Sonya lost 100 pounds

Featured weight loss success story of the day: Sonya lost 100 pounds.  Her son was her motivation, as well as fighting diabetes.  She started her health journey on the day she woke up with the revelation that it was time to lose weight and get healthy.  She ate right, worked out consistently and shed the pounds in 8 months.  Read her story:

On December 29, 2012 I started my weight loss journey that I NEVER imagined would bring me as far as I am today. If someone would have said Sonya you’re going to lose all that weight and your going to tell anybody that will listen about it. Let alone be anybodies inspiration. Let’s just say I would be a little skeptical.  Here I am today currently, at 100 pounds weight lost. When I first started my journey, I was afraid to tell anyone what I weighed. Now I am happy to say I started out at 305 pounds! I am now down to 205 pounds and my goal is to get down to 165 pounds. My first initial goal was to lose 100 pounds in a year and I was able to do that in 8 months! I am still in a state of shock but I am far from done.

What was your motivation?

I would say my motivation is my Son and beating diabetes. My father passed away at the very young age of 42 due to heart complications bought on by having diabetes. I’m 27 and I want to live past that age and some. I want to see my son, who is 10 by the way, have kids when he’s 50 (LOL I’m kidding). I know I am being unreasonable, but that’s my baby I don’t want him having babies to soon like mommy. It’s hard out here.

How did you change your eating habits?

Funny you mentioned this. I woke up on Saturday December 29, 2013 at 6:37am and said God I can’t be this way anymore! I am not happy with my self. Yes, I smile but I am not happy inside. My own mother says I need lose weight. I can barley breath walking up stairs. This is not where I want to be in life. At that point, I gave up drinking my calories, started drinking water, eating lean meats, fresh veggies, and fruit. Don’t get me wrong I have my indulge meal not a cheat day but a meal. This is actually important to keep you on the right track and not deprive yourself moderation is key.

What did your workout routines look like?

I walk to and from work. I park farther away now just so I get an extra walk in. I live on the 3rd floor I sprint up the stairs and down at least 4-5 times a day. I try to take Zumba classes 4 times week and weights 3 times a week. If I can’t take a Zumba class I do intervals on the elliptical and weights after.

What advice would you give others who want to lose weight?

1. Have a partner – I was lucky enough that my fiancée comes with me to the gym. He is my biggest cheerleader! Having someone with you will keep you going.

2. Have accountability – Mine is myfitnesspal. I see what goes into my body. I always take pictures and when I feel like my eating is going too far I revert back to those horrible pictures of myself. It reminds me of where I started and why I don’t want to go back.

3. Understanding that you didn’t gain the weight over night so it will not fall off over night, so keep on pushing even through the dreadful plateau stage. It’s all apart of weight loss, so just don’t give up.