Wednesday 24 September 2014

How I lost 20kg in 4months

I had just gotten a dream job in Lagos and had to relocate. We were told to go for some medical check up which I did and I was confirmed healthy. For records, I have never for once seen myself as fat but rather chubby (self illusion). A nurse went through my profile and was shocked to see a 23year old weighing 98kg  “you know you are too fat for your age right? Do you want to die of obesity?” she asked me sternly. I pretentiously laughed it off but she would not stop lecturing me about obesity. I went home that day feeling bad and had to even ignore the pain I was feeling in my knee as a result of my excess weight instead I comforted myself with more junks, carbohydrate and fat as usual. Those words from the nurse struck me so hard I couldn’t concentrate at work the next day but still was not motivated to take the next step to my weight loss journey. I picked up my phone and typed “success story on weight loss”on Google. I came across so many stories that were really touching. Reading success stories became an habit and this went on for several months not conscious of the fact that I could create my own success story.

One Sunday afternoon, I had this dreadful dream that my tummy was patterned with stretch marks, I cried myself out in the dream beseeching God for a second chance. Suddenly, I jolted up and realized it was a dream I headed straight to the mirror, surprisingly I saw a mark struggling to be visible on my tummy. And that was where my journey started. I realise there was nothing like the PERFECT TIME but instead you make the time perfect for yourself. I registered in a gym close to work. Believe me I have never being this motivated to do anything in my life. Friends from work laughed at me whenever they see me jogging in morning. To be sincere, people at the gym really intimidated me; those people could jog 5km in 20 minutes, do a lengthy aerobics without stopping to catch their breath. And yes, they were that good I almost gave up because I thought I could never be as strong as they were. However I kept reminding myself how much money and time I invested in the gym, how I refuse to be a loser and how I have to prove so many people wrong.  It was like a do or die affair I knew there was no turning back. My eating habit changed (thanks to @nellyagbogu). I curbed it with the diet plan titled “setting the captive free” and supported it with De’makhali diet plan (my own plan).  I used the first diet plan to curb my appetite and the second to lose weight faster though I coupled it with my usual exercise and I drank a lot of water. The plan is to eat healthy.

The Gym became a second home and everybody there became family. I would get to the gym before 6am do my regular workout, jog, aerobics and yogathen would take a shower before leaving for work. In the evening after work I would be back at the gym with so much energy even though literarily there was none but I had to push myself and burn some calories. This went on everyday apart from Sundays. I celebrated every kg or pound I lost. I took pictures of my progress OMG! I have never being happier in my life. Indeed fitness is so good to the body and soul. Even when there was no visible difference I was ready to show off a before and after picture but my friends will just laugh at me and that  kept me more  motivated and focused (criticism is my inner strength to success). I participated in the 10km marathon race organised by Nike sport “We run Lagos” I didn’t believe I made it to the end point within an hour despite the fact that I fell and bruised my knee twice. Though I was not among the first 200 but I felt so victorious like Usain Bolts. The feeling was so great I thought I could represent Nigeria for the Olympics lol. That week, I stepped on the scale and there 15kg was off my vibrant body. I lost 15kg after 3months? It was unbelievable and I realised “the biggest project you can ever execute is on yourself”. In less than another 1month I lost 5kg more. When I went back home at the end of the year my parents and siblings were shocked to see a Slim Khadijat. Come to think of it even as a kid I was that fat girl next door.

Oh! Forgive my manners God, it has been God all the way because while others were praying for a car, house, husband and other goodies mine was “God let me drop 20kg and be really fit”. Well, it happened. eventually. Indeed God never forsakes his own, you know? Remember rain does not stop falling just because the calabash is full, so till date I still workout and eat healthy. Fitness and eating healthy is not a FAD but should be your way of life, it is a culture that can never go extinct. Again, I did not have time but I made time. I did not have the knowledge but I did what I knew. I did not have the support but I learned to support myself. I did not have the confidence but the confidence came with result. I had a lot going against me but I had enough going for me. I had plenty excuses but I chose not to use any of them and this is my SUCCESS STORY. “

I'm really grateful for this. I stumbled on Khadijat's (I. didn't even know her name until I read her write up) IG profile @cardijar_mohd and was wowed by her weight loss. I contacted her to share her story with us and she kindly obliged and didn't hesitate to share photos and diet plans, in this world where ladies tend to keep these things as secrets. She even apologized for sending it late even though I just asked her last week. If you're interested in the diet plan she created, please contact me tarabauer01@gmail.com Her primary reason forlosing weight was to be healthy, looking better came as a bonus. + she was strong enough to do it the healthy way. Bless your heart! It's so easy to make plans and loss weight by mouth but it takes determination and hard work to lose and maintain the weight loss. There are lots of people who join gyms and pile up more weight instead of losing. If you're going to work out and feast on junks afterwards, don't bother wasting your time and energy. I asked Khadijat more questions and here is her response.

I used to spend roughly 2hrs for the morning session and 2hrs for the evening session. Well the first 30mins in the morning I jog from the. gym in beesam to MMA. On getting back I would skip 1500 for another 30minutes, use the power station to trim my arms and back and I do the mat exercise for my pot belly lol. When it rains in the morning, I use the treadmill instead of jogging. The instructor was very nice but strict. He makes me run "not" jog on the treadmill for 45 minutes so I can lose 200calories before we engage in serious aerobic and some crazy situps with the medicine ball then I crown it with the power station for the evening section. Yes, I apportion time for each activity so I can be atop my game, I mean so I can be better than I did a  day before.

I lost 20kg in roughly 4months

I still go to the gym but not everyday, I go every other day but my Saturday jogging is constant and I still eat healthy. I still drink at least 10 cups of water in a day to flush out my system and my fruit and veg are still constant though once in a while I backslide but balance up seriously.  Another thing is that I love Pizza and Cake a lot but I punish myself with lot of water and skipping whenever I eat them. 

Dear bloghearts, I hope you're as inspired as I am and glad I brought this here. Like she said keeping fit is a lifestyle, so even if you're a lepa shandy, you should strive to be healthy always. A teacher told me some slim people eat junks and don't get fat whereas the fat gets stored around their hearts which is  dangerous but they don't suspect a thing unlike a fat person that knows he/she should be careful. If you're interested in joining a weight loss/maintenance group regardless of your location, pplease contact me. Feel free to drop your questions and comments. Thanks for reading. Keep reading and sharing. Love you plenty, Anuoluwapo



Beautiful!!


He looks like someone from Maltina Dance Hall


You have vanished o
Wow

Baby oku. You for send this dress to the blog ehn. Lol


20 comments:

Anuoluwapo said...

Sorry guys, I couldn't attach the "Setting the captives free" plan. You'll have to contact me for that.
Quick tip: To know if you're having enough water, look at your pee. It should be clear and colourless like water

Belladama said...

Hi, just stumbled upon your blog, ve been dying to loose weight bt it hasn't been easy. M a student and in my school we are not allowed to cook, so we buy food. I would b grateful if u could help. Tnx

Eniwealth said...

I know Khadijah from Remedial days! We used to call her K.K. I'm wow-ed by the transformation. Well done! I'm so inspired! I've been on the water therapy for sometime now, but I sometimes relax cos it affects my activities at work and my sleep. I get to excuse myself to go and pee often and then I don't get to sleep back most of the time when I have to wake up to pee. This morning is one of such days. I got up to pee around 1:28am and couldn't sleep back. I've been chewing gum all morning to stay alert at work.
I love your new body K.K. You go girl!

Anuoluwapo said...

Hello Belladama, I suppose you'll be interested in joining a weight loss support group. Do message me tarabauer01@gmail.com I'm sure there are tips you can also pick up from this post

Anuoluwapo said...

I did that water therapy before. I don't want to tell you how I embarrassed myself. I take a lot of water now and I was up all night peeing *sigh*

Anonymous said...

Wowza!! Please maintain it

Motun said...

I'm so inspired by K.K's success story..hmmm..I'm jst so like those who actually have the intellect of what to do n hw to do it, bt nt jst getting to do them or I start n wen praises starts of the little results start coming, I guess it gets to my head n loss focus. I knew when K.K started this journey this time last year,counting days on her bbm status. *whew*...I guess it's nt too late to get a result this year.

Motun said...

I'm so inspired by K.K's success story..hmmm..I'm jst so like those who actually have the intellect of what to do n hw to do it, bt nt jst getting to do them or I start n wen praises starts of the little results start coming, I guess it gets to my head n loss focus. I knew when K.K started this journey this time last year,counting days on her bbm status. *whew*...I guess it's nt too late to get a result this year.

Anuoluwapo said...

Dear bloghearts, thanks for the emails. Kindly leave a kind word for Khadijat here before doing so. She can't see your kindness in my email

Esquire said...

I initially thought it was Barr Anu writing this story. When did she get this job in lagos? when did she become so fat? and many more questions ran through my mind... until i read through to see it was someone else. hmmm.

Exercises and Eating right is essential healthy living. nice piece.

chamilah said...

Finally, I get to drop my own comment. Thank you Anu for creating an avenue to inspire those that are struggling with their weight, fitness life or eating healthy.

Anuoluwapo said...

I apologise to everyone that has had issues commenting on the blog.
Thank you so much for being our muse and answering every question. Bless your beautiful heart

chamilah said...

@Eniwealth thanks dearie.
As for the water therapy its really good. Once you start with your mind made up peeing won't be wahala (issue) again. Urine are not meant to be yellow you know.
@Anu lolzz

Anonymous said...

Losing weight ain't easy tho but it ain't rocket science either. Realise that it's just 'motivation' that u need & that's d only way u can really lose those extra pounds sucessfully.

Anuoluwapo said...

Lol. Thanks

Anuoluwapo said...

Yup, thank you

Anuoluwapo said...

No, it's not

Anonymous said...

Lovely piece, thumps up

Anuoluwapo said...

Thanks

Unknown said...

I was a size 8, now size 12 coz of pregnancy, my hubby is still dapper, not dt am not my preety self buh I wld luv to go bak to my 8 after the whole ish, ppl wl tell me its not gonna be hard cz u still dont av tommy, I do tell dem, food cravings aint easy to stop neither does gaining weight, no one is complaining buh even myself luv me some size 8 abeg, after seeing her transformation, I will sure get the tips from anu, no tym to waste