Heather lost 164 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Heather lost 164 pounds with healthy food and exercise. She was tired of how PCOS impacted her health and body and wanted her actions to reflect self-love. With help from her fit family at The Queens Compound in Houston, she has transformed physically and mentally.

Social Media:
Instagram: @luv_thy_body_4life1
TikTok: @FitGirlGoals

What was your motivation? What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up?
I was motivated to have self-love. I also wanted to beat PCOS and not allow it to control my life and/or determine how I look and feel. I was tired of taking metformin to control my insulin levels (due to PCOS). I was tired of admiring other women. I was tired of always being the big girl in the group. I was tired of not loving myself. I was ready to love and admire myself.

My Why is what inspired me to keep going – The community of women at my gym, The Queens Compound [Houston, TX], and my trainers and coaches. We motivated and pushed each other to be the best version of ourselves daily. 

How did you change your eating habits?
My eating habits were the hardest to change. When I began my journey, I started taking out foods I knew were unhealthy each week. For example, during my first week, I switched from white bread and pasta to whole wheat or whole grain bread and pasta. The following week I gave up sodas (and still don’t drink them today…well, a diet soda here and there). The next week, I added veggies, etc. The small changes added up to big changes. Moving forward, I followed a meal plan given to me by my Coach, and now I know what to eat and what not to eat. It’s a process. You have to be creative with the healthy foods you like. 

What is your workout routine?
I work out 5 to 6 times a week. My workouts include weight training four times a week, step class 1 to 2 times a week, and Bootcamp cardio class 3 times a week. When I’m being an overachiever, I include incline walks on the treadmill, elliptical, resistant training at home, and sprints.

Starting weight/Current weight
My starting weight was 319 pounds, and my current weight is 155 pounds. 

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
No, I did not have weight loss surgery. 

When did you start your journey? How long did your transformation take?
My journey started years ago, in 2012. However, I lost 150lbs, but over the years, I put weight back on. After getting married and Covid, I found myself at 220 pounds. (a weight gain of 99lbs after I lost weight in 2012) That’s when I joined my current gym, Reggie C Fitness – The Queens Compound. In 5 months, I had a new body! A body with muscles! Lol. 

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
The biggest lesson I learned was that I could beat anything. PCOS had no control over me, not my mind or my body. I learned to love myself my whole self! I learned that weight loss was more mental than physical. I also learned that I was a lot stronger than I thought. 

What advice would you like to share with women who want to lose weight?
My advice to other women would be to remember your Why and keep it close to your heart. When you think about giving up, remember your Why. Your why will keep you disciplined when you are not motivated. Your why will keep you consistent when you feel like giving up. Keep going and trust the process.