Marnita lost 130 pounds

Weight loss success story of the day: Marnita lost 130 pounds.  She is 51 years old and a proud grandmother of six.  Here is what she shared with us about how she lost the weight:

My name is; Marnita E Nichols, 51 years old. Mother of 3 daughters and 6 grandsons.

This is my story:
I have always been big boned, but I was not overweight until after the birth of my second child. That’s when I noticed that the pounds started to pile on. However, I didn’t become morbidly obese until my mid 30’s. As I reflect back I believe it was a combination of a lot of things that contributed to my weight gain. Like the average individual, I was dealing with life and all its problems, i.e., family, financial hardships, career, etc. I believe that food became a source of comfort for me. Food doesn’t talk back it allows you to just be yourself. Honestly, I don’t think it really every hit me what I was doing to myself. I think the only time I realized it was when I would go shopping for clothes or my husband would buy me a new outfit and he would have to take it back and get a larger size because the one he bought didn’t fit. All of a sudden I begin to realize that I was getting bigger. But ask me did it really matter. I would just not shop for myself and when I did I always got “black”.

Finally, about 2 1/2 years ago I went in for a physical for work and was informed that I had High Blood Pressure. Both my top and bottom numbers were triple digits. The doctor wanted to hospitalize me immediately but I refused. I asked her what was plan B, she responded, by telling me I had to lose weight and get on blood pressure meds. So that’s exactly what I did. I begin watching what I ate very carefully and taking my medication as prescribed. Little by little I started to lose the weight. I incorporated exercise in January of this year. Today, I have lost approximately 130 lbs. I did it by eating clean. I don’t eat pork or red meats.  I also exercise 5-7 times per week.

As I previously indicated, I am big boned so I can carry more weight and appear thinner. Truth is, I’m still over weight just no longer morbidly obese. I have 40 lbs. more to go and after that weight loss maintenance.

I want you all to know that it has not been easy. I have come to realize that I am a food addict just like the drug addict. I enjoy food and sometimes still overextend my limits. However, what I have learned through this journey is that my health matters more to me and when I find myself wanting to over indulge I am more aware of my triggers. I have more self-discipline and lots of self-talks. I keep it in the frontal part of my brain at all times because I never want to get to the place again where my health is compromised because of food. To God be the glory for giving me the courage to make healthy life-style changes.

Check her out on Facebook: “Beat the Bulge Let’s Get Healthy”