Lavette lost 70 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Lavette lost 70 pounds. When she began her journey, she had four children under the age of six, and she was in a troubled relationship. Food was her escape, and unhealthy food choices led to weight gain. In June 2019, she found the strength and willpower to start changing her life. She shared with us how she used healthy food, exercise, and a positive mindset to get results.

My name is Lavette, and I’ve been following BWLW for a whilleeeee now, lol. I never thought today (the day before my birthday) I’d be submitting my story to you guys. So funny how life works, huh? So here goes… 

What was your motivation?
I was in a five-year relationship and had four kids, all five years old and under. (Yes, at the time, I was the mom of a 5, 4, 3, and 2 year old, lol.)

Being in that relationship left such a dark cloud over me, and food became my escape/my comfort. I would always make poor choices, and weight just piled on. My highest weight was 265 pounds by the time I was pregnant with my daughter. My knees would hurt, and going up the steps felt like I was lifting weights. 

I had so much going on in my life that it got to a point where I had completely lost myself. I hated how I felt waking up in the morning. I hated waking up and feeling like I got hit by a truck. 

One day, May 23, 2019, I took full-body pics of myself and got DISGUSTED. However, I still didn’t have the willpower to make the change. So I continued to eat food for comfort until June 14, 2019. That’s when I told myself, “This is the LAST time that you will not love yourself. This is the last time you will be fat. This is the last time anyone will fat shame you!” and I meant just that. Since then I have lost 70 pounds!! 

How did you change your eating habits?
I swapped out poor eating habits for smarter eating habits. I honestly went into this process not knowing a thing. I just knew the general basics of healthy eating. So I used Google, Youtube, and IG as tools to help me get started. My eating choices became smarter and better once I got completely FED UP with how the WRONG foods were negatively affecting my body. 

I put myself on a calorie deficit, and I used MYfitnessPal as a calorie tracker. I honestly used the app for about a week because my life is so busy that I don’t have time to plug everything I eat. So I simply make sure whatever I eat gives me the protein, fiber, and nutrients I need to see changes happen with my body. 

What was your workout routine?
At the beginning of my journey (6/14.19), I walked 4.4 -5 miles a day for a month, six days a week. Once I got the confidence to go to the gym (a month later) and not worry that “everyone is looking at me,” I started going to the gym and never left. I worked out 45 mins-60 mins on the treadmill. In the beginning, I would power walk and then started walking on an incline. I set daily and weekly goals to become stronger and faster. I also taught myself how to breathe during workouts. 

Honestly, I shredded pounds and didn’t even worry about strength training. Once I saw that I was losing weight, but my skin wasn’t looking toned, that’s when I started incorporating my OWN workout routines, doing LOTS of HIIT, and focusing on maintaining and toning. I DID NOT have a trainer. 

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight was 245 pounds, and my current weight is 175 pounds. 

What is your height?
My height is 5’6″.

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
No. No surgery, no quick fixes, and no diet pills. I did this 100% naturally. 

What is the biggest lesson(s) you’ve learned so far? 
I learned to love myself again and how strong I really am. I learned to become the Vibe I wanted people to be with me. Along this journey, I outgrew many people and situations.

Would you like to offer any new or different advice to women who want to lose weight?
THE BEST advice I can give anyone is that this is YOUR JOURNEY. It’s called a “journey” for a reason. Journeys have no endings, so you have to put your mind into a positive place. When your mind is settled and processes positivity, then the BODY will follow. 

You have to SHED THE DEAD WEIGHT, on your body and IN YOUR LIFE. You have to walk through a journey of FAITH and wear a faith shield at all times because there will be a new devil for every new level you reach. Also, EVERYONE IS NOT WELCOME TO BE APART OF YOUR JOURNEY. 

Trust the process. Some days that scale won’t move, and some days you will mentally struggle. Every day WILL NOT be a “happy day,” but every day you commit to at least one hour of physical activity is ANOTHER CHANCE at life. 

As we get older, our bodies don’t operate the same. After childbirth, our bodies NEVER go back to their origin. So don’t beat yourself up, and do not deprive yourself. Nothing beats a FAIL but a TRY. You have no clue what’s behind that door you keep staying behind. GROW, young queen, and DON’T YOU EVER LOOK BACK.

I’m thankful that I did this for myself. I went in clueless, and I knew nothing about fitness. But, seeing what I did on my own, I know that I can only KEEP going. The goal is to FINISH STRONG. PS: Be on the lookout for my weight loss e-book dropping soon.

Instagram: @oohlalalavette