Transformation of the Day: Aderonke lost 50 pounds. This 24-year-old graduate student felt out of control and knew she needed to focus on her mental and physical health. She has transformed by adopting healthy eating habits, working out 4-5 days a week, and learning to love the process and not just the end goal.
My name is Aderonke, and I am a 24-year-old graduate student who recently lost 50 pounds during the pandemic. I started in June 2020 at 205 pounds, and now I toggle in the 150s. I plan to share every part of my journey to inspire someone else!
What was your motivation? What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up?
My motivation was simply the desire to change my life. When I started, I felt completely out of control of my life in every aspect. Working out gave me some control back. When I started seeing results, that mentally motivated me to keep going.
This journey helped me realize it was up to me to change and achieve whatever I wanted. No one was coming to do it for me, and time will just keep passing by. I slowly regained control of my mental health and everything else.
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How did you change your eating habits?
I went cold turkey initially. I prepped a smoothie or yogurt for breakfast, ate the same salad every day for lunch, and had salmon with okra or asparagus for dinner. I eventually cracked because that was way too restrictive, and I began eating other healthier foods.
I found a love for more fish (outside of salmon), as well as berries and greens. I had to rethink food as fuel, and eventually, it became easier. I’m a foodie, and I love to eat out still, but I do it in moderation. Also, intermittent fasting helps a lot with consistency. Once 8 pm hits, I know I’m done eating for the day. The same goes for noon. Once I see noon, I’m running to the kitchen.
What did your workout routine consist of? How many days a week did you work out?
The gym was mostly mental for me. I work out 4-5 days a week. Initially, I worked with a personal trainer, and then I switched to being self-guided. I mainly did HIIT routines [high-intensity interval training].
What is your height?
I’m 5’7″.
How many months did your transformation take?
The pictures are one year apart.
Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
No, I didn’t have surgery.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
CONSISTENCY. CONSISTENCY. CONSISTENCY. I’ve wanted to lose weight my entire life but was never consistent. The only way to see results is to keep going. Also, it’s so important to love yourself through the entire process. When you don’t, you’re restrictive and short-term goal motivated. Thus, you will eventually burn out.
What advice would you like to share with women who want to lose weight?
Fall in love with transformation. Not the end goal but the entire process. Fall in love with the idea of getting stronger and building muscle—the process of losing fat and the new features and curves you will see. Also, give yourself grace along the way instead of quitting.
Instagram: @aderonkev
Katherine says
Thank you for sharing your journey it will be a big help to a lot of us thank you