Transformation of the Day: Jennifer lost 74 pounds. After getting divorced and working at a very stressful job, she gained almost 70 pounds. Getting a pre-diabetes diagnosis in 2018 gave her the wake-up call she needed to change her life and get healthy for herself and her children.
After going through a divorce, I found myself almost 70 pounds heavier than when I got married. I also started working a stressful job with many hours and pairing that with divorce, I definitely ate my feelings. In September 2018, I went to the doctor for a physical. They told me that I was pre-diabetic and needed to get my blood sugar down before it turned into diabetes. That was the wake-up call that I needed. I wanted to be healthy, not only for myself but for my kids!
I started by changing my eating habits. I knew I was overeating the wrong things. By changing my eating habits, I lost 20 pounds! I was so excited, so then I decided to add exercise. I walked every day on my lunch break at work.
Then I joined my gym and started working with a personal trainer for a few months to learn the basics. Two years later, I am now down 74 lbs and live a MUCH healthier lifestyle. I never thought I would be the person who loves going to the gym, but I honestly love going! I am also happy to say that I am no longer pre-diabetic. The changes I made in my life have not only benefited me physically but mentally as well.
How did you change your eating habits?
I didn’t use a specific program to change my eating habits, but I did consult with my doctor. We decided that eating a lower-carb diet would be best for me to lose fat. I didn’t completely eliminate carbs but did eat less of them. I started to eat vegetables with every meal, even breakfast! Intermittent fasting was a method I used as well. I began with 16-hour fasts and then worked my way up to doing 18-20 hour fasts.
What did your workout routine consist of when you worked out with your trainer?
When I first met my trainer, she asked me what my goals were. I told her that I wanted to lose weight, build muscle, and get stronger. We did strength training and HIIT exercises two times per week. The other three days, I was on my own, and I would do cardio and strength training from the plan she created for me.
I worked with my personal trainer for 12 weeks and then started to work out on my own. It was very beneficial for me to work with her initially because I had no clue what exercises to do or how to have the correct form.
What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
At my heaviest, I weighed 234 pounds, and I currently weigh 160 pounds.
What is your height?
I am 5’3″
When did you start your journey? How long did your transformation take?
I started my journey in September 2019, and it took me about seven months to lose 55 pounds. Over the next year and a half, I lost the rest of the weight slowly but steadily. This past winter (2020), I decided that I wanted to put on more muscle, so I did a clean bulk and gained 10 lbs, bringing me to my current weight of 160 lbs.
Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
I have not had any surgeries.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to stay consistent. Motivation won’t always be there, but developing discipline will help you achieve your goals.
What advice would you like to share with women who want to lose weight?
Start where you can. Don’t try to do too much at once because it can be overwhelming. Start with small changes that you can commit to. I started by making small changes to my diet, like cutting out sugary drinks and drinking more water. Once I felt like I had a grasp on eating healthier, I added exercise 2-3 times per week. I knew if I tried to go 5-6 times a week, in the beginning, I wouldn’t be able to commit because I hadn’t built that habit yet. Start small with attainable goals!
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