My name is Shianne Smith I am 26 years old and I am from Kansas City, Missouri. I used Beachbody workouts and the portion control-focused eating plan and calorie counting to undo my pregnancy weight gain.

I’ve always struggled with portion control, as well as being impatient with my weight-loss attempts. I wouldn’t see results fast enough and then would give up because I would feel as if it was pointless. For the longest time, I truly believed I was just born to be overweight.

I hit my heaviest weight while I was pregnant with my daughter. At 23, I weighed 250 pounds. I had gained 70 pounds by the time I gave birth. I was borderline diabetic, and I also had high blood pressure and a very high resting heart rate.

My biggest motivation to lose weight and get healthy was my daughter.

Now that I was a mom, I knew I needed to be healthier. My daughter deserved a happy and healthy mama. She deserved a good role model, especially when it came to body image, and I was miserable physically and emotionally. So, on August 15, 2018, I decided enough was enough. I gave myself a three-month goal to lose some weight, and that ultimately led to a complete lifestyle change.

I started tracking my calories fairly religiously.

Tracking calories what works best for me, and I do my best to remain in a calorie deficit. (However, I remember to show myself grace when I am not!). Since I knew I struggled with overeating and portion control, I bought a portion control meal plan through Beachbody and basically retrained myself to learn healthier eating habits in October 2018.

I am definitely a creature of habit, so I eat a lot of the same foods pretty regularly. I don’t usually eat breakfast because I try to work out in the mornings and I don’t like working out with food in my belly (although occasionally I do!).

Here’s what I eat in a day.

Breakfast: Half a banana and two fried eggs on a piece of avocado toast with Louisiana hot sauce.
Lunch: A Mission Carb Balance Spinach & Herb tortilla wrap with a tablespoon of mayo, turkey, cheese, and lettuce, with Veggie Straws, fruit, and yogurt.
Dinner: Chicken fajitas or fajita bowls are my go-to favorite.
Snacks: Protein bars, fruit, or sliced cucumbers with lime juice and tajin chili powder seasoning.
Dessert: I don’t typically eat dessert, but Ben & Jerry’s ice cream is my favorite, and I’m a sucker for chocolate.

For exercise, I started walking as much as I could.

I started off trying to walk a total of five miles throughout the day. And I didn’t start *actually* working out until October 2018, when I purchased Beachbody.

I still do Beachbody workouts, so my exercise throughout the week varies on whatever workout program I’m currently doing. I work out at least five to six days a week. My favorite thing is lifting weights. Lifting has totally changed my body composition in a way I never expected, and I love how strong I am becoming.

These three changes made the biggest difference in my weight-loss results.

I started tracking my calories. When I track my calories and stay within my calorie deficit, I find myself being more mindful of my food choices and can better avoid mindless snacking.
I stopped focusing solely on the scale. The scale won’t always be your friend when you want it to be. In the past, I didn’t know what a “non-scale victory” was, so when the scale number would go up, I got discouraged and quit. This time around, I trusted the process and took progress pictures. I paid attention to how my clothes fit, and how I felt overall.
I recited positive affirmations. As silly as it sounds, saying kind and lovely things to myself really boosted my body image, which helped my mental state and kept me pushing on the hard days. I didn’t always believe what I was saying initially, but I said it enough to the point where I began to.

I have lost over 100 pounds.

I want other women to know that you are worthy, beautiful, and incredible. It’s okay to love your body and self while also wanting to change. We are not defined by the size pants we wear or how much space we may or may not take up. Healthy looks different for everybody, so love yourself and be kind.

Weight Loss Women's Health

KIZ HEALTH

‘After My Pregnancy Weight Gain, I Used Beachbody Workouts And The Portion Control Meal Plan’