Updated: Iriel lost 100 pounds

Update (Dec 2013) – Iriel is down 16 more pounds.  She wrote in to say: “I wanted to send an updated picture. My 6 month transformation is below (14 months total), and now I’ve lost a total of 100 lbs. Thanks so much for encouraging other black women to get up, and do something about their health!!”

Git Fit or Get Fat Founder Iriel wrote to us to share her 82 pound weight loss story and photos.  She ate clean, embraced juicing and worked out regularly with her father as her inspiration.

“Ever since I can remember, I’ve struggled with my weight. I was always the chubby girl with the pretty face. I over-indulged in shoes and accessories, those things didn’t judge me on my waist size. I tried this, tried that, took this magic pill that made me cranky and eventually gained the weight back plus more, drank this, blended that , but nothing seemed to work for me. I would get bored, and fall off and go up the street to Wingstop or Popeye’s. Recently, I got tired of walking past the Junior’s section to go to women’s/plus and decided to change it.

What really sparked the motivation for me was the fact that my father passed away 3 years ago from heart failure, and before that he suffered a stroke. I kept thinking that maybe if I would have known what I know now, could I have helped him? Would he still be here?  With the knowledge I know now, I can use that to help others, and that’s my goal.  It’s the reason that I’ve started “Get Fit or Get Fat”. Around the same time that I decided to change, a friend of mine started a juice fast and told me to watch the documentary, “Fat, Sick, & Nearly Dead.” After watching it I was sold. I immediately went to Macys.com and ordered the same juicer in the movie. I read up on juicing and how to prepare it, and with the help of that friend and her knowledge, I started. I dId a full juice fast for 25 days and slowly started to incorporate clean solids back into my diet. Now, 7 months later, here I am, 82 lbs down.  I’m still working towards my goal, but incorporating other healthy options into my daily routine. I workout 4-5 times a week, and do cardio for at least 45 mins a day. My eating consists of clean eating, and finding alternatives to your favorite meals (healthy lasagna with whole wheat pasta & lean ground turkey). I’ve come to realize that taking control of your health doesn’t have to be boring, and the food definitely doesn’t have to be un-flavorful.  I’m far from perfect. The best part of it all is that I’m accountable for whatever choices and decisions I make. For me, the test was sticking to something and never giving up. Now, I won’t. I just can’t.”

Check her out on Facebook.