Shontay lost 53 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Shontay lost 53 pounds. She felt horrible, she was in a funk, and she wanted to get off blood pressure medication. She told us what she did to release the weight, including having her meals prepared by a local, black-owned business and finding the right mix of calories/macros.

What was your motivation?
My motivation was the number on the scale. I was the heaviest I’d ever been. I felt horrible, and I wanted to get off my blood pressure medication. I also wanted to feel and look better. The weight gain was depressing, and I was in a major funk. 

What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up?
Every time I stepped on a scale and saw small victories like a pound loss or my body fat percentage was going down, I was like, “Hell yeah!” and it made me work harder and continue to eat better.

How did you change your eating habits?
I started having my meals prepped by a local black-owned nutritionist business during the pandemic. I’m single and an empty nester, so cooking for one person was hard. I had no idea what to eat. So I purchased my lunches and dinners, and they had all the nutrition facts listed so I could count my macros/calories. 

Bite-Way Nutrition is the black owned business (FB and Instagram)I used. I also used The Bridge meal prepping services.

What did your workout routine consist of?
I do Crossfit four times a week. I would also do some walking during the day at work a few days a week. Currently, my workout routine is still Crossfit and walking. 

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight was 210 pounds, and my current weight is 157 pounds.

What is your height?
I’m 5’2″.

When did you start your weight loss journey?
Sept 1, 2020

How long did your transformation take?
One year and two weeks

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
Weight loss surgery was not a part of my journey. However, I was prescribed Saxenda, and it has worked for me.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
You can’t out-exercise a bad diet/eating habits, period!!!

What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight?

• Get regular check-ups and blood work done.
• Don’t be ashamed if you have to have help/assistance to lose weight. Changing your eating habits along with finding out your macro counts will help so much. 
• Measure yourself at the beginning because inches lost counts as a victory as much as pounds lost. 
• Take before and after pictures for motivation!
• Find an exercise/group/gym that you ENJOY doing and going to.

Instagram: @snp74401