Mugisha lost 70 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Mugisha lost 70 pounds. Tired of unhealthy eating habits and constantly feeling tired, she started her health and fitness journey. She learned how to eat her favorite foods and still get results. She also learned the power of discipline and consistency when motivation fades.

Social Media:
Instagram: @Mary_Mugisha
Fitness Insta: @Mugishakurves_
Tik Tok: __Mugishaxoxo

What was your motivation? What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up?
I was tired of being tired. I no longer had the energy to complete basic activities. For most of my life, I hated what I saw in the mirror. I finally reached a point where I no longer wanted to feel or look like this anymore. 

No matter how hard my fitness and health journey got, I reminded myself that this was a lifestyle change, not a quick fix. There were many times when I was unmotivated, but my goal kept me going even when I didn’t see results. 

How did you change your eating habits?
Growing up, I was always a bigger girl. However, I gained the “freshman 15” times two once I got to college. I was eating all types of unhealthy foods. 

I started assessing my eating habits and began making changes. The main thing I learned from this was that I could still eat my favorite foods as long as I ate them in MODERATION. I learned not to restrict myself. I also learned to look at food as fuel rather than something to be ashamed of. I found that eating a balanced diet and incorporating intermittent fasting is helpful.

What is your workout routine?
I started my journey with LISS cardio (Low-Intensity Steady State) in the form of walking. As I progressed in my journey, I learned to incorporate weight lifting, which really helped me sculpt my body. Once I learned to balance weight lifting and cardio in my fitness regimen, I obtained the best results. 

How often did you work out?
I like to be active a least four times a week, and based on my goals at the time, I will either incorporate more lifting vs. doing more cardio. I typically work out for about 1.5-2 hours per session. 

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
I started my journey at 245 pounds and currently weigh 175 pounds. My goal is to reach 160 lbs by the end of the summer. Eventually, I would like to reach and maintain 140 lbs.

What is your height?
I am 5’3″.

When did you start your journey? How long did your transformation take?
I started my journey exactly on 12/17/17. Within three months, I lost 60 pounds. By March 2018, I had reached 185 pounds. (down from 245 pounds)

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
My weight loss was all-natural. I didn’t use anything to aid me in my journey other than diet and exercise. 

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
You are not always going to be motivated. That idea is unrealistic. There are days when I don’t want to eat the healthier option. There are days when I couldn’t care less about my workout routine. Despite the lack of motivation, my discipline is what gets me through—remembering that I am doing this for myself and that the hard work will pay off I what keeps me going. Also, the scale is not your friend. Measurements are a much better way to track progress. 

What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight?
Keep going even when it seems impossible! Weight loss or any type of body transformation is all about a mindset shift. You must push through all the mental obstacles that are holding you back from your goals. The hardest thing for me was pushing past that voice that told me I couldn’t do it. I proved to myself that I can and will achieve my goals.