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Name: Brittany Lacayo
Age: 21
Height: 5'6"
Before Weight: 254 pounds
How I Gained It: Coming from a family that is a little on the heavy side, I was always brought up around fattening, unhealthy foods, like sodas, candy, chocolate, pizza, etc. It was not healthy. It was only contributing to a deathly lifestyle. I did not want to be the overweight girl anymore. I wanted to live a long, happy life. One to be proud of.
Breaking Point: It was a cold, hard slap to the face when I stepped on the scale to see how much I weighed. I realized I was not just overweight, I was obese for a girl my height. I was so close to being 300 pounds it scared me. If I did not do anything, I could be close to dying. So I knew immediately from that day forward that I had to stop doing what I was doing and get my life together.
How I Lost It: I cut out all sugary drinks, sweets, pizza and fast food. I stuck to more appropriate choices, like chicken, salad, fish, oatmeal, brown rice, whole grains, apples, strawberries and blueberries. My food plan was strict, and I made sure to eat small meals throughout the day. And I do allow myself once a week to enjoy something that I love, whether it be pizza or ice cream.
I also exercised three to five times a week. When I first started, I decided to go to the gym with my father whenever I could. I lost 20 pounds just going to the gym on the weekends and eating healthier. But I knew I needed to speed things up a little, so I tried exercising at home. I would run three or four times a week and still stick to my eating habits. Now, I enjoy running so much that I make it a daily habit and still eat appropriately. I do sometimes go to the gym with my father, and I use the treadmill or the elliptical to help with toning and maintaining my weight.
I realized that after losing so much weight there is some major toning to do. I use most of the machinery at the gym to help with my legs and arms, or when I am at home I use my weights to help with my arms.
I was amazed to know that I could do this on my own. I always saw stories on TV and thought, "That is not me. I can not do that. It is just not possible." But it is. It is possible, and I made it possible. I lost another person, as much as I weighed. I was two people in one. And now, I am just myself, just as beautiful as I have always been, but healthier. And I am incredibly proud of myself and my success. It is a true test of patience and belief. And in the end, it all works out for the best. A year later and I am the healthy person I aspired to be -- and so much more.
After Weight: 117 to 124 pounds
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