Amber lost 125 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Amber lost 125 pounds by counting calories and going Keto. When activities like walking up stairs or swimming became taxing, she knew it was time to make a change. Her boyfriend and her mother have been there to motivate and cheer her on along the way.

My name is Amber S. I weighed 317 pounds at my heaviest. I didn’t even know I was so big, and the truth is I loved my body. One day I just decided I was tired of having a hard time walking around and trying to hide my heavy breathing when my boyfriend and I were doing something physical like walking up the stairs, walking around our neighborhood, swimming, etc.

What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up?
I had a dress sitting in my closet that my best friend bought for me six years ago. I could zip it up, but it wasn’t flattering on me. I ended up losing so much weight that I never even had the chance to wear it out, but I’m so proud I’ve gotten this far. My boyfriend and my mother were also super supportive. They encouraged me and helping me stick to my diet when I wanted to waiver. They were always there, motivating me and cheering me on.

How did you change your eating habits?
I started with Keto. I went strict low carb to no carb – under 20 grams a day. I also went down to 1200 calories or less a day: no bread, pasta, beans, or potatoes. My heart hurt for that one!

I ate A LOT of veggies, meat, and cheese (but not processed cheese, like American). Bacon is good for this, but I ate rib tips without the sauce, and it really worked for me. The calorie count is high if you eat a lot, but with no sauce, it fell right in line with what I had planned.

I stopped drinking ALL drinks that had sugar in them, natural or not. I drank water, Powerade Zero, and Gatorade Zero. Bubly is good if you like carbonated water. I used My Fitness Pal to keep track daily of my calories.

Tell us about your workout routine.
I walked 4 miles, three times a week around my neighborhood, but my focus was my diet. Even when I went to the gym, my focus was the treadmill. I walked for an hour 3 times a week there.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight was 317 pounds, and I’m down to 192 pounds currently. I met my original goal of 220lbs and made a new one of 180lbs. I’m still a work in progress.

What is your height?
I’m 5’5″.

How long did your transformation take?
I’ve been on my journey just a little under a year, and I’m looking forward to upping my exercise routine to tone my body.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to love yourself at any size, but if you want to make changes, make them and not excuses.

What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight?
My biggest advice is to find something that really works for you. If you don’t, you’re going to struggle, and the struggle is real!