'I Lost 100 Pounds By Intermittent Fasting Just 5 Days A Week'
Growing up, I never considered myself "big," and I never felt that my body looked different from other people who were my age.
Still, I'll be the first to admit that my eating habits weren't great. I had a go-to routine of throwing out the healthy meals my dad would prepare for me and instead ate junk food, bread, and cheese. Sometimes I'd even snack on condensed milk.
But soon I started noticing my weight gain, little by little. I joined the track team for a year, but kept up my unhealthy eating; and in college, things really got out of control.
I reached my turning point when I visited my doctor in 2016.
At that point in time, I was drinking a 7-Eleven Slurpee every day and going on the occasional walk for exercise.
But during those walks, I noticed my knees were making a cracking noise with each movement. When I consulted my doctor I was embarrassed to learn I weighed 286 pounds, and the weight gain was responsible for my creaky knees. I was just 23 years old.
I didn’t want to find out where I’d be in another five years if I kept this up.
So, I started working out at home by following Instagram videos posted by various trainers and eating more vegetables (and less junk food)-seriously, that's it. For the first time, I was sticking to a healthier lifestyle and stopped making excuses.
I set my goal weight at 160, decided I’d have one cheat meal per week, and vowed to take my time learning what routine would work best for my body. Nearly two years later, by 2018, I'd lost 80 pounds.
To keep going and hold myself accountable, I created an Instagram account. I began posting videos of my home workout routines (I make them up based on what I've learned online and on Instagram). Each workout typically involves 45 minutes of cardio and 25 minutes of strength training (either upper body and core or lower body). I also make sure to go to the gym to lift actual weights twice a week.
I've also added intermittent fasting to my diet five times a week.
I fast between 6 p.m. and 12 p.m., during which time I typically stick to black coffee and water with lemon. After that, I'll break my fast with the healthy eating habits I taught myself (lots of veggies and protein, fewer carbs). I also track my meals on MyFitness Pal. Here's what I typically eat in a day.
Breakfast/lunch: a spinach and cheese omelet with half an avocado.
Snack: a protein shake, fruit, or some nuts.
Dinner: rotisserie chicken with steamed broccoli seasoned with butter and garlic.
Despite the sweet tooth I used to have, I don’t typically eat dessert anymore. I found that the fasting has helped curb my cravings. It’s allowed me to mindfully consider whether I want to eat just because I’m stressed or because I'm truly hungry.
Right now, I weigh 185 pounds-just 15 pounds away from my goal weight.
Overall, I've lost a total of 100 pounds. And while I have been successful in my weight-loss journey, I still have days when I get down on myself. Luckily, I have family and friends who have supported me on this journey and have embraced my lifestyle change as much as I have.
Though I’m still working on the mental aspects including self-doubt that come with change (sometimes it's easier to change your body than your mind), I feel more proud every day of what I’ve been able to do, and show others they can do, too.
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