Transformation of the Day: Matteel lost 150 pounds. Her motivation was a desire to avoid health issues that affected her family line. She was able to lose 82 lbs on her own a few years ago, but gained some of the weight back and reached a plateau. This year, she busted through that plateau with the help of her trainer. Check out her story.
What was your motivation? What inspired you when you wanted to give up?
I was motivated by the desire to avoid health problems that other people in my family had. I was pre-diabetic and my cholesterol had creeped up to the point that my doctor was about to put me on medication. I also had high blood pressure.
How did you change your eating habits?
When I started on this journey in 2009, I didn’t really know what I was doing but it worked at the time. Back then, I cut out all fried foods, fast foods, sodas and reduced my carbs. I lost 82 pounds just like that. Then, I hit a plateau and gained back 30 pounds.
A few years later, in 2016, I hired a trainer and followed his lean eating plan without deviation. The plan calls for lots of egg whites, spinach, salad, lean animal proteins, whey protein powder and a small amount of low-sugar fruits, like green apples, strawberries and grapefruit. I would also drink about a gallon of water each day and have a cheat meal once every week or two. Before eating the way he taught me, I was eating way too much of healthy things like olive oil, avocado, nuts, popcorn and sea salt. Not that those things are “bad” per se, but my approach to clean eating was not balanced at all. The expertise and guidance of a trainer made all the difference in the world for me.
What did your workout routine look like?
I work out six days per week. On three of those days, I workout with my trainer, Jerome Teasley of Hero Fitness, for strength training in the evenings. I also do 45 minutes to an hour of cardio six times a week. I just started doing cardio twice a day. I’ve really taken a liking to heavy lifting and look forward to learning more about that.
What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
In 2009, I weighed 352 pounds. Today I weigh 202 pounds. My goal weight is 142 pounds. I’m 5’2”
How long did your transformation take?
I started in 2009, losing 82 pounds on my own. I’ve lost 150 lbs. all together, but 102 lbs. of that has been with my trainer in one year, from September 2016-September 2017. My transformation is still in progress.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
Trust the process! That’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned. I’ve also learned to get help when I needed. I didn’t know everything and I still don’t, but I found people who are experts at this and they are helping me. I also learned the importance of working on the “inside” too. I worked with a life coach during this journey and I learned so much more about myself. That has allowed this transformation to be complete and go far beyond just the way I look. I honestly feel like a different woman.
What advice do you have for other people who want to lose weight?
Just start. It’s literally one pound at a time, but the climb is worth the view. I can’t explain how much better it feels to be healthy. I want everyone to feel this.
Instagram: @luv2write321
Tara says
Good job. You look great.