Kanisha lost 55 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Kanisha lost 55 pounds. She gained weight over the years through college, joining the sedentary work force and nesting as a new wife. She said, “Don’t commit to losing the weight, commit to your REASON for wanting to lose the weight.” and I love that! Her reason, wanting a healthy future pregnancy, was all the motivation she needed. Check out what she did to release the pounds.

I walked across the big stage at 18 and didn’t have a care in the world. I went to college, and I put on the typical freshman 15 during my 1st year. I also put on the sophomore 5, the junior 10, and went out with a bang with a senior 20. BOOM! I got 50 pounds heavier in 4 years. I got married soon after college and starting working my first desk job. Bring on the pounds. I always knew I had gained weight and was no longer able to fit my favorite outfits. I even noticed my energy levels drastically decreased. I was ALWAYS tired. With the fatigue, I figured the best cure for that was sleep. Work, eat, sleep, story of my life. With the STRESSES of adjusting to my new life along with marital and financial struggles, I found myself at 100 pounds above my high school weight in just 7 years.

I consider myself a pretty confident soul, so even at my heaviest weight, you couldn’t tell me I wasn’t the finest thing walking! Of course, my husband constantly told me I was beautiful, so I still thought I had no issues. After being married for 2 ½ years, my husband and I decided to start trying for children. I put off my fatigue as a side effect of my hormones going crazy, so I continued to ignore my body telling me to make some changes. I finally decided it was time for me to make a change when simple things became not-so-simple. Putting on clothes=struggle. Putting on shoes=struggle. Lathering with lotion=struggle. Walking up and down steps almost made me pass out. I got headaches daily, and parts of my body would ache and swell at any given time of the day. I had reached my limit of pain. My goal became to simply FEEL GOOD AGAIN.

I decided in June 2015 that I wanted to be as healthy as possible in order to give 100% of myself to my husband and future children. I decide to invest in a personal trainer (something I never thought I would do, due to the extensive cost), but it has been my best investment yet (after my education, of course). Having my accountability partner is everything I never thought I needed (excuse my English). I do 30 minutes to 1 hour total-body strength training 4 days a week, and I aim for 1 hour of cardio 5-6 days a week.

I also started cooking at home and I stayed away from fast food and convenience eating. It’s easy to slip up during lunch breaks and on the way home from work, so I eventually began my meal prep journey. I eat clean now and drink tons of water all day long. My meals/snacks include; baked or slow cooked white lean meats, such as fish and chicken and an assortment of veggies. I eat fruit and no-cook oatmeal for breakfast. I have one cheat day a week when I eat whatever I’ve been craving throughout the week, but over time those cravings have become less of a battle. Discipline is everything.

My starting weight was 257 pounds and I now weigh 202 pounds. I am 5’4″, so I have at least 50 more pounds before I reach my recommended BMI. I lost 55lbs in 7 months from June 2015 to January 2016. I lost momentum during the holidays, but I am back on my grind. My goal is to lose the remaining 50 by June 2016.

My advice to others who want to lose weight is, find out why you want to lose. Don’t commit to losing the weight, commit to your REASON for wanting to lose the weight. TO ME, my weight wasn’t a problem, but having a healthy pregnancy was. To me the person in the mirror was beautiful as ever, but inside, she was physically dying. Commit to your Reason!!

Instagram: @Mrs_kay_p