Tashika lost 142 pounds

Updated Oct 2020: Since April, Tashika has lost 26 pounds, bringing her weight loss total to 142 pounds. 

What is your current weight?
My current weight is 199 pounds! I’ve lost a total of 142lbs NATURALLY.

How have you maintained your weight loss/continued to lose weight?
I continue to work out/walk every day. Walking is apart of my everyday life! Also, I replace a meal every day with a smoothie or Slimfast. I still don’t eat bread, potatoes, or hamburger meat.

Of the lessons you’ve learned on your journey, which one stands out the most at this point?
Prayer! I have been praying through this whole journey! Also, Keep going! This is a lifelong journey. Once you lose the weight and or hit your goal, KEEP GOING. To keep the weight off, you gotta do what you did to get it off.

Would you like to offer any new or different advice to women who want to lose weight?
Pray! Take it one day at a time and one step at a time. I did it naturally, and you can too. Don’t quit! – @Dedication2_Shika

Original Post April 14, 2020 – Transformation of the Day: Tashika lost 116 pounds by making every day count. She totally changed her eating habits and walked several miles each day to get results. With prayer, consistency, and a made-up mind, she made it happen.

When did you start your journey?
I started my weight loss journey on January 8, 2019.

What was your motivation? What inspired you to keep going when you wanted to give up?
My motivation is myself. I tried to lose weight so many times. I would lose 20-30 pounds, and then I would stop and gain the weight back, plus more. My husband and kids motivate me as well because I know I need to be here for them. 

What inspired me when I wanted to give up is the results I achieved due to my consistency. I started seeing results, and I knew that if I kept going, my hard work would soon pay off! 

How did you change your eating habits?
I did a lot of praying when it came to my eating habits because I love food! When the hunger pains hit, I would start praying and asking God to help me. I asked God to take away my desire to eat the wrong things! When I first started this journey, I had Slimfast and a banana for breakfast. For lunch, I ate a salad or a turkey wrap on most days. For dinner, I would drink a smoothie (Bolthouse Farms from Walmart), or I would eat baked chicken or fish with broccoli. 

I eat a lot of lean cuisine meals. I don’t drink juice or soda at all! I’m strictly on water! I cut out red meat, pasta, sweets, and bread completely. 

What did your workout routine consist of? How often did you workout?
I started by using a treadmill every day for 2-4 miles, even on Saturdays and Sundays. On the days that I couldn’t make it to the gym, I walked in my neighborhood. I walked EVERY DAY and still do! Walking has been very, very, very important during my weight loss journey.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight was 341 pounds. My current weight is 225 pounds.

What is your height?
5’7″

How long did your transformation take?
I started seeing results in 2-3 months. Now, I am 13 months in, and I’m down 116 lbs. I’m still transforming because I have loose skin, and I’m working on toning up! 

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
NO! 

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
Make everyday count! What I mean by that is get up and make it happen! Even if you are only working out for 20 minutes. Just do it! I go to the gym every morning at 5 am. I choose not to go in the evenings because you never know what the day is going to bring. I get up with this mindset: It’s a new day. Let’s make it count! 

Another lesson I’ve learned is to KEEP GOING! I would never have thought that I would get to this point. If I had stopped, like I use to do, I would have never made it this far! 

What advice do you have for people who want to lose weight?
Keep going! Trust the Process! Stick with it! Don’t stop! Make every day count! Do this for you! 

If you have a bad day and eat the wrong things, IT’S OKAY. Start again the next day. Don’t Quit! You can do this! I tell people all the time, “If I can do it, anybody can!” Don’t stop this time. Stay focused, and make this thing personal. Go all the way. Decide that you want to see what happens if you don’t give up this time.

Instagram: @dedication2_shika