Mary lost 50 pounds

Update Oct 2020: Mary lost 11 more pounds for a total of 61 pounds gone. We’ve been following her journey since 2016. She joined an online program for accountability and guidance and got great results. We asked her to share how she has maintained her success and what has allowed her to stay on track.

Age: 42
Height: 5’7″
Starting weight: 247.3 pounds
Current Weight: 186.3 pounds
Weight Loss: 61 pounds
Starting Dress Size: 18
Current Dress Size: 10
Representing: Chicago, IL
Zodiac sign: Libra

How have you maintained your weight loss/continued to lose weight?
I changed my diet and prepared all my meals. I also worked out 4 to 5 days a week.

What obstacles, hurdles, or setbacks have you faced during your journey, and how did you get back on track?
Due to my hectic work schedule and a hypertension diagnosis, I changed my eating habits. Then, shortly after that, I decided to return to the Fitness on Fire program to get guidance and have a support system, especially during the pandemic.

The Fitness on Fire program has helped me. My Nutritionist and Trainer provided guidance to help me achieve these results. They can help you understand healthy eating and nutrition. The training is not strenuous, and you get results.

The program also helped me truly see my transformation during the process, even though it’s an online program. The honest and real feedback I received made a difference in how I see myself and in the rebuilding of my confidence.

What has worked in terms of eating habits and what worked in terms of exercise?
I avoid takeout food, junk food, and fried foods. I eat more fruits and vegetables. I exercise 4 to 5 days a week (for up to 75 minutes) doing the workout regimen that my online trainer, King of the Fire, designed.

Of the lessons you have learned on this journey, what stands out the most?
I have learned that it’s easy to lose focus during your journey. Never give up, and you can always redeem yourself. This is your journey, and you control the outcome.

At this point, would you offer any new or different advice to others who want to lose weight?
Be invested in you. This is a constant journey. Always remind yourself that you come first and that this is a lifestyle change.

Instagram: @finesse13

Transformation of the Day: Mary lost 50.3 pounds. Her wakeup call was diagnosed being with pre-hypertension, knowing how hypertension negatively affected her family. She reached out to her sister who shared how she lost 60 lbs. with an online training program. She decided to give it a try. Check out how she got results.

Age: 39
Height: 5’7″
Starting weight: 247.3  pounds
Current Weight: 197 pounds
Weight Lost: 50.3 lbs
Representing: Chicago, IL

What was your motivation?
At the age of 37, I was diagnosed with pre-hypertension, which is hereditary in my family. My blood pressure was always elevated and I was feeling sick all the time. I heard about how my family members suffered with the disease and  wanted to avoid medication, which would be the next step if I continued on the path I was on. I can remember looking at myself in the mirror and thinking, “When did I let myself go? When did I start to forget about me?!” I was once a vibrant thing (in my Q-Tip voice), outgoing and the life of the party. I believe all that left when I started to gain weight. I was motivated to begin my weigh loss journey because of my health and because I wanted to feel like the “old me”.

What inspired you?
My youngest sister, Rashonda Williams inspired me to focus on releasing the weight. I saw her transformation on Facebook and Instagram one day and I started to think… if she can do it, could I? I remember the day I called my sister to ask her about how she was losing the weigh and she told me about Fitness on Fire Online Program. I gave it some thought and I decided to make a change in my life. I started in Oct 2015. I was nervous and concerned, because I was unsure how I would make the necessary adjustments and changes to my lifestyle. I am in a stressful workplace and grabbing something quick to eat was a habit that I had become accustom to. One day, I saw a quote that read, “I will fight for it. I will not give up. I will reach my goal and absolutely nothing will stop me.” This quote has inspired me on those days when I wanted to give up, when I wanted to eat a bag of Ruffles, and when I looked in the mirror and saw myself as I did the first day I started my journey.

How did you change your eating habits?
I followed the guidelines from my nutritionist, Nutritionist Guru on the Fitness on Fire team. I cut out junk food, fast food and fried foods. I stopped eating potato chips, cookies, cake and candy. Also, I loved drinking store bought fruit juice in the past, but I stopped drink it. I began to incorporate more fruits, vegetables, chicken and fish into my meals. I’m also drinking plenty of water.

What did your workout routine consist of?
I dedicated up to 90 minutes, 3-5 days a week, to doing a HIIT/resistance training workout, along with ab crunches (100 to 200 each visit to the gym). This was all part of the fitness regimen that my online trainer, King of the Fire, has designed for me to drop the body fat.

How long did your transformation take?
I started to notice changes right away, within weeks. My transformation has taken about 12 months.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
My advice to others who are on this journey is to remain Consistent. Consistency is key. You have to believe that you can do it, even when life gets in the way. When I started my journey, I was preparing my meals every Sunday for the week and visiting the gym 4 to 5 days a week. Then, Life started to get in way. My job became more stressful and required more of my time. I started to become tired and burned out. My meal prepping declined and I started to visit the gym less. Even though all of this caused changes to my original regimen, I always told myself, “Continue to eat the right foods. You have tomorrow to go to the gym if you missed a day.” Never give up because it will pay off. I just never quit, because I came too far to turn back.

The Fitness on Fire program worked for me because I had the support of Nutritionist Guru and King of Fire. They  provided direction, support, guidance and motivation along the way. I must say, I have tried other programs and all of them are incomparable to Fitness on Fire.

Instagram: @finesse13

Previous Update 2017: Mary wrote in to share her progress photos and some of the insights she’s had on her journey so far. She’s gone from a size 18 to a size 12.

Starting weight: 247.3 pounds
Current Weight: 195 pounds
Weight Lost: 52.3 pounds

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned during my journey is how to stay consistent. I’ve also learned not to allow the challenges of the day to day, such as work and daily responsibilities, hinder you from achieving the goals you’ve set out for yourself. Planning is key. Meal prepping makes it so much easier to stay consistent. I’ve committed more time in the gym, now going 5 days a week when time permits. Before, I was going 3-5 times, but wasn’t consistently going weekly. I cut out fast food, alcohol and eating late. I’m learning more about what I’m putting into my system. I’m more conscious of what foods works best for my body.

One of the things that stands out the most is how much my features have changed and how my body has been reshaped. I have a waistline. I have curves and an hourglass figure. I wasn’t able to see what was hidden underneath before. Now, I never want to hide this shape again, so I will continue my lifestyle change for a new me. I often look at myself in the mirror and ask, “Who is that girl with the high cheeks bones and hour glass shape.” I’m so amazed at what hard work, dedication and true commitment to self can do.

My advice to others would be to never give up. It can be challenging to stay focused on your journey, because of career and family responsibilities. There were times during my jouney that I found myself making bad choices in my food selections, but I avoided beating myself up for the mistake I made. I just went to the gym, worked harder and focused on the day ahead. I didn’t let emotions hinder me and I overcame the obstacles. I stayed focused on Me!

The compliments I receive from my coworkers, family and friends kept me motivated. One particular day, I was walking the aisle at work and a gentleman came running down the aisle behind me calling my name. When he finally caught up to me, he said, “You look great. How much weight have you lost and what are you doing?” That made me feel good to know that people notice my transformation. I felt that my hard work truly paid off.

Disclaimer: Reference or link to any specific product, diet plan, exercise plan or service mentioned in the weight loss stories we share is for the information of our readers, and does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Black Women Losing Weight.