Raven lost 105 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Raven lost 105 pounds. This mother of two has faced many challenges, including domestic abuse, PTSD, and postpartum depression. To heal and find herself, she began her wellness journey with the goal of being fit by 30. She reached her goal in April and credits intermittent fasting and extended fasting being key factors in her success.

What was your motivation?
I started to heal the little girl inside me during the last year during COVID-19. Sitting at home with two children (one toddler and one preteen), I had a LOT of time to sit with myself. I lost myself completely and deserved to be found. 

During the pandemic, I suffered a great deal of depression. I’d just moved from North Carolina with my two children, and less than two weeks later, the nation shuts down. In addition to this, I’d recently left an on-and-off abusive relationship. As a result, I saw myself escaping my moods through temporary fulfillment, i.e., substance abuse. 

I was determined to snap out of this. To WAKE UP. I was going through depression, PTSD, postpartum depression, suffering from mood disorders, you name it. I was lost. My kids deserved for me to find myself. I deserved it. 

I am a trauma survivor and self healer. I’ve experienced mental abuse my entire life, including domestic violence and abuse in a combative relationship in adulthood. I say all of that to say that I looked in the mirror one day and decided that I deserve to be happy. I needed to get out of my own way. I deserve everything great that happens to me. 

I made the conscious decision to adjust my lifestyle, lose weight and HEAL the version of myself that kept finding herself gaining weight over and over again. I was determined to begin healing from my past trauma and create the best version of myself. 

#Fitb430 was the photo album title in my phone where I saved my before and during pics. I turned 30 years old on April 6, 2021, and I lost 100 pounds by that date. 

How did you change your eating habits?
I adopted intermittent and extended fasting regimens that helped me adjust my cravings and understand my habits. I also gave my body the rest it needed between my eating windows to process the food that I’d ingested COMPLETELY. I succeeded abundantly with ketosis and low-carb foods. I did not stay with keto because it can be tough to maintain without constantly fasting. 

I stopped drinking my carbs, cutting out sodas (especially dark sodas). If I have a craving, I’ll get a Sprite or Ginger Ale. My favorite beverage of choice now is spring water with bottled lemon juice. I dropped my carb count for the day down to below 60 grams for the entire day. (There are 45 grams of carbs in the majority of canned sodas. ONE CAN.)

I began to understand when I was REALLY hungry and when I was just emotional eating. It’s mainly the diet that needs adjusting either way. 

What did your workout routine consist of? How often did you work out?
I didn’t work out a lot. If I did, it would be something light, like walking or yoga. I tried jump rope for about a week last year, and that ended faster than it started. When I did work out, I couldn’t fully commit, so I made sure I focused primarily on my eating habits. 

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight was 288 pounds, and my current weight is 183 pounds.

What is your height?
I’m 5’5″.

When did you start your journey? How long did your transformation take?
I started getting serious with my journey in November 2019. However, I didn’t see a significant drop on the scale or inches until I incorporated fasting in October 2020. From October 2020 to April 2021, I dropped over 60 lbs. I’ve lost a total of 105 lbs.

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
No surgery. No diet pills. Just 100% natural weight loss. Autophagy was my friend.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
Temporary fulfillment isn’t worth the permanent scars.

What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight?
Get out of your own way, Sis! Say it with me, “Movvvveee ME!! Get out the wayyy” in my Ludacris voice. You have to learn to be OK with sitting with yourself. Take time to get to know yourself. 

Do you need healing? What needs to be healed? What parts of yourself are you not sending yourself love to? What habits are hindering you? Start there.

Instagram: @introducingmore and @morefigured