Jailyn lost 45 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Jailyn shares how she lost 45 pounds. This time, she wanted to know what she could achieve if she didn’t give up. She sought help from her doctor and committed to practical, sustainable lifestyle changes. 

Social Media:
Instagram: @j.n.h (I post my progress photos there a lot.)
Tiktok: jaylinhollister33 (I post my motivational videos and progress videos occasionally)

What was your motivation? What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up? 
I have been attempting to lose weight on and off for four years now. I would always quit after a month. Then months would go by, and I would wonder what I would look like if I hadn’t stopped. This April, I decided that this time I wouldn’t wonder. I would finally be one of the success stories I watch on TikTok and see on other social media. I wanted to know what it would be like actually to stand in front of the mirror and, instead of critiquing my body, be happy with what I saw and proud of the work I put in to get there. 

How did you change your eating habits?
I always knew how to lose weight; I just could never get myself to stick to it. I watched hundreds of videos that would tell me the only way to lose weight and maintain it was a calorie deficit. So I decided I would try it. 

I made it two months doing a calorie deficit but had far too many binge days and felt like I’d never make progress or maintain it because I would sit and eat until I was sick. I went to my primary care doctor and discussed medicines to help suppress my appetite because even though I was eating healthy and had lost 20 pounds, I couldn’t stop myself from eating until I was physically sick. I felt like a garbage disposal. 

We agreed on Saxenda, which has helped tremendously with my binge eating. I also cut out fried foods and super sugary foods because they made me nauseous.

What is your workout routine?
I got into cycling, which I never thought I’d like, but it burns so many calories and is so much fun. I also weight train a specific group of muscles each day and end with cardio, because I was told doing cardio after a workout helps maintain muscle and lose fat. 

How often did you work out?
When I first started, I worked out seven days a week. I would do one rest day after the seven days, but this schedule was not sustainable. I now go four days a week but am still active on my days off.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight? 
I started at 247 pounds. I now weigh 201.6 pounds, and I’m waiting to be out of the 200 lb club.

What is your height?
I’m 5’5″.

When did you start your journey? How long did your transformation take?
I started in mid-April and still working towards my goal weight of 145 pounds.

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
No, it is not.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
Results are not instant, and the scale won’t always show your progress. Progress photos have been a huge help in helping me see my progress. 

I learned to look for ways to adapt my weight loss habits into my everyday life so that when I meet my goal weight, I can maintain it. I also learned you do not have to finish the food on your plate when you’re full. Your body is not a garbage disposal.

What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight?
Don’t keep wondering and saying, “What would I look like if I had stayed consistent?” Put in the work now so you don’t have to ask yourself that same question after every failed attempt like I did.