Tope lost 73 pounds/33.2 kg

Transformation of the Day: Tope lost 73 pounds/33.2 kg with healthy eating habits and exercise. Her family and her faith are her motivation. She was tired of knee pain, breathlessness, and feeling unhealthy. She prayed for the renewal of her mind and the ability to win her battle with bodyweight.

What was your motivation? What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up?
My motivation is my family and my faith. After battling with my bodyweight for many years, my unfitness level (knee pain and breathlessness) in recent years became very alarming. 

When the pandemic struck last year, my situation became worse due to minimal activity/movement. I had to be honest and tell myself if I don’t do something about my health, I could die. I didn’t want to leave my loved ones behind and become a statistic of this pandemic because of my carelessness regarding my weight.

How did you change your eating habits?
I joined a group of ladies to complete a 90-Day Weight Loss Challenge. Before this and when I joined the group, I prayed for help with my body weight battle. Then, things shifted in my mind (renewal of mind) that I cannot explain in words. Literally, everything that seemed impossible for me to do before (e.g., healthier eating habits) was achievable. I cut out high-carb foods, ate more proteins, and drank more water.

What did your workout routine consist of? How often did you work out?
My workout is mainly walking and squats. Sometimes I use my local outdoor fitness center. I aim to do at least 30 minutes of walking daily. This is something I have built up gradually over time.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight was 166.60kg/367 pounds, and my current weight is 133.40kg/294 pounds.

What is your height?
Height: 170cm/5’7″

When did you initially begin your journey? How long did your transformation take?
I started on March 1, 2021. I am still on my weight loss journey hence my progressive transformation. I lost 50 pounds in 11 weeks. By the end of my 90-day weight loss challenge, I lost 58.2 pounds in 3 months. To date, I have lost a total of 33.2kg/73.2 pounds, and I am still on my weight loss journey.

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
No, I didn’t have surgery.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
My faith plays a huge role. I knew that by doing something every day that counts towards achieving my weight loss goal, I would build up to my desired results. I also learned to be patient. My motto on this journey is ‘Better to do something than nothing at all.”

What advice would you like to share with women who want to lose weight? 

• Pray about your bodyweight battles. 
• Be honest with yourself and set SMART goals. 
• Accountability and consistency are very important.

As I already mentioned, every little step helps, so start by just doing something. Every day is a battle of the mind, but those little things will develop into big things. 

I haven’t reached my goal yet, but the health benefits I’m experiencing on my healthier lifestyle journey make it all worthwhile. I decided to join Instagram last month to share my journey with others. Going public with my story is stepping out of my comfort zone, and I definitely feel vulnerable. However, I believe my journey can bring hope, inspiration, and empowerment to others. It has been life-transforming for me already, and I still have a long way to go on this journey. 

Instagram: @healthierlifestylewithtope