corner, I will be. Even though we don’t know each other, silently I will cheer you on. I know what’s it’s like to feel like no one has your back or to feel alone, especially during something as tough as a weight loss journey. Please don’t give up, your body and your health are depending on it.

Instagram: @sayyphat232