Jennifer lost 32 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Jennifer lost 32 pounds over the course of 4 months. Her wakeup call came in the form of sky high A1C numbers, an abnormal EKG and a diagnosis of Fatty Liver Disease. Enough was enough for this mom of three. She took action and intermittent fasting was her secret weapon.

What was your motivation? What inspired you to keep going when you wanted to give up?
I have been overweight for the past 16 years (since my youngest child was born). I have finally felt like enough was enough. I am turning 50 years old next year, and I don’t want to enter into the new year as a fat woman. I do not want to face yet another milestone in my life as a fat woman. I have been a victim of ridicule, insults, discrimination, and plain-old cruel body-shaming comments because of my size from both strangers and even loved ones. ENOUGH!

I have three children, and I want to be here for my them. My two oldest children are adults now, and I want to enjoy our evolving relationships. How can I enter into this next chapter of my life as an overweight, unhealthy woman? I want to be a positive, healthy example for my children.

But honestly, I must say that everything got very real after a horrible doctor’s appointment. My A1C was sky high. I had an abnormal EKG, and I was diagnosed with fatty liver disease. It was time to get healthy or risk dying. Since that appointment in June 2018, I have fought every day to get healthy.

My amazing children are my motivation. I love being with them and watching them develop into the remarkable human beings that they are. They inspire me to keep going. I want to live to be with them as long as I can, and for as long as the good Lord allows.

How did you change your eating habits?
Changing my eating habits has always been difficult for me.  I have a serious sweet tooth – a dangerous condition for a diabetic like me! I’ve tried so many times and failed at dieting. It wasn’t until I read an article about a woman who had lost weight with intermittent fasting that a light bulb finally went off. I had to change my mindset because I want to live. I have to eat to live.

I started to change the way I felt about food: Food as a necessity as opposed to a treat. Intermittent fasting has been working well for me. I eat between 11a.m. and 7p.m. every day. I fast for 16 hours a day. During my eating window, I eat vegetables and fish. I have stopped eating chicken and red meat. I also try to limit carbs and allow myself only one healthy snack each day. Intermittent fasting (IF) does not dictate what to eat but when to eat. Your body does the rest! You have more time for proper digestion, and the body truly uses your intake as fuel and burns off the rest. IF is fantastic and this lifestyle change is really working for me without making me feel restricted in any way.

What did your workout routine look like? How often did you workout?
I workout 3-5 times a week, as my schedule allows. I workout at home or at a gym. I mainly do high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and circuits. Most of my workouts include cardio (elliptical, stair climber, jumping jacks, and sprints); strength training with weights and my own body weight (burpees, mountain climbers, squats, and lunges) and of course core work (sit-ups, crunches, and planks).

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight was 256 pounds. My current weight is 224 pounds. I’ve lost 3 inches on my waist. I am 5’3″

When did you start your journey?
I started in June 2018 after 16 years of ups and downs. I am still on this journey and will not stop until I reach my goals. I am still transforming.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
The biggest lesson I learned is that there are no shortcuts. Hard work pays off. There is no magic pill and no surgery that can do it for me. No one else can do it for me. I must take care of my body, eat well, and exercise. Every single day is a struggle, but I deserve to live a healthy lifestyle. I must.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
Do it for yourself. Don’t do it because your spouse calls you overweight. Don’t do it to change a person’s opinion about your appearance. Lose weight because there are health benefits associated with every 5 pounds you lose. Lose weight because you want to change your life and live in a healthy manner. That is the only way to be successful. Do it for you!

Instagram: @jblueteach1