Who: Lisa Morgan
Occupation: Clinic coordinator
City: Toronto
Age: 26
By The Numbers: 266 pounds at my heaviest, currently 197 pounds, for a total weight loss of 69 pounds.
The Weight Gain: I maintained an average, healthy weight until I was about 10 years old. After the age of 10, I just kept getting bigger and bigger. I put on the most amount of weight as I got older, and realized I could get whatever I wanted to eat without the permission of my parents.
At that point, I had tried multiple fad diets and basic diets throughout my teenage and young adult years. Most of my diets would last a few weeks at the very longest, and then I would give in to the many temptations surrounding me.
Final Straw: Three years ago, after battling obesity his entire life, I lost my cousin Robbie to a massive heart attack at the very young age of 27. Before this had occurred, having a heart attack or even heart issues had never crossed my mind. Since that day, the thought has never left my mind. He was part of my inspiration to change my life around.
For a long time, I was too afraid to step onto a scale and see my weight. Finally at work, in March 2015, I got the courage to step on the scale and I was horrified. I remember seeing 266 pounds and tears instantly rushed to my eyes. It was at that moment, I knew it was time to change and quickly.
The Plan of Attack: Towards the end of March, I kept seeing one of my friends on Facebook check in to Go Girls Body Transformation. I had seen advertisements for the gym, so I decided to message my friend and ask her for more information. Two days later I attended a trial class and although it was intense, I knew that this is where I wanted to be. In April 2015, I joined Go Girls with a 12-month membership and started feeling and seeing the results almost instantly. Five months later, I am down 69 pounds and I am at the healthiest I have probably ever been in my entire life.
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Lost It: Weight Loss Success Stories
The Exercise Factor: Workouts at Go Girls were very intense. The trainers treat everyone exactly the same, regardless of your age or weight. They go out of their way to make sure you reach your full potential and they celebrate all of your successes with you along the way.
Initially, my goal was to lose as much weight as possible and get healthy in the process. Now my goal is to work towards losing at least 30 more pounds. I am well on my way to successfully achieving my goal and continue to maintain the healthy lifestyle I have worked so hard for.
The Food Element: I started eating whole foods that were a lot better for me. I drank tons of water, ate very few complex carbohydrates, and ate more lean meats and vegetables.
The hardest adjustment was initially cutting out all foods that I was used to eating, and changing the amount I ate to smaller portions. There really was no restrictions on the amount I would eat and when I was full I would stop, but believe me it took a lot to fill me. As for foods, I lived off junk food, so having to say bye to all of it was a huge adjustment in the beginning. Eventually, I did get used to it and it became easier and more of a natural habit to eat healthy.
The Current Day-to-Day: These days I always start my day with water. I work Monday to Fridays and I am fairly active in my job. I always spend at least half of my day running around in different clinics. I will normally work out three to four times a week. On weekdays, I always go to evening classes and on weekends, I attend morning classes. I try and get a good hour-long walk in almost nightly and keep myself as active as possible up until I go to bed.
I am not fully at my goal weight, but every week I get closer and closer.
It is a decision you have to make for yourself and until you're really ready to change, you're not going to. Find a program that works for you because everyone is different. This is achievable for anyone who wants it bad enough, you just have to work for it. I owe my happiness and success to Go Girls. Without all the strong, inspirational woman, and the trainers, my success would not be possible and there are no words to express how thankful I am to have this family in my life!
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