Adia lost 40 pounds

Featured Before and After of the Day: Poetic Diva Adia lost 40 pounds.  She expressed her feelings about her weight loss victory in poetic voice for us and I love it.  Powerful message in her words! Here is what she shared:

“To others it was always “Adia you look so good” , “You were never fat” , or “Don’t get too skinny”. However, I never meant to please any of them or become what some may say “mini” . I only wanted to love myself because I always looked in the mirror & dreaded what I saw. I just wanted to discover a part of me that was lost through each & every flaw. 40 pounds lighter, yet 40 times brighter and on this path I was able to see…I was never fat, big, or ugly.

Despite these 40 pounds, I’ve discovered the true meaning of beauty. It does not lie in those guys that I let break me or those girls that I envied. It’s truly only skin deep despite the thoughts of many. I’d be a hypocrite to say I’m not happy I lost the weight because I am…because I constantly think of those depressed nights spent crying or those “Are you okay?” questions that extended my lying. See I am happier now then I ever could be because beneath the weight loss I discovered another part of ME. I am no longer succumbed to hiding behind girls because I secretly wanted to be pretty or being someones side-piece to fulfill some sort of love pity. I am no longer captive to not saying what’s on my mind or lowering my respect to let someone grab my behind.

I AM A WOMAN and that’s what my weight has shown me. I’ve seen changes I never thought I’d see. That 200lb. 10 year old who struggled to fit an extra large shirt is now flaunting her curves in high heels & mini club skirts. That girl who was out of breath on every flight of stairs can now take on 5 miles without any cares. I am no longer stressed and secretly in despair….I HONOR MY CURVES & SWING MY SHOULDER LENGTH HAIR. I NOW VOW TO LOVE MY BODY AND NEVER AGAIN LET MY SIZE DICTATE MY SELF-WORTH. I VOW TO BE AT “BODILY PEACE” HERE ON THIS EARTH. I RESPECT ALL OF MY CELLULITE & EACH & EVERY DIMPLE….I LOVE MY BODY FOR IT IS A TEMPLE  I only ask for everyone’s continuous support as I enter 2014…40 pounds down and people tell me I’ve already won but little does everyone know…IM STILL NOT DONE! (2014 Goal: lose 30 more pounds!)”

How did you change your eating habits and embrace exercise?

“To change my eating habits, I started using a journal and My Fitness Pal to record what I’m eating everyday. I aim for 1,940 calories a day. I also aim to eat a serving of fruit and veggies with EVERY meal and to drink a gallon of water each day at the most or at LEAST 35 oz. in terms of supporting exercise. I try to do 3 days a week of cardio activity (jogging, walking, & swimming) and 1-2 times a week of strength training (squats, lunges, wall sits, sit ups, etc).”