Cherise lost 36 pounds

Update Feb 2019: Cherise lost 24 more pounds. I wanted to share an update. Back in May 2018, I lost 36 pounds. As of February 2019, I have lost a total of 60 pounds. I’m still working out 5 times per week and pushing through. @Killnemsmalls

Transformation of the Day: Cherise lost 36 pounds. After completing graduate school and giving birth to her son, she experienced depression and sadness. She was supporting everyone else in her life, but not making herself a priority. For the sake of her son, she knew that she had to come out of that dark place and live a more positive and healthy life. Check out her journey.

What was your motivation? What inspired you to keep going when you wanted to give up?
After graduating from graduate school and having my son, I found myself in a different place in my life. I was unhappy and went through postpartum depression. For an entire year and a half, I never talked about how I felt or my struggle with depression. Although I was happy about giving birth to my son, mentally and emotionally I was in a dark place. I found myself doing things for everyone else but myself. I forgot about loving myself and putting myself first, but I knew I wasn’t going to give up on myself… for my son’s sake.

My motivation was my son and life changing events that took place at that time. I knew that I never wanted to remain sad or depressed. When I looked at my son, I saw a new life, new opportunities, and new beginnings. Also, I wanted to pass healthy habits on to my son and live a more fulfilled, positive, happy life, both physically and emotionally.

How did you change your eating habits?
During the start of my journey, I cut out all junk food and soda. I limited my bread and pasta intake. I also tried to avoid dairy products as much as possible. Then, I took the next step and became a pescatarian. (a vegetarian who eats seafood) I only ate fish, shrimp, salmon, vegetables, etc.

What did your workout routine look like?
I do a lot of cardio and weight lifting. Some days, I just do cardio and light weight lifting. On other days, my routine is all weight lifting. I currently work out five days per week during my hour-long lunch break and run on weekends.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight was 215 pounds. My current weight is 179 pounds. My goal is to reach 160 pounds by September 2018. My height is 5’3″.

When did you start your journey? How long did your transformation take?
In April 2017, I started going to the gym here and there but I still ate unhealthy food, so I saw no results. In September 2017, I began to take my health and fitness seriously. My transformation took about eight months.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
The biggest lessons I have learned are to love yourself unconditionally, remain positive, and to believe in yourself.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
You have to believe in yourself no matter what! If you stop, start again and keep pushing. Things will get rough. Life gets tuff, but we have to keep pushing. NEVER GIVE UP ON YOURSELF!