Lalla lost 77 pounds

Update: Lalla has lost more than 70 pounds/34kg and 6 dress sizes. The scale is a source of anxiety for her, so she tracks her progress in kilometers, not kilograms. She has become an avid runner, running over 2500km/1553.4 miles in the 10 months since she started.

Just a quick recap on my journey: I started in March 2018, and my
starting weight was 122kg (269lbs). As of August, I lost 34kg (75lbs)
and my weight was 88kg (194lbs) when you featured me on your social media platforms.

In August, I decided to stop weighing myself. In addition to the scale being the biggest trigger for my anxiety, I realized that this journey is not about a number. This journey is not a sprint to see how fast I get there. That is one of the lessons that becoming a runner has taught me.

Now, I measure my progress in kilometers, not kilograms (miles and
not pounds). In the ten months since I started, I have run over 2500km
(1553.4 miles). I also use clothes to track my progress. I’ve gone from
a size 44 (size 16) pants to a size 32 (size 4) pants, and from an XXXL top
to a medium.

I have continued with my intermittent fasting and become quite the runner. I ran an ultra marathon, as well as a few marathons and half marathons in the past five months since you featured me. My mental health has improved a lot, and I continue to be a great example for my 13-year-old daughter. Consistency, dedication, discipline, and the desire to be a better version of myself is what keeps me going. I look forward to my one-year anniversary mark in March, and I continue to keep showing up for myself. @Lalla.may

Transformation of the Day: Lalla lost 77 pounds/35kg. This mom just wanted to be a healthy example for her daughter. She was tired of trying and failing to release the weight, so this year she gave it her all. Intermittent fasting and running changed her life.

I turned 32 years old in February. I gained so much weight during the previous year. My confidence and self-esteem took a huge knock.

The turning point for me was when I stepped on the scale in March, and it read 122kg (269 pounds). This was the heaviest I’d ever been in my life. That very same day I decided to change my life. I was so tired of
always starting this journey only to give up after a while and gaining back all the weight. I was tired of failing myself.

My greatest motivation is my 13 year old daughter. I want to be a good example for her. I also wanted to be healthy and feel good about myself.

I cut out sugar entirely from my diet. I was addicted to junk and would usually binge. I started intermittent fasting in April. I needed some structure. I still practice intermittent fast to this day. I do the 16/8 split, with an eating window from 11am-7pm.

I started running in March, although at that time I was probably walking more than running, but I pushed myself. I was so desperate for change. I was always online checking out the stories of people who have managed to lose weight and are still going.

Intermittent fasting, running and eating healthy are the three things I did to make these changes in my life. The first few months were difficult, but I kept being consistent and I worked hard. Since March, I’ve run over 1300km (808miles). Running has truly saved my life. It calms and heals my soul.

I have lost just over 35kg (77 pounds) in 6 months. For me, this is only the beginning of what I can achieve. I am 1.67m tall, and my goal weight is 74kg (165 pounds).

I currently workout six days a week. My workouts consist of a lot of running. I also do HIIT workouts as well. I always do long runs (over half marathon) on Saturdays. I eat clean and allow a “cheat meal” on Saturday.

The biggest lesson that I’ve learned is to trust the process. Results are not going to happen overnight. I also learned that I need to be gentle with myself. Small victories count just as much as the huge milestones.

My advice to anyone who is at home thinking that they desperately want to change, but they don’t know how to would be to start small. Don’t overwhelm yourself or do a lot of things at one time. Small changes over time will lead to significant results. Dedication over motivation. You will not always wake up and be motivated, so always remember why you started.

The biggest thing is consistency. You need to be consistent, and always show up for yourself. Making excuses only does a disservice to you. Yes, losing weight is hard, but it is so rewarding… and not just because of the physical change. The emotional change that happens is monumental as well. Bad days will happen, but if you fall don’t stay down. Always rise.

Six months ago, my life was totally different from what it is today. I look at myself in the mirror, and I am so proud of how far I’ve come. I’m going to keep going. I will keep showing up for myself. I love the woman I am now.

Instagram: @lalla.may