Nyx lost 78 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Nyx lost 78 pounds by focusing on weight training, prioritizing good nutrition, and restoring her hunger cues. This Neurodivergent Personal Trainer has been strength training for 18 years, but she transformed her mindset in 2021, leading to excellent results.

What was your motivation? What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up?
I started out on a journey to better health and not weight loss specifically. I was diagnosed with autism and ADHD at the age of 31, and it changed my entire life. That was the day that I realized that I wasn’t broken, just different. 

I have a special needs son, and I decided to love and respect myself the same way I love and respect my son. Having some compassion and grace for myself really changed the game for me. If I wouldn’t say it to my son, I didn’t say it to myself (even my thoughts). 

Instead of chasing results, I started chasing healthy habits. If I didn’t think I could do it for the rest of my life, I didn’t start it. So now fitness and healthy living are a part of my daily routine, like showering or brushing my teeth. 

How did you change your eating habits?
Meal prepping and following restrictive diets never worked for me. In fact, they had the opposite effect because I ended up developing a binge/restriction cycle eating disorder. One brownie was too much, but a tray of them was never enough. 

I am working on rebuilding my relationship with food so I don’t restrict myself anymore. I only track my protein intake, and that’s only until I get to 120g a day. Then I stop tracking completely and continue to eat throughout the day as usual. I went from doing Keto and eating about 1200 calories a day to 2200-2800 calories a day and having no restrictions.

I eat when I’m hungry and stop when I’m satisfied, not full. I am working on restoring my hunger cues that have been broken since childhood. Since I was a pre-teen in middle school, I have been binging, and I’ve always been known as the biggest eater in the family. After listening to my body and building a healthy relationship with food, I’m finding out that I have a small appetite. 

What did your workout routine consist of? How often did you work out?
I only lift weights and try to stay active with my 3-year-old son. I do not do any dedicated cardio. I work really hard to build my muscles, and I didn’t want cardio to eat any of them up. Also, it sounds like thunder is giving me a round of applause when I run, so it is NOT ideal. 

I do a ”choose your own adventure” type of workout plan. I do a five-day lifting split of glutes/shoulders, back/bis, hamstrings, chest/tris, and quads. I go to the gym and do whatever exercise I can do to hit that muscle group. I do 3-4 sets at a weight where I reach failure in the 8-12 rep range. 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Nyx Wintersbane (@theegoddessnyx)

On days when my motivation is really low, I make a deal with myself. I head to the gym, do three exercises three times, and then I can go home. Usually, the momentum takes over, and I can do a full workout. However, if it doesn’t, I head home with no shame. 

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My highest weight was 269.6 pounds on September 28, 2021. I am currently 192 pounds.

What is your height? 5’3″

When did you start your journey? How long did your transformation take?
This is the tail end of a 3 year body recomposition journey that started with me adding 40+lbs of muscle to my frame before I started cutting down on my body fat. I have been strength training for the past 18 years, but my mindset change began on September 28, 2021. It took me five months to get to 192 pounds. I don’t have any goals in mind, I just implemented a healthy lifestyle, and those were the results that followed. 

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey? No.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve you’ve learned so far?
The biggest lesson I’ve I’ve learned so far is that my body is the only source of unbiased feedback I can get. It ONLY cares about my survival. So I don’t treat my body like the enemy anymore. I eat when it’s it’s hungry, and I stop when it’s it’s full. 

What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight?
Eat more food and lift weights. Muscle burns so many calories, and it is the secret to maintaining a well-built/strong body. I lost more weight by lifting weights and doubling my caloric intake than I ever did while restricting myself and doing hours of cardio each week. 

Instagram: @theegoddessnyx