Sukiya lost 60 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Sukiya lost 60 pounds this year with the help of a childhood friend. Strict clean eating, exercise and adopting the right mindset has produced great results for this busy single mom, including lower cholesterol. Check out her story.

My name is Sukiya and I’m a 39 year old single mother of two. I was an athlete in high school and was in great shape. I ran track & cross country and never had any issues with weight. As I got older, had kids, etc. of course I started to pick up weight but still not too bad. I started working out in 2012, and even though I didn’t eat healthy the exercise was keeping my weight in a decent range. The shift happened after July 2015 when I had to separate from my husband and became a single mom. Between July 2015 and November 2016, I picked up 40 pounds!

I lost my mother in 2000, when she was only 47 years old, from a heart attack. Both of my parents dealt/still deal with high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I personally had a cholesterol level of 247 in 2013 and the doctor wanted to put me on Lipitor. (It’s now down to 186 from diet and exercise alone!) I also lost a cousin at age 40 in 2010 from a heart attack. So as you can see, my family health history is very poor.

My coach, Mary Parr and I are actually childhood friends. We met in first grade. We were able to reconnect in our adult years thanks to Facebook. I watched her start her personal training/health coach journey via Facebook. She used to do it on the side, in addition to her full time job. About 5 years ago, she decided to jump all the way in, quit her full time job and pursued coaching full time. Now, she is a certified weight loss expert/coach/trainer.

I actually reached out to Mary a couple of times to connect with her about starting a weight loss plan. Every time I would plan on starting up with her, something would come up to prevent me from following through. Finally at the beginning of this year (2017), I knew I needed to do something different. My weight was picking up, I felt very unhealthy and I had a lot of unhealthy habits. I contacted her once again, and this time she asked me one question: “Are you really ready?”. I was scared to death, but I knew in my heart something was different this time.

I had a binge out weekend, the weekend before I started. On January 9th, I started a strict clean-eating meal plan cold turkey. Basically, I only ate chicken, turkey, lean fish, fruits, vegetables, and a few healthy carbs. In the first week, I had already loss 6 pounds, and I could feel a complete and total difference from changing my eating habits. It was easy to stay motivated because I was feeling AMAZING and the pounds were just falling off.

In addition to eating clean, I drank at least a gallon of water a day and got in 5 workouts in a week.  These workouts varied from cardio, HIIT and weights. I would do them mostly at the gym during my lunch hour, but some at home as well.

I lost 20 pounds during the first month, 10 lbs in the 2nd month and 10 more lbs in the third month.  Now, I am almost in month 8 and have done about 5-6 different meal plans with my coach. I have lost a total of 60 pounds since January! I am 5 feet 10 inches tall, and currently weigh 181 pounds, down from 241 pounds at the start of this journey.

I have shared my entire story on social media and I encourage and inspire men and women daily. I even have a few clients that I’m doing meal plans for and working out with at the gym.

My advice for women who want to lose weight is that you first have to be completely ready in your mind. To do something as drastic as I di, in terms of reprogramming my brain when it comes to food, portions, etc., you HAVE to be strong in your mind. If you are weak in your mind, your body will follow and it will be tough. MIND CONTROL!! It’s all about mind control! Once you believe that you can do it, your body has no choice but to follow!

I would also advise to just take it day by day. If you have a bad day and make poor food choices, don’t beat yourself up. Just pick yourself back up and keep PUSHING!! Have someone or something to motivate you, whether it be wanting to fit in certain clothes, or wanting to be healthy so that you live
longer for your kids/family. Find something that will drive you on the days when you feel like giving up.

What I did was a complete lifestyle change, not a fad diet or lose weight quick scheme. It’s a LIFESTYLE change. I will never return to the life I used to have. It’s way too lovely over here!

Instagram: @mssuki1
facebook.com/mamasuki

Coach’s Instagram: @maryparrfitness
facebook.com/thegoodlifefitnessstudio/