‘I Followed A Low-Carb Diet And Walked 10,000 Steps A Day And Lost 66 Pounds’

From Women's Health

My name is Alexandra Iseghohi (@bodiedbyalexa), and I am 22 years old. I'm an entrepreneur living in Dallas, Texas. I started eating a low-carb diet and walking 10,000 steps a day to aid my weight loss after being unhappy and unconfident for too long. Now I've lost 66 pounds and feel better than ever.

I never really dealt with weight issues growing up, but my self-confidence was very low. People frequently called me "thick." Oh, how I hated that word back then, even when it was meant to be a compliment.

I just wanted to feel good about myself, inside and out. I had tried countless times to lose weight, using numerous techniques, all to no avail. My main issue was consistency. I never could get past losing 5 to 10 pounds without quitting.

My turning point came in February 2018. I visited a friend and got on a scale for the first time in months.

I saw a number that I wasn't prepared for, over 200 pounds. I felt sad and angry that I had let myself go. I knew immediately I had to make my health a priority in order to feel great. That was the important part. I started my journey the same day I got on that scale.

I was still uninformed about nutrition when I started my weight loss journey. But I went home in a rage and threw out every piece of junk food I had. I also went to the store, went down the produce aisle, and bought *tons* of veggies.

Eventually I settled on following a low-carb diet, and I eat mostly veggies and protein.

Watching my carb intake has worked for me long-term because it’s not restrictive. I don’t end up bingeing because I’m not depriving myself of any foods I love.

Here’s what I eat in a day now:

• Breakfast: A bowl of sliced fruits.

• Lunch: 1/4 cup rice, grilled salmon, and 1 cup steamed broccoli.

• Dinner: A chicken salad or chicken soup (I don’t like to eat heavy before bed).

• Snack: When I do need a snack, my go-to is a Greek yogurt and a handful of almonds, or baby carrots with ranch dressing.

• Dessert: A red apple with a tablespoon of peanut butter. The sweetness of the apple satisfies my sugar cravings.

I started working out the day I began my journey. I was very pumped.

I made a goal to walk at least 10,000 steps a day and felt so good about it. The following week, I started working out at the gym in my apartment building. I did the elliptical and treadmill five days a week for an hour, for about six months. I never missed a day!

Now, I’m currently more into strength training, core training, and flexibility training. I also discovered a love of yoga, and I love finding my new strengths in nailing those poses. I still work out five times a week.

My mindset change made the biggest difference in my weight loss results.

I found serious determination. Not being in the right, motivated mindset can derail everything. You have to tell yourself you can do this and hold yourself accountable. I also did my best to stay disciplined. This is my biggest struggle, and I am still working on it daily. I have to make the choice constantly to be happier and healthier.

Lastly, I stayed consistent. This was one of the biggest reasons I struggled in the past: giving up too easily. This time, I've just keep going. As cliché as it sounds, that’s all it takes. Those little daily attitude changes made the big transformation in the long run.

I have lost a total of 66 pounds.

Losing weight for me wasn’t just about the physical—it changed my mindset and mental well-being. It made me realize I should eat to fuel my body and to live, not out of boredom or just because I feel I should be munching on something. I regained my confidence as well, and my skin is also the best it’s ever been. I feel so energized, and I am so happy I started this journey and stuck to it.

I want to inspire someone who feels utterly confused on how to start—just start with whatever resources you have. You just need the willingness to see it through. That’s all it takes.

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