I started developing a weight problem in my early twenties. It became worse gradually overtime. I gained a lot of weight when I got pregnant with my daughter (55 pounds yikes!) but I gained an additional 28 pounds throughout the years.
NAME : Franchesca
BEFORE WEIGHT : 218
AFTER WEIGHT : 137
POUNDS LOST : 81
HOW DID YOUR WEIGHT AFFECT ANY ASPECT(S) OF YOUR LIFE? My weight although not affecting my self confidence took a HUMONGOUS toll on my energy levels. I was constantly exhausted no matter how much sleep I got I still needed at least 3 cups of coffee every morning just to get me through the day. I never had energy to do things after work, I would come home and crash and didn’t have the will power to get myself to move around or do things.
WHAT WAS THE “TURNING POINT” THAT GOT YOU STARTED ON YOUR WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY? After leaving a toxic relationship last November I started thinking about changing my body. I knew what I wanted but wasn’t sure how I would get there.
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED? In March Of 2019 I said ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! I made a radical change to my lifestyle, I stopped drinking alcohol, stopped eating junk food and drinking soda. I began eating healthy and started replacing two meals a day with nutritious protein shakes. Soon I was seeing the results and it ignited this flame inside me that has been burning strong ever since compelling me forward towards my goals.
HOW LONG AFTER YOU STARTED DID YOU BEGIN TO SEE RESULTS OF YOUR WEIGHT LOSS EFFORTS? After the few weeks I started seeing results not only on the scale but also how I FELT. I felt great! More energized and LIGHTER. I knew my hard work was already paying off.
WHAT WAS THE HARDEST PART? The biggest challenge for me was overcoming my fears at the gym. That fear of “I’m being watched” “I’m being ridiculed” “I’m being judged”. Soon I realized no one was paying attention to me, everyone is confused on themselves at the gym. And soon it became a second home to me.
DID YOU EVER WANT TO GIVE UP? WHAT KEPT YOU GOING? There were times that I “messed up” and ate things that didn’t contribute to my goals, times I didn’t want to go to the gym and days I just wanted to quit but I focused on why I started in the first place. I gave myself pep talks and listened to personal development. I started following other women who were on a weight loss journey and it helped remind me that I am not alone.
DID YOU HIT ANY WEIGHT LOSS PLATEAUS? HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM? After losing almost 60 pounds I hit a plateau. I knew it would happen eventually and I knew the only way to get out of it, was to KEEP GOING. I graduated from the elliptical to the StairMaster and soon after the results started pouring in again.
HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO LOSE MOST OF THE WEIGHT? It took me a little over 8 months to meet my goal to lose 80 pounds. But the person I have become in the process has made this journey SOO WORTH IT. I am now more conscious of what I out in my body. I’ve learned to take care of my body while still enjoying the things I love to eat.
DID YOU HAVE ANY NON-SCALE VICTORIES? On the weeks where the numbers on the scale refused to budge, I would find myself making new holes in my belt. I would notice my clothes would feel less snug, and still felt lighter although the scale had the same number as it did the week before.
WHAT DOES YOUR DAILY DIET LOOK LIKE COMPARED TO WHEN YOU WERE HEAVIER? I tell people all the time that if I can do it so can they! My eating habits were HORRIBLE. My breakfast would usually be a bacon egg and cheese, or a bacon lettuce and tomato drenched in mayo and and ketchup with a cup of coffee sweetened to the point of diabetes. My lunch would be fast food, either McDonalds, Checkers or Wing Stop. And for dinner, usually take out or pizza. I would snack in between meals and wash down the junk food with Dr. Peppers.
HOW DOES YOUR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY COMPARE TO WHEN YOU WERE HEAVIER? Working out became easier when my eating habits changed. I started in March so the weather allowed me to workout outdoors. For the first month I would jump rope at the park. Then I joined the gym in April and focused mostly on cardio and some light weight training.
MY WEIGHT LOSS TIPS & TRICKS
- PLAN PLAN PLAN YOUR MEALS! When you fail to plan you plan to fail.
- DRINK YOUR WATER! This is something I am still working on but it is EXTREMELY important to drink sufficient water throughout the day and without it you wont see results so DRINK THAT H2O.
- Focus on how you feel! Dont let the scale discourage you.
- Take it one day at a time. Don’t try to rush your journey. Know that you didn’t gain the weight over night, therefore it won’t go away over night.
- Don’t compare yourself to others. Everyone’s journey is unique and you must embrace your journey and fall in love with the process cause who you will become, will be worth the pain.
