Weight Loss Stories – Heather Johnson Lost 275 Pounds

Name: Heather
Age: 34
Family Status: Divorced
Location: Gainesville, Florida
Height: 5’5″
Waist: 33″
Starting Weight: 435 pounds
Current Weight: 160 pounds
Pounds or Inches Lost: I lost 275 pounds! I started in April 2005 at 435 pounds and I’m now 160 pounds. My waist was 60 inches when I started and now my waist is 33 inches!

Heather’s Weight Loss Story!

When did you become unhappy with your weight?
I was unhappy when I couldn’t walk without being out of breath. I couldn’t wear any clothes with zippers and I knew I could die from being overweight. I felt the weight on me and It felt like I was constantly holding weights all over my body, I hated it!

What made you decide to lose weight?
I wanted to be healthier for my son so I could run around with him and I wanted to be a role model to him. I also wanted to be able to wear cute clothes and be able to workout and feel confident about myself. I wanted to live life without feeling embarrassed.

What were the most important changes you made to lose weight?
I stopped drinking regular soda, started working out and I started eating healthy and clean. I stopped eating sugar and started eating smart and reading labels. I also stopped eating packaged and processed foods and started cooking meals so I would know exactly what ingredients were going into the foods I was eating.

What was most challenging about losing weight?
It was giving up soda and sugar. Also, working out was very difficult. I felt like I was going to die. But I kept pushing through and I did not give up. I stayed motivated, determined and I kept at it. The most difficult part was learning to appreciate, respect and love myself and learning that it’s okay to make mistakes but to NEVER give up because I’m worth it!

How long did it take you to start to see results?
About 4-5 months.

How long did it take for you to reach your current weight?
I started in 2005 and I lost 150 pounds. My mother passed away in 2010 and I gained 100+ pounds back. In 2012, I started back up and lost 200 pounds with a low-carb diet and working out. In 2013, I started taking a weight loss product and lost 75 pounds. So, I ended up losing 275 pounds all together. It took me about a year to lose 100 pounds.

How long have you maintained your weight loss and how do you do it?
I plan on maintaining it by eating healthy and choosing clean foods. I will also be exercising and watching what I put into my body and keeping up with my vitamin B12 shots, my vitamins and other supplements and staying on a low-carb diet.

What keeps you motivated to continue your weight loss success?
My son and my weight loss blog I started. Also, when I can get into smaller clothes or when I see a picture of myself. I can’t believe my before and after photos. They blow me away! I love helping other people and I love being able to inspire other people and I really love being able to show off my new body and my new attitude.

How has your life changed now that you’ve lost weight?
I’m happier and healthier. I can fit into ANYTHING I want, not the thing that fits me. I can workout without feeling like I can’t make it and I can now do cardio exercises like jogging. I really love and respect myself now.

Do you have any advice for others who are trying to lose weight?
Do not give up. Motivation, determination and using the power of the mind to achieve your goals is so important. One day, one pound and one inch at a time. Start slow and you will get there. You did not gain the extra weight overnight so you will not lose it overnight. But it will pay off, so just don’t give up!

How did ShapeFit help you reach your weight loss goals?
ShapeFit.com helped keep me accountable for my actions and helped me share my story with other people.

Heather’s Weight Loss Tips!

Weight loss tip #1:
Do not give up. Even if it gets hard and you feel like giving up just keep going.

Weight loss tip #2:
Read the back of the food labels! Watch for hidden sugars and other unhealthy ingredients. Keep a journal or use a fitness app to track your food so you can learn what you’re putting in your mouth.

Weight loss tip #3:
Keep a journal. Tell yourself 3 things why YOU love yourself. Write down why you are amazing and start working on yourself to start loving yourself. The most important thing is just because you lose weight, it doesn’t fix your mind. You need to work on your mindset and attitude while you’re losing weight.

Weight loss tip #4:
Walk! Even if it’s for just 10 minutes a day, try to get out and walk. Also, try to swim a little. Anything you can do to get moving is what you need to do! If you can’t get outside then walk to a popular workout game on the Wii.

Weight loss tip #5:
Keep a pair of pants you want to fit into and hang them up so you can see them every day. It works for your mindset and you can take a picture after you finally fit into them and put that up as a goal you’ve achieved!

Heather’s Weight Loss Eating Plan!

Breakfast:
2-3 eggs with onions, mushrooms, green, red and yellow peppers topped with some cheese.

Lunch:
Salad with homemade ranch dressing, black olives, cucumbers and grilled chicken.

Dinner:
Meatloaf, steak and chicken with cabbage, green beans, salad, stuffed cheeseburgers, stuffed cabbage rolls. I always change it up and have something different.

Snacks or Mini Meals:
Baked cheese (turns into cheese crisp), pickles, black olives.

Nutritional Supplements:
B12 and vitamins.

Heather’s Weight Loss Workouts!

Weight Training:
I just started lifting weights, so it’s a work in progress.

Cardiovascular:
I jog, walk, do squats and dance. I love to do walking workouts on the Wii.

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