Valerie lost 41 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Valerie lost 41 pounds. She wanted to avoid taking medication for something that could be prevented with healthy eating and exercise. Today, she’s feeling fit and no longer has to deal with hypertension, pre-diabetes or high cholesterol. Check out her story.

My motivation to begin my healthy lifestyle was that I wished to live longer, avoid being on prescription medication and change my overall health. Anything I needed to do in regards to preventative maintenance to extend my life, I was willing to do.

What inspired me to never give up was looking at myself in the mirror and seeing my progress. I was well aware that it didn’t take 2 weeks for me to gain my weight, and it wouldn’t take 2 weeks to lose it!

I changed my eating habits by consuming clean, healthy meals, while increasing my water intake. I stopped eating fast foods, fried foods and sugar filled foods, including sweets. I started eating more veggies, protein, carbs and fruit. I worked out 4-5 days a week. My workouts included cardio, HIIT, and strength training.

My starting weight was 193.3 pounds. My current weight is 151.6 pounds. My height is 5’3″. I’m feeling GREAT at age 48! I transformed from a size 14 to a healthy size 0 in 8 months. I began my journey in November 2015.

The supportive team that I joined and am still a member of is IUTBU (I Use To Be U), coached by Wiltrina Jones. Although I have some loose skin from my weight loss, I am currently increasing my strength training regimen with the assistance of Coach Trina. Skin-removal surgery is not an option for me. I plan to tone and lean out naturally.

My advice to anyone that wishes to lose weight, is to NEVER GIVE UP! Lose your weight for you first! Do it for your health. Do it because you will look and feel better. Do it because it’s the right thing to do for YOU!

As I was on my healthy lifestyle journey, it was about not having to take medications for something that could be prevented by eating healthy and exercising. For motivation, I taped an old picture of me when I was smaller in size, before gaining my weight, on the back of my door. That photo was on the back of my door for 3 years UNTIL I DECIDED TO MAKE A CHANGE! And Oh Boy, I’m so grateful that I did!

To date, I no longer have hypertension. I am no longer borderline diabetic or borderline for high cholesterol. My doctor even gave me a high five and told me to keep up the great work! And I WILL!

Instagram: @positivelyvee