Jessica lost 75 pounds

Update Aug 2017: Shout out to Jessica! She’s kept 105 pounds off for more than a year.

“Hey y’all Hey! My name is Jessica. (@Jessica.Menardy) I started my journey back in 2009 at 250 lbs in a VERY unhealthy matter and was even hospitalized because of it! You name it I tried it! Fortunately, I’ve been able to learn the importance of clean eating, water and exercise. Just wanted to give an update that I’m down a total of 105 pounds (55 lbs using just Beachbody programs at home) and working on toning! If I can do it, you can too. I want this post to encourage someone not to give up. Time and dedication makes all things possible!”

Update 2016: Jessica sent in an updated before and after and let us know that she’s down 105 lbs now! She also has a new Instagram account dedicated to fitness: @Jessica.Menardy

Oct 2015 – Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Jessica lost 75 pounds. After dealing critical relatives, diet pills, crash diets and not feeling beautiful, she found answers to help her change her life. She did her research and over the years has learned what works for her to release the pounds.  Here is what she shared with us about her journey…

I’ve had a long and hard road with weight. I never felt beautiful, because I felt I was just “too big.” I reached my heaviest weight in May 2009 at 250 pounds, right before I met my husband (I’m 5’5″ tall.). I was in my early 20s and just couldn’t stop eating. I went to my brother’s funeral in Haiti and my entire family told me how terrible I looked. They talked about how I should lose weight because it was aging me. I don’t know what I cried most about, my brother passing or the name calling. Either way, I decided that enough was enough.

I started my journey to weight loss on a bad foot. Diet pills, crash diets, not eating, and anything else you can name. I tried so many diets and pills and even went to the hospital because of one pill giving me extreme heart palpitations. It was bad, but I wanted so much to feel beautiful. I managed to lose 50 lbs in the process, but still didn’t feel great.

In 2012, found a trainer and he was amazing. Patient, effective, and he taught me about nutrition. I lost 20 pounds with him and started to feel amazing! Unfortunately, I moved and going to him wasn’t a possibility anymore. In two years, I gained back all the weight I’d lost and lost all the confidence I’d gained.

In the beginning of 2014, I decided to do start doing what my former trainer taught me on my own. I was fed up with feeling ugly. I started working out at home with Beachbody DVDs and really watching my diet.

In terms of my eating habits, I basically starting to cook my own foods and stopped relying on fast foods to get me through. I did research, read up on what was healthy and ate more of it. I cut out a lot of alcohol, removed soda and any whites (pasta, bread, etc.) all together. I also added Shakeology shakes to my diet which has helped so much. I made sure to implement portion control with the eating habits of Beachbody’s 21 Day Fix Bowls. It’s been amazing.

T25 and 21 Day Fix are the DVD programs I’ve completed. With these programs, I have learned that I can be healthy, lose weight, and be happy, all in the comfort of my own home. I have a challenge group that I run and another that I am apart of that help me stay accountable. We weigh in every week, along with recording measurements, and everyone is so encouraging. Surrounding myself with like minded women that have the same goal has helped me so much.

I’m now down a total of 75 pounds and counting. I’m not sure when I would like to stop. I just want to get to a healthier me. Over all, this journey has taught me to love myself, no matter my size. I actually feel beautiful and I’m so proud about it! I just want everyone to know – it takes time but it is worth the struggle! Keep going and stay faithful in prayer. I’m always here to lend a helping hand for anyone who needs it.

Updated Instagram: @Jessica.Menardy