Fanisha lost 40 pounds

Update April 2017: Fanisha lost another 10 pounds for a total of 50 pounds gone.

I’m back! I down another 10lbs but I’ve also lost numerous inches. I currently weigh 243 pounds! My body composition shows that I’ve lost inches more than pounds. I attend fitness bootcamp 4 to 5 times a week, doing circuit training and strength training. I maintain a low carb diet with a cheat meal on the weekends. I continue to take my Advocare supplements and I drink nothing but water! I’ve learned not to trust the scale. I’ve also learned that this a journey for better health. The number on the scale does not determine my worth. Circuit training, healthy eating habits and my high energy level has allowed me to become a better version of myself. My confidence and my mental health have improved.

For other people who want to lose weight, I say don’t rely on the scale. Rely on the way your clothes fit, your energy level and the way you feel. The most important thing is the way you feel. Continue to choose better options when eating, exercise regularly and you’ll see a difference! It didn’t take a short time frame to the gain weight, so it’s not going to take a short time to lose it. It’s a process and you’ll have to work if you want to see results. Keep fighting for your goals!

Transformation of the Day: Fanisha lost 40 pounds, going from a size 22 to a size 16. This proud mom of two reached her highest weight right after her wedding last year. After years of dieting, she committed to being a healthier mom and making betting lifestyle choices. Check out how she took action.

Hi! My name is Fanisha and I have been on my journey since August 13, 2015. I weighed 282 pounds the week after my wedding on August 8th. My father looked at me and said, “Look at my baby! ” I automatically knew what he was talking about. At that time, I was the biggest I’ve ever been and I knew that I had to get healthy for myself and for my family. I have two kids who need their mom to be healthy for them. Being 30 years old, I knew that my metabolism had slowed down and I had to make a change. A true lifestyle change!

I’ve tried every diet I could think of, but nothing helped. Weight Watchers, Atkins, crash dieting, etc. My friend had been sharing her story about Advocare products and how great she felt. I was skeptical, but I was also desperate for help. I decided to give their 24 Day Challenge a try and lost 16 pounds. My energy was through the roof. My confidence and self esteem were coming back. I saw myself making healthier lifestyle choices.

As of today, I’m down 40 pounds. It may not seem like a lot, but it’s a lot to me! I went from a size 22 to a size 16. My height is 5’8″. I’ve lost pounds and inches, but I’ve gained confidence, self esteem, self control and greater awareness of what I put into my body. I continue to eat clean due to my lifestyle change and I continue to use the products.

For exercise, I workout with a Zumba DVD and walk/jog in my neighborhood 3-4 times a week. Now, I have the energy to play with my kids, cook healthy meals, and exercise. I no longer go home and sit on the couch with a bag of chips.

I eat five small meals a day and drink at least 128 ounces of water a day. I allow myself one or two cheat meals a week. Also, I no longer eat fast food and junk food on a regular basis as I use to. The dollar menu was my go-to stop and I would eat a bag of hot fries each day. I no longer do that. I eat lots of lean proteins, veggies, peanut butter and cocoa roasted almonds.

My advice for others is to not allow the scale to be your determining factor when it comes to your progress. It’s all about how you feel. Don’t let a number ruin that! I use to get on a scale everyday and I would get so depressed because nothing changed. Little did I know that I was still losing inches and over time I felt amazing. I took a picture and noticed changes that the scale couldn’t tell me!

Today, My motivation is my family and helping other women like myself who think there is no way they can lose the weight. We are strong and fully capable of doing whatever it is that we choose to do. Black Women Rock!

Instagram: @FanishaLeavitt