Darlene lost 39 pounds

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Darlene lost 39 pounds.  After learning that she had a serious medical issue, this proud mom of 3 changed her lifestyle, embracing clean eating and lots of exercise.  She also had the help for a great coach/nutritionist on her journey. Here is what she shared with us…

Getting my health back on track was my motivation. My cholesterol was high enough to put me at risk for a heart attack and/or stroke. Being here to see all of my children grow up was my inspiration & any future grandchildren. I wanted to be an active grandmother when the time came. I was at 163 lbs, the same weight I was when I was pregnant with triplets. I am 5’3, so this was not ideal for my health. This was in February 2013. I am a 43yr old, divorced mother of 3 children, ages 24, 12 & 10 years old. My son just graduated Summa Cum Laude from NC A&T State University. My 12 yr old is my surviving triplet and suffers from Cerebral Palsy. My 10 yr old is my baby with an old soul.

Since my triglycerides was the highest part of the cholesterol, I cut out all refined sugars. I also started attending a high impact Zumba class with some weight training twice a week at Fit4life with Tiffany Brown-Bush here in North Carolina. My doctor was threatening to put me on medication but advised that I could avoid that if I increased my exercise and went to a low fat eating plan. My numbers were coming down but not enough, so I gave myself a birthday present and joined at 4 week Boot Camp at Fit4life in July 2013. I also cut all fried food. In the 4 weeks, I lost 10 lbs and my cholesterol went down 20 points.

Tiffany Brown-Bush would also offer seminars on nutrition, which I attended, as I had hit a plateau. I cut out dairy products, which I found out was causing bloating among other things. I increased my green leafy vegetables and tried not to eat my last meal of the day after 7. I continued to lose weight and my energy increased tenfold. In November 2013, I decided to do a fitness competition but wasn’t sure if I could do all that was needed as I was not able to go to a gym and did not want to take any supplements. Tiffany was my trainer and nutritionist giving me the workout and food list that I needed to sculpt my body for this show. This is when I learned how to really eat clean and what I think was the turning point. I did 98% of my workout at home with weights and my Tabata app, in the mornings before my girls were up and in the evening while they completed their homework. I worked out 3-4 times a week doing push ups, lunges, squats, lifted weights (no more than 25lbs), jumped rope, yoga, pull ups and I ran on the weekend (when I could).  Most of my working out was completed in a Tabata style training. I would also have 1 cheat meal per week.

My training was a total of 5 months, I lost an additional 29 lbs, taking me to 124 pounds, which did include me drying out for competition.  Once it was over and I had a little more variety in my eating, I have maintained my weight at 134 pounds by continuing to eat clean, having a cheat meal a week and exercising with weights 3-4 days a week. It has truly been a lifestyle change for me.

My advise to others is keep everything in perspective, everyone is different, thus you will progress at a different pace. The important thing is you are doing it & it is something that not only you benefit from, but those you love & who love you. At the end of the day, you will be healthier, happier & more energetic than you were before.

Instagram: @fit4lifenc