Name: Monique
Age: 24
Family Status: Single
Occupation: Social worker
Location: Greensboro, North Carolina
Height: 5’9″
Starting Weight: 270 pounds
Current Weight: 209 pounds
Pounds or Inches Lost: I have lost 61 pounds so far!
Monique’s Weight Loss Story!
When did you become unhappy with your weight?
All of my life. I have been overweight since I was a few months old, and obese since middle school. I have always been the “pretty big girl” and I used makeup and nice clothes to cover my insecurities. Most of the women in my family are obese, and I just told myself, “There is nothing wrong with being a big girl” and “Dogs like bones, real men like meat”, and all those little sayings that would temporarily make me feel better. But in the back of my mind and in my heart, I was unhappy.
What made you decide to lose weight?
I could go on and on. Not being able to fit on a roller coaster ride, being the fat friend, not being able to wear certain clothes, being talked about, hating what I saw in the mirror, being embarrassed to eat in public, shopping for hours to find the perfect outfit, spending big bucks to get my hair done, making sure my makeup was flawless and knowing in the back of mind that the guy I have a crush on won’t even take a second look because I’m fat.
What were the most important changes you made to lose weight?
Plenty of water, counting calories (1,200 to 1,700 per day) and exercising. Other important changes I made were thinking before I eat, taking it one step at a time, Joining Tumblr and following weight loss blogs.
What was most challenging about losing weight?
Negative comments from family and friends, being around others that eat unhealthy foods, and not giving in.
How long did it take you to start to see results?
After about a month, I noticed that my waist was getting smaller.
How long did it take for you to reach your current weight?
7 months.
How long have you maintained your weight loss and how do you do it?
I have maintained my weight for 3 months and I do it by counting calories (1,200 to 1,700 per day) and exercising at least once a week. I still have about thirty more pounds that I want to lose, so I will be increasing my exercise regimen and eating a little fewer calories per day.
What keeps you motivated to continue your weight loss success?
I am still young and I know that the choices that I make now will determine my life at an older age. When I’m 40, I want to be in shape, able to shop wherever I want, and confident.
How has your life changed now that you’ve lost weight?
More attention from guys, I can wear more stylish clothing, I can now run and I no longer hate what I see when I look in the mirror.
Do you have any advice for others who are trying to lose weight?
Take it day by day. Whether it takes you a month, a year or 5 years to reach your goal, you can do it and it will be worth it. Don’t listen to any negativity and find your motivation. Make a list of every reason why you want to lose weight, every embarrassing moment you had because of your weight, and then look at your list to keep your motivation up.
How did ShapeFit help you reach your weight loss goals?
ShapeFit.com showed me that others can do it, so there was no reason why I couldn’t.
Monique’s Weight Loss Tips!
Weight loss tip #1:
Drink lots of water.
Weight loss tip #2:
Start slow with exercise so you don’t get burned out and give up.
Weight loss tip #3:
Switch your exercises up.
Weight loss tip #4:
Don’t spend hundreds of dollars on exercise videos when you can watch them for free on YouTube.
Weight loss tip #5:
Treat yourself every now and then.
Monique’s Weight Loss Eating Plan!
Breakfast:
2 cups of cereal, 1 cup of milk or 2 boiled eggs and 1 sausage patty.
Lunch:
Something from a fast food restaurant like a Caesar side salad and a small chili.
Dinner:
Baked chicken thigh or breast, green beans.
Snacks or Mini Meals:
Nuts, fruit, chopped apples with 2 tablespoons of peanut butter or cinnamon.
Nutritional Supplements:
I don’t take any supplements.
Monique’s Weight Loss Workouts!
Weight Training:
Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred and other exercise videos.
Cardiovascular:
I jog two miles 2-4 days a week and also do cardio exercise videos.
