Lara lost 72 pounds

 Lara, our Transformation of the Day, has shed 72 pounds. Her weight had been an issue for her since infancy, and she was determined to improve her health by adopting healthy practices. Intermittent fasting, calorie counting, working out, and being consistent have all contributed to her achievement.

 My name is Lara, and I was able to reduce 70 pounds in a year. I began my adventure in January 2020, but I recall going to Planet Fitness with my mother when I was in fifth grade due of my weight. Throughout my upbringing, I experimented with a variety of diets. Coming from a Caribbean family, though, it was difficult for me to remain consistent despite being tempted. Later on, I joined high school sports teams because I didn’t want to keep telling myself the same justifications that had been holding me back.

I was stuck in a vicious cycle of losing and gaining weight. Overall, I struggled with maintaining consistency. When I finally started to reduce weight, eat a healthier diet, and live a healthier lifestyle, the epidemic struck. Not only did I panic, but I was taken aback when I realized that everything, even the gym, was closing. I felt like I was being pushed back to where I started as soon as I had everything back on track.

In the month of April 2020, I shed 2 pounds. Even though the gyms were closed, I recognized that I would have to construct an at-home fitness plan. So, after work (about noon), I would jog around my block in the sweltering heat of South Florida.

  I also began intermittent fasting and calorie counting in order to maximize my results. When the gyms opened in August 2020, I went in even more determined than before. I was the smallest I’d been in the last ten years when I turned 21 in November 2020. I was incredibly proud of myself because, for once in my life, I didn’t let temptation, C-19, inconsistency, excuses, or anything else hold me back from getting to where I needed to be.

All of the women in my life are currently suffering from health problems, which prompted me to make a change. I didn’t want my health to continue to spiral out of control. It’s been difficult for me a year later, but I always look back at where I’ve come from to motivate me to keep moving forward. Many individuals have the quarantine 15, while I have the quarantine -70!

What was your driving force? What motivated you to keep going when you felt like giving up?
My motivation was to improve my health because I was on a weight-loss treadmill. When the thought of giving up occurred to me, I simply remembered how long it took me to start losing weight. I urged myself to keep going because things were starting to fall into place for me.

Do you set a daily calorie goal for yourself?
Not at all. I made a conscious effort to improve my eating habits by include more lean meats and veggies in my diet. Restriction has never worked well for me.

What did you do throughout your workouts?
Prior to Covid, I mostly did cardio in the gym. I’d then run five days a week after the facilities closed.

How much did you weigh when you first started? How much weight do you currently have?
My starting weight was 250 pounds, and I’m now 178 pounds.

How tall are you?
5’4″ is my height.

How long did it take you to transform?
I began in January 2020 and weighed 172 pounds by November 2020.

Is weight loss surgery on your list of goals?
No. I couldn’t even afford organic food, let alone surgery.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned thus far?
Consistency is essential. I would not have noticed results if I had not been consistent.

What recommendations do you have for women who desire to lose weight?
Keep pushing yourself, no matter how difficult it becomes.