Close Ad

transformation story

At Nearly 200 Pounds, Woman Makes One Major Realization And Turned Her Life Around
Diet & Exercise

At Nearly 200 Pounds, Woman Makes One Major Realization And Turned Her Life Around

For years, Jennifer Riveira made excuses for her weight gain, even as she struggled to keep up with her young son and often had to say no when he wanted to play.“I was overweight and I was tired,” Jennifer told People. “My son said I yelled from the time I got up in the morning until the time I went to bed at night.”At her heaviest weight of almost 200 pounds, the mom of two was exhausted and miserable.Jennifer felt her relationships with her husband and son break down“My marriage was at an all-time low,” she remembered. “My husband and I weren’t getting along because frankly, I made it really hard to love me because I stopped loving myself.”In March 2017, Jennifer made a doctor's appointment, thinking there must be a medical reason she was getting heavier. Instead, she got a rude awakening.“My doctor said, ‘Your tests all came back fine. But what we really need to look at is what are you eating,’” she said.Rather than address the root cause of her weight gain, Jennifer continued to insist she couldn’t prioritize healthy eating because of her hectic schedule as a busy mom.“In reality, I had just given up on myself,” said the California native. “Everybody became more important than I did and fast-food became my way of life. It was fast. It was easy.”Then, something clicked when she stumbled across a friend’s weight loss post one day on social media.After successfully losing weight, she decided to help others on the same journey “She had posted that she was able to be on the floor and play with her son,” Jennifer said. “I remember thinking, ‘Gosh, I just want that.’ I reached out to her and asked her what she was doing.”Her friend told her about how she’d been able to lose weight with Isagenix, a popular meal replacement program.“I remember thinking, ‘I’m going all in. What do I have to lose?’”She signed up for the Isabody challenge, a 16-week transformation contest and it turns out, it was the exact support she needed.Not only did Jennifer successfully drop 76 pounds, but she was also named the 2019 Isabody grand prize winner and awarded $25,000 for her achievement. “The challenge itself is to feel better about yourself, to be the best version of you, whoever you are.”These days, she is more active and healthier than ever and has made it her mission to help others feel good about themselves too.One of her favourite moments throughout her weight loss journey was when she asked her son to describe her using three words as part of a personal development assignment. “He said: dedicated, loving, and inspiring,” Jennifer said at the time. “It’s about so much more than just the weight loss — I have a happy healthy 13-year-old who now sees what good nutrition can do for you. That means the world to me.”More inspiring stories: At 290 Lbs, Woman Embarks On Incredible Transformation Journey After Making The Wrong ChoicesWoman Dumped And Trolled By Boyfriend For Being Overweight Gets The Last LaughWoman Changes the Game and Loses 55 Lbs Without Depriving Herself of AnythingInspiring Couple Loses Over 200 Lbs Together Before Their Wedding Day

Woman Dumped And Trolled By Boyfriend For Being Overweight Gets The Last Laugh
Exercise

Woman Dumped And Trolled By Boyfriend For Being Overweight Gets The Last Laugh

Dumped by her boyfriend and mocked by his friends, one woman used the experience to glow up like a rock star.Downward spiralWhen Nadina Knight's boyfriend, Tim, dumped her for being overweight, in a way it was relief from constant abuse.Writing about her experience in the Sun, she recalled that "His friends called me “chubby” and after he finished with me, he pointedly went out with a girl who was really slim."Even Tim's ex-girlfriend piled on, calling him a 'chubby-chaser' on Knight's Facebook page.As her self-esteem sunk, Knight recounted "drinking a lot and my eating was out of control." At her peak, Knight tipped the scales at 224 pounds. At that point, she had a choice: stay down or fight back. Knight took the nice girl gloves off. "The break-up — as awful as it was — spurred me on to do something about my weight. I’d had enough of the fat jokes."- Nadina Knight And so, driven by renewal and revenge, she took massive action.Turnaround timeThe first step of Knight's journey started where it does for most...Google.'The first thing I did was search Google for healthy living tips. I didn't want to diet like so many of my friends had done, I just wanted to lose the weight in a healthy and sustainable way.'First items on the chopping block: alcohol, chocolate, cake and fizzy drinks. With that, she swapped in a steady dose of exercise. " I also started going to the gym because I realized I needed to tone up my wobbly skin now that I had started losing weight."'Losing weight' is putting it lightly. Knight lost 98 pounds in eight months and shed four dress sizes. After that, the old Nadina was gone for good.'I also go to the gym about three times a week. I won't ever let myself get to that stage again.'Yet one of her most satisfying moments came when she bumped into Tim's mom at the pharmacy. "She said: “I didn’t recognise you.” I was absolutely thrilled," she recalled. "I’m sure she went home and told Tim how amazing I looked."Pageant-boundFor Knight, it's only been onward and upward.With her slimmed-down swag, Knight went on to win both Miss England and Miss Northampton. She's also pursuing a promising singing career. Knight tells the Daily Mail that it's been surreal. 'The whole Miss England experience was incredible. I was with everyone for four days straight and you really start to become a family. I enjoyed myself so much."Pain fuels rebirthLooking back, Knight says that her journey has changed her for the right reasons."It has given me the confidence I didn't have before, I'm happier and most importantly I'm healthier which was my main goal"- Nadina Knight As for Tim, that ship has long sailed. "It’s too late for him now and there’s no way I would have had him back anyway."When you're in a rut and it feels like the world is piling on you, it can feel futile. In reality, it's the universe telling you to take control. Small minds won't understand your big will.And, if you're Nadina Knight, they won't recognize you either.More inspiring stories:At 280 Lbs, She Kept Gaining Weight Through Yo-Yo Diets, Today, She’s A Personal TrainerWoman Loses 85 Lbs In A Year By Adopting This Totally Unexpected Weight Loss TrickAt 480 Lbs, He Received a Deadly Wake-up Call And Turned His Life AroundShe Lost Over 100 Pounds by Making This Promise to Herself

Woman Changes the Game and Loses 55 Lbs Without Depriving Herself of Anything
Diet & Exercise

Woman Changes the Game and Loses 55 Lbs Without Depriving Herself of Anything

Often when one hears the term “transformation” they envision a “light bulb” moment where everything changes. We often wait for that moment to arise in our own lives when looking to instill real positive lifestyle changes.Well for Stacie Brown, her weight loss transformation journey did not involve a flick of the switch type moment but more so of a gradual process."A few of my friends had been working out and eating healthier. Talking with them about the changes they had made me decide to lose weight," Stacie said to POPSUGAR. "One was on WW and explained how it worked, and I thought it sounded like a great place to start. It turned out to be an amazing lifestyle change for me."Stacie says that the weight loss journey should be seen as a lifestyle changeWeight Watchers works for Stacie Brown because she does not have to deprive herself! She can eat whatever she wants, she just has to be mindful to eat in moderation as well as be conscious of portion size.On a typical day, Stacie enjoys oatmeal, fruit, a slice of wheat toast with peanut butter, and a cup of coffee with some creamer for breakfast. Then as a mid-morning snack, she might eat some no-sugar-added peaches. For lunch, Stacie has a salad with mixed greens, apples, feta, chicken, and light raspberry walnut vinaigrette. Finally, for dinner, Stacie might make some chicken fajitas with fat-free cheese, light sour cream, and avocado.For the first 3 months of Weight Watchers, Stacie Brown focused exclusively on her eating habits. Then when she was ready, she incorporated cardio and weight training into a workout routine.Stacie shares, "Recently I started doing the 30-Minute Circuit Express at Planet Fitness, and I really enjoy it.”seeing the loss on the scale and the changes in the way my clothes fit me has been a huge motivator.Stacie BrownStacie Brown has acquired some tips for weight loss at this stage in her transformation. She shares that you should approach weight loss as a lifestyle change where you make healthier decisions, a cheat day can be okay here and there, don’t eliminate what you love, and surround yourself with positive support.Stacie Brown lost 55 lbs on WW. At her heaviest weight, Stacie was 213 lbs, but now she is 157 lbs.There will be no change without sacrificesNo matter what shape or size you currently are, the bottom line is that if you want to be healthier than you are at present, you are going to have to make some changes. Stacie substitutes healthier choices for the more indulgent ones and that works for her. She doesn’t cut anything out entirely, she gives herself leniency to enjoy herself and then get back on track the next day. She approaches her transformation as a lifestyle decision and not a weight loss one and that works for her.We are all different shapes, and sizes, which is what makes us all beautiful. Weight does not necessarily dictate health, but we all know when we want to change. We all know when our body sends us signals that it is time to make a lifestyle overhaul, and when Stacie learned about Weight Watchers, she found the system that works for her.Making lifestyle changes may not be easy but it is worth it. No matter how you get to the moment where you embark upon a transformation journey, what is most important is that you are on it (if you feel as though you need to be).Everything takes place in its own time. Allow things to happen organically and be ready to make the change when change presents itself to you.More inspiring stories:Dedicated Man Loses 150 Lbs During Lockdown After His Scale Read 430 LbsWoman Who Was Always Dumped For Her Weight Finds Love With Personal TrainerInspiring Couple Loses Over 200 Lbs Together Before Their Wedding DayAt 288 Lbs, This Woman Transformed Herself After Setting An Ambitious Goal

Dedicated Man Loses 150 Lbs During Lockdown After His Scale Read 430 Lbs
Diet & Exercise

Dedicated Man Loses 150 Lbs During Lockdown After His Scale Read 430 Lbs

The pandemic has been a time of transition for many of us. In some way or another, many people worldwide have had to take a good look at their lifestyles and question whether or not it was sustainable.Well for Kyle White from Old Perlican, N.L. in Canada, lockdown allowed White to recognize what was not going to work for him going forward.Kyle tells CBC from his home in Saskatoon, "A little over a year ago, I stepped on the scale and I was around 430 pounds." Once Kyle hit 430 lbs, there was no denying the habits that were contributing to both his and his wife’s weight gain.With pain in his back and knees and high blood pressure as well, Kyle decided to do something about it.Kyle started his journey with baby stepsWhite says, "Every day I would wake up heavier than I was the day previous." He continues, "I knew that wasn't sustainable."Kyle started his journey with baby steps and would peel himself from the couch to walk the dog. White’s strolls with the dog would eventually turn into longer walks. In order to pass the time, Kyle would listen to podcasts. Then, by the summertime, Kyle was hiking."We started seeing results," White says. "It took a lot of hard work, but once we started seeing the results we were willing to put in more work."i still feel like it's my own body, but when i see the difference in the photos that are side by side, it's hard to wrap my head around it.Kyle WhiteKyle practically eliminated alcohol from his diet and now mostly drinks water. He has a goal of 10,000 steps a day and makes sure to keep track through a fitness tracker he wears.Kyle and his wife prefer a mostly animal-free diet. Kyle explains, "Our diet is about 98 percent free of animal products." He cooks tofu and tempeh for protein, and only eats a small amount of eggs, mostly when they’re in pasta.Standing at 6’5, Kyle began losing interest in hiking when the challenge of the activity started wearing off. So, he decided to try running.He eventually made the transition to running and hikingKyle says, "When you're the size that I was, and even still am, you need to be really careful about running because it is very easy to hurt an ankle or a knee."Taking the baby steps approach again, Kyle began with short running bursts during walks. Then he began to jog 500 meters at a time. After that, he hit a kilometer, and then he hit a mile. In the fall, Kyle was able to run 4 km without even so much as a pause. He shares, “The hardest step is showing up."Kyle now runs 3-4 times a week. His runs are normally 5 to 7 km long. He also completes one lengthier run, which can be as much as 15 km; Kyle plans to run marathons in the future.The hardest step is showing up.Kyle WhiteKyle not only wants to run marathons, but when he visits his home province, he wants to run from Cape Spear to Cabot Tower, which is a 20 km route known for being one of the most difficult running courses on the continent.Kyle explains that he still can’t believe his weight loss. He says, "I still feel like it's my own body, but to see the actual difference in photos that are side by side, or the pants that I used to wear, it is a bit hard to wrap my head around." Speaking of his family who he hasn’t seen since October 2019, Kyle states, "A hug is going to feel quite different when we get to see each other again."Kyle has lost 150 lbs along his transformation journey and his wife has lost 75 lbs.Kyle said that the pandemic was a blessing in disguise for himKyle reflects on the lifestyle overhaul he has undergone over the course of the pandemic saying, "It takes a lot of hard work, but the conditions that we had the past year kind of gave us the time, which was, maybe, a hidden benefit in the mess that was 2020," "It allowed us to refocus, work on ourselves, cook better food, and get outside a little bit."Kyle and his wife found the silver lining for themselves during the lockdown. The couple was able to overhaul their lifestyle and face the music head-on. In being forced to pause with the rest of the world, Kyle was really able to focus on self-improvement and ask important questions moving forward.Take baby steps at the beginning of a journey in order to achieve your goals. When replacing negative habits with positive ones we often need time and to practice patience towards ourselves. A sustainable lifestyle is one that we can actually lead, not one that we just want to.When you start to see the results, and the real fruits of your labor come to fruition, you can inspire even greater motivation within yourself. Start with baby steps and watch yourself make big strides from there.Even with a goal like 10,000 steps a day, you have to start by making at least one.More inspiring stories:Woman Who Was Always Dumped For Her Weight Finds Love With Personal TrainerInspiring Couple Loses Over 200 Lbs Together Before Their Wedding DayAt 288 Lbs, This Woman Transformed Herself After Setting An Ambitious GoalWoman Loses 105 Pounds After Receiving High School Reunion Invitation

Inspiring Couple Loses Over 200 Lbs Together Before Their Wedding Day
Diet & Exercise

Inspiring Couple Loses Over 200 Lbs Together Before Their Wedding Day

Embarking upon any type of journey of self-improvement, whether it be mental or physical, can often be a very solo journey. However, one couple, with the same motivating vision of walking down the aisle in good health, overhauled their diets and achieved their shared goal.Mary Jane O'Toole and her now-husband Alex embarked upon transformation journeys together. Leaning on each other as a support system, the couple lost 200 lbs between the two of them.After a well-documented trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the couple looked over the photographs after their safari trek. Mary Jane tells POPSUGAR, "We saw the photos and made a decision to change our eating habits.” Mary Jane used her dream wedding dress as a motivator to lose weightUsing their upcoming nuptials as a goal post, the couple decided that they would track everything they ate leading up to the big day. In the process, Alex lost 75 lbs in a year and has been maintaining that healthy weight, and Mary Jane lost 135 lbs in two years.Mary Jane was also motivated by the thought of wanting to fit into her dream dress. She explains, "I decided a long time ago that I was going to buy a 'straight' sized wedding dress. I was determined to not have to pay more for fabric."Mary Jane focuses on portion control when it comes to weight loss. She says, “I just make sure to log what I'm eating, whether it's rice cakes or Rice Krispie treats, into the Lose It! app to help keep my portion sizes under control and help me stay on track to achieve my goals.”They don't believe in cheat daysMary Jane only began working out about a year into her weight loss journey, and she is surprised at how much she loves it! She enjoys yoga and includes circuit training with resistance bands in her exercise routine.When it comes to cheat days, Alex and Mary Jane don’t believe in them. It doesn’t work for them personally and they know that, so they try and stay away from straying off track with their diet. Mary Jane says, "You need consistency and dedication. It is only going to work if you want it."You need consistency and dedication. It is only going to work if you want it.Mary Jane O'TooleOn a transformation post shared on Instagram, Mary Jane writes, “Love letter to self: I loved you then and I love you now. I miss that dress and I think you looked cute in it. You’re an A+. Stay cute on the inside - it’s what matters most.” She includes the hashtag #bodypositive in the caption because at the end of the day that is what is most important.You can love yourself completely and still hold yourself accountableRemaining body positive no matter what your weight or size is an important mentality to nurture, strengthen or acquire. You can love yourself and still want to grow or recognize where you may need to focus some more of your attention.Just because you are working on yourself does not mean that you have to go at it alone. Both Alex and Mary Jane struggle with overeating and decided to be proactive about their habit together. They had the same goal in mind and put a plan into action.No matter what your goal, make sure to set it in motion with actionable steps. When you experience a wake-up call you have two choices, keep sleeping or do something about it. When you choose your health you choose yourself, and that choice will always be the right one to make.More inspiring stories:Woman Loses 105 Pounds After Receiving High School Reunion InvitationWoman Loses 210 Lbs After Major Wake-Up Call Involving Airplane SeatsAt 288 Lbs, This Woman Transformed Herself After Setting An Ambitious GoalAt 300 Lbs, She Completely Transformed Herself By Sticking to One Vision

At 288 Lbs, This Woman Transformed Herself After Setting An Ambitious Goal
Motivation

At 288 Lbs, This Woman Transformed Herself After Setting An Ambitious Goal

Slow and steady tends to win the race, especially when the race is a marathon. In life we tend to want “quick fixes” to our problems, but those easy fixes are often unsustainable solutions. However, we can find out over time, that if we do not institute positive patterns of behavior in the place of negative ones, we will often just keep spinning our wheels with little to no results.That was the case for Angela Colabuccia. Angela was an emotional eater who would eat often out of boredom. Angela tells POPSUGAR, "I couldn't even run a mile in high school without stopping. I hated exercise and loved junk food."After a bad breakup at the age of 23, Angela wanted to make a change and get physically fit, but she would lose weight and gain it right back. The yo-yo dieting went on for years until Angela became a mother.Becoming a parent can change you in many ways. One thing that tends to change when you become responsible for another sentient being are your priorities. When Angela recognized that she needed to be fit to keep up with her child she began her transformation journey.At age 27, Angela weighed 288 pounds. It was then that she made the decision to overhaul her lifestyle.Angela set out with an ambitious goalOver the next two years, Angela Colabucci would lose 123 lbs by switching to a low-carb, high-protein, no sugar or refined carbs diet. She didn’t count calories at first but then eventually began tracking 1,800 calories a day, allowing space for a bi-weekly cheat meal.In a day, Angela might have eggs or low-sugar yogurt for breakfast and meat or fish with a lot of vegetables for lunch or dinner. In between however, Colabucci snacks on peanut butter, cheese, lunch meats, Atkins treats and more vegetables!As far as working out at the gym goes, Angela keeps it simple saying, "I follow a rule of never skipping more than one day in a row." She goes to the gym four times per week and spends her time running and weight training.Angela reveals, "My boyfriend signed me up for the Tough Mudder without letting me know, and I fell in love with it!" Colabucci enjoys the bragging rights and camaraderie from having participated in the highly arduous obstacle course endurance event. A chain reaction of changesSince losing over 100 lbs in two years, Angela has noticed certain differences about her life post weight loss.For starters, she says, “I can put a hairband around my wrist without it cutting off circulation." Angela adds, “I wear a size 9 instead of 10.5 shoes since my feet aren't so swollen.” And finally, Colabucci says, “I can buy normal bras at Victoria's Secret! I used to have to special order size 42DD, but now I can get 36Ds.”Angela keeps her momentum by signing up for more obstacle races, witnessing how her body has changed, fitting into straight-size clothing and being motivated by her son.As far as words of wisdom go, Angela encourages others to pursue the path of living a healthy lifestyle. She says, "Don't give up; it really is a struggle every day, but the end result is so worth it."Angela notes, "Learning to love myself has been the biggest reward!"Angela Colabucci has adapted to her new way of life and explains, “I still love all the food, but I have learned how to integrate the cravings into my lifestyle and way of eating and working out.”Nothing comes without sacrificeAngela knew that in order for her to lose the weight (and keep it off), she was going to have to make some serious lifestyle changes. As she says, she is presented with challenges every day but she overcomes those obstacles because the results are worth it.As we take on different roles throughout our lives we gain wisdom and shift our focus accordingly. When Angela became a mother, it became clear to her that her health was an issue, and so she addressed that issue through nutrition and exercise.No matter what obstacles you face, just know that you are capable of overcoming insurmountable ones. No matter what hurdle you must jump, know that you can do it, and once you get to the other side, the results will be worth it.

Woman Loses 105 Pounds After Receiving High School Reunion Invitation
Diet & Exercise

Woman Loses 105 Pounds After Receiving High School Reunion Invitation

For many of us, the very idea of returning to high school can elicit strong emotions. Most of us oscillate between nostalgia and dread while reflecting on that youthful time in our lives. But for one woman, the idea of seeing all of her high school friends again was so overwhelming, it launched her on a transformation journey.Lawyer Liz Ash’s weight gain was subtle and steady over the years but by the time she was in her late 30’s, Liz weighed 260 lbs."I was always the big kid," Liz tells POPSUGAR.She said, "I was about a size 16 and a shade under 200 pounds when I graduated high school.”While she played soccer and was a competitive swimmer as well growing up, she still didn’t lose the weight.Then, when she grew up, poor nutritional choices led the weight gain to progress. "I was so controlled in my professional life that food became something I just felt like I could let loose and enjoy.”Liz used food as a coping mechanism Like many of us, we often use food as a comfort however, there is a slippery slope in doing that. As Liz says, “But moderation didn't seem to have much of a role in that pattern, and before I knew it, I had put on almost 75 pounds, heading into a size 20 jeans and a size 22/24 jacket."While Liz had gained weight, she had also been experiencing pain in her hip, heel, sciatica nerve, and low energy overall.Then, Liz’s 20th high school reunion invitation arrived in the mail in the fall of 2015. "As I scrolled through the list of names on Facebook — people I hadn't seen or thought much about for a couple of decades — I remember feeling a hot wave of anxiety rising through my chest.""As I saw all those familiar names from the past, it all felt as if none of my achievements would be noticed or acknowledged, despite everything I'd done to become the woman I am. I was afraid all anyone would see was how big I was, because I felt like that's all anyone had ever seen."I ultimately decided that my insecurity over the whole reunion was less about them and more about me, and it wasn't in my nature to back down or slink away in shame and hide.That was the turning point. It was that moment that sparked the change that Liz would need to transform her life.She says moderation is the keyLiz lost 105 lbs after she recognized that losing the weight would require an authentic lifestyle change, beginning with her diet.She explains her approach to nutrition saying, "I pretty much stick to the outside aisles of the supermarket, and my cart is usually three quarters full of veggies and lean proteins like ground turkey, chicken breasts, and fresh fish. I try to keep processed foods to a minimum, although I'm definitely not above getting a cauliflower-crust frozen pizza on occasion."Liz's mantra is, "Don't exclude; choose." Liz uses the Lose It! app to help her with her nutritional choices. "Lose It! helps by putting each item in the context of my daily budget, because it keeps me honest without having to add or multiply the nutritional value on my own.""For me, modifying my diet has never been about portion control. Instead, it's been about making better choices about ingredients and proportions so that I can still eat real food and feel full at a fraction of the calorie load."Liz taught herself how to cook healthier meals, explaining that for a given meal, "My 2019 version would come in somewhere around 450 calories instead of the 1,800-calorie bomb from 2014 — not to mention that it would still be delicious and filling!"I used to walk into a room full of people I'd never met before, and I'd feel like I was being judged. I would have a running dialogue of negativity in my head of the things I'd imagine people were thinking, and it played on a constant loop for the better part of 40 years.Liz AshAccording to Liz, changing her diet has accounted for about 85% of her success. Exercise is another important element. She says, "I like having the ability to do a lot of different physical activities that I never imagined I'd be able to do."Variety was crucial to keep Liz actively engaged in exercise. Liz knows herself and what works saying, "If I try to stick to a routine, I'll just get bored and stop."Liz shares, "I find it hard to schedule work and life around fitness classes, so I find videos on YouTube that I can try in my home gym." She enjoys walking, the elliptical, yoga, step aerobics, running among other activities and swimming is her favorite type of workout.Liz is doing more than she ever thought imaginable. She shares, “I recently signed up to run my first 5K in June and my first sprint triathlon in August. Even though they both intimidate me.”“I'm really enjoying having fitness-related goals to look forward to.”Liz Ash has both her Lawyer at Lunch blog chronicling her weight loss journey. Then on Instagram, Liz has an account called lightened_up_recipes where she shares her love of cooking healthy meals."I figure if I'm as honest and authentic as I can possibly be about my journey, it will help keep me accountable over the long-term."Liz admits that she has gained a lot of confidence One major difference Liz Ash has experienced since embarking upon her transformation journey is the way she feels around other people. She explains, "I used to walk into a room full of people I'd never met before, and I'd feel like I was being judged. I would have a running dialogue of negativity in my head of the things I'd imagine people were thinking, and it played on a constant loop for the better part of 40 years.""Now, when I walk into a room, I don't feel that anymore," Liz continues proudly saying, "I hold my head a little higher. I'm more genuine and authentic because I don't feel like I have to have a guard up. The burden of that negativity is something I never realized I was carrying until it was gone — and it's wonderfully freeing."Liz wants for those embarking upon a transformation journey to know that is is a marathon and not a sprint. Liz says that, "sometimes it’s okay to say yes — balance has always been important to me."I'm working hard to be patient with myself as I learn and grow, and it's not always easy...At the end of the day, I have to keep reminding myself that I've invested a lot of work in this body, and I'm not giving it up without a fight!Liz Ash"Sometimes I make healthier choices like ordering a salad, but sometimes I approach a good meal at a fun new restaurant as though calories aren't a thing, and it's heaven. I enjoy my friends and go with the flow for an evening, and I appreciate and value every second of it.""Then I get back on track the next day."While the physical aspects of a weight loss journey are clear to the human eye, there are certain internal factors still to be sorted out with time. Liz says, "There are physical, emotional, psychological, behavioral, and identity-related by-products of being overweight that you still have to sort out even once the number on the scale tells you that's not who you are anymore,"She describes the mental side of the journey saying, "I'm working hard to be patient with myself as I learn and grow, and it's not always easy." "At the end of the day, I have to keep reminding myself that I've invested a lot of work in this body, and I'm not giving it up without a fight!”Don't forget: prioritizing mental health is also important Liz Ash was catalyzed by the very thought of walking into her high school reunion, with all of the eyes of her peers on her, focusing on her weight. While this launched her onto an incredible weight loss journey, it also allowed her to recognize the journey she still had to take with her mind.When we experience that moment where we say ‘enough is enough’ with bad habits, we are often looking for physical results stemming from mental changes. And when we experience success and see those results come to life, we often still have to allow our minds to catch up.No matter what your health goals, prioritize what your body and mind needs in order to achieve them. Be kind to yourself along the way and exercise patience above all else. Success doesn’t happen overnight but embarking upon the path towards success can. You can wake up one morning and decide to change your life for the better any day of the week.No matter what your reason, or what your turning point, if you're walking on a path towards better health that also makes you happy, continue walking. And make sure to pause and enjoy the journey along the way.More inspiring stories:At 311 Lbs, She Decided to Put Her Son First And Changed Her LifeAt 300 Lbs, She Completely Transformed Herself By Sticking to One VisionWoman Went from “Morbidly Obese” to Losing 100 Lbs against All OddsHer Husband Cheated on Her – So She Lost a 100 Lbs and Turned Her Life Around

At 311 Lbs, She Decided to Put Her Son First And Changed Her Life
Diet & Exercise

At 311 Lbs, She Decided to Put Her Son First And Changed Her Life

A journey travelled is a journey worth sharing, but a journey that revitalizes your life for the better is one that the whole world often wants to know. In the face of clear success, we often gloss over the failures, but the failures are a necessary rite of passage to overcome on your way to achieving your goals. And then, once you have reached your desired destination, the world can literally become your oyster.Cierra Johnson gradually gained weight until her weight peaked at over 300 lbs. Cierra tells POPSUGAR, "I would start a new weight-loss journey every Sunday, by Wednesday I would fall back into bad habits.”Johnson continues, “This was my life for years. Diet after diet, I would lose then regain more than I lost. I lacked dedication, patience, and consistency every time."Just like many mothers, Cierra had to keep up with her son. However, her weight began affecting her energy and activity levels. In November 2017, at her peak weight of 311 lbs, Johnson noticed that she was really having a lot of trouble doing almost anything with him. She says, "It forced me to see that my weight was now affecting my lifestyle and quality time with my son. It was the pivotal moment where I said enough was enough."Cierra’s love for her son inspired her to start her journeyWith her turning point moment behind her and a new fitness journey just over the horizon, Cierra identified where the real issue was for her. Cierra shares, "It wasn't working out that would hold me back. It was my lack of control when it came to food.”In February 2018, Cierra went for vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG). Cierra believes that this procedure was a “tool” on her road to recovery.Then, Cierra dedicated all of 2018 to being healthy and keeping active. She completely overhauled her lifestyle by introducing workouts six times a week and a low-carb high-protein diet. She revolutionized the way that she interacted with nutrition learning both portion control from the surgery and how to eat to fuel herself instead of for fun.Cierra says, "I found a love for jogging, spin, and jumping rope. I would dance everyday because in the beginning I was too heavy to do a lot of the things I aspired to." As she lost the weight, Johnson then began incorporating more fitness-focused exercises into her routine.In one year, Cierra lost 133 lbs. She says of the experience, "I shared my entire story to show the world that having weight-loss surgery is not the easy way out. It requires the same dedication and healthy lifestyle changes as any other weight-loss journey."It forced me to see that my weight was now affecting my lifestyle and quality time with my son. It was the pivotal moment where I said enough was enough.Cierra JohnsonOne month after the one-year anniversary of beginning her journey, Cierra became pregnant with twins. She explains, "It was very hard on my body, but I think God prepared me because I was in the best physical shape of my life."Every journey can have its seasons of rain, and Cierra’s pregnancy brought with it some complications. Within a month of the birth of her twins, Cierra was back at her pre-pregnancy weight, and she began working out in January 2020. However, breastfeeding made exercise painful for her and so the new mom decided to wait 6 months (when she would finish breastfeeding) to begin working out again.Between the pandemic limiting Cierra’s options for exercise and the pain she was experiencing in her breasts when she tried, Johnson gained approximately 20 lbs.Then after returning to the gym in September 2020, Cierra injured her knee and could not walk for 3 weeks. She describes that time in her life saying, "The weight gain, the new twins, the limiting environment, and a host of other personal issues became too much. I went into a deep depression October through December, which is where I gained an additional 20 pounds." Cierra reminds herself of her past to keep her motivatedSince January of this year Cierra has been back on her weight loss journey with the goal of losing the 40 lbs she gained. In order to stay motivated, Cierra says that she thinks of her past. She reminds herself of the memory of how her weight had affected motherhood.Cierra says, "The scale is a liar, lol, so I trust what I see more than what the scale tells me." Instead, she focuses on looking at before and after photos for inspiration. In fact, she recommends that you take many pictures along the way both for your own inspiration and to share with others! She encourages monthly progress photos to show you what the scale doesn’t tell you with a number.Remember fitness should be fun. If you don't enjoy what you're doing, you won't do it. Find what you enjoy and stick to it. I love dancing, so I danced my way through my journey until I felt strong enough to do moreCierra Johnson The important thing is to start somewhere. Johnson recalls, “I would dance and do Zumba, kickboxing, and group fitness, until I was able to do more high-intensity workouts."Cierra Johnson has discovered some secrets to weight loss journey success. But one important tip that she revealed is, "Remember fitness should be fun. If you don't enjoy what you're doing, you won't do it. Find what you enjoy and stick to it. I love dancing, so I danced my way through my journey until I felt strong enough to do more."“This has been a long, but fun journey and it's not over."She is now an entrepreneur and shares her journey with the world A lifestyle transformation is a commitment to yourself above all else. Your health will always be paramount because it can dictate your entire life experience. In Cierra’s case, she sought to institute lifelong changes into her routine and actively overcame her addiction to food. Now, years since that life-changing moment in 2017, Cierra is an entrepreneur and motivator. She has put in the work, seen the results, and is sharing her story with the world.Whether you are chasing mental growth or physical transformation remember that self-improvement always starts from within. An inner spark can lead to an outer glow, and the world can feel that light along with you.Figure out what both limits and inspires you and watch the sky become the limit instead. Every journey has its starting point, and when it comes to transforming self and improving your life, the starting point will always begin in your mind and the inspiration will come from your heart.More inspiring stories:At 300 Lbs, She Completely Transformed Herself By Sticking to One VisionWoman Loses 210 Lbs After Major Wake-Up Call Involving Airplane SeatsWoman Went from “Morbidly Obese” to Losing 100 Lbs against All OddsMusic Producer Lost 143 Lbs And Is Now Living His Dream Life After Homelessness

At 300 Lbs, She Completely Transformed Herself By Sticking to One Vision
Exercise

At 300 Lbs, She Completely Transformed Herself By Sticking to One Vision

We all look forward to different milestones we hope to enjoy in the future. For some it is the excitement of a graduation day, while for others it is the dreaming of finally becoming a homeowner that acts as a primary motivation to create change. For Jessica Messina it was the envisioning of her wedding day that prompted a 145 lbs weight loss transformation journey and complete lifestyle change.When Jessica began college in 2012, she weighed 300 lbs. She tells POPSUGAR of that moment in time, “that’s when I really knew I needed to change how my life was going.” Jessica's transformation started with one visionJess says, "Whenever that day comes, I want to look my best." She continues, "I don't want to feel self-conscious or worried about how I'm going to look in the pictures."Jessica Messina’s desire to feel like her best self on her future wedding day was not the only driving force for change. Jessica also really wanted to become a mother but feared that her weight would create complications.Jess says, “The sad reality was at 300 pounds, my cycle was irregular. I had high blood pressure and probably many other underlying issues that went undiagnosed." She adds, "One of my biggest fears was that I wouldn't be able to have kids if I stayed at that unhealthy weight, or I'd be high-risk and have a lot of complications."One of my biggest fears was that I wouldn't be able to have kids if I stayed at that unhealthy weight, or I'd be high-risk and have a lot of complicationsJessica MessinaJess decided to join a gym and lost a total of 70 lbs over the course of her college years."Losing weight in university was difficult," Jess explains. "I was always around high-calorie food, so it was tough to maintain my weight loss, and I ended up gaining some of my weight back." Then Jessica experienced a weight plateau until 2018.From 2018 to 2019 Jess changed her exercise routine after she got into bodybuilding and personal training. The change in her workout regimen would result in Jess losing another 75 lbs, leading to a total weight loss of 145 lbs overall.She doesn't believe in limiting herselfJessica’s success is rooted in the fact that she didn’t go the diet route, instead she sought to overhaul her lifestyle for a healthy one, eating everything in moderation.“I have never deprived myself or stopped myself from indulging in all foods. However, I was able to portion-control what I was eating, which allowed me to stay in a caloric deficit," Jess describes. "It's all about lifestyle changes."When Jess was focused on weight loss, her daily caloric intake was between 1,600 and 1,800 a day. Now however, Jess says, "Currently, I am consuming 1,800 to 2,200 calories a day, depending on my activity level for that day. My main goal is to gain muscle at the moment."Jess started out with just cardio, but after her weight plateaued, she knew that she had to change it up. Messina says, "Once I hit a plateau, I knew I needed to do something different. I knew I needed to increase my intensity and that's when I got into bodybuilding.”When Jess’ goal was to lose weight she was in the gym 5 times a week. Now that her focus is on bodybuilding, she has upped her gym time to 6 days a week. Occasionally, Jessica will even do two workouts in one day.Jess gets her motivation from helping others succeedHelping others motivates Jess along her journey now. Jess is inspired by her work as a personal trainer where she gets to help others lose weight and gain muscle. Most importantly though, she likes to show people that they are capable and worth the effort!Jessica’s transformation motivates her to stay on course. She says that, becoming “someone who has lost 145 pounds and is working toward living the rest of her life as a healthy and fit individual is something I am very proud of.”Jess has literally measured her success in many different ways, including inches. She proclaims, “I have lost a total of 93 inches off my entire body!"We are all human, and no one is perfect, but just remember what you're fighting for.Jessica Messina"I have gone from a size 22 to a size six in jeans, a 2X to an XS in shirts, and a size 24 to a size two in dresses. I used to be on the last hole of my Fitbit band; it used to be very tight on me, and I am now on the first hole."She also encourages taking photos of yourself along the way so that you can literally see the progress. Jess says, "Oftentimes, the scale doesn't move, but our bodies have changed drastically, so use other methods to measure success." Jessica’s advice to all of those wishing to embark upon similar transformation journeys is to “educate yourself.” She explains that understanding how the body works and what you need to do to achieve your goals is paramount for success on this journey.Figure out "why" you're doing this in the first placeDon’t worry if you feel as though you have strayed off course on a lifestyle transformation journey. As Jess puts it, "We are all human, and no one is perfect, but just remember what you're fighting for." She continues saying, "Maybe it's your kids, maybe it's to have kids, maybe you're competing in a show, or maybe it's to save your life. Only you can pick up the pieces, get back up, and keep on going!”Jess explains that above all, “believe in yourself and trust the journey!"Jess originally joined a gym and decided to embark upon her transformation journey with the mental image of feeling good as a bride. Now, as a result, Jessica Messina gets to feel good in her skin every day.What motivates one person may not be the same for the next person, but we all have the power to project forward toward the future. Envisioning ourselves where we want to be, and how we want to be when we get there is an important mental exercise for achieving our goals.Manifesting hopes and dreams begins with goal setting, and setting goals begins with seeing the future. Envision success and you are more likely to attain it. You dictate who you are in the future, and you always have the power to begin your journey towards becoming that person today.More inspiring stories: Woman Loses 210 Lbs After Major Wake-Up Call Involving Airplane SeatsWoman Went from “Morbidly Obese” to Losing 100 Lbs against All OddsWoman Who Didn’t Want To Be a “Fat Bride” Loses 135 Lbs – Shares Her 10 TipsMusic Producer Lost 143 Lbs And Is Now Living His Dream Life After Homelessness

Woman Loses 210 Lbs After Major Wake-Up Call Involving Airplane Seats
Motivation

Woman Loses 210 Lbs After Major Wake-Up Call Involving Airplane Seats

Happiness and good health are two dominant features we hope to define in our lives. When you are unhappy or without good health it is often natural to seek out methods to achieve a new status quo.For one woman, the status quo was no longer working when she realized the extent of her weight gain. At her heaviest she reached 350 lbs.Amy Muller struggled with her weight her entire life, but as she says, “Being fat ran in my family so as I grew and grew, I simply accepted it.”Except something would change after she got married to her husband Will. In fact, a well-meaning and equally insensitive gesture from her in-laws would prompt her to make a very big life-altering decision.Amy hated looking at her wedding pictures, since in her words she “took up most of the shots.”Amy had struggled with her weight for her entire life Muller tried many different weight loss approaches but nothing worked. She says, “"It didn’t stop me trying every diet going - Weight Watchers, Atkins, even slimming injections - but nothing worked long term."Amy would eventually meet Will after being single for quite some time. She believed that the reason why she wasn’t lucky in love was due to her weight. But Will and Amy fell in love. They were coworkers who first only had dozens of conversations over the phone, but then once they met in person the connection was clear as day.4 months after the couple began dating they moved in together, and then 6 months later on Amy Muller’s 26th birthday, Will popped the question.I loved everything about our wedding day… everything except me.Amy MullerAmy says, "I was over the moon when I accepted Will’s proposal, and vowed to shed a few pounds before the wedding - booked for June 2012.”However, reality set in, and as opposed to seeing the numbers decline on the scale as Amy had hoped they went in the opposite direction. She explains, "But planning a wedding for just seven months’ time was stressful and typically, I turned to food to cope.”The stress from wedding planning caused her to turn to food more oftenA year after the wedding Will’s dad wanted to take the family on a vacation. Amy was instantly concerned about logistics. She reveals, “My mind was immediately filled with horrifying visions of me waddling up the plane aisle, and needing mortifying seatbelt extenders.”Amy recalls, "I told Will I'd sit this one out, but weeks later the plane tickets arrived on the doormat.”When the tickets arrived, Amy faced a startling gesture and equally harsh truth:Will's [My HUsband] dad had bought me two seats. I knew his family meant well and of course I was grateful, but it was mortifying. It was the final straw.Amy Muller“After my wedding photo shame, I’d already looked into weight loss surgery. But now I was determined to beat the bulge for good.”"I wanted to be a healthy wife for Will, and we wanted a family together."One month after the plane tickets incident, Amy had gastric bypass surgery. The surgery shrunk her stomach to the size of an egg, and the pounds just kept coming off of her afterwards. It took Amy Muller 1 year and 6 months to lose 210 lbs after her surgery.Amy believes the confidence she gained is unmatched On her marriage, Amy reveals, "Will had fallen in love with me at 25 stone, but there was no denying my weight loss spiced up our relationship, especially in the bedroom!” The married couple has since started a family together.Amy Muller says that some of the best parts of her weight loss transformation are “the health benefits” and “my confidence.”A lifelong battle with good health and happiness on the other side of the mountain you have to climb is always worth making the trek. We all have different needs, but at the end of the day health and self worth are paramount for everyone across the board.Embarking upon a transformation journey is about more than the pounds that you will shed but more so the person you will become in your mind. Commit to being the person that you want to be and take the steps necessary to get there.Remember, no matter what obstacles you face, if happiness and good health are on the other side of that mountain—climb it. Transform your life by putting yourself first and watch the results come to fruition.Your goals manifest into reality when you make a plan to reach them and then put that plan into action. Prioritize what is that is important to you and reach for the life of your dreams. You might as well, since you can live it.More inspiring stories:Woman Went from “Morbidly Obese” to Losing 100 Lbs against All OddsWoman Told by Ex ‘No One Wants To End Up With Someone Fat’ Gets The Last LaughWoman Lost 70 lbs And Turned Her Life Around After A Sudden Wake-up CallAt 480 Lbs, He Received a Deadly Wake-up Call And Turned His Life Around