Mary lost 16 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Mary lost 16 pounds with healthy eating habits and consistent workouts. She decided not to wait until the end of her fitness journey to share her progress on social media and how she is getting results.

I didn’t start by going to the gym every day. I began by stretching for 10 minutes. Each day, I built my workouts from there until I decided to start going to the gym. I wanted to share this because many people think you just have to get up and start this intense workout and go cold turkey on all the food you love, but that’s not realistic, and it won’t last. This is a journey, and there’s no race or finish line in this. Enjoying the process and growing throughout it will sustain much longer.

What was your motivation? What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up?
Discipline is my motivation. Also, starting my fitness page @maryelizfit motivated me. I was going to wait to share my fitness journey after achieving the body I desired, but then I thought, “How many other pages are out there with women who already have the muscle. Why not be vulnerable and show women like me how imperfect this journey can be.” Having this page has held me accountable, and that’s the biggest motivation anyone can have. 

How did you change your eating habits? 
I am currently counting my macros. I don’t eat much fried food, dairy, or sugar. Instead, I make sure to get in 150 grams of protein each day with a limited carb intake (STILL EAT YOUR GOOD CARBS! it’s okay!) I track my macros with the Carb Manager app.

What did your workout routine consist of? How often did you work out?
I work out five days a week for an hour. I weight train A LOT. Lifting is my go-to exercise because I want to build muscle while still losing fat this time around. I try to add 15-20 of cardio after each workout session.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight is 256 pounds. I currently weigh 240 pounds.

What is your height?
I’m 5’7″.

When did you start your journey? How long did your transformation take?
I started on Nov 3, 2021. I am still on my health journey. I began to see results during my 4th month of working out.

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey? 
No, I did not have any weight-loss surgeries.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
THROW THE SCALE AWAY! Take measurements instead. It’s not about how hard you go in the gym. It’s not about eating the right meal once or looking in the mirror every day to see results. Consistency really is key, and I used to hear it so much and think how cliché everyone was saying this, but it is absolutely true! 

What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight?
Listen to your body. Trust the process. Find a support system and do it for YOU. This is a lifestyle, and it’s not just about weight loss. Being healthy means a positive connection in the mind, body, and spirit. You got this!

Last March 2021, I broke my ankle and had to have surgery which caused me to gain 50 pounds. I took a birthday trip in October and hated how I looked in every photo. Upon my return from vacation, I decided to start my journey.