Real Inspiration: Shayla-Marie A Weight Loss Success Story

Sometimes it's helpful to see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Your work will pay off! Shayla-Marie is a great example of someone who lost weight and improved her health through hard work and lifestyle changes. In addition Shayla-Marie offers the following words of advice.

"My advice is to realize it's not a "diet" it's a lifetime change. Don't give up just keep going!"

I'm Shayla-Marie 25 years and had hypertension, and a failing kidney all because I was overweight. I was 155lbs in 2009 and I'm only 5feet tall, so that is a large amount of weight I had a bmi of 29.9 which is nearly obese, I started dating a man who's sister I was rent a room from. The 1st date was 1/26/2009 a blind date, so I arrived at the Olive Garden to see this astonishingly beautiful man was waiting for me, he was older latin and a medical professional. We hit it off, a few dates in he asked why I had high blood pressure I said I don't know genetics I suppose, his next statement floored me and nearly made me want to floor him he said: "you are a beautiful woman, great personality why do you like being overweight? You can have a stroke any second, I'm looking for a wife, and you'd be perfect but you can stroke out anytime. What about your daughter?" It hit me I was 25 and killing myself with double doubles and french fries. So I began to make changes little by little, no more soda, and juice. Next I started paying attention to what I put into my body reading labels finding out what someone my height and weight should be eating. Next I increased my activity small at first 15 minutes a day 3x's a week. That sexy Latin gentleman became my boyfriend who become my biggest supporter! I found out he was a former bodybuilder with 2% body fat he gave me a lot of pointers and a lot of encouragement (and sushi ;) I started in March 2009 by September I weighed 115lbs and today I weigh 113lbs, I eat 5 servings of fruit mostly strawberries and oranges, I eat around 2 salads a day and save my protein for dinner. I work 6x's a day 30 minutes a week and I am no longer on medication for my bloodpressure! I still have 1 kidney medication but my kidney is basically working on it's own. I cook low fat/ low cal foods that are family friendly since that lovely man is fast approaching becoming my lovely husband. I'm loosing weight I found confidence in myself and loved myself with shedding the weight it was almost like cathartic and renewing I felt like I could do anything if I could change my body I could change any aspect of my life. I learned to love, learned to channel my anger and focus on my career. I became a nurse, a better mother, a have the makings of a great wife all because I can take care of myself.
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