Weight Loss Stories – Kiya Lost 61 Pounds in 12 Months

Name: Kiya “KJ”
Age: 23
Family Status: Single
Occupation: Full time student
Hometown: Little Rock, Arkansas
Height: 5’1″
Starting Weight: 198 pounds
Current Weight: 137 pounds
Current Waist Size: 27″

Kiya’s Weight Loss Interview!

How much did you lose?
I have lost 61 pounds so far!

When did you become unhappy with your weight?
I moved to Orlando for school. I did not have a car so I had to walk to class every day. I would be exhausted and drenched in sweat from this 10-15 minute walk. At 23 years old, that was terrible. Something had to give!

What made you decide to lose weight?
Being overweight is something that is common within my family. Most of the women in my family are diabetic and have hypertension. My grandma and great-grandma both passed away because of heart disease. I wanted to break this cycle in my family.

What were the most important changes you made to lose weight?
My diet was the first thing that changed. I switched to a paleo type lifestyle, cutting out fast food and most processed foods. I switched to eating more fresh fruits, veggies and lean meats. I also cut out pork and red meat. Along with my diet I try to workout 3-4 times a week for about 45 minutes.

What was the most challenging thing you had to deal with during your weight loss journey?
I think the most challenging thing I have faced was trying to balance being a full-time student and living this healthy lifestyle. I don’t have a huge income coming in so I have to be super smart at the grocery store. I also have to fight for workout time.

How long did it take you to start to see results?
It took me about a month to see results.

How long did it take for you to reach your current weight?
It took me a year to reach my current weight.

How long have you maintained your weight loss and what are the most important factors for keeping it off?
I have maintained my weight loss for one year. I think the most important factor for keeping it off is being as determined as I was when I started. When you get close to your goal weight it’s easy to slack off with your diet and workouts, but you have to remind yourself that you didn’t lose weight to look good, you lost weight to be healthy.

What keeps you motivated to continue your weight loss success?
Being an example for my family has motivated me. I also have several people who have been keeping up with my journey and they motivate me as well.

How has your life changed now that you have lost weight?
Life is amazing! I feel amazing, I look amazing and I smile more now. Everyone around me says I have a “glow” now.

Do you have any advice for others who are trying to lose weight?
It starts off in the mind. When you make up your mind that something has to give, you become determined to lose weight. Once you’re determined, nothing can stop you!

Kiya’s Weight Loss Tips!

Weight Loss Tip #1:
Make a plan! Plan out what you are going to buy at the grocery store and what you’re going to eat every day. Plan the days you are going to the gym and what you’re going to do at the gym.

Weight Loss Tip #2:
Accountability is important! Tell everybody that is in your life that you are trying to lose weight. On those days you don’t want to eat healthy or don’t want to go to the gym, the encouragement from people around you will be just what you need.

Weight Loss Tip #3:
Make small goals. We all want to lose 100 pounds, but sometimes those big goals can be so far away. Weight loss is a process. In stead of focusing on the big goal, make a goal to lose 3 pounds this month or make a goal to drink more water this week.

Weight Loss Tip #4:
Take pictures. Sometimes the scale doesn’t reflect the work you have been putting in. Taking pictures every few weeks provides a visual map of your journey. One day you will be able to see how far you have come.

Weight Loss Tip #5:
Reward yourself. A healthy lifestyle is hard, but it should be fun. If you meet that small goal you set, reward yourself with new workout gear or new sneakers.

Kiya’s Weight Loss Eating Plan!

What do you normally eat for breakfast?
For breakfast I normally eat turkey bacon or turkey sausage and a piece of fruit.

What do you normally eat for lunch?
For lunch I normally eat a salad. I make sure to have some type of protein in it. I also have tons of veggies in it! I also usually make my own dressing.

What do you normally eat for dinner?
For dinner I typically eat a piece of chicken or fish with grilled veggies.

What do you normally eat for snacks?
For snacks I eat nuts, fruit, or I make my own veggie chips.

What type of nutritional supplements do you take?
Fish oil pills and a multivitamin.

Kiya’s Weight Loss Workouts!

What do you do for weight training (exercises, workouts)?
For weight training I do things like weighted squats, dumbbell rows, leg extensions and dumbbell shoulder press.

What do you do for cardio training (exercises, workouts)?
For cardio training I ride my bike, run, or find challenging workouts on Pinterest.

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