Kelsey lost 71 pounds

Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Kelsey lost 71 pounds.  She changed her habits to become a healthier person and to avoid a family history of high blood pressure and diabetes. She wants to encourage you and let you know that losing weight is possible for YOU.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey:

“Hi, my name is Kelsey. On March 5th, 2013, I decided that I was going to do something to better myself & acquired a YMCA membership with the hopes of becoming a healthier me. On March 6th, 2013, I completed my first workout which began this journey. I distinctly remember how tough it was.  Weighing in at 275 pounds, the treadmill was not my friend. So much so that the amount of weight I had on me gave me joint issues when using the treadmill. I would jump around to elliptical machines to lessen the joint impacts…that is until I could tolerate the treadmill again. My workout routine as I lost weight eventually moved to 45 minutes to an hour of cardio, which was usually a run/walk interval along with 15 minutes of strengthening (abs/arms) afterwards.

I changed my eating habits, cutting out fast foods COMPLETELY for the first 3 months (I now eat at them OCCASIONALLY, very rarely still), cut back on fried foods, snacked on veggies, & cut back on breads/sweets. I ate a lot more fish, salads with grilled chicken or steak, snacked on baby carrots, and just cooked more of my food overall.

My starting weight on March 6, 2013 was 275 pounds…today March 5, 2014, I’m down to 204 pounds. I feel soooo much better, mentally & physically/. I can move around easier & have tons more confidence. I didn’t know until now how much my weight was holding me back from trying new things & meeting new people. I was like a turtle who stayed in their shell before. My motivation to change stemmed from not wanting to rely of blood pressure medications and diabetic medications like my elders. I knew these health issues ran in my family and I KNEW I was heading towards the same route with the way my eating habits were. I mean I was very close to 300 lbs at my heaviest, being 283 at one point.

I want to tell all of those who are struggling or playing with the idea of losing weight and becoming a healthier person…YOU CAN DO IT!! This coming from a 24 year old woman who had failed COUNTLESS times with losing weight. You just have to WANT IT!! You have to tell yourself “it’s not going to be easy but it will be worth it”. It doesn’t happen overnight. You have to know its a work in process even when u aren’t seeing the results u want. There will be days that you fall off the wagon, but don’t let that keep u down, GET BACK ON!!  I know this is so cliche…but seriously, IF I CAN DO IT, ANYONE CAN! I’m still working towards my goal weight of 175-180pounds. God bless!”

Instagram: @Kelsey_89