Today’s Weight Loss Story of the Day is a little different. Zhivi didn’t just lose weight, she transformed her body. She lost 22 pounds and then put on muscle to sculpt her body the way she wanted it. Now, she is inspiring others to get healthy. Here is what she shared with us about what she did to change her life.
When I decided to started to come back to fitness, in December of 2012, I weighed 149 pounds and everyone told me I didn’t need to lose weight. That was nice of them to say, but my journey was really never about losing weight. It was about getting my stomach to look like it did when I was 27 years old. I had a photograph of myself when I was 27 and I told Tiffany Rothe [amazing Black fitness expert] when I joined the Inner Circle FitClub that this is what I want my stomach to look like. She told me that it would look better than what was in the picture. I believed her. So, I started my journey by following the workouts and eating plan to a T. I was determined to put in the time and commitment to get the results I wanted.
I started taking pictures of myself every four weeks so I could see my progress. This was the first time in my life I wore a bikini and let other people see me in it. I trusted the ladies in the Inner Circle, so I posted the pictures and shared them with the members. I would wear the same bikini for months. One day, Tiffany and one of the other ladies of the Inner Circle told me it was time for a new bikini because the one had been taking pictures in was too big. I did not notice bathing suit had gotten too big. I purchased more swimming suits to take picture in. The summer of 2013 was the first time I wore a bikini in public. The experience was a little awkward, but I did it.
This journey for me was filled with ups and down. My husband, co-workers, friends told me I was losing too much weight and wanted me to stop. I kept going because I have to live with this body and I wanted it to look a certain way. I kept working out and following the food plan that was given to me and no matter what anyone said I was going to keep going until I thought I was too small. The food plan given to me consisted of, eating a lot of raw and steamed vegetables. My carbs consisted of oatmeal, brown rice and sometimes red skinned potatoes. I love black beans now and eat them also. The only drinks I have are water, almond milk and lemon water. All of my meat (turkey, chicken breast and fish) is baked. I also eat 5 times a day. I eat three meals and two snacks.
Once I hit 127 lbs. (57.60 kilos) that was too small for me. I began the process of gaining weight back, but not by eating unhealthy foods. I planned to build muscle instead. Now, I am up to 136-138 pounds. I am fine with this weight. I don’t mind going up in weight as long as it is not from fat. Not only do I track my weight, but more important is that I track my body fat percentage. I am at 20.2 % body fat. It took me 3 months to transform my body. I have accomplished much more than I have ever thought I would on this healthy lifestyle journey. Although this journey started out about getting my stomach down, I now have a women’s fitness specialist and fitness nutrition specialist certificate. I learned that I love to motivate individuals on their healthy lifestyle journey. At some points on this journey, we all need someone to motivate and encourage us to keep going.
I ran my first half marathon in November 2013. This is something I have never thought I would do, nor had I ever planned on running a half marathon, but I decided to challenge myself. I ran the half marathon in 2:18 with minimal training. I could have done much better if I trained for the race. I have done personal training and radio interviews. I’ve learned the importance of living this lifestyle in front of others. We never know who is watching us and who will decide to change their lifestyle because of us. One of the best feelings in the world is when someone tells you, “Because of you, I have decided to eat healthy and lose some weight.” You never know where this journey is going to take you, but as long as you continue on it through the ups and downs, good and bad times, you will accomplish what you have set out to do. Remember, living a healthy lifestyle is something you do for the rest of your life; it is not a diet. You don’t start living a healthy lifestyle today and complete it once you reach your goals. Once you reach your goals, you have to continue to do what you are doing to maintain your goal weight. If you don’t, the weight will begin to creep back on and usually you gain more than what you started with. Encouraging others is what keep me motivated and keeps me working out and eating healthy.
Check her our online: leadingbyexample.us and Facebook Group
alicia says
What types of exercises did you use to transform your stomach. Im considering a tummy tuck but if I can do it naturally with no scar id love it
Zhivi says
Hi Alicia,
It isn’t so much about the exercises I do as the way that I eat. I do different exercises but I only work abs 3 days a week, but do them when doing other work outs. You have to get rid of the fat round you abs in order to see them. You have to change the way you eat in order to get your stomach to look the way you want to. Just remember this, abs are made in the kitchen. The other thing to know is your stomach is the last to go down and it may not always look the way you want it to. I would not consider a tummy tuck because if you don’t change the way you eat, the fat will come right back and you would have wasted your money.
Akilah says
Once you reach your goals, you have to continue to do what you are doing to maintain your goal weight. If you don’t, the weight will begin to creep back on and usually you gain more than what you started with.
^5 to that paragraph!
Way to go Zhivi! Your story inspires me to keep going in this lifestyle not diet journey. I am going to refer to your story on days where I feel I need that extra motivation.
Zhivi says
Hi Akilah,
Thank you. You are going to have up and down days, we all do, but stay focused you will reach your goals no matter how long it takes. I am happy to see that you have changed the way you think about you lifestyle. It is about living a healthy lifestyle for the rest of your life, not just to lose weight. Keep up the great work :).
Akilah says
Thanks Zhivi. My abs are always the last thing for me to lose. Like you mentioned abs are made in the kitchen.
Kathy says
Hi Zhivi, reading your story detailing your commitment and dedication has inspired me to get up and try it again. You look FANTABULUS. I pray I can commit to to the healthier eating life style change because working out is not a problem it’s the eating habit. I’d like to keep in touch with you if possible. Any suggedtions are greatly appreciated. Thank you for sharing. God bless…
Zhivi says
Hi Kathy,
You can do it. You really have to make it a commitment. I started off with a meal plan and workout schedule and I followed it to the “T”. This website has a lot of great recipes that you can cook and also smoothies that are good for you to drink. I have a group page that you can follow on Facebook for more information on food and workouts. What kind of workouts are you doing and do you have a meal plan you are following? I also do a fruit and veggie cleanse every four weeks. I was able to go cold turkey on a lot of things, but if that isn’t something you can do, you want to start gradually eliminating foods from your diet. This includes drink. Here is my group page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadingbyexample/
Giselle says
Hi zhivi, just wanted to say that reading your testimonial
and seeing your transformation pictures really help me keep motivated!
I’ve been doing the tiffany rothe bikini abs workouts for 10 days now
and also been doing her ten minute booty shaking towel workout and been eating healthy
and I already see the difference in my stomache! It’s tighter, more toned and not bloated like it always used to be. Eating healthy all these days makes me feel so much lighter! and not all sluggish and bloated like I always was
for me it isnt about losing weight either just toning my stomache.
I loved the part where you said abs are made in the kitchen, it’s so true!
And another great tip is drinking a glass of warm water with lemon juice in the morning and at night before bed to detox
It really does help
I would love to know what kind of snacks are okay to eat during the day?
I haven’t figured that part out yet just been doing kale, romaine & fruit smoothies
Also if you can give me tips on some healthy breakfast meals?
Anyways, your body looks amazing
Thanks again for this inspiration 🙂
Zhivi says
Thank you for the comment. Are you still working out with Tiffany? I’m still doing the workouts and a part of her club. The snacks I eat are fruit and nuts. I eat different things for breakfast. I usually will have eggs, oatmeal, turkey bacon, smoothie or depending on the day, pancakes or grits.