Tioni lost 70 pounds

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Tioni lost 70 pounds, going from a size 24 to a size 16. She changed her lifestyle all while dealing with seizures and while getting rid of a bad relationship.  Her story is just another reminder to us that we can overcome our present situation and the obstacles in front of us to reach our health goals.

My name is Tioni and I want to share my story to hopefully motivate those who are stuck in the “if only I could…” stage. At 29 years old I started having seizures out of the blue. I was living a sedentary life, stuck in an unhappy relationship and here comes seizures. I was frustrated and stressed to the max! One Saturday morning, I woke up with all that stress of not knowing what’s was happening to my brain, not being able to drive, and having to rely on a man. (So not me). I was so scared, so I got up and I went for a walk.

One day and 3 laps around the outside of my apartment building became 5 days a week and 6 laps (total 2 miles per day). I walked and I walked and I prayed and I walked. Walking helped me battle that depression. I felt better, invigorated. I broke off the relationship with the faith that I’d get to work some way, even if I had to walk! I fought those seizures back! I had to change my life because of them, but I was going to be in charge of the change not seizures. I started doing Zumba 3 days a week. My body woke up! My mobility and stamina increased. Endorphins were released and I was not as sad anymore. Although I was moving, I still downed The Cheesecake Factory and apple pie like a champ. I lost maybe 10 lbs over the summer of 2011.

About a year later, I was up to 3.5 miles per day and I decided to get a personal trainer. It was cool the first three sessions, but on the fourth session I had a seizure and scared the poor guy to pieces. He kicked me out his class. I was devastated. I needed to exercise. I needed this. I couldn’t control the seizures without meds, but I could control high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. I could control my depression. I kept walking and doing Zumba, but I also doubled the food. In 2013, I ate a whole apple pie every 5 days! On December 11, 2013, I met my new personal trainer. Joe gave me a meal plan consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables. I had to say goodbye to The Cheesecake Factory and my relationship with apple pie had to end. I started to eat fresh vegetables and fruits, lean meats, fiber, protein, and no sugar. I had to fuel my body with essential nutrients. In fact, I had to eat more food.

I still do Zumba 3 days a week. I stopped walking because the weather changed, but I do weight training with Joe 3 days a week. I’ve lost 70 lbs!!!! 306 pounds to 236 pounds. Size 24 to a size 16 with 30 more lbs to go.  Yes, I’m on my way to my goal of 100 lbs. There isn’t a special diet or pill; no body wrap or diet drink. Simply eat the right foods, stop drinking soda and juice, stop eating at The Cheesecake Factory, and just move your body. Whether it’s a walk, a dance aerobics class or weight training, put down the sugar and empty calories and move!!! Good luck to you all of you on your weight loss journey!!!! I’m cheering you on!