'I Lost 123 Pounds By Tracking My Food With WW And Working Out On My Peloton Bike'
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My name is Jessica Hicks (@_jessicablayne_), and I am 39 years old and live in Tennessee. After years of struggling with my weight and mental health, I took time off from work to focus on myself. I started tracking my food with the Weight Watchers app and doing light workouts around my neighborhood. These changes have helped me lose 123 pounds.
My weight had been up and down since college, but I reached my heaviest in my mid-30s when I switched my antidepressant-anxiety medication. Not taking care of my mental health played a big part in my physical health declining. I had high blood pressure, swelling in my feet and hands, and started to experience longer periods of depression and anxiety.
In 2019, I was 37 and 268 pounds. After two-plus years of being on a certain medication, I knew it was not the right one for me. However, I felt like a prisoner to it. The withdrawal effects were horrible. There was no way I could work (in corporate HR and as a payroll manager) and try to wean myself off the medication. Not only had I gained tons of weight, I had zero energy. It was a vicious cycle. My mind was anxious and wanted to accomplish things, but my body was lethargic and depressed, with no will to do even the most mundane tasks.
My biggest motivation to get healthy was my family.
I have a large blended family. I am a wife, mother, and even a grandmother. I had to do something to get back to being the best version of myself for my family.
In May 2019, my husband supported me in taking a break from my career so that I could once and for all get off of the medication. By the end of September 2019, I was ready to work on my physical health.
I started tracking my food in the WW (formerly Weight Watchers) app.
It was easy and straightforward, and taught me balance while I was still being able to eat the foods I enjoy. I knew it would be something I could sustain long-term. Now, I maintain my weight loss by tracking calories in the MyFitnessPal app.
Here’s what I eat in a day now.
Breakfast: Toasted cinnamon protein English muffin and a banana
Lunch: Grilled chicken wrap and homemade coleslaw
Snacks: Fruit or protein snack
Dinner: Extra lean ground beef cheeseburger and air-fried carrot fries with hot honey
Dessert: Protein pancakes with sugar-free syrup
I did not start exercising until about seven months into my journey.
At first, I just tried to be as active as possible. A lot of cleaning and decluttering my home. Don’t underestimate the power of just being off the couch! Then I started with short walks or bike rides around the neighborhood.
In 2022, I purchased a Peloton bike, and now cycle and strength train five days a week. I love it, and it helps with my anxiety!
These three changes have made my weight loss a success.
I changed my mindset. If I had a meal or day that I felt like I overindulged, I knew it did not mean all of my progress was gone. I didn’t throw in the towel. I just picked right back up and kept going. Consistency over perfection!
I abandoned timelines. I did not put a timeline on my weight loss journey. This was going to be a lifetime commitment.
I stuck with what worked for me. I eat food I enjoy. I do workouts that I enjoy. I made sure to do what worked for me, not everyone else.
I have lost 123 pounds.
I want other women to know that they are worthy of happiness and capable of anything. Putting yourself first is not selfish. It is the best gift you can give to yourself, your family, friends, job, etc.
Losing weight has given me my life back. I no longer sit on the sidelines. I am able to participate in fun activities with my family and make memories that I would not have 120-plus pounds ago—precious memories that are irreplaceable.
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