Lauren lost 25 pounds

Update: Lauren has lost 9 more pounds and surpassed her goal weight, bringing her total to 36 pounds.

I have surpassed my goal weight of 135 pounds. I weigh 133 pounds as of today. I credit my continued weight loss and snatched waistline to clean eating and core-focused workouts.

Now, I’m on a mission to tone, strengthen, and gain more definition. I will be restricting myself to fruits and vegetables during the week (M-F) and staying under 1200 calories on the weekends (but eating whatever the hell I want!)

I thank God, my family, and my friends for riding along side me on this journey through the midst of a global pandemic! Thank you, JESUS! @laurenshay.la 

Lauren lost 25 pounds. Witnessing her father’s battle with end-stage renal disease motivated her to change her life. She has been working hard since April 2020 to get results. Tracking her food intake with My Fitness Pal and working out six days a week are two ways she took action.

Starting weight: 167 pounds
Current weight: 142 pounds
Goal: 135 and HEALTHY

At 4’10”, my peak weight this year was 167 pounds (the most I’ve weighed in my life). I began my weight loss journey seriously towards the end of April 2020, and I’m super proud of myself.

What was your motivation? What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up?
Some days, my motivation is to see myself in a hot pink two-piece bathing suit with a flat tummy in St. Lucia. Other days, mental health benefits from the walks I take, making me feel empowered, energized, and allowing me to sort my thoughts out in my head. 

What motivates me most deeply is my family’s health. My father, and his father before him, had health challenges due to end-stage renal disease. My dad has been blessed to receive two kidney transplants in the last 20 years. One came from my mother and the first from a friend of mine’s mother. As blessed as he is, I’m still doing whatever it takes to avoid kidney problems.

How did you change your eating habits?
I have been losing weight fairly quickly by restricting my calorie intake to 1200 calories per day. I’m not a part of any specific weight loss program, but I keep track of my food intake using MyFitnessPal. I’ve used MFP for YEARS, but I’m finally taking tracking seriously. My food intake consists predominantly of oatmeal, Caesar salad, and salmon. (I love a good salmon Caesar by the way). I don’t eat red meat or pork more than once or twice a month, max! I have very low sugar intake, barely any bread, and I’ve never been a snacker.

What did your workout routine consist of? How often did you work out?
I work out Monday – Saturday, and I rest on Sundays. Currently, my routine is evolving to include more jogging and running outside. I’m participating in the #FARChallenge by bass_brosfishing. They’re challenging us to complete 100 miles before 9/17, and it started 8/17. 

My usual workouts at home focus on core building and strength training for arms. I usually work out for one full hour. Whenever I return to the gym, I’ll be back on the treadmill and using arm and leg machines.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
Success doesn’t happen overnight. Weight loss is insidious, but if you keep going, you’re going to start seeing the results you want. I’ve also learned how to be transparent about asking for help without feeling like a burden. 

Weight loss can take a toll on your mental health. The anxiety, disappointment, sadness, doubt can be overwhelming at times. I thank God for allowing me to have an insanely supportive tribe behind me to catch me when I feel like falling. Thank you to my close friends, parents, sister-cousins, and boyfriend for being my biggest cheerleaders along this journey AND doing it with me!

What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight?
Keep going! You may have days when you want to cry or give up. It’s ok to feel that way and to cry, My fellow black queens. You have to get back on track and get to the work, or it won’t ever get done. If you want to see different, you gotta do different. You have to keep doing it until you get what you want because this process works as hard as you do. 

Also, take before and after pictures from week to week. It was so hard for me to see progress within the first few weeks. Once I started making weekly comparisons and comparing myself to my starting weight, I was like, “WOW! It’s working!” I hope for that same feeling for all my sistas who are working towards their goals as well. God Bless!

Instagram: @laurenshay.la and @queenshike.la

Update Sept 7, 2020: Lauren lost another 12 pounds after she sent in her story. She’s down 37 pounds.