In 2016 I came to a point where I felt like enough was enough and I knew it was time to take action!  Now don’t get me wrong I still felt like I was super cute at the time and made it a goal to slay every look I put on but I wasn’t feeling like the best me. I begin 2016 at the largest weight of my life I was 182 when the clock struck 12 and the new year rang in!

 

At that moment I did what everyone else did…. I made a resolution to lose the weight. Just like everyone else I joined a gym and attempted to make it happen for a few months.

After a while I got tired of the monotony of going to the gym and getting on the cardio equipment while something played on the TVs in front of me. About 3 months in I tapered off a bit.  I had made some headway but I just wasn’t in the mood to keep working out and I started feeling as if I wasn’t noticing enough changes in my body.

 

 

Throughout 2016 I went back into my bad habits of old.  I gained some of the weight I had lost and got angry with myself all over again!

In November 2016 I decided I wasn’t going to wait until the new year to make a change. I got a head start!  I went back to the gym!  I solicited some help along the way and stuck to my guns about losing the weight.

I ran into a college friend at a holiday party and he wasn’t a stranger to fitness.  His name is Christoper Wilkes (Instagram @wilkes4real).  I told him at that same party “look I’m ready to lose some weight and I’m serious about it this time! I need your help!!”  We checked to make sure we both had updated contact info for each other and finished enjoying the party.

In January we got to work on my fitness plan! I worked out 2x a week for an hour each session with Wilkes and 3x a week on my own! When I wasn’t with Wilkes I worked out for a minimum of one hour.  I did 30 minutes of cardio and whatever circuit Wilkes had given me to work on the week.  Here are a few snippets from some of our workouts sessions.

 

 

In addition to working out 5x a week for an hour a day I also stepped up my game in the diet department.  I started drinking a 101 ounces of water a day.

In order to track my drinking I purchased deer park jugs.  By buying the jugs of water this allowed me to have clear target in mind and I could see exactly how much I had left before days end.  I stopped drinking my calories which meant cutting out fruit juice and sodas.

It may sound hard initially but it worked! Once I made it a habit it became easier.

 

I also cut down on my dairy intake as well as my carb intake.  Now, I won’t sit here and say that I didn’t eat my share every now and then but it was minimal.  I traded in American and cheddar cheese for mozzarella cheese because it was lower in calories and fat.  When it came to fast food Chick-fil-A was the only fast food chain I would eat.  The market salad with grilled chicken and apple cider vinaigrette became my go to.

One day a week I would eat a cheat MEAL! Yup I had to put that in caps! A meal and not an entire day!

Two of the take away tips I definitely suggest for anyone trying to get their diet habits in check :

• Do not wait until you’re hungry to decide what your next meal will be! You’ll always choose the most unhealthy and convenient option available. 
• Do not grocery shop when you’re hungry! You’ll stray from your list and over spend!

 

Since I made the decision to work out I haven’t looked back! I feel better. I have more energy. I’m also happy about the changes I’ve made.

People started to notice my weight loss before I really did.

I suggest taking pictures of yourself throughout your journey! You can go back and compare and contrasts different parts of your body to see the changes!

STAY OFF THE SCALE! INCHES MATTER MORE THAN THE NUMBERS ON THE SCALE!

It’s ok to weigh in once every week but not everyday! This was one of the main things I learned along the way and here is a perfect example I found on Instagram from a fitness influencer.

 

Here are some pictures showing my body changes along the way! I’m no where near finished.  I’d like to think I’m just getting started! This is fitness journey is a lifestyle!

 

 

As of today I am now down to 155 pounds. I’m still hard at work! I’m even headed to the gym once I finish typing this blog.

The pictures I took helped me to see my weight loss over time. I started seeing changes in my face and then eventually I started needing new clothes.

New clothing was the highlight for me! Who doesn’t want a new wardrobe??

So set a goal! Work towards it! Once you reach it reward yourself, whether it be a shopping spree for a new wardrobe or a trip. I suggest that you choose the reward because only you’ll know what will motivate you on the days when you just don’t feel like working out.

If you’ve been struggling with your weight I hope something I said inspired you to make the change in your life.  If I can do it you can too!!

– LaMonica