I am first generation Nigerian. Both of my parents are immigrants. The only job that my father had was a taxi job. We barely had money to buy a variety of foods. A Nigerian diet is very carby. Eating that plus fast food and government food gave me no hope of being healthy at all. I got teased a lot because of it. I even remember taking diet pills at the age of 11 years old.
When I got to high school, my weight fluctuated only because I got a little active by jump roping everyday and I had the courage to join the shot put and discus team. I got down from 195 lbs to 175 lbs and that was my lowest.
Losing all that weight caused me to gain attention from guys and I had never received that before. I became promiscuous and little did I know that during my senior year of high school I would get pregnant and my weight would shoot all the way up to 232 lbs in 2008. I stayed that size even after I gave birth, all the way until February 2013.
I just got tired of being overweight. My weight issues caused me to have low self esteem and no confidence. I wanted to finally feel good about myself and I wanted to stop shopping at Lane Bryant and the plus size section in every store. I was way too young for that.
I started researching what I should eat when trying to lose weight and that’s how I changed my diet. I now eat clean, meaning cutting out the processed foods, fast foods, pop, juice and white simple carbs. I only eat complex carbs, lean protein, egg whites, beans, veggies and some fruit.
MUST READ: Kierra Sheard: Her Journey To GRACELAND…
I don’t eat too much fruit because it’s high in sugar. I aim for a gallon of water daily. I started off doing cardio 5 to 6 times a week, 2 hours a day, and weight training 2 to 3 times a week. Now I am 160 lbs, which is 72 lbs lighter from where I started.
I feel so good about myself. What keeps me motivated is my followers on my social media pages. They tell me all the time how I am such an inspiration to them and that motivates them to change their lifestyle. I love hearing that because it fuels me to go harder.
I am a Certified Fitness Trainer now and one of my clients this past summer was Stellar Award winner Kierra Sheard. I plan on being a motivational speaker that goes to schools and other places to share my story and help motivate young people to start their journey NOW.
I also plan on starting a mentoring program called Club Beautifully Fit that will focus on the body and mind for all ages. My goal is to inspire and encourage young women to embrace a healthy lifestyle and promote high self esteem.
My advice is to look at weight loss as a lifestyle change and not something you have to do. Looking at it as something you have to do will get you discouraged when you don’t see results and then you will give up. A lifestyle change is permanent so you’ll know that no matter what happens, the weight will come off and it’s not something that you will constantly think about.
To keep up with Lulu’s journey, find her at the information below:
Lulu “The Fitness Princess”
Lulu + You Fitness
ISSA Certified Fitness Trainer
www.facebook.com/iambeautifullyfit
www.luluplusyoufitness.com
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