Victoria lost 28+ pounds with healthy eating habits and exercise. After successfully changing her lifestyle in the past, she got off track due to an accident that led to hip replacement surgery at 43 years old. She restarted her journey in December 2020 because she wanted to reduce her stress, lower her blood pressure and release the weight.
My journey started in 2013. I have a mini gym in my garage. Initially, I started walking on my Treadmill 3 days a week and two days a week on my elliptical for 30-45 minutes. I would also go walking on a track. Every two weeks, I would add 5-10 minutes to my workout until I was up to an hour and a half. I added my elliptical, stationary bike, resistance bands, and strength training to my routine.
I coupled these workouts with Black Women Losing Weight’s challenges and Weight Watchers to reduce my stress and high blood pressure. This was the start of my journey.
I lost 33 pounds and maintained the weight loss for over a year until I had an accident that caused me to need a full hip replacement at 43 years old. I was unable to work out for almost a year. Thus, I gained weight from eating and not being active until I was able to get into Aqua Aerobics again.
I realized long ago that I am an emotional eater. I changed my eating habits and got back on track when I joined Weight Watchers in 2018 after being at my highest weight of 213.5 pounds. Being at my highest weight reminded me of the weight I reached nearly 18 years ago, after giving birth to my second son. I hated looking at myself in the mirror during that time.
I restarted my journey in December 2020 with BWLW’s December exercise challenge. Then in 2021, for January and February, I participated in a Double 21-Day FOCUS Fast, which consisted of eating clean, scripture reading, meditation for clarity, a meatless Monday, exercising 3- days per week, and drink water only. I joined the challenge with the intent to make it a lifestyle habit. Since then, I’ve continued to practice these eating habits. I also participated in Black Women Losing Weight’s challenges for both months.
What inspired you to keep going, even during the tough times? My drive to keep going was not just to reduce my weight but to eliminate my high blood pressure. Mission accomplished.
Tell us about your workout routine.
I was starting to get bored after doing the same things, until recently when I stumbled across some cardio videos, Trap Cardio on YouTube in particular. I am a music lover, and I have fallen so in love with those workouts that I can work out longer than I could have imagined. As a result, I now work out 5-6 times a week for an hour or so.
I’ve never had a problem with working out alone. I actually prefer it as there are fewer distractions. However, I occasionally walk with my youngest son, as the Quarantine has caused him to gain a lot of weight.
What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My goal weight is to get down to at least 170 pounds by this summer. I was down from 213 pounds to 175 pounds (maintained for 2 1/2 years). Now I am back up to 185 pounds, but I’m solid. I seem to have plateaued. I’m hoping that with Trap Cardio, my lifestyle changes, and intermittent fasting, I will start the process of shedding more pounds to reach my ultimate goal weight (165 pounds).
What is your height? 5’3″
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
I’ve learned that you can accomplish anything you put your mind to with hard work, dedication, and total commitment.
Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
Surgery has never been something I seriously considered, but that’s just me.
What advice would you like to share with women who want to lose weight?
You can accomplish anything you set your mind to with determination, commitment, and consistency.
Instagram: @Cre8tev
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