Shakeena lost 54 pounds

Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Shakeena lost 54 pounds.  This busy business owner found the motivation and the time to change her eating habits and workout regularly.  Read about how her weight loss journey…

My motivation for change was getting to a point where I felt defeated. I was not comfortable with myself and my lack of progress. The last straw for me was going to the mall to look for pants and having a situation that should have been a typical event turn in to a something depressing and sad. Once I started looking around, I realized the clothing for a plus sized woman just didn’t look appealing. At that point I decided that I would create motivational clothing for women who were at a point similar to me. From that point Crush Tees was birthed. This is a company created by me to motivate and inspire, it features motivational work out Tees and it even branches out to plus size work out clothing. (crushtees.com)

I was inspired because as I started doing Turbo Jam at the local YMCA I realized working out could be fun. I found the atmosphere to be great and encouraging. It was in Turbo that I met my workout partner. I then began to not only work out on a regular basis but to also understand accountability. My workout partner was knowledgeable and friendly and really inspired me to push when I wanted to quit. Once I got my routine down it was just a matter of loving me through the process of transformation. Initially, my workout routine consisted of Turbo Jam five times a week, but little by little I added weights and running.

In the beginning, I ate a lot of Smart Ones and Lean Cuisines. I had no idea how to lose weight, I just knew that I wanted to lose weight. I knew that those box dinners would help me to change my eating habits, and until I really started learning about nutrition that is what worked. From there, I started doing my own meal prep and modified my previous eating habits to eating five times per day instead of just three. I was a pizza lover. I would order pizza several times per month. I was also single at the time and own my own business (Salon) so I ate a lot of fast food. Pizza, fast food and Mountain Dew had to be cut completely out of my diet.

My beginning weight was 207 pounds. My current weight is 153 pounds at 5’6″ tall. My transformation took 13 months and it’s a constant commitment to keep the weight off. The advice I have for others is to be disciplined and consistent. None of us can outwork a bad diet. Bad eating habits must change. Eat to live, don’t live to eat!

Instagram: @crushtees