Sonya lost 30 pounds. This talented makeup artist and hairstylist was inspired by her 60+ year old Aunt Lucy’s amazing weight loss transformation. She signed up with the same online training program that her aunt used and got the support and guidance she needed. Check out how this busy mom of 5 did it.
Age:40
Height: 5’3″
Starting weight: 176 pounds
Current weight: 146 pounds
Total weight loss: 30 pounds
Representing: Raleigh, NC
Instagram: @BeyondBeautifulDiva
What was your motivation?
What motivated me into making a lifestyle change was one day getting on the scale and seeing that I was fast approaching 180 to 200 pounds. I weighed in at 178 pounds and I felt like I could feel myself swelling up. I felt like a linebacker and that I could tackle a football team. That’s when I said enough is enough. I knew I had to do something and something fast. I tell my kids everyday that I want to live to be 120 years old. Therefore, I knew it was time to make a change.
What inspired you to start your weight loss journey?
Who inspired me to start this weight loss journey is the question. It was my Aunt Lucy. I watched her come into my salon week after week with such a glow from her weight loss journey. Watching her transform before my own eyes, inspired me to get on the healthy side. I knew that if she could do it at age 61, I could too. For months, I constantly looked at her and visited the Fitness on Fire‘s Facebook page. Then one day on the page, I came across someone named Rashonda Williams, who looked like me, was shaped like me and was the same height as me. To see her transformation, that day I said I have to join this program.
How did you change your eating habits?
I changed my eating habits by taking notes and taking heed to what my nutritionist told me. In the past, I was always kind of watching what I ate and trying to eat healthy, because I did love healthy food. However, what I thought was healthy was totally different from what my nutritionist told me was healthy. My nutritionist taught me how to not only read, but also how to understand the nutritional information on the side of the box.
My family consists of a husband and five kids. They constantly were wanting me to make desserts, hearty dinners, and make occasional quick fast food stops. When I was on the go and needed a junk food fix, my favorite day of eating would be a kid’s supreme meal from Bojangles (3 chicken strips, fries, and a sprite). To top it off, my go-to night cap was a caramel oreo chocolate chip cheesecake milkshake from Cookout. AND I had to have this, if not every night then every other night.
Once I joined the Fitness on Fire program, I went from eating things like this to adding more fruits and vegetables to my diet. Because I do have a serious sweet tooth, I found healthier choices like Black Bean Brownies, 100 calorie chocolate cookies instead of Oreos, and 80 calorie Greek yogurt flavored cheesecake to satisfy my cheesecake need. I also stopped eating fast food, fried food, beef, pork, and starchy foods. Water was my favorite beverage of choice, but I increased my intake from 60 ounces to 80 plus ounces a day. I also went from eating my favorite Bojangles to now eating Panera Bread’s Pick Two (half sandwich and half salad) or whole salad.
What did your workout consist of?
I had a personalized regimen that was given to me by my online fitness coach “King of the Fire” who is the online trainer for FOF. I did HIIT training and cardio for 90 minutes, 3 days a week hitting the goals he set for me. I also do a High Impact Zumba class for 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes, where I burn at least an additional 700 calories. My goal is to at least make it to the gym 3 days a week and Zumba 2 times a week on the same day as my gym workout.
How long did your transformation take?
I started in February 2016, so about 6 months.
What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
The advice I have for others is to pace yourself. Don’t think that you are going to go in the gym on day one and come out looking like someone who has been working hard on their body for months. It takes dedication and determination. Yes, there are a bunch of “get thin fast” magic pills and shakes, but as soon as the magic is over the weight comes back… 10 times worse. When you are patient and work hard for something, that’s when you reap the long term benefits. So, take a deep breath, relax, be determined, be dedicated, and stay focused. You will love the outcome. You didn’t just wake up one day overweight, so you are not going to wake up in that bikini overnight.
Why did the “Fitness on Fire” Online Training Program work for you vs other programs you’ve tried before?
Over the years of yo-yo dieting, working out, “eating healthy” and taking so called magic pills, drops, and shakes, Fitness on FIRE has been my holy grail. The motivation I received from my nutritionist and personal trainer is awesome. I love how you learn so much about your body and what you put in it. Being able to have someone there for me when I have question, and having someone to push and challenge me has been what I have been looking for. They challenge me constantly, from eating healthier to working out longer and harder. They taught me about making this journey a lifestyle change, not an overnight transformation. Knowing that this is not a diet, but a natural lifestyle change, let’s me know that I will be able to do this the rest of my life.
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