RaShandra lost 100 pounds

Transformation of the Day: RaShandra lost 100 pounds. She considered weight loss surgery, but her doctor encouraged her to try the traditional route instead. She cut out foods that didn’t serve her, tracked her calories, and worked out. Check out her story.

What was your motivation?
My motivation was my health and my family. I want to be around for a long time!

How did you change your eating habits?
I cut out the bad carbs, gave up junk food, bought a food scale to weigh my foods, and counted calories.

What did your workout routine consist of?
In the beginning, I worked out seven days a week for the first two months. Then, I decreased my workouts to five days a week to give my body a rest and prevent injury. I do cardio workouts, HIIT, and strength training.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight was 320 pounds, and my current weight is 220 pounds. My goal weight is 175 pounds.

What is your height?
I’m 5’3″.

When did you start your journey?
I started on January 3, 2018.

How long did your transformation take?
It has taken me a year and a half, and I’m not done yet!

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
No. I told my doctor that I wanted weight loss surgery, but he advised me not to do it. He challenged me instead to do it on my own. Each time I went back for a visit, I had to have lost 5 pounds, and I reached that goal each time!

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
My biggest lesson learned is that I can do anything I put my mind to! I let my results inspire me to keep going!

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
Just start! Getting started is sometimes hard, so start small and then gradually increase. Eating right and dieting is the key, but take it one step at a time so you won’t get overwhelmed. I got my eating habits right first, and then I added my exercise routine.

Work out at your own pace. If you get tired, catch your breath, rest if you need to, and then start again. If you can only do 5 minutes, then do 5 minutes. This was me, in the beginning. Now, I’ve built up my endurance to go longer.