Transformation of the Day: Shakema lost 59+ pounds. She wanted to improve her health and prepare for the loving relationship she’s prayed for. This proud mom of four shared with us the steps she took to release the weight. Two of the steps were reducing her portion sizes and doing strength training.
Social Media:
FB: shakema.wilson.1
What was my motivation?
I have been separated and divorced since I was 33 years old. I have four children, now ages 34, 28, 20, and 15, but back then they were 19, 13, 5, and 4 months. I found myself a single, overweight mom, unsure of what life held for me and my children. I knew I was not in any position to run and play with my youngest children.
Over the years, I tried to lose weight and had some moderate success, BUT in April 2023, I found myself gaining weight on a 75-hard challenge. I could not understand what was happening to my body. My children were all grown except my youngest. I found myself really wanting to marry again. I wanted to experience love and honestly make love again. I knew, at 230 lbs, I was not comfortable in my body alone. There was no way I could be comfortable and vulnerable enough to be intimate with a husband should the Lord choose to give me one. I had to act for “us”, him and me, in our future union.
See, I wouldn’t be a virgin when we were together for the first time. I couldn’t gift my husband my body, BUT I could gift him with my life if I got healthy. I could prolong my life by being the healthiest I had been in well over 30 years. I needed to do this for both of us. (No, I am not married yet, but I am hopeful every day that the prayer I prayed will be answered. I am so much healthier than I was then or have ever been.)
How did I change my eating habits?
The first thing I did was go to my regular doctor and ask her to run hormone tests on me. I had had a hysterectomy years prior and felt like I wasn’t myself. I needed information before I could make changes. Once the tests were back, she referred me to a lifestyle coach. My coach didn’t want me to be on any plan, although I have done Keto, WW, Whole30, and Carnivor in the past. You name it, I have done it. She wanted me to eat whole foods.
I made a decision to eat “like” I had bariatric surgery. Smaller portions, which, in truth, were the correct portion sizes that I should have been eating all along. Cutting back my portion size, I didn’t have to count calories. However, I steer very clear of carbs, eat very little sugar (unless I have an unexpected craving), and decrease my coffee from a pot and a cup a day to one cup (with water as my primary source of hydration).
What is my workout routine?
I joined the gym and did strength training. I appreciate the results I get from weight workouts in the gym. In the beginning, I wasn’t super consistent. On August 1, 2024, I made an agreement with myself to work out every day for 365 days. I focus five days a week on strength training for 30-45 minutes daily. On two “rest” days, I will walk or ride a stationary bike for 20 minutes.
So far, I have worked out 45 of 47 days and only missed two due to some traveling that didn’t allow me to get into the gym. I also invited several friends to join me as accountability partners. We are all from across the country, but keep each other on our toes about our health and wellness.
What was my starting weight?
At my heaviest, I was 250 pounds. When I started this latest attempt at health and wellness, I weighed 231 pounds (April 2023). As of September 13, 2024, I was 173.4 pounds.
When did I start my journey?
I only count this attempt in “time“. I started this journey in April of 2023. At the moment, I’ve been on the journey for 16 months and seeing amazing results.
What is my height?
5’5″ 3/4
What is the biggest lesson I have learned so far?
I learned that I had to take a chance on me, I had to want to get healthy for me. Even though I had others in mind, this was MY journey to healthy. Others might benefit from it, BUT it was my journey to begin and truly stay on. Consistency to whatever plan I started was the key to success. Not everyone will celebrate me, BUT I can celebrate me. Getting healthy (spending time at the gym or money on the foods I want to put into my body) was not selfish but a means to prolong my life, and that is ok. Not everyone will do what I did to get the results I got, and that is okay as well.
What advice do I have for women who want to lose weight?
Start. Just start. Stay intentional. Know what YOU want from the journey. And take someone along with you on the journey. Don’t try to do this on your own, but do it anyway if no one else wants to do it with you.
Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
I have never considered weight loss surgery, although I eat as if I have had surgery. I know some people have surgery, but I wanted to see what I could do on my own. I had a coworker who had the surgery and, shortly after that, passed away. I am not sure what was the cause of her untimely passing, but I didn’t want to consider surgery, knowing there were risks.