Featured Fitale – Febeh

Please introduce yourself to our readers (i.e. your name, occupation, hobbies, etc.).

My name is Febeh. I am originally from Cameroon, but my family and i immigrated to the US lamost 18 years ago. I’ve lived in the DMV since I can remember. I am currently in school working towards my DPT.

What sparked your weight-loss transformation journey?

I’ve struggle with my weight since I was 11 years old. So my weight & PCOS are the two reasons why I decided to change up my lifestyle.  I have had polycystic ovarian syndrome since I was 13 years of age. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that affects a woman’s hormone levels. Women with PCOS produce higher-than-normal amounts of male hormones. This hormone imbalance causes them to skip menstrual periods and makes it harder for them to get pregnant. PCOS can contribute to long-term health problems like diabetes and heart disease

I was on medications to treat my PCOS for 4+ years, due to lack of knowledge I didn’t start treating my PCOS until I was 20 years old. After 4+ yrs I grew tired of swallowing 4-6 horse pills a day. I was also borderline diabetic and my weight got up to almost 300lbs. I decided enough was enough and took my health into my own hands.

What was your beginning and current weight or measurements?

My starting weight January 2017 was 266lbs. I was in a size 18 dress.  I refused to wear jeans because they were never comfortable for me, i wore a size 16/18 in slacks.

I am currently jumping from 230-239lbs, I wear a size 12 in dresses and jeans. Even went down two shoe sizes. 11-9.5

How long did it take for your weight-loss transformation from beginning to end?

My journey is far from over, still learning about my body and what i need to do to continue treating my pcos naturally. My goal isn’t to weigh a certain amount because numbers in the scale put a damper on ones journey. I’m focused on reducing my bodyfat in a healthy and steady manner, learning to feed my body foods that help it thrive instead of just survive.

Which physical activities did you participate in during your journey?

So far my go to gym regimen consist of heavy lifting and HIIT cardio. My goal is to hit the gym 5-6 days a week and do my cardio 2-3 days a week.

How did your eating habits change?

After losing the same 10lbs over and over for years I decided to try the keto diet February of this year. KETO is a low carb high fat diet. I did my research and it seemed to be the perfect fit for losing weight with PCOS. Some women with pcos will tell you that they suffer from some carb sensitivity, so knowing that my body doesn’t like carb and that carbohydrates and sugar trigger my insulin to spike uncontrollably I decided to just give up carbs.

What do you typically eat for breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner? 

I practice intermittent fasting so i do not eat breakfast and i also practice OMAD-one meal a day so i usually eat one meal a day but i make sure my meal consists of all the calories i need daily. It’s not a faster way to lose weight it just prevents my insulin from spiking which helps with my PCOS.

What is your favorite fitness activity?

Weight training is my favorite fitness activity.

What do you do now to maintain your physique?

I try not to miss more than 2-3 days in the gym and i also avoid sugar in all forms except natural forms and just about all carbohydrates.

How did you develop and sustain the willpower to avoid the bad stuff (i.e. junk food, bad drinks, lack of activity, etc.)?

I chose my health over junk food. Treating my PCOS is more important than  the cheat days and treats. I want to be a mom one day and o my way that will happened is if can continue to treat my pcos and balancing my hormones.

What advice do you have for someone looking to get started with their fitness journey but not sure where to begin?

It’s okay to not always like what you see in the mirror. It’s okay to wake up and not have a single positive thing to say about yourself because honestly somedays just suck. it’s not always easy to love your body does that mean something is wrong with you. HELL NO!!

There is nothing wrong with YOU. Not. A. Thing.

What’s not okay is having that negative mindset every passing day. It’s not okay to shame yourself, it’s not okay to feed that self hatred, it’s not okay to compare yourself with these Instagram thots.

Celebrate your body whenever possible and on the days where all you see are flaws remind yourself just how phenomenal you are and remember it’s okay if you don’t love your body 24/7. There’s nothing wrong with having an off day, week, or even an off year. We are all imperfectly perfect and I LOVE it.❤

What do you think is the biggest misconception about this journey?

Your journey your pace.

Be careful when comparing the timeline and pace of your journey to that of others. People tend to lie in order to keep up with society. You don’t have to get that degree in 4 years, you don’t have to lose 100 pounds in 1 year or 5 months, you don’t have to be married in your 20s. Our society is obsessed with time, so obsessed that we rush ourselves and others around us. _

“Don’t let anyone rush you with their timelines. ”Not everything that counts can be counted and not everything that can be counted counts.” Everything in life happens according to our time, our clock. Everything happens at their own pace. They have their own time and clock and so do you. Everyone has a different clock. Wait for your time. Be patient. Create meaningful, purposeful fulfilling lives for yourselves and learn how to use that to make an impact and a difference in the lives of others. That will be true success”

Do you have any fitness inspirations?  Who are they?

Massy Arias is my greatest inspiration

How can readers learn more about your transformation and journey online (i.e. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.)

My Instagram and Facebook pages are under the name “Breakingupwithobesity”