-75 lb
Before
After
Why did you want to lose weight?
At the beginning of last year, I wasn't feeling well and measured my blood pressure for the first time. It was 210/114. I was so shocked and had to start dealing with high blood pressure. The more I dealt with it, the clearer the reason behind it became: I was overweight.
"Never lose sight of your goal."
On that evening, I decided to lose weight. I got on the scale and it said 277 pounds. I had never seen myself so big. From that point on, it was clear that I didn't want to live my life like this anymore.
What did you want to accomplish on your journey?
Among other things, I wanted to lose weight so I could get my blood pressure under control and feel better physically. As a result, I also realized why I didn't like going shopping anymore. Why?
Because my size, if they even had it, was always in the plus-size corner. At that point, I was wearing a 2XL. I could also only wear jeans with a lot of elastic. From then on, I decided I wanted to fit back into typical sizes.
How did you reach your goals?
My weight-loss journey was accompanied by the Corona lockdown. While some people were gaining weight during lockdown, I was losing weight rapidly. I had fun losing weight and watching the number on the scale go down from week to week. I also benefited from the fact that my employer had me working from home during that time. Who wasn't? At the office, there's always cake and sweets that you can snack on. Working from home, these temptations didn't exist.
Ivana’s Tips
Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
You don't have to cut out anything. You just have to eat in moderation.
Set realistic goals and celebrate every little accomplishment along the way.
Always weigh your food. It's so easy to misjudge.
Everyday movement has more impact than you think.
At home, I used my breaks to take walks outside. My goal was to walk 10,000 steps each day. That was the only exercise I did to lose weight. Everyone who knows me also knows that I love burgers and pizza and foods like that. To find a balance between healthy food and fast food, I followed the Pareto principle (the 80/20 rule). I had a cheat meal on the weekends so I wouldn't have to cut out anything.
How did YAZIO help you?
YAZIO served as a fresh start. When I had been feeling down for a long time and started to gain weight again, my sister recommended YAZIO. I decided to change apps and give YAZIO PRO a chance. The structure alone was enough to motivate me again. The push notifications kept me on my toes and reminded me of my goals. Thanks to all the recipes, I discovered new dishes that made losing weight easier.
Tracking also made me more aware of how many calories different foods had. With the app, you really start to learn and pay attention to things like protein, carbs and fat.
Did you have setbacks?
Setbacks are a part of the weight-loss process and are completely normal. Sometimes I hit a plateau and sometimes I even gained weight. My biggest setback was last summer. I just couldn't get back into the swing of things after my vacation. I also didn't have any desire to track my calories or my steps. After I gained 22 pounds, I sat down and tried to find my "why" in it all. I wrote down my goals so I could have them in front of me and I started again.
What advice do you have for other users?
If things aren't going the way you imagined, sit down and write out why you're doing it. Think about why you started your journey. Do you want to get in better shape? Do you want to get back into your favorite jeans? Do you feel uncomfortable in your own skin?
Think about why you want to start or continue. Take before and after pictures, and write down your body measurements and weight. They're just numbers, of course, but they can help you when you hit a low point. And very important: Don't let your mood depend on the number on the scale. I had a plus more often than a minus when I weighed myself, but I still managed to lose 66 pounds. Perseverance is the key to success. If I could do it, you can do it, too!
What are your future goals?
My journey isn't over yet. My next goal is to hit the 185 pound mark. To get into better shape and build muscle, I go to the gym. There, I can see from time to time what my body is capable of.
Why do you want to tell your story?
It's important for me to share my story with others to show them that they can do it. There will always be days you feel unmotivated and want to give up. That's normal. But it's important to never lose sight of your goal and to keep going.
