Shalanda lost 18 pounds. Her health concerns included high blood pressure, high A1C, fatty liver, and gallbladder issues. The wakeup call she needed came in the form of her doctor saying that she needed to be put on insulin. With the help of her trainer and her nutritionist, she was able to turn her health around and get off of all her medications. Check out her story.
Age: 37
Height: 5’5″
Starting Weight: 199.6 pounds
Current Weight: 181.2 pounds
Total Weight Loss: 18.4lbs
Representing: Alabama
I’m a wife to my loving, supportive husband for 18 years and a mother of 3 {19,17, & 12 years old}. Two of my children were delivered by emergency c-section. I started my weight loss journey in March 2017, and I’ve been going hard ever since.
What was your motivation?
My motivation to start my journey to lose weight was a history of health concerns. During multiple doctor visits for follow-ups from lab work, I was getting bad results, which consisted of high blood pressure, high A1C, fatty liver, and low count gallbladder. This was terrible news because I have a beautiful family that I need to live and be here for. They need me.
During the visit I had with my doctor before starting my journey, she talked to me about starting me on yet another medication, which was insulin because I wasn’t showing the changes needed to keep it controlled. I asked my doctor to please give me until my next visit before putting me on insulin (which was 3 months later). At that moment, I knew that I was ready to make some changes, plus I’m afraid of needles. I promised her that everything would be different when I came back.
At my next appointment, my doctor was shocked. She was really amazed at how I reversed all my health issues. My blood pressure was excellent, my A1C was great, no fatty liver, and no gallbladder problems. During the same appointment, my blood pressure medication was dropped from 2 pills to 1. I also received a lower dosage of metformin.
Long story short, my following appointment (3 months later), I was removed from all medications and back to yearly doctor visits instead of every 3 months. All because I had faith in God and started a journey to healthy living.
What inspired you to keep going?
I was totally inspired first and foremost by turning around my health stats. I also wanted to feel comfortable and look great in my clothes. I knew I was the only one who could make that change, so I thought about how different things would be in the next 6 months if I just keep going.
How did you change your eating habits?
I changed my eating habits by being consistent with making breakfast or lunch my biggest meal. I stopped the late night eating and increased my water intake to a gallon a day. I eat 6 meals a day, 3 meals and 3 healthy snacks. (per my nutritionist, NutritionistGuru)
I stopped eating sweets. No soda, beer, white bread, white rice, fast foods, brown skin potatoes, junk foods, high fructose juice, or fried foods. I’ve never liked spinach, but now my meals consist of many healthy foods, including spinach, brown rice, egg whites, turkey, whole or multigrain cereal, sweet potatoes, fruits, and veggies. Also, my air fryer is my lifeline.
What did your workout consist of?
Before joining Fitness on Fire, I was someone who did not like the gym. However, for the program, you must have a gym membership (which I’ve had, but I never went). Now I am absolutely in love with the gym because I now know what I’m doing when I get there. My workout routine consists of 90 minutes of resistance training, 4-5 days a week. However, being the gym beast that I am, I train 6-7 days, even though it’s not required, I love it because it helps me to stay motivated, focused and it helps me to control my appetite. (my trainer, Fire)
How long did your transformation take?
I was able to fit in my goal dress in 3.5 months. I and others started seeing progress in my second week. At that point, I was past excited and motivated.
Fitness On Fire worked for me because I’ve lost weight on my own before by walking at a fast pace 5-8 miles a day, 5-7 days a week. I was almost starving, walking for hours, and checking the scale the next morning. Yes, I was one that checked the scale if not every day, then every other day. Once I decide to take a rest day or two, I could feel the weight creeping back, and it was approaching fast. I used to think that I needed to do only cardio to lose body fat. I quickly learned that weight/resistance training is necessary too. What I didn’t know then…
What advice do you have for people who want to lose weight?
Before doing anything, Find Your Why? With your Why, you can set goals and smash them. Stay hungry and determined for success. Concentrate fully on you. Eat clean and workout at least 4-5 times a week. Always remember that results take time. Be patient and enjoy the journey.
Instagram: @getfit_remy
kevuin says
I loved the part where you say “find your Why?” I feel very identified with this, and you have a lot of reason, to find your why you are finding your starting point and your inspiration, my health because it was the same as you, although I do not work so hard in the GIM followed a food guide and very strict ejersicios and the routine was practically 1 hour every 2 days and it went very well. here the link for those who are curious. ()