Ebonie‘s journey started when she rediscovered her love for dancing and started exercising again. Her eating habits evolved as she learned more about nutrition and figured out what works for her and her children.
What was your motivation?
I started to home school my children in November 2018. Exercise was part of the daily to-do list for them. This really inspired a change in my life as I thought, ‘What can I do to take care of my body that I will really enjoy doing at the same damn time?’
I thought back to my younger days of being on the Pep Squad and going to dance clubs. I decided to start dancing again! I officially started my journey on 3/15/2019, dancing solely on the treadmill. I enjoyed it, but I wanted to switch it up.
I went back to my high school TaeBo days, and I also used random Youtube videos. Now, I’ve decided to start recording my own videos to inspire and encourage movement!
What motivates me most is not the weight loss. I really stress that weight loss is just a bonus. The main thing is to promote longevity- to see my children grow old and to lead them on the right path to self-growth! My goal is to take care of my body without being worried about the scale at all!
How did you change your eating habits?
I started by going Vegan. I soon realized it could lead to deficiencies, so I decided to focus on ‘traditional’ eating. Important minerals, like iron and zinc, and critical vitamins (A, D, K2, and B12) were lacking when my diet was low in animal foods.
I began my journey of looking at food scientifically. I make sure to eat grass-fed beef, heritage breed pigs, and free-range chickens. I make sure that the meat I eat is the best quality. I also eliminated vegetable and canola oil. I swapped it for old school lard, real butter, olive oil, and coconut oil. Saturated fat has gotten a bad reputation, but I believe it is truly vital for us. (it can help prevent hardening of the arteries by getting plenty of K2.)
I also aim to eat free-range eggs, which are loaded with great nutrition for myself as well as the kids. My view of food has grown since I first started. I don’t pay attention to things I once did. I just eat clean and eat when I’m hungry. I also take a tablespoon of Cod Liver oil every day. It builds strong bones and teeth, protects against infection, wards off depression, helps prevent diabetes and arthritis! Now I understand why they gave it to us as children!
How often did you workout?
5-6 days a week. I let my body tell me when I need to rest.
What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
When I started, I wore a size 16-18, and now I wear a size 8-10. I actually did not get on the scale when I started. I never trusted the scale, and I figured it would discourage me. I wanted my focus to be on loving my insides through both what I eat and how I take care of me!
What is your height?
5’4″
Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
No
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
The biggest lesson I learned was the way I look at food and exercise. I was almost a prisoner to calorie counting and sometimes dreaded working out. I changed my viewpoint on both of these things. I started to focus on the ingredients more than the calories. I realized that better quality food would cost a little more. I learned to eat until I’m satisfied, and that what I drink is just as important. I drink water throughout the day with a few cucumber slices. I also drink coconut water while I’m working out. Coconut water is better for you than any sports drink. I began to find activities that I truly loved to do, and it no longer seemed like exercise!
What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight?
Move out of your own way, and you can do ANYTHING you put your mind too. This is what I have to tell myself daily. It allows me not to take myself so seriously and to take it one day at a time.
Nothing worth having will come overnight, so just keep swimming. I strongly suggest finding something you enjoy and run with it. I started on the treadmill and by lifting weights. Soon, I grew bored with that alone. I remembered how much I loved to dance at the clubs in my younger years, turned some music on, and I haven’t looked back since. That light bulb moment didn’t happen until about six months into my journey. Imagine if I would’ve given up and just said, “Forget it!” I didn’t let myself get in the way.
I hope this encourages you to keep pushing. My children are also very influential in my life. I really want to set a good example for them. Find your Why and run with it!
Instagram: @Ebonieintrovertedwellness
Facebook: Ebonie Fit
Janet Robertson says
Oh my you looks stunning!