Kourtnee lost 77 pounds

Update Feb 2016 – Kourtnee is now down 97 pounds!

“I was featured a few months ago and just wanted to provide an update to my journey. I was at 77 lbs down when you all first featured me. I have lost an additional 20 pounds and am now down 97 lbs. I have gained a lot of muscle as well. My pace of losing has slowed down considerably, but I am still on pace to reach my ultimate goal of 100 lbs down in one year. I have until May 16th. I have had some spans of slacking off, but I have learned to not allow those thoughts to keep me down.”

Dec 2015 – Weight Loss Story: Kourtnee lost 77 pounds. Like many other moms, this mom of 2 was fighting the pregnancy pounds years after giving birth. Clean eating, strength training and learning to indulge with moderation has helped her to change her lifestyle and get healthy. Here is what she shared with us…

Starting weight: 277 pounds

Current weight: 200 pounds My initial goal is to lose 100 lbs in a year.

Height 5’6″

What was your motivation?

My motivation is simply be the healthiest version of me that I can possibly be. At 33 years of age, I have a 14 year old son that I had fairly young and a 4 year old daughter. I have been overweight my entire adult life. I gained 100 lbs during my first pregnancy due to dealing with prepartum depression. When my son turned 4, I decided I’d had enough and had to lose the weight. I began eating right and working out using Billy Blanks Taebo Dvds. I’d also gone back to school full-time and had to do lots of walking. During that time, I lost 60 lbs and couldn’t seem to go any further so I just gave up. I ended up gaining about 20 lbs back then maintained that weight.

I got pregnant with my daughter about 6 years later. I didn’t gain as much weight the second time around, but I ended up weighing about the same since I started out heavier. At my biggest, I weighed 277 pounds. On May 16th 2015, I finally decided that I was over being overweight and unhealthy. I joined a gym, changed my eating and in the almost 6.5 months I have lost 77 pounds. I just wanted to improve my overall health for my kids.

How did you change your eating habits?

I eat clean mostly, but I do not restrict myself from anything. I simply eat in moderation. I don’t make it a habit of eating sweets or junk regularly, but I do have a cookie or two from time to time. Snacks were always my issue. I love candy and chips, so I do everything to avoid them. Drinks, other than wine, have never been an issue as the only thing I drink is water. No soda or juice. I have had to sacrifice my wine. I love wine!! However, learning that digested wine turns to sugar and is no different than eating a cookie made me realize that in order to achieve my goals, I had to cut back. I do still allow myself a couple of glasses a month.

What did your workout routines look like?

I go to the gym 6 days a week. I do 45 minutes to an hour of cardio, followed by anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour of strength training. I alternate upper body, lower body, and core days.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?

Just don’t stop. If you slip and fall and have a bad day,get up and keep pushing. Do not let the scale discourage you either. That use to be a major issue of mine and why I have given up in the past. My motto is “take it one day and one craving at a time! ”

I have started tracking my journey on Instagram: @this_unrestrickted_journey