Courtney lost 41 pounds

Update: Courtney lost 6 more pounds for a total of 47 pounds gone!

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by @her.temple_her.crown on Mar 7, 2020 at 11:24pm PST

Transformation of the Day: Courtney lost 41 pounds. A co-worker’s success led her to investigate intermittent fasting. With alternate day fasting, she was able to drop the pounds without exercise. She learned the true power of calories in, calories out. Check out her journey.

What was your motivation?
I always knew I needed to drop some pounds. I dieted here and there and experienced some short term success. Then, I saw that picture on the left (striped skirt). Good lord. I was about to upload the image to my job’s social media account, but I couldn’t do it. I called my line sister, who is an excellent photographer, and asked her to photoshop my stomach in the picture. That was my serious wake-up call. It just wasn’t funny anymore. I wasn’t concerned about “losing my curves.” I just wanted the weight off. I look at that photo for motivation.

How did you change your eating habits? What did your workout routine consist of?
A lady I work with from time to time walked into a meeting one day, and everyone stopped. She lost weight and looked so good! I inquired about her strategy, and she said her doctor told her to eat 500 calories every other day and then whatever she wanted on the other days.

Skeptical, I googled “500 calories every other day,” and intermittent fasting popped up. I learned that there were several fasting options. I opted for the one day on and one day off. It is easier for me mentally to do it this way as opposed to timing out certain hours a day, etc. I initially ate “whatever I wanted” on my off days and still lost weight. Imagine what could have happened had I eaten clean on those days.

I didn’t have an exercise routine, initially. I started fasting and lost 10 pounds almost instantly…no exercise. I stayed on track with fasting only and lost 30 pounds. Then, I slacked off on the fasting but was aware of my food choices. Now, I truly understand the basics — calories in and calories out, Period. Intermittent fasting helped me cut the calories. I recently started working out four times per week. I’m doing strength training and two days a week of HIIT cardio. Don’t work out for more than an hour…ever.

• 500 calorie day. 4 oz chicken breast, four egg whites, a cup of rice, 3 cups of kale/broccoli (or something green). 
• 200 calorie lean cuisine, 200 calorie protein shake, and 100 calorie mini can of Coke.

500 calories is a lot when you eat REAL food. I still had to have my Coke (I’m off now), so I made it fit. Make it make sense.

I ate at the end of the day: 8/9 pm. I tried eating the 500 calories spaced out over the whole day, and it just made me hungrier.

The first week of eating this way is a beast. However, when you step on that scale that following Sunday and see for yourself, it’s the best feeling ever. I look forward to Sundays.How many times have you skipped breakfast, then ended up missing lunch at work and maybe grabbed some chips? Next thing you know, it’s dinner, and you’re getting off work late. You basically fasted all day! Don’t look at it as being deprived; look at it as taking control.

And for the skeptics… I ran this by my doctor, and she approved 100%. She said “calories in and calories out.” So simple. I feel silly for overthinking all these years.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My highest weight (back in 2015ish) was 220 pounds. I started my “journey” at 207 pounds, and I currently weigh 166 pounds. My goal weight is 145 pounds. (We will see when I get there, lol.) I’m 5 feet 7 inches tall and 32 years young

I started fasting in April 2018, and I’ve lost 41 pounds. It could’ve been more if I exercised, but I really wanted to see how important nutrition was. I’m a believer now. Once I realized how easy it was and was actually seeing results, I was mad that I hadn’t done it sooner.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
I made ONE attitude shift, and it has changed my life. “Forget about the time! The time WILL pass ANYWAY.” That is what I constantly tell myself. I’ve always complained about how long weight loss will take. That is so ridiculous! I realize now how I sabotaged my success and wasted so many years wearing tights and T-shirt’s because I was concerned about time. It breaks my heart.

I weigh once a week. Sunday, first thing as soon as I get out of bed. I saw 2 pounds a week lost consistently until I started slacking and plateaued. I’m back on it now, and I’m going to kill it! I’m started my “new” journey in February 2019 at my new starting weight of 166 pounds. Clean slate.

Instagram: @her.temple_her.crown