Shardee lost 50 pounds

Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Shardee lost 50 pounds.  After dealing with the loss of family members, including her mother and realizing that she was almost 300 pounds at the young age of 22, Shardee knew that it was time for a lifestyle change.  She let the last words of her beloved mother guide her.  Read what she shared with us about changing her lifestyle:

My name is Shardee. I started my healthy lifestyle change about two years ago when I was knocking very close to entering the weight of 300 pounds at 22 years old. After the sudden death of my mother, I became very lost about  just who I was and where I wanted my life to go. Six months later my uncle (my mothers brother) passed away. I found myself losing family members and I was lost in such a dark place. One day, I decided I didn’t want to sit around in my own self doubt any longer. All I could think of was my mothers last words to me, “Live Shardee”. I knew my body had become my trap to hide my feelings, desires and self worth. I decided no longer will I not try to change!

I googled a gym and joined their classes. I worked out sometimes even twice a day and cleaned my eating habits up. When I first started going to the gym, I used the treadmill. I was simply walking and slowly increasing the incline and speed over time. The more cardio I did, the more I gained some courage to join kickboxing, Zumba and a body sculpting class.

In order to lose the weight, I stopped eating fried foods and drinking soda. I started baking or grilling my foods and eating mostly chicken breast, fish and ground turkey. I included lots of green veggies in my diet such as spinach and kale. I would also think of all the things I liked and figured out ways to cut down the calories and fat intake in my favorite foods.  I used portion control and I have learned how to eat in the real world. This is not a diet, I’m just eating in a healthier way.

I’ve lost 50 pounds. I love it and I’m loving my second chance at life. This is my fight to a healthy lifestyle. My advice to others would be let go of the shame. Don’t be afraid to ask for help as well. Once I stopped feeling ashamed I went in search for help and a place that I felt comfortable working out (a women’s gym). Believe in yourself and know that results are not coming fast but they will come. When you make a mistake in your diet don’t wait until “Monday ” to start over. Start over at your next meal that day because once you realize this is a everyday choice you will see change. I didn’t go on a diet, I went on a lifestyle change. I created a clean mind for myself and sometimes that’s just something we all are in search of… a clean mind and fresh spirit.

Check her out on instagram: @clean_hearts