LaShonta lost 49 pounds

Transformation of the Day: LaShonta lost 49 pounds. This Alpha Kappa Alpha soror has gone from a size 18 to a size 10. After a lifetime of struggling with her weight, she created the support system she needed to succeed and became disciplined when it came to her eating and exercise habits.

Since I can remember, I’ve always struggled with my weight. I was overweight as a child and as an adult. I was made fun of in middle school and high school due to my weight. In 2016, I decided to take my health back. At the time, I was at the heaviest weight I’ve ever been: 242 pounds. I was able to lose 37 pounds, but I gained 23 pounds of it back within the year. I continued to struggle. I gave up and went back to my old ways.

In July 2017, my schedule permitted for me to work out the way I wanted. My starting weight was 228 pounds. I started training with my longtime trainer Kelvin Bennett at Train 36ixty twice a week. I also joined Strong Fitness where I worked out three times a week with my trainer Shay. I began going to Zumba with LaNora Henry at Train 36ixty four times a week as well. I worked out as much as four times per day! I would run 3-4 miles, and sometimes until the treadmill cut off.

I stopped eating meat. I only ate seafood, vegetables, fruit, and nuts. I drank nothing but water! I began to get incredibly creative with my meals when I wanted to cook at home. I made meatless spaghetti using spaghetti squash as my noodles. I would also drink two protein shakes as a meal replacement, one for breakfast and one for dinner. Along with this, I would eat a meal for lunch and three snacks.

By December of 2017, I weighed 179 pounds. I’ve gone from a size 18 to a size 10. Now, I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in my life. My conditioning is unbelievable. I can do push-ups, and I actually love to run now.

I come from a family where most of my family members are obese (mostly on my father’s side), which motivated me to lose weight. There were days when I didn’t want to workout nor eat healthy, but I would tell myself, “You’ve come this far, there’s no turning back.” Also, I have a cousin who started her weight loss journey at the same time I did. We worked out together just about every day. We inspired and motivated each other to keep going. She’s a fantastic accountability partner.

My weight loss journey helped me to find myself all over again as a young woman, and to fall in love with myself. I remember trying on a onesie at Victoria’s Secret and being able to fit into it. I literally screamed in the dressing room. I’ve never been able to wear a onesie from Victoria’s Secret. I’ve become overly obsessed with maintaining my weight and continuing to work out. I cleaned out my closet thoroughly, and I got rid of all of my bigger clothes. I felt as though it would help me keep going and really make my weight loss a lifestyle!

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