Update Nov 2018: Shout out to Lisa! She’s lost 90 pounds! “Current Sz: 12-14 ⭐ 225lbs”
Transformation of the Day: Lisa lost 76 pounds. She was tired of the drama and extra expense that can come with shopping for plus sized clothing. She wanted to be able to shop anywhere. Ultimately, she found that going Keto and using at-home workout programs was the best combination for fat loss. Check out her story.
My motivation is probably different from most, as I didn’t have any health issues. My motivation came from always having to spend more money on quality clothes because I was plus size. It may sound a bit crazy, but this was my main motivation in the beginning. This was before the day and age of “Plus is equal“. In my opinion, it’s not… especially when I’m paying $70 for a pair of good fitting jeans or a pencil skirt.
I always wanted to have the freedom of being able to walk into any clothing store and actually fit clothes that were not plus sized. Since I couldn’t change the price points, I focused on changing me and doing what I could do to feel the freedom of shopping anywhere (including online) without the fear that things won’t fit. I wanted to be able to dress fearlessly without high price tags and without the “try Lane Bryant” speech. I wanted to have muscle definition again, like I had in high school. I wanted to be able to take the stairs, because I enjoyed taking the stairs. (I’m still working on that last one though.)
I did the yo-yo diet thing for about 3 years and managed to lose 35 pounds. The cheating was real. The light bulb finally came on last year when I found out about the Ketogenic way of eating (Atkins/Low Carb, High Fat) I did research for months, because I wanted to know how a person could be successful long-term without eating carbs?! That goes against everything I learned growing up. Whole grain this and sweet potato that. However, I decided I would give it a try.
I tried going Keto 2 times and failed. I failed because I allowed myself to cheat. My old habits pushed through. I also wasn’t prepared to live in a household where everyone was eating carbs, because I had no willpower whatsoever.
On February 1, 2017, I decided that I was going to give it one more try and not give up or give in. I decided to eat according to my goals and size I wanted to be. I switched my focus to a size and how I felt, versus a number on the scale. My goal size is a size 10-12. I actually made my husband hide the scale from me for 90 days. I also made a commitment to workout to the best of my ability.
I kept my macros at 70% fat/25% protein/5% carbs. I literally ate simple meals of meat and veggies for the first 60 days. I also had low carb meals, like boiled eggs and cheese sticks and high fat/zero carb coffee. I didn’t want to change too much to fast and not be able to maintain the changes, so I kept my carbs at about 30g a day. I had 100g of protein each day and about 145g of fat each day. My total calories were about 1800-1900 a day. I still follow the same numbers today, because they work for my body. I even bring my own sides to all family functions and work functions.
I quickly realized when I stopped comparing my progress to others’ progress, I found my joy in this lifestyle. I lost 32 pounds in the first 90 days of not cheating and doing Cize. This success really motivated me. I switched Beachbody programs and decided to try Core De Force, an MMA program, but my weight loss stalled. I lost 3 pounds a month for 2 months, and thought I was doing something wrong. (Even though the research I read said that in the first 2-3 months you will see the big losses and your progress will eventually taper down…)
For inspiration, I started pulling out clothes that were once too little. I needed omething to remind me that this process was working and to trust the process. All of my too little clothes were now too big or fit perfectly. I also decided to go through my progress pics, because I take lots of pics.
The scale may not move much, but I now know that my muscle gains are the reason why. I’m absolutely okay with that. I stalled again recently, so I went back to my research and discovered my electrolytes were too low (sodium, magnesium and potassium). This diet has diuretic effects, due to ketone production, so you have to keep your electrolytes in check. I began Intermittent Fasting for 16 hours a day and reintroduced myself to Powerade Zero. Within in a week, I was losing weight again.
Keto is not a diet that just helps you lose pounds. This diet is about losing stored fat and reconditioning your eating habits. I didn’t realize all the carbs, hidden sugars and chemicals in food before Keto. This diet makes you zone into those nutrition labels, because you’re more conscious of what you’re putting in your body. I even realized that I’m gluten intolerant.
My goals are serious to me and I’m so close to meeting them. I’m currently in size 16 at Ashley Stewart and Lane Bryant. My starting weight was 315 pounds in 2013 at 5′ 9.5″. When I started Keto in February 2017, I weighed in at 280 pounds. Today, I weigh 238.4 pounds. That is roughly a little over 5lbs of fat loss each month since I went Keto. I say fat loss, because I have gained so much muscle definition in my arms and legs. I can even start to see ab definition in my upper stomach.
I’m still working on my lower stomach and inner thighs. My most improved area is my lower stomach and I credit that to Core De Force. I love that program because it’s challenging and focuses on core stability, muscle definition and pushing yourself to your max. I’ve been addicted to this program for almost 4 months and still use the modified moves for some exercises because the progression is real. I normally workout 5 days a week, but I’m currently challenging myself to workout every day until 2018.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned and the best advice I can give: Find what works for you when it comes to any program or diet. Don’t be afraid to tweak the program to fit your lifestyle, because this isn’t a temporary change… it’s a lifestyle change. Whatever you do, make sure it challenges you consistently and fits into your lifestyle.
Also, don’t be afraid to try something new as far when it comes to food or workouts. Never in a million years would I have thought that I would love MMA and hiking, but I do. I never thought I would ever be able to give up carbs since I’m southern and love to cook southern-style foods. I took my love for cooking and challenged myself to make recipes with things I never tasted before. I tweaked the recipes until I liked them. Lastly, don’t be afraid of loose skin, because it may happen. That’s not the nail in the coffin, being unhealthy is the nail in the coffin.
Don’t be afraid to be great on your own terms!
Instagram: @keto.kardio.kettlebells @keto_lisa_
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