When one woman finally got fed up with living an unhealthy lifestyle, she decided to undergo a “fat to fit” transformation. Here is Tina Veneros’ inspiring weight loss story.
When she first started out, she says she found it challenging to keep up the lifestyle. Losing weight doesn’t come easily for anyone, but having the right knowledge can make a huge difference.
“I never felt happy in my own skin,” Tina says. “I always found it difficult to lose weight, and I just gave up because it was too hard. But, it was too hard because I wasn’t doing it the right way. I just didn’t know how.”
However, she eventually learned through trial and error how to exercise and eat healthy for her body type.
Tina’s starts her journey from fat to fit
“So it wasn’t until about 2014 that I knew I had to make a change. My starting weight was 260 pounds. I was overwhelmed; I didn’t know what to do, so I decided to join Weight Watchers, and that changed my life.”
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Through that, Tina learned all about proper portions and how to appreciate food more. It also encouraged her because she realized she could still eat foods she enjoyed and lose weight. After getting her diet on track, she then focused on her exercise goals.
“So, I decided to join a gym. I had all these goals in my mind, I only had me to back me up, but that’s all I needed,” Tina says. “So, I went to the gym and it was the best thing I’ve ever done in my life.”
When she began her workouts, she had a goal of losing body fat to reduce excess skin around her stomach. After accomplishing this, she felt like she had a brand new lease on life.
“It was the best thing I’ve ever done,” Tina says. “I felt like a new woman, like the person that I should’ve been all those years ago, and I wish I’d done it earlier.”
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Tina’s advice to anyone who also wants to go from “fat to fit”
“Don’t be scared, don’t feel overwhelmed – you need to take it day by day,” Tina said. “You need to change your habits. When you figure it out, it just becomes a lot easier. If I can do it, anyone can do it.”
Over the course of 5 years, Tina has lost around 50kg, or around 110 pounds! She says that it’s a lifestyle change, so you need to take things slowly. Give your body time to adjust, and don’t rush the process.
If you train too hard or cut calories by too much, your body will only retaliate. After you get off the diet or reduce your exercise, you’ll just end up gaining the weight back. So, make sure you focus on making the days count rather than trying to speed toward the goal. It’s all about consistency and determination, because the little steps you take will add up in the end.
Tina sums it up perfectly in one of her Instagram posts:
“6 years ago I thought I was going to die. I decided to then make a change. But how? I did it all before for years and failed over and over. So I decided to join ww and that taught me that you can eat what you like and lose weight.
Since then I joined a gym and decided to teach myself how to eat and macro count. Point of my story is I guess when I decided to lose weight it was going to be a lifestyle and it would take me years and years and that was ok. I’ve never been deprived and while it may take me longer to get there, the ride is enjoyable.”
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However, no matter where you are now, remember that you are enough as you are at this moment. Don’t beat yourself up for how you look just because you don’t have your “dream body” yet. Since Tina lost so much weight, she now relates to both the skinny and heavier versions of herself. And, she advocates for both.
Tina shares the hard truth
She says on her Instagram page:
“Today I was casually talking to some work people who didn’t know I used to be a lot bigger. They were making fun of people who were bigger saying they all wear leggings that come up to their calves with a large tshirt to hide the hail damage from behind as the leggings are usually see-through and that doesn’t need to be seen. I pulled out this pic of myself which is the one on the left and said ‘do you mean like this picture here?’
“They were very embarrassed to say the least. I remember how hard it was to find clothes that fit me and and that were actually comfortable that prevented my legs from rubbing… yes I’ve changed since then but it still upsets me how people can say such cruel things about people.
Point of my story is you shouldn’t judge people on their appearance. Everyone has their flaws.”
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Remember, if you want to go on your own “fat to fit” journey, do it at your own pace. Find exercises you enjoy that you can keep up with for weeks at a time. Don’t be afraid to go outside your comfort zone, either. Maybe you’d love that Zumba class at the gym you’ve been hesitating to join. Or, maybe yoga or pilates is more your thing. No matter what you do, just move your body in a way that feels good to you!
Final thoughts: going from fat to fit takes time, but you’ll appreciate how far you’ve come
Everyone knows you can’t lose weight overnight; it takes consistent effort and changing your habits to make a dent. Just like it takes a while to gain weight, losing it doesn’t come easily either. This may sound depressing, but your body needs time to adjust to a new caloric intake and workout regimen. Love your body as it is now, and work daily to reach the goals you have in mind. You can do it!
