My identify is Irina, I’m 38 years previous and I weigh 224 lbs. This quantity might look like so much should you do not take one factor into consideration: a yr in the past I weighed 266 lbs. I can not say it was that dangerous, however as soon as a 5-year-old boy got here as much as me and requested, “Irina, why do you will have such a giant stomach?” That is after I realized: I can not dwell like this for for much longer, I have to shed extra pounds.
I am telling my story of how I misplaced weight. I nonetheless have an extended technique to go, however the modifications I already see within the images hold me motivated.
My physique’s story is just like that of most chubby folks, together with a sedentary life-style and an unhealthy food regimen. Due to my job (I am self-employed) and my tendency to eat after I’m feeling dangerous, at 37 I weighed 264 kilos.
I’ve no household and I have not been out of the home fairly often lately. That is why different folks’s opinions would not actually sway me. Or so I assumed.
What’s Extra Necessary: Train or Food plan?
Half 1: Train
After my first exercise with a health coach on the gymnasium, I threw away my cigarettes as a result of 20 years of smoking had a huge effect on how properly I may breathe.
That was additionally the time after I stopped consuming each Saturday. By the way in which, I have not smoked since and I do not drink alcohol greater than as soon as each 6 months.
It was very troublesome to train with a coach, though I didn’t do a lot. However simply 90 minutes of bodily exercise would make me sweat by means of my garments and I may barely transfer. Once I was younger, I liked snowboarding and martial arts, however I gave up these issues for 20 years.

Earlier than and after the gymnasium, I ate very fatty meals, like home made pizza or lasagna with one thing salty. I assumed I may do that as a result of I had burned lots of energy within the gymnasium.
This was my mistake: the variety of energy I burned was a lot lower than I ate earlier than and after. My muscle mass turned very robust and my respiratory improved, however my weight didn’t drop.
So principally I now had muscle beneath all of the fats, which did not make me any extra enticing. In consequence, 6 months within the gymnasium (3 occasions per week, 90 minutes every) allowed me to lose solely 7 kilos and at the moment I weighed 256 lbs.
After 6 months, the gymnasium membership ended and I made a decision to not proceed, not as a result of it was costly with out the low cost, however as a result of I had not seen any outcomes. One of the best factor that occurred was that I used to be in a position to breathe so significantly better and I felt a lot extra confident.
In 2018 I purchased a motorcycle, however because it was very heavy and had knee issues, I could not use it.
Half 2: Meals

The 5-year-old’s phrases have been what made me shed extra pounds once more. It took me a very long time to determine which path to decide on and I made a decision to begin counting energy.
I downloaded an app that calculated that my fundamental metabolism requires 1800 energy a day; So to shed extra pounds with out bodily exercise, I wanted to eat 1,785 energy.
I began on October tenth. The one factor I utterly gave up on was the sausage and different processed meats. And the reason being {that a} sandwich will be “value” 200 energy. And there’s virtually 200g of rooster breast, which I really like too.
Regardless of all the data I discovered on the web, I didn’t cease consuming bread, sugar, or cereal, however I had a trick: I began shopping for noodles and entire wheat bread, I diminished the quantity of meals I ate and I reduce down on candy meals and changed them with darkish chocolate and gum. I did not train any greater than ice skating about 10 occasions in the course of the winter.
I observed the primary outcomes after a month – I went from 266 lbs to 257 lbs, which was an ideal probability. I wasn’t hungry the whole month as a result of I ate slightly each 3 hours, however by no means greater than 1,700 cal.
Generally I’d purchase (and nonetheless purchase) a cake or brownie with a filling, divided in 2: it was 135 limes and it allowed me to regulate the sweets I ate. I spent one other 2 months like this.

On January 10, 2021, the dimensions was exhibiting 238 kilos. I made a decision to strive a brand new plan: eat solely 15 to 23 and not more than 1,500 energy. Some folks might imagine such a food regimen is unsuitable, however my schedule is ideal and my physique would not want lots of meals anymore.
The principle meals that I eat is meat, grilled, cooked, or roasted. I eat pasta, rice, and different aspect dishes individually, typically with a cucumber and tomato salad, as a snack. Anyway, with the intention to management me and preserve my food regimen, I didn’t cease consuming issues that I’d really feel horrible with out. My each day meal schedule appears to be like like this:
- 3 p.m. A chunk of boiled or baked rooster breast / meat / fish, tea, a bit of bread with cheese, and half of a cookie. 440 cal.
- 5 p.m. Toast with cheese, tea, gummy bears. Not more than 150 cal.
- 7 p.m. Pasta / baked potatoes / rice (simply 150 g), with butter, a salad fabricated from cucumbers and tomatoes. Not more than 200-250 cal.
- 9 p.m. Tea with half a cookie. 70 cal.
- 11 p.m. A chunk of boiled or baked rooster breast / meat / fish (about 150 g), tea, apple. About 400 cal.
And What If You Do Each?

So on the finish of February 2021, my weight was 224 lbs. My purpose is to succeed in 176 lbs and solely then hit the gymnasium to realize muscle weight. I nonetheless eat in keeping with my schedule, however more often than not it is arduous to eat 1,500 cal, and I find yourself consuming solely about 1,200-1,300 cal.
What has modified since I began dropping pounds and counting energy? I can put on denims that I could not put on earlier than, and after I go upstairs, I do not really feel like I’ll suffocate. Now I even take selfies, which I averted earlier than, and discovered that I even have cheekbones!
After all, there are additionally some disagreeable issues that associate with dropping pounds. For instance, I freeze on a regular basis and my digestion shouldn’t be working in addition to it used to. However I do know that when my physique will get used to the brand new weight, these results will put on off.
And on the subject of cash, now I spend much less as a result of meat prices lower than sausage. And cabbage, regardless of the standard, may be very low cost.
What do you consider Irina’s story? Are you aware another person who additionally determined to alter his life?