Today’s featured weight loss story: Kashina lost 100 pounds with low carb eating, clean eating and exercise. She now runs more than 4 miles per day.
“I started my lifestyle change back in December 2011. I was around 270 maybe even 280 pounds. I’m not sure because I didn’t have a scale at the time. It had been a year since I had my baby and I hadn’t lost anything but my baby bump. I had no energy and my husband was pretty much doing everything around the house because it was just so much work to get off my big butt! I was miserable and hated my reflection in the mirror. One day my husband picked up a book and an old picture of me from when we first started dating fell out of it. I was at least 80 pounds thinner in that picture and that very day I decided I needed to get back to that size.
I’ve never been “skinny”, I’m 5’9″ and have a very large bone structure. I’m often mistaken for a Pacific Islander. My original diet plan was to get on a high protein, low carb diet and not to buy a scale for a while. I didn’t want to get stuck on a number. I know that weighing yourself daily can either encourage or discourage you. I felt that it might discourage me because I had a lot of weight to lose and wanted to lose it fast. To guage my progress I had a size 14 pants in the closet (I was wearing a 20), and I would try them on periodically to see how they fit. At first I couldn’t get them past my thighs. It took about 6 months of eating low carb for me to feel that I had got back to the size I was before the baby. Once I was there, I realized how overweight I still was. I still hadn’t stepped on a scale, and when I did I was still over 220lbs which I knew I didn’t want to be.
I started to get more energy and started doing a lot more around the house. I then decided that I needed to exercise. I started riding an exercise bike, but couldn’t really keep up with it because it hurt my butt and couldn’t really keep my baby away from the spinning wheel, so I decided I would start running. My first day I ran around my block which when I mapped it was .75 miles. I felt I could go further so I mapped out a mile and started running that daily. It started getting easier. Now I’m up to 4 miles a day. I just ran in my first 8K race 2 weeks ago and I was so happy that I had the stamina to run the full race without walking.
Right now, I weigh 180 and wear a size 10 pants. I’ve lost 100 pounds, but I still want to lose about 25 to 30 more. In addition to running I bought a weight bench a weight set and various other pieces of fitness equipment. I try to work a different muscle group every day. My goal has changed so much since I got started. I went from just wanting to get back into my size 14 pants, to wanting to get as fit as I possible can. I realized that I don’t just want to look good in clothes, I want to look good nude too! That’s where the weight training comes in. I really want to have nicely toned muscles. I’ve had to adjust my eating to continue weight loss. Now I don’t just eat low carb/high protein, but I eat clean which means no processed foods. I also eat 5 or 6 small meals a day with 25-30g of protein in each meal. I’m so much happier now that I’ve started to take care of my body and I realized that loving the skin you’re in doesn’t mean just accepting yourself the way you are, but loving yourself enough to do the very best you can for yourself which means feeding yourself the healthiest foods, exercising and getting enough rest.”
Nurah says
So inspiring indeed. Congrats and best wishing on your continuous journey to a healthier you…smiles.
T. says
WOW is all I can say! Awesome for you! Your picture caught my eye and led me to this website. So glad to find somewhere to start my journey back to the way I used to /am supposed to be. Thanks for putting yourself out there! Keep it up!
Jae says
Congrats. What an inspirational story!! I hope to write my own soon. Thanks for the protein info.
Leslie says
I love your story! Your height, your weight, clothing size, and level of energy mirrors me.
Mere says
This is great! From a professional stand point low carb high protein is not great way of dieting! Make small changes
Eat balance diet that contains 25 % of plate starch 25% protein and unlimiyed veggies your plate should be no bigger than 9 inches
Weigh your food and indulge 3 times a week oy but still use moderation
Before any weight loss program seek professional an not diy methods
There are several people who are mot reaching there goals because they are mot eating properly
Shasta says
Well…. It seems to have worked for her.
Gail says
You don’t know anything about this woman’s metabolism, or history with food, or what she had possibly tried in the past. And you don’t know that she didn’t seek professional help. This way of eating worked for her, and seems to work for lots of people. One size does NOT fit all when it comes to ways to get healthy.
Andrea says
Her accomplishments are to be commended. So incredibly encouraging. I especially like what she said about loving the skin you’re in. I’m writing that one down.
shirlry j says
Congratulations on your weight loss!!! I am up to 65 lbs but can’t seem to get pass this #I’m stuck at. How where you able to get rid of the hanging flabby fat? O need some additional help and suggestions. I’m already on the right road of losing..
Debra Ann says
So proud of you. We are all experiencing good results with low carb, exercise, strength and fitness improvements but the #1 thing is the renewed energy that comes naturally ! I feel so good that I think that I am overworking my muscles as they ache after every workout. But I don’t really mind. I am excited for renewed energy which equals greater health and weight loss. Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing your success story with us. So proud of you !
Michelle says
Wow!!! So true and inspirational!:) I love your message and determination. You inspire so many! Thank you for sharing:)
Ms. C says
I admire you you look so good keep up the good work !You made me wanna get on the good foot and lose some weight for my health more that anything
Kim says
Thank you for sharing your AMAZING story!!!
denise says
what kind of foods did you eat? meal planning
merlyn says
WOW!!! I am so inspired and very proud of you… I know you will meet your goal soon. can you please let me know at what weight did you start to run. I am about 220 and desire to run but I am not sure if it will be good for me.
Leticia D Smith says
I am so proud of you. you have got me fired up. keep up the good work.
paula morris-jacquet says
I’m so.impressed with your story. I’ve lost 20lbs since November it doesn’t seem like a lot but I do feel better. I am a diabetic and have started taking my health serious. I’ve started walking I have to go in slow motion have asthma also. I! Watching my carb intake as well. Could you please give me some examples of your daill menu would be really grateful. Why weight lose is @ a stand still and it’s starting to be very disencouraging. Need some advise wnat to loose about 40 more lbs
Cherron R. Wilson says
You look amazing
Riquita Taylor says
I am a “newbie,” in that I just made the decision to begin my journey to health a few days ago. Reading this story has motivated me even more!!! Stay tuned– You’ll be reading about me soon!!! In the meantime, THANK YOU for your inspiration…
R. Taylor
A Thomas says
Wow, we have the same stats starting and current stats. I am working on building more muscle. I stayed at the same weight, but went from a 14 to a 10, so I know I am on the right track.
Tamara Stewart says
You look amazing. Such an inspirational story, wishing you continued success.
Ari says
So amazing..I’m learning that the true first step is knowing you have aproblem and you can’t fix it until you get up off your butt! Our stories sound sooo parallel..I and going to just START somewhere, building myself up bit by bit, mind, body, and soul. BTW, Congratulations on your journey and success thus far!!!
Gail says
Thank you for sharing your story, and wishing you all the best. I’m 5’9″, with a goal weight of 170, doing a high fat, low carb way of eating. I still have a ways to go, but am seeing results, and seeing your results is very encouraging to me. Thank you again!