Sashauna lost 47 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Sashauna lost 47 pounds. This Jamaican sister’s wakeup call came while she was shopping for a birthday outfit and nothing fit. She got results by cutting out processed food, tracking her food intake, and working out three times a week.

I am excited to share my weight loss story! My excitement is due to the hard work I put in and the sacrifices I made to be the best version of myself. I am proud of myself, and I am eager to inspire change in others. 

What was your motivation?
I wanted to be a healthier version of myself because I had a meltdown in November 2018 while shopping for my birthday. I looked for days and could not find anything suitable for my body in the stores we have in Jamaica. I wanted to look classy, and it wasn’t easy because nothing would fit me. I know it sounds like nothing. However, I try to ensure that my day will go well on my birthday so that I feel thankful and grateful for my existence.

What inspired you when you wanted to give up? 
I was inspired by the fact that I felt better in my body. Chief among these body changes was the significant difference in how my period manifested. I no longer had painful periods. My legs weren’t going numb, and my back was not splitting in two. My cramps no longer felt like I was gut-punched. Emotionally, I felt happier. I felt more confident, and self-love surged past its previous subzero state.

How did you change your eating habits? 
I cut out processed food for a couple of months and substituted it with equally satisfying alternatives that I researched extensively. Then, I started counting calories. I developed a meal plan that would fit my 1200 calorie limit and recorded my intake in my very own physical food diary. 

I used a physical book because searching for the equivalent calories for something I ate and calculating it satisfied some internal desire to go hard. I also weighed all the things I ate or used the food labels to match the calories I take in. Additionally, I started to drink water based on my weight. In my research, I found a university study that suggested people drink half their weight in water (ounces) and an additional 12 ounces for every 30 minutes of exercise. 

What foods did you stop or start eating?
I stopped eating anything prepared by restaurants that supplied lunch for my workplace. I cut out rice and ate bulgur, quinoa, couscous, and ground provisions (sweet potato, Irish potato, yam, green banana, and pumpkin). I also limited my flour intake and the oil I used in the meals I prepare. 

I used low sodium seasonings and didn’t eat regular butter (I used the soy version of Country Crock). I did not eat regular pasta. I had gluten-free/ wheat pasta instead. Instead of red meat, I stuck with fish, chicken, cabbage, Jamaican callaloo, and boiled eggs (to be eaten with any side I choose from the previously mentioned list.

 I did not have cheat days per se. I did not have a day where I just ate “junk food.” Instead, I limited the portion size of the processed food I ate, (for example, a mouthful versus a full slice of cake.)

What did your workout routine look like?
I work out three times a week for a minimum of 30 minutes. Additionally, I do strength and core, cardio, and resistance training. I created a workout plan based on researching workout routines for beginners. I worked my way up to intermediate. 

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
I started at 223.4 pounds in October 2018. My current weight is 176 pounds. My natural waistline went from 39 inches to 31.5 inches. My hip measurement went from 50 inches to 45 inches, and my bust from 40 inches to 37 inches.

What is your height?
I am 5 feet, 6 inches tall.

When did you start your journey?
My journey began in December 2018

How long did your transformation take?
I started really seeing changes in January/February 2019, when I lost 10-20 lbs. Then the results became very obvious in April/May 2019. I’d lost the weight by September 2019. 

I am still working at it and toning my body. I am trying to get to 170/165 pounds. I had some setbacks. However, I am back on route to my goal. In fact, quarantine is helping me to work out even more with the Nike Training Club app. 

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
No

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
If you want it bad enough, you will do what it takes. The level of discipline I developed has transferred into other areas of my life. For the first time, I am living my best life. 

I got a food scale. I also got a bodyweight scale to track my progress. I weigh every day, and when I see even a few ounces dropped, I’m happy about it. It pushes me to see a bigger change on the scale.  

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
Without discipline, you will not get the desired results. No matter how hard it seems, you have to be motivated to see it through. Stay the course. It will be worth it. 

Instagram: @kaaramel_beautii