Ra’Netta lost 64 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Ra’Netta lost 64 pounds. She stayed motivated and kept going despite having herniated disks, sciatica, and scoliosis. When she couldn’t work out, she focused on nutrition. For her, this journey is about transforming her mindset and ending the patterns of the past that hindered her from making long-term progress.

What was your motivation? What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up? 
At first, my appearance was my motivation. I wanted to love what I saw in the mirror and feel more comfortable in my skin. As my journey progressed positively and my mentality began to change, my health became my motivation. 

There are times that I could’ve given up and honestly had every right to because of physical limitations, but I didn’t. Throughout this journey, I have dealt with herniated disks, sciatica, and scoliosis. I’ve also had three back surgeries, but I always like to look at the bigger picture. I knew that if I continued to do what I could, my back would eventually have no choice but to give way to my healthy desires. 

To ensure that I wouldn’t give up on myself, I became a health and fitness coach for accountability and to help others realize that it can be done, even with health problems and injuries. I also joined an AMAZING coaching community, which helped me continue to groom my mindset and focus on the things I had control over, like my nutrition, even when I couldn’t exercise. 

How did you change your eating habits?
At first, I just started eating smaller portions (but still ate whatever I wanted to and ate out a lot). I eliminated all drinks, including my all-time favorite, sweet tea. I tried Keto, no meat, intermittent fasting, and so many other restricted ‘diets.’ However, once I plateaued and the cravings hit, I would binge on the foods I restricted myself from. I knew I had to do something different, so I stopped restricting myself because it wasn’t for me.

I began using two nutrition programs through Beachbody; 

• Portion Fix (which still focuses on portion control but instead of eating out all the time. I started preparing more meals at home) 
• 2B Mindset (which focuses on volume eating but had specific guidelines for when to eat certain foods). 

I ate more veggies and started drinking half my body weight in water. I still ate sweets and had the occasional drink, but only in moderation. I could still eat all of the foods I loved, but I learned when to eat them and how much to eat of them to maximize my weight loss. 

What did your workout routine consist of? How often did you work out? 
My workout routine consisted of several at-home workout programs through Beachbody, which included cardio, circuit training, and strength training. My workouts ranged from 20-60 minutes a day, 5-7 days a week. 

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight was 289 pounds, and my current weight is 225 pounds.

What is your height?
I am 5’8″. 

When did you start your journey? How long did your transformation take? 
I started my journey in January 2013. It took me 60 days to lose my first 60 lbs. Over the next several years, I see-sawed with roughly 40 of those pounds until 2018, when I joined a BOMB fit community and have been pretty much maintaining since then. Now I am back in weight loss mode and ready to see how I can transform more by losing a few more pounds in addition to toning and tightening. 

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
No.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far? 
MINDSET IS EVERYTHING! It wasn’t until I stopped ‘trying’ to lose weight and focused on shifting my mindset from weight loss to life goals that I could maintain my weight. I’ve lost the weight several times, but every time I gained it right back when I would hit a plateau or sustained another back injury. My mindset would get in a state of depression. 

Once I changed my mindset and starting focusing on the things I could control (my nutrition) rather than the things I couldn’t (reoccurrence of herniated disks), only then was I able to continue losing weight. I was more focused on getting better and becoming stronger so my body could heal and get my active life back. 

What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight?
Start where you are and choose yourself over and over again. Focus more on what you can do and less on what you can’t. Start small; don’t try to make a whole bunch of changes right away. Taking your journey slower will give you a chance to strengthen your mindset to help you push through those hard times. The hard times will come, but you don’t have to let them control you or your results. Lastly, find yourself an accountability partner or fitness community because connecting with positive people on this journey helps more than you know. 

Instagram: @queenrae_fit4life