Jamilah lost 45 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Jamilah lost 45 pounds. After graduation, she realized that “the freshman 15 had turned into the freshman 60″. Her weight gain was a result of emotional eating due to the stress of college and the passing of her beloved father. She embraced a plant-based diet, worked out at home and learned how  important having the right mindset can be. Check out her journey.

After graduating from college and realizing that the freshman 15 had turned into the freshman 60, I knew it was time for a change. While in college, I spent most of my days emotionally eating to suppress the pain from my father’s death and to handle the stress of being a student. Once I graduated, I decided to eliminate that behavior entirely.

I started by making small changes like walking during my lunch break and before work. I would pack my lunch and leave my debit card at home to avoid vending machine purchases or my daily Tim Horton’s run. After the first month, I dropped 10 pounds. I looked and felt amazing, so I decided to kick it up a notch with my exercise routine and transition to a plant-based diet. I lost 45 pounds that year and I’ve kept it off for 2 years now. (height: 5’5″) I try not to focus on weight so much as forming healthier habits, because you are what you repeatedly do.

When did you start your journey?
August 2015

How did you change your eating habits as you transitioned to a plant based diet?
I changed my eating habits by cutting out all meat with the exception of fish. Then, I slowly cut out fish as well. I cut back on snacks. I was big on snacking, so I had to come up with healthy snacks I could love. I would freeze grapes and strawberries to snack on. I swapped out ice cream for homemade smoothies. I snack on apples and peanut butter. I also bake my own kale chips. Some foods I’ve grown to love are hummus, quinoa, soup,  all kinds of beans…I mean the list is endless. I follow @tastyvegetarian on Instagram and they have the best recipes ever !

What did your workout routine look like after you dropped the initial 10lbs?
I exercised from home using a workout DVD called Black Girls Workout Too. I would do that 4-5 times a week, but I would also walk for leisure.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
I’ve learned that weight loss starts with your mind. The moment you decide that you can do it, your actions will fall right in line. I decided how I wanted to feel before I decided how I wanted to look. I wanted to feel confident in every room I walked in and in every outfit I wore. I wanted the energy to spend time with my family and work towards my goals. So, I had to come up with a plan to yield those results. I learned that nothing can stop me but me!

What advice do you have for other women who want to lose weight?
GO FOR IT! You have the time, the motivation, the courage and the energy to get it done, Sis! I am rooting for you. Get serious about visualizing the end result and work towards it somehow every single day. Get a clear picture of how you want to feel, then decide how you want to look. You may get sidetracked, but never ever give up. You are more than capable !

Instagram: @jamilahzshabazz