Transformation of the Day: Stephano shares how she lost 32 pounds. She was experiencing back pain, and a friend suggested she speak to a doctor about breast reduction surgery. To qualify, she had to lose weight. Thus, she began her wellness journey, working out daily at home and transforming her eating habits.
Social Media:
TikTok: @momandeducator523
Instagram: @allaboutme523
What was your motivation? What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up?
My motivation came when I was getting overwhelmed with back pain when I woke up every morning. I was talking to my friend about it, and she said, “You know what? You need to go get checked out. It might be that your breasts are too heavy and causing pain”.
So I decided to talk to a surgeon. She checked them out and said, “Yes, your breasts are heavy.” I told her that they were also causing me to have rashes underneath. The surgeon said she would approve me for the surgery, but first I had to lose 28 pounds. At this time, March 2024, I was 249 pounds.
That is how my motivation started, but I didn’t start losing weight just yet. It wasn’t until I realized I had a check-in with her in October that I knew I had to get it done. I began my full journey to lose 28 pounds on Sept 1, 2024. Although it started as weight loss to get approved for my surgery, it now became I want to lose weight to change my lifestyle and my eating habits.
How did you change your eating habits?
When I first started in September, I immediately stopped drinking soda and alcohol. These two things were the most detrimental items I was consuming, especially soda. I would drink soda every single day with at least one meal. I also ate sugary snacks. I would have Oreo cookies, ice cream, chocolate chip cookies, and chips at midnight if I could. I decided to cut out the sugary snacks and start intermittent fasting. To stop myself from snacking, I began to eat at noon every day and stopped eating at 8 PM every day.
I am trying to ease my way into becoming vegetarian or vegan, so I am mostly plant-based. I buy plant-based products, and I eat a lot of vegetables and fruits. I also still eat eggs and some meat. I have meat only about three times a week. I have eggs every day.
I typically snack on low-calorie or sugar-free snacks. Almonds or coconuts, vegan chips (which are not always low cal), or skinny girl strawberry preserves with crackers-just to give some examples.
What is your workout routine?
I do a daily 30-minute indoor workout, which is mostly cardio. I have yet to start weight training. I have only worked out at home so far, watching various videos on YouTube.
How often did you work out?
I work out every day, Monday through Thursday. If I have an extra boost of energy on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, I do 1 hour.
What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
When I first saw the doctor in March, I weighed 249 pounds. In September, I weighed myself again and was 244 pounds (on 9/1/24). As of the scale last night, I am 217 (11/22/24).
What is your height?
5’7″
When did you start your journey? How long did your transformation take?
I officially started on Sept 1. My transformation took 2.5 months.
Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
Weight loss surgery is not part of my journey, but I still plan to have my breast reduction due to the severe back pain. Thisis the only surgery I will have in the future.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
Never give up, and always stay focused.
What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight?
Just Start. Whether it’s for health reasons or just because you want to look and feel better in your clothes, just start and stay consistent. Don’t beat yourself up if you miss a day of exercise or eat the wrong food; just keep going. Give yourself some grace! Don’t call it a diet. Just say you are eating differently. That’s what I say to help myself 🙂