Cassandra lost 50 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Cassandra lost 50 pounds. Seeing family members suffer from weight-related illnesses motivated her to start her wellness journey. She also realized the toll that an emotionally abusive relationship had taken on her and how that manifested physically. She put in the work and has achieved excellent results. Check out her story.

When did you start your journey?
I started my journey in December 2018. I am still on my journey, and just a few pounds shy of my goal weight.

What was your motivation? What inspired you to keep going when you wanted to give up?
My motivation was seeing so many people in my family suffer with weight-related illnesses. (diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.)

How did you change your eating habits?
I began to cut back certain foods (sugar, carbs, and sweets), but it wasn’t until I did a detox through my trainer that I really began to see the results.

My trainer is Ericka J, @ErickaJFitness. The detox I did was three days of juicing (all-natural ingredients) with a special recipe designed by my trainer for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. After that, I was on a customized meal plan for 14 days, which included fruits, vegetables, salmon, and tuna. The plan was also no sugar, no bread, no carbs, and I only drank water.

What did your workout routine consist of? How often did you workout?
Before I started working with a personal trainer (in January 2019), I was working out at home and going to the gym 3-4 days a week. My workouts include weight training, cardio, running/walking, and other strength training exercises.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight (7 months postpartum) was 215 pounds. My current weight is 165 pounds. My goal weight is 140 pounds.

What is your height?
5’3”

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
The biggest lesson I have learned from all of this is that if your emotions and mind aren’t healthy, it will be challenging to get your body healthy. I was in an emotionally abusive relationship for 15 years, and unknowingly, my body was carrying the effects of this. I have always been active and tried to eat right, workout, etc. However, the older I got, and the longer I stayed in the toxic environment, the more damage was being done to my body. The stress and strain that I was carrying internally were sabotaging my weight loss efforts. Since I decided to leave that relationship, I have been healthier than I have been in years!

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
Make sure that you focus on your overall health and wellness, including your mental, emotional, and spiritual health. It’s essential to recognize every part of ourselves. While weight loss may yield physical results, if internal weight is being carried (pain, emotional abuse, etc.), it will manifest itself in some physical way.

Instagram: @Cmacr8ive_183