Nicole lost 68 pounds

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Nicole lost 68 pounds.  This Atlanta Comedian has battled her weight for years. She was also was diagnosed with narcolepsy/cataplexy, which can affect weight gain.  She shared with us about her journey and how weight loss can take a toll on your self image.

Starting Weigh:t 238 pounds
Current Weight: 170 pounds
Goal Weight: 145 pounds
Height: 5’3″ tall
Major transformation: 225 to 175 lbs since January 2015
Started my transformation in Spring 2014, however I continued to fluctuate until January 2015.

Hi, my name is Nicole Vada I’m an amateur comedian in the Atlanta area, I also work behind the scenes in the Entertainment business. I’m a single mom of an awesome 10 year old son. I have always battled my weight. As a child model, my career was stunted due to fluctuating weight. Now, Stand-Up Comedy has rejuvenated my love of the arts. However I did not want to half-step. It was finally time for me to focus and get in tune with my body.

At age 30, I was diagnosed with narcolepsy/cataplexy. I have been suffering since grade school. I even diagnosed myself in High School but Doctors waived it off saying, “Narcolespy is rare, especially in African Americans”. People who suffer with narcolepsy/cataplexy have a lack of orexin/hypocretin due to the destruction of cells that produce it. This neurotransmitter regulates arousal, wakefulness, and appetite.  Many narcoleptics are plagued by weight gain. Through research, I found that some people were having success with a gluten-free and dairy-free diet. Although I am not totally strict with this way of eating, I have subconsciously adopted it into my lifestyle.
Typical day of meals:

• breakfast veggie omelete
• lunch: salad
• dinner: meat and two veggies
• snacks: fruit and oatmeal

I workout 7 days a week

• Cross training 2x a day 30 minutes (250 squats, dead lift, weights, leg lifts, planks, lounges)
• Run walk 2-4 miles 3 times a week

Advice: I recently posted this on my Facebook page…
Phantom fat, mentally fat, fat…many people who experience drastic weight lost still feel fat. My highest check in was fall 2013 at 238 pounds. My average weight for the last 5 years has fluctuated between 210 and 225. Currently I am 170 pounds, but secretly I still feel 210 pounds…. Hence all the selfies.

What I have learned:
1. When you carry weight for so long, mentally it’s hard to shed the pounds
2. Drastic weight loss = irrabilailty and depression
3. Steer clear of anorexia and bulimia
4. Attempt to help others lose weight
5. Pick up heavy things (lift weights) and jump on the scale, you`ll still be lighter than where you started.
6. Biggest challenge: get out the house.
7. Fight the urge to splurge, but if you do cheat stay on the path.
8. This is a lifestyle change, not a diet
9. Prepare financially for rapid weight lost. January I was a size 20, today I am a 12. 20, 18, 16, 14….I dropped 5 dress sizes in 6 months. Can you say expensive, even though I visit thrift stores.
10. Tune into your spirituality. God wants us fit in best health ready to run the race. A Christian’s goal is to mirror Christ. WWJD if faced with weight challenges?
11. Lose the negativity and stressful situations around you. Connect with motivators.
12. A lot of people who are overweight have underlying health issues. Learn your body and become in tune. My body lacks hypocretian. This hormone is released by the Pituitary gland and controls appetite, sleep, and metabolism. I have battled weight my whole life, now I know why.

IG, Twitter: @nicolevada
Facebook: www.facebook.com/nicolevada