Shanika lost 33 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Shanika lost 33 pounds. A pinched nerve, knee issues, and gym closures could not stop this Delta Sigma Theta soror from figuring out how to get results. She feels confident, healthier, and full of energy after changing her eating habits and making fitness a priority.

What was your motivation?
I had a pinched nerve in my back, and my knees had gotten bad over the Holidays. My good friend, @doccasha, helped get me out of that rut. Soon after that, my knee issues went away but not before other aches and pains crept up on me because I was not taking care of SELF. 

I also weighed 250 pounds. This was the heaviest I’ve ever been! I was not proud of my weight gain, and I was ashamed of my body. 

I returned to the gym in March because I knew all those aches and pains were signals from my body. It was telling me to GET UP. I had a membership with Elevate, and it was a great start. 

Then the pandemic happened, and Elevate shut down. I asked myself, “So, now what?” I didn’t have the instructor to motivate me anymore or even the equipment. I could not throw away all that hard work after a few weeks, so I invested in a portable treadmill, a jump rope, and Miguel bought me a sweat suit because he got tired of me using trash bags. Lmfao! (Yes, I used a large black garbage bag to run in because it was available and easy to dispose of.)

How did you change your eating habits?
My diet was always a struggle to maintain. From the start of COVID-19 until now, I’ve experimented with several types of nutrition plans, including Vegan, Keto, a 21-day meal challenge, intermittent fasting, and Herbalife. Don’t get me wrong, I made progress with all of these plans, but some produced more results than others.

The changes that I’ve found to work best for me are doing weekly pescatarian and veggie meal preps, with little to none carbs. Eating every three hours has been helpful (consisting of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and two snacks). As a borderline diabetic, I’ve had to eliminate my sugar intake, especially processed sugars. Instead, lean toward healthier snacks, like apples and peanut butter. 

What was your workout routine?
My workout routine started with one workout a day. Now, I work out 2-3 times a day. My routine includes biking and a jog in the morning.

I look forward to my daily routine, and my wardrobe consists of workout attire. It’s a special occasion to put on regular clothes now. 

What is your current weight?
I’ve lost a total weight loss of 33 pounds since April. My current weight is 217 pounds. I’m not ashamed of my body because I know the only way is down for this weight loss journey. I’m still working on making more progress, and I am more confident. I feel healthier, and my energy level is through the roof. I can keep up with my kids even more, and now I’m harassing them to go bike riding instead of the reverse.

What is your height?
My height is 5’9″. 

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
The biggest lesson that I’ve learned is progress is not perfection and to never give up. As long as I continue to stay consistent with eating healthy and working out, the process will lead to satisfying results. 

What advice would you like to share with women who want to lose weight?
Sticking with a routine will always be a challenge, but due to COVID-19, I’ve learned how to step out of my comfort zone and try new things. 

Try experimenting with healthy recipes, workout videos, long walks around your neighborhood, jump roping, or even biking. I have experimented with all these things to find out what interested and challenged me to lose weight. Step out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself. It will be uncomfortable in the beginning, but in the end, you will feel proud and accomplished.

Instagram: @jsc716