Marquita lost 50 pounds

View this post on Instagram

TRANSFORMATION TUESDAY ❤️. When you are looking for motivation look at yourself in the mirror. That should be all the motivation you need to get your act together. If that’s not enough find people who challenge you and inspire you. Who knows what it’s like to want to give up but knows their life is worth saving. This didn’t happen overnight. It happened because I kept going. Keep going no matter what your results look like. The journey is so worth it. #transformationtuesday #goals #builtnotbought #grateful #waisted #nike #nikewomen #tulsamom #fitnessmotivation #goalgetter #naturalbody #366fitmom #stronger #fitmom #lifetimebody #mombody #inspire #40andfit #curvygirl #365mission #stevetvshow #afrofitness #fitness #blackwomanworkout #thickthighssavelives #weightlossjourney #fitnessmotivation #myfitnessjourney

A post shared by Marquita Owens (@366fitmom) on Feb 26, 2019 at 10:36am PST

Transformation of the Day: Marquita lost 50 pounds. As she approached her 40s, she wanted to stop the cycle of gaining and losing weight that she’d faced for a number of years. She challenged herself to exercise daily for a whole year and her efforts paid off. Check out her story.

Starting weight: 205 pounds
Current weight: 155 pounds
Height: 5’7″

What was your motivation?
I was turning 40 years old and didn’t want my 40s to be just the same routine as my 20s and 30s: Losing weight every year and gaining it right back.

What inspired you when you wanted to give up?
Small changes inspired me. I told myself at least I’m better then I was yesterday. Knowing what the end result was going to be helped me to keep pushing. I also posted online everyday about my journey so that helped a lot.

How did you change your eating habits?
During the first month, I counted calories. That worked, but I knew I didn’t like doing it and it wouldn’t become part of my lifestyle. Instead, I found that I like meal prep and portion control. I also began adding in more veggies. I learned that my grownup taste buds love veggies.

I eat pretty healthy and lite during the week, but I allow myself 1 free day. I also never told myself I couldn’t have a certain food. If I wanted something unhealthy, it had to be in a very small portion if it wasn’t on my free day. I needed to teach myself how to have a heathy relationship with food and this works for me.

What did your workout routine look like?
I made a challenge for myself at the beginning of 2016 to workout for a year straight. I completed 366 days. I did bike riding, weights, sauna, walking, swimming, hiking, cycling, battle ropes, agility ladder, boxing and etc.  I also worked out with a personal trainer occasionally. You name it I did it.  Everyday just had to be something different so I didn’t get bored. I lost 50 pounds and gained so much confidence along the way. This year, I started the challenge again and created a group to help motivate other people to take their lives back.

Over the course of this process, I have become a cycle instructor, teaching at 2 different gyms. I want to be a inspiration to others and show that you can do whatever you put your mind to.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
Everyday isn’t going to be easy, but you must dig deep and keep pushing.

What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight?
Take back your life. If you can give 8 hours to a job and time to your family, you can give 15 minutes to 1 hour to yourself. You are so worth it. I would also say stay off the scale. Let the tape measure become your best friend. Measure the parts that matter the most to you. That will help you keep your mind right.

Instagram: @366fitmom