Jonte lost 69 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Jonte lost 69 pounds. This mother of five is determined to live a long, healthy life for her boys. This is her second successful weight loss journey after giving birth twice. Going Keto and walking for exercise are two key factors in her success.

What was your motivation? What inspired you when you wanted to give up?
My motivation is my kids. When I sent in my story for the first time, sharing how I lost weight, I only had twin boys. Since 2019, I have had three more children in a 1.5yr span. I have another set of twins who are now six months old and a singleton who is one year old. So I have all boys for a total of five. They are now all my motivation to move forward. 

I wanted to make sure I lived a long and healthy life for them. When I wanted to give up, I would look at my progress (especially in my clothes, body, and face). I love shopping and finding clothes that actually fit me without going to the plus-size section. When I was over 350 pounds at one point in my life, I would wear maternity clothing while I wasn’t pregnant, which was embarrassing.

How did you change your eating habits? What foods did you stop or start eating?
I changed my eating habits by cutting back on a lot of foods and certain meats. I stopped snacking on chips, cookies, candy, and other sugary stuff. I drink a lot of water and protein shakes to substitute meals such as breakfast or lunch. The only meat I eat is turkey, very little beef, and fish. The only pork I do eat is bacon. I do not eat chicken. I cut back on pork (I only like bacon. It’s hard to part with, lol.) 

I do Keto – high protein, little or no carbs, and less than 5g of sugar each day. I eat Keto-based snacks, or I make my snacks from Keto recipes.

What did your workout routine look like?
I walk four times a week. I try to do two or more miles through the walking trails in my neighborhood, pushing a stroller. And I also use my treadmill.

How often did you work out?
I work out four times a week, at best two times during the weekday and all weekend. 

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight? 
When I first submitted my story in 2019, I weighed 364 pounds and dropped to 223 pounds. I got pregnant in 2020 and had my son in December. 

In January 2021, I weighed 284 pounds. I found out I was pregnant again and had my twins in September 2022. In October 2022, I weighed 277 pounds, and I currently weigh 208 pounds.

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
No, I didn’t do surgery.

What is your height? 
I am 5’4″.

When did you start your journey? How long did your transformation take?
I started in Dec 2017 and still going. I had lots of off and on throughout the process. However, I became more consistent in February 2018 and lost most of my weight (around 141lbs). I gained weight from 2 back to back pregnancies and have lost 69 pounds since the last time I wrote to you.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned? 
To never give up. To keep going and be consistent. Buy yourself hope clothes that you have to work to get into. Once you get there, that outfit is your prize. Then buy another smaller outfit to challenge yourself to get into that one. 

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight? 
Never give up. Keep going. Slow progress is better than no progress. Learn your body to become a better you, and if need be, do vision boards and goal charts to see your goal and progress with pictures.

Instagram: @shesamixedchick