A few years back, a hit-and-run accident paralyzed my husband. The trauma had a major impact on our family, and I sunk into a severe depression. My coping mechanism was food and alcohol, and I started eating large portions and drinking several times a day. Before I knew it, I was 266lbs. I didn’t realize how big I was getting until my cousin posted a picture of me on social media, and I was so embarrassed. I had a cigarette in my hand, and my stomach was so huge it hung over my trousers. That picture was all the motivation I needed, and I started looking into how I could lose weight.
I didn’t want to go on a diet; instead, I evaluated my life and the bad habits that led me to this point. It didn’t take long to realize that smoking, drinking alcohol, overeating, and not exercising were the main culprits. Although it was hard, I cut these things out immediately and started exercising. There was no way I was going to the gym. I didn’t feel comfortable. So I searched online for home workouts and started doing high-intensity interval training (HIIT) five times a week. HIIT was a total game changer for me because it immediately improved my mental health. The better I felt emotionally, the more motivation I had to lose weight. Once I regained my confidence, I started going to the gym to lift weights because I wanted to incorporate strength training into my workout routine.
I didn’t have a specific weight loss goal in mind. I just knew I didn’t want to be overweight anymore. But I loved how working out and healthy eating made me feel, and so it became a part of my lifestyle. As the weight dropped off, my friends and family kept telling me how good I looked, which motivated me even more to keep going. Within three years, I had lost 98lbs. Today, I own a fitness company, and I help people achieve their weight loss goals. I give my clients three main pieces of advice:
- Show up every day: Don’t be too hard on yourself if you don’t feel like going all out every day. Consistency is better than intensity, show up and do something small, even if it’s a ten-minute workout.
- Get other people involved: Getting my family involved was a true blessing. We all motivated each other and kept each other accountable. If you’re family or friends aren’t interested, join an online support group. You will find plenty of them on platforms like Reddit and Facebook.
Embrace the journey: It took me three years to lose 98lbs, and I didn’t see any difference for the first few weeks. But I felt better within, and that’s where it starts. Looking for immediate results is the quickest way to failure. Instead, embrace the journey and get excited about who you are becoming as you work on transforming your mind and body.
