Tia lost 70 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Tia lost 70 pounds with healthy eating habits and exercise. This gospel artist had a slightly torn meniscus, and her weight reached a point where there was too much pressure on the injury. When her knee began to give out frequently, she knew it was time to take action. 

What was your motivation? What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up?
I reached a weight of 285 pounds, along with having a slightly torn meniscus. I had this tear for years, but gaining so much weight began to put too much pressure on the tear. My knee started to give out frequently when I walked. It got to the point where I could not even walk on it. That is when I knew I had to make a change. 

Of course, I wanted to give up NUMEROUS times. However, it’s my routine that kept me going. At the beginning of my weight loss journey, I moved to a new city and began a new job, so I knew I needed a new routine. I called this my “new life.” I committed to incorporating dieting and exercise into my new lifestyle so those habits would easily become part of my routine. 

How did you change your eating habits?
I stopped eating foods containing sugars (aside from fruit), and I limited my dairy intake. 

What did you do in terms of exercise?
I also took a morning run before work, just three times a week. Recently, I’ve started incorporating more strength training and toning exercises into my workout. 

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight was 285 pounds. My current weight is 215 pounds. 

What is your height?
I am 5 feet, 2 inches. 

When did you start your journey? How long did your transformation take?
I started the journey in June 2018 and got to 215 pounds by June 2019. 

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
When I reached 215 pounds in June 2019, I had Tummy Tuck surgery. 

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
The biggest lesson that I have learned is that this journey is about so much more about weight. I had to fix my emotional life, my mental life, my financial life, and every other aspect of my life. THAT is what allowed losing the weight to happen for me. I took the pressure and focus off merely losing weight and started focusing on becoming a better me ALL around, not just physically. I realized that all of these aspects of life work together. 

What advice would you like to share with women who want to lose weight?

You are BEAUTIFUL, regardless. Be confident and love yourself regardless of what you look like. Start the journey when YOU are ready and do it for YOU. Often, we want to lose weight for external approval when it’s all about us at the end of the day – Our happiness, our joy, and our journey. 

Also, give yourself grace. This journey is way more mental than physical. It is difficult to erase years of a specific lifestyle and to change it to something else automatically. Give yourself the time to transition and grow accustomed to the changes you are making. 

Instagram: @tiashynemuse