Caressa lost 47 pounds

Update Aug 2018: Caressa lost 3 more pounds, bringing her weight loss total to 50 pounds.

“My weight hasn’t changed much, but I have lost 50 pounds in total. I can tell that I’ve lost inches, because my size 12 pants are very loose and my size 10 pants fit almost perfectly. I recently went back to the doctor and I am no longer pre-diabetic. My cholesterol and my A1C numbers are good. My blood pressure is good as well. My health is back on track.

I am still working out with my trainer, @bfitwithrika. I work out at least three times a week and I am still eating clean. Recently, life threw me a lemon and it was hard for me to cook my own meals. Unfortunately, I did a lot of eating out, but it was mostly low carb eating. I’ve learned that this weight loss journey, is just that… A JOURNEY. You will lose, gain, hit a plateau, get frustrated, cry and all the above.”

Transformation of the Day: Caressa lost 47 pounds in 6 months. This summer, she was diagnosed with pre-diabetes and prescribed medication. This was her turning point. Check out how she took action in the gym and in the kitchen to get results.

In the Summer of 2017, my doctor told me that I was pre-diabetic because of my weight. I weighed 248 pounds at 5’7”. I was prescribed medicine that I refused to take. My doctor told me that I wouldn’t be able to lose weight if I didn’t take the medicine.

Since June 2017, I’ve lost 47 pounds and counting by eating a clean, low carb diet and training with my trainer @bfitwithrika at least 4 days a week. My current weight is 201 pounds. I do not currently have a weight goal. I just want to be the healthiest version of myself. I will be 30 years old soon, so I want to start a new chapter in my life where I’m healthy in all aspects of my life.

What inspired you during the tough times?
The thing that inspired me when times got challenging was my goal of no longer being pre-diabetic. I didn’t want be on medication and I knew I had the ability to change that.

How did you change your eating habits?
I changed my eating habits by going cold turkey with the Atkins Diet. The moment the doctor told me I was pre-diabetic, I went home and made a healthy food list. I have been sticking to that diet ever since. I stopped eating all bad carbs. I cut out pizza, burgers, rice, pasta and anything unhealthy. Now, I have one cheat weekend out of each month where I eat whatever I want.

What did your workout routine look like?
My workout routine insists of HIIT cardio and weight training with my trainer. I work out 3-4 days a week. I started out doing 5 days a week, but with my work and school schedule I have dropped to 3-4 days.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
My biggest lesson is that no matter how many times you stop something, you can always go back to it. My weight has fluctuated all of my adult life, but I’ve made a vow to keep it off this time while staying healthy.

What advice would you share with other people who want to lose weight?
My advice is to find what works for you. Just because the Atkins Diet and working with a trainer works for me, I know that some women don’t have the time that it takes.Some days I don’t have that time either.

I suggest working out at home. I also recommend meal prep, becaue it’s very important. I prep my own meals every Sunday to start the week off right. I prep breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and my detox water.

Instagram: @therealceenic