Vei lost 123 pounds

Weight Loss Story: Showing love to our Tongan/Fijian/Niuean sista! Vei lost 123 pounds.  With encouragement from her mom and a good fitness loving friend, she lost the weight and has kept it off for 2 years!  Here is what she shared with us about her awesome transformation.

Vei Inia, New Zealand
My starting weight 141kg – 310.8 pounds
Current Weight 86Kg – 187 pounds
What is your height? 180cm – 5’9″ tall

How long did your transformation take?
4 years, because I wasn’t in a hurry. I went according to the time I had and to the pace that worked for my body.

What was your motivation? What inspired you?
My motivation came from two people. My mother and a wonderful friend named Nomz. My mother always told me the truth. The real truth. That I was overweight. That shopping would be a lot more pleasant if I could fit the clothes I liked. My friend Nomz is a Zumba fitness instructor and really enjoys fitness. She invited me to go along to the aerobics class in the community.

How did you change your eating habits? What did you stop or start eating?
It took ages for me to not crave the foods that I love to eat. Junk foods and carryout food was being eaten everyday, and even twice a day! I knew that the aerobics I was doing would be of no use if I just kept eating the way I did. I didn’t have an eating plan, I would just eat whenever I get hungry. I stopped that after going to the gym and getting a diet and fitness plan. I was motivated to change my eating when I saw the results I was getting. I felt good when I didn’t eat KFC for dinner and I had more energy. I started to stick to the diet plan of 3 meals and snacks in between. I started eating more natural foods, meat, whole grains, veggies, fruit and nuts. Also, I was preparing my food, so I knew what was going into my body. I realized that I had more money in the bank by buying in bulk to make all my food at home. I also brought Whey Protein Powder from Eatme Supplements, so that’s the only protein I used. It definitely helped refine my stomach.

What did your workout routines look like?
I started off with just a basic 30 minute walk for about 3 weeks until I got comfortable with my body and wearing exercise clothing. I did that, as well as going to a 1 hour aerobics class twice a week. Then, when I joined the gym six months later, I got a gym fitness routine which was

• 3×10 squats
• 3×10 lunges
• 3×10 bicep curls
• 3×10 ab crunches
• 3×10 kettle bell swings.
• 3 minute run on the treadmill in between legs, arms and abs.

I did this for 3 months. Once I knew how my body reacted to the routine, I just wanted to do more cardio, do some bench pressing and mix everything around. I never had a usual fitness plan when I got down to 86kg (187 pounds). I guess my body could not lose anymore weight (no matter how hard I tried). I know that the more you exercise, the more you know how your body works and which exercises will suit you best. Working out properly and with correct form is the key. Getting a personal trainer to help start you off can really help to motivate you and they can teach you how to do the moves. I would ​
have never learned how to do it properly if it were not for the personal trainers I had at my local gym! My favorite exercises: I loved doing tire drags, bench pressing 20kgs for chest 44 pounds), dead lifts, and running 5 kms per night (3.10 miles). Also, I got that mean collar bone look! It’s become such a part of me where I can’t go without exercising. It has really boosted my self esteem.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
Your doubts and fears are the only things that stop you from achieving your goals. First, you must have desire. Then you need to set a long term weight loss goal and plan on how you are going to achieve what you want. You need to put in the work and actually do you what set out in your plan. So, plan according to your capability and then once you’ve achieved your goal, aim higher. You will learn more about yourself on this journey. Make a lot of sacrifices. They will pay off in the end. We only get one body, so we have to look after it, treasure what we put into it, sleep well, eat well and maintain personal hygiene. You gain so much more than you lose. Lose the fat, gain the wisdom and knowledge. You’ll be a more happier you.

Instagram: @veiinia​