Shaneka lost 143 pounds

Update April 2019: Shout out to Shaneka. She lost 23 more pounds for a total of 165 pounds gone.

Total weight loss of 165.1lbs in 2 years and four months. I’m still looking to lose another 20-30lbs. I’ve decided that I’m going to focus on toning and gaining muscle (cardio, weight training, etc).

Hopefully, I’ll be starting a YouTube channel soon to support people who may be struggling with weight loss and to post other fun things.

Instagram: @__xmssl

Transformation of the Day: Shaneka lost 143 pounds/10 stone. When weight began to affect her mobility, she realized it was time to focus on her health. She found success by following the UK-based Slimming World program and doing lots of exercise. Check out her story.

What was your motivation?
My motivation was my future and my health. My future because when I have children, I want to be a healthy mother. I want to be able to play with my children in the park and be involved in their childhood. My health is also my motivation because I began to find it hard to walk upstairs. When I was not able to walk for short periods of time, I knew that enough was enough.

What inspired you to keep going when you wanted to give up?
My inspiration was my mother. She had previously lost a lot of weight. I believed that if she could do it, I would be able to do it as well. When I started my weight loss journey, I began to buy clothes that I actually liked, and when they fit me with ease, this pushed me to keep on going.

How did you change your eating habits?
I started the Slimming World with my cousin. During the first week, I lost 9 pounds. I NEEDED to continue. I changed my eating habits by eating smaller portions. I also included a lot more vegetables, fruit and water into my routine. I drank a cup of water before meals to fill me up a little bit more.

I used to be a huge snacker, so cutting out a lot of sweet foods helped a lot. There was a period where I stopped eating sweets foods completely. Then, I realized that was unrealistic, so I added a bit in but not too much! Started eating fruit or vegetables with every meal.

What did your workout routine look like?
My workout included 1 hour of cardio followed by weight training (roughly 15 x 4 reps of each exercise). There was a period where I would work out 7 days a week, but I began to get very exhausted, so I changed that to 5 times a week.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight was 25 stone, 4.1lbs (354 pounds). My current weight is 15st 1lbs (211 pounds). My height is 5’6″.

When did you start your journey? How long did your transformation take?
I started in 2016. So far, it’s been 2 years, but I still have a long way to go. (No weight loss surgery)

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
I learned that I have a lot of willpower and that I don’t give up easily. Also, I’ve learned that patience is critical. There isn’t any need to rush anything. Finally, I learned that it doesn’t matter how others have transformed because all journeys are different.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
Take each day as it comes. Don’t make erratic lifestyle changes that aren’t realistic.

Instagram: @__xmssl