Christina lost 210 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Christina lost 210 pounds. Her motivation was her health and her job, which has a staff weight requirement. She didn’t want to be told to change by HR, so she took action by working with a trainer and transforming her eating habits.

Social Media:
Instagram: @1stbornstylist and @my_journey_2_a_fit_me

What was your motivation? What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up? 
My Motivation was my health and my job. I work in facilities at a Telecommunications company. In this position, you cannot exceed a certain weight. I had to have a special ladder ordered that would hold my weight increasing weight. I did not want to be told by HR that I had to lose weight or else. I was also at the heaviest that I had ever been, and my weight steadily climbed. 

I was introduced to my Personal Trainer Daryl Williams (Williams Elite Training) and the timing was perfect. Mr. Williams is and has been a constant support. 

What inspired me to keep going even when I wanted to give up was that failure was not an option. I had given up on myself so many times before and had to do something different this time.

How did you change your eating habits?
The one factor that I learned at Williams Elite Training was that fitness starts in the kitchen. The major factor that changed my whole life around when it comes to nutrition is Macronutrients. Focusing on Macronutrients [Macros] means eating a certain percentage of saturated fats, protein, sugar, and (good) carbs and watching my caloric intake. 

My trainer put me on a macronutrient plan consisting of Tuna, Salmon, Chicken, Quinoa, Brussels Sprouts, Grapefruit, Bananas, etc… (The plan was specific to me and based on my age, height, and weight). A key to remember is Green is Lean. In addition, I drink plenty of water and no alcohol. 

What is your current workout routine?
My current routine is a mixture of strength, weight, HIIT, and cardio training. My trainer’s goal is to build bodies, not bodybuilders. This combination of training allows me to build lean muscle, increase stamina and lose fat. I love the constant change in routine from day to day. One of the main reasons why I have stayed with my trainer is because he truly practices what he preaches. He eats what he wants us to eat and trains 10x harder than his clients. 

How often did you work out? 
I work out seven days a week. When my schedule allows, I work out two times a day, both AM and PM. 

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight? 
Starting weight: 450 pounds 

Current weight: 240 pounds

What is your height? 
5’6″

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
ABSOLUTELY not. 

When did you start your journey? How long did your transformation take?
I started my journey on September 5th, 2017. I am still a work in progress. 

What is the biggest lesson you have learned so far?
The biggest lesson I have learned is that time is our most precious commodity. We will make up all the excuses in the world not give ourselves %100. We say we don’t have the TIME to meal prep, or we don’t have enough TIME to go the gym. However, we will make TIME to binge-watch a full season of a show on Netflix in one day. We will spend hours on Nails, Hair, Waxing, and facials but can’t give our bodies 2-4 hours a day to work on our health. 

The older we get, the more we realize that having a proper diet and working out is not just for aesthetics. It is about living a long healthy life. I am in my 40s, and in the best shape I have been in my whole life. 

What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight?
My advice for women is don’t be afraid to pick up weights. Building lean muscle helps you to burn fat. In addition, building lean muscle dramatically improves how you look when losing a significant amount of fat/weight. When I meet people and tell them about my weight loss journey, their jaws drop. One reason is the amount of weight I have lost NATURALLY! Also, the way I look after having lost so much weight. People don’t believe I was as big as I was until I show them my before pictures because my body is tight, and I don’t have a lot of loose skin.