Transformation of the Day: Tanya lost 69 pounds. Over the course of many years, she has created a plant-based lifestyle that includes yoga, detoxing, meditation and other spiritual practices. It’s not just about food and exercise, it’s about transforming her mind, body, and soul. Check out her journey.
I began my weight loss journey by fasting during the month of Lent, in February 2007. During that time there were certain things I had to stop eating, along with many other sacrifices I had to make. That lasted about 2 and a half months.
Once the fasting was over, I noticed that I’d lost about 10 pounds. I decided to continue to abstain from certain foods. I gave up all fast food, fried food, junk food, and soda. That’s when my life started to change.
I started going to the gym and working out 5 times a day. I enjoyed it so much it became relaxing for me. I weighed about 230 pounds when it all started in 2007. By the end of the year, I weighed in at 170 pounds. I really went hard in the gym for years and maintained my weight for about 7 years.
In 2010, I gave up eating all meat except for seafood. Five years later, in 2015, I became a vegan…which only lasted for about 6 months. In 2016, life caught up with me. I turned to my old ways, and everything started to go downhill. I began to eat a lot of things that I shouldn’t have been eating, but I’m proud to say that I never went back to eating meat. During this phase, I still worked out about 3 times a week, but I wasn’t pushing myself. I just wasn’t taking it seriously. I guess I was too relaxed.
By 2017, I realized that I had gained some of my weight back. Surprisingly, by December 9, 2017, I was up to 198 pounds. I decided to get a trainer, so I could be pushed and challenge myself more. My weight was coming off very slow but not how I wanted, and my eating habits had only changed slightly. I felt something still wasn’t right. I worked out with my trainer 3 days a week did other workouts on the side.
In September 2018, a light bulb came on. I was browsing on Instagram, and I came across the young lady out of Chicago who is a Holistic influencer. She lifts weights, does yoga, meditates, does detoxes and is a vegan. I thought to myself, “This chick is bad as hell.” So, I started to follow her on IG. She is definitely a great inspiration and motivator. Her energy radiates through all of her posts. She is just a badass chick, and she does it all. She talks about self-care and how you have to be in alignment with your mind body and spirit. She showed me that it’s not all about working out and eating right, your mind and spirit has to be right as well. That’s when my life began to change.
I started to meditate for 10 minutes every morning. I did yoga twice a week and I workout 6 days a week total. I also detoxed about every 2 months using the 7 Day Holistic detox book. Today, I have a different outlook. I have a spiritual practice, and I’m reading more of the Bible and the Seven Spiritual Laws of Success. I am living a planet based lifestyle now, working towards an alkaline lifestyle.
Today, I’m at peace with myself. I weigh 161 pounds right now. I am challenging myself to run 500 miles by June 17, 2019, which is my birthday. I will turn 50 years old this year, and I am beaming.
I just want to thank some awesome people who have helped me to be in a great space in my life right now. Shout out to Laws of the Body for having so much patience with me and for sticking with me, you are the best. Rashidat Owe is the young lady who inspired me so much. I’ve never met you, but one day I will so I can thank you in person. Keep inspiring people and may God continue to bless you. To Kevin, who is my kickboxing cardio instructor, I say thanks for not giving up on your class. I love that class so much, and the energy that you give during class is incredible.
Those who know me know how private I am about my life. I would have never thought about putting my personal life on the internet. My experience was challenging. The advice I would like to share to encourage women to lose weight: First, you have to love yourself and do it for you. The will to achieve this goal comes from deep within. There will be difficulties on this journey. You will feel like you want to give up and like you don’t have the strength to achieve your goal, but you can do it.
It’s incredible how powerful the mind is. When I began to meditate and started to educate myself on self-care, love, peace, and how important my energy was to me, my life has changed tremendously. I am at peace, and I understand life so much clearer. I appreciate all of the good times, and when the bad times come, I handle it as a growing experience and keep moving forward.
Stay encouraged and keep pushing with all your power. You can change your lifestyle. Focus on your goals and be disciplined. Stay motivated and stay on track. Just stay strong and don’t be hard on yourself.
Instagram: @loveabletanya1969
Disclaimer: Reference or link to any specific product, diet plan, exercise plan or service mentioned in the weight loss stories we share is for the information of our readers, and does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Black Women Losing Weight.
Shondell M Brown says
Beautiful Wordsof Wisdom- Thsnk You💖
Tanya says
Thanks🙏🏾
Tanya says
Thanks 🙏🏾
Vanetha says
GO BEST FRIEND GO BEST FRIEND!!! THAT’S MY SISTER. I’M SOOOO SUPER PROUD OF UUUU!!! MUUAAHHHHH!!! 😘😘