Nina lost 78 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Nina lost 78 pounds. She is a proud mom, an Army veteran, and on this journey she became a personal trainer. Leaving an unhealthy relationship and the loss of a battle buddy motivated her to change. She just had to take action and do what she already knew how to do. Now, she is leading by example and living a healthy lifestyle.

I had a child and got lost in the day to day activities of keeping a child. I combated obesity with healthy eating habits and working hard. As an Army veteran I had the discipline and mindset to lose weight, I just had to take action and do it.

What was your motivation? What inspired you when you wanted to give up?
What inspired me when I wanted to give up was my gym buddies, my family, and knowing that I wanted to lead by example and live a healthy lifestyle. Along the way, I did not know that I had quite a following and was also inspiring others.

There were several factors that motivated me and created turning points on my fitness journey. I began to lose weight because I knew I was in an unhealthy relationship and wanted to leave, but also wanted to be able to get another man when I left. I began to lose weight and left my relationship. The second turning point in my journey was losing my Army battle buddy, First Sergeant Lafonte Bennett. I was at a very low point in my life at the time. I began doing the 22 Pushup Challenge in remembrance of my battle buddy. His death motivated me to go full speed into fitness. It also pushed me to start my online fitness program and become an online personal trainer, which allows me to do something I love… helping others. The last turning point was becoming an athletic trainer for Eat Clean Train Dirty. This open forum allows like minded individuals to discuss meal prepping, physical fitness and healthy eating.

How did you change your eating habits?
I changed my eating habits by eating lots of green leafy vegetables, drinking lots of water and drinking green tea. I never was soda drinker but I did drink juices that were loaded with sugar. Previously, I ate a lot of comfort foods as well. My diet had consisted of sweets, alcohol consumption and lots of bread.

What did your workout routine look like?
I worked out 5 times a week. 3 days of cardio and 2 days of strength training. Prior to me losing weight, I was in the Army. It definitely was not that I did not know what to do, I just needed to do it. The hardest thing for me to do was to start. My workout routine changed a lot. I started off by just walking. You name the exercise, I probably tried it. Some of the workout programs I did were cross training, Zumba, running, boxing, pilates, weightlifting, P90X, Insanity and Youtube workout videos.

Starting weight/Current weight
My starting weight was 240 pounds. My current weight is 165 pounds. I’m 5’7″.

How long did your transformation take?
My journey took 15 months.

What is your biggest lesson learned?
My biggest lesson learned is that living a healthy lifestyle requires a lot of hard work, but hard work pays off. There is no quick fix. When I felt like giving up, I had to keep pushing. Even if I did give up, I got back up and kept pushing.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
Don’t give up! Keep pushing. Don’t stop. Shake things up.

Instagram: @psoldiergirlnina