Transformation of the Day: Paige lost 67 pounds with healthy food and exercise. She found out she was prediabetic and had high blood pressure last fall. At 25 years old, she knew that she’d have a greater chance of avoiding lifelong health issues by committing to a healthy lifestyle now.
What was your motivation? What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up?
My health was my motivation. Diabetes is part of my family history, and I didn’t want lifelong health complications due to not taking preventative measures. When I went to the doctor last fall, I was prediabetic and had high blood pressure. At the age of 25, I didn’t want that to be my life.
What inspires me to keep going is that I want to see how far I can go. This can be another attempt at losing weight, like every other time or, I can actually do it this time! Knowing that I’m so close to my goal and looking at my before and after photos gives me motivation as well! I also document my progress on my fitness Instagram page @PaigeLosesW8, which helps me stay accountable.
How did you change your eating habits?
I hired a personal trainer, and he created a meal plan for me. I immediately cut out foods that would slow my progression, such as starches (pasta, bread, chips, etc.). I only ate fish, chicken, turkey, and plenty of green leafy veggies. I cut out all juices and alcohol, and I drink a gallon of water a day. I know that I can’t cut out my favorite foods forever, so I designate Saturdays as my cheat days. On my cheat days, I eat whatever I want in moderation.
What did your workout routine consist of? How often did you work out?
In the beginning, my workouts consisted of only using the electric machines (bike, elliptical, stair master, and the treadmill). I also did strength training with my trainer (squats, weight lifting, core exercises, etc.). Now, I do a combination of all these exercises in my workout routine. I also added jumping rope every morning and going up 20 jumps each day. After jumping rope, I’ll do a YouTube workout or two and then train with my trainer in the evenings.
What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
I started at 318 pounds, and I currently weigh 251 pounds.
What is your height?
5’6″
When did you start your journey? How long did your transformation take?
I started my journey on September 8, 2020. In total, it has taken eight months.
Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
I did not have weight loss surgery.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
The biggest lesson I have learned is that the scale does not determine my success. What determines my success is looking in the mirror and being happy with what I see. Success is no longer being prediabetic and having high blood pressure. Success is not having to rely on my inhaler anymore. There is so much more to this journey than what the scale reflects. I had a plateau for about 2-3 months, and without losing any weight, I went down two more pants sizes.
What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight?
You don’t have to start your journey spontaneously like me. Take it slow, and plan it out. Take before and after pictures – this is KEY! Also, remember that the weight on the scale does not determine the success of your journey. Non-scale victories matter just as much, if not more!
When you feel discouraged, reflect on your progress and how far you’ve come. Refer to your before and after photos, and remind yourself of how active you are compared to what you did before. Stay determined because when the motivation runs out, the determination will keep you moving forward.
