Featured Fitale – LaKeisha Taylor

Please introduce yourself.

Hello I’m LaKeisha I’m a 32 year old work from home mother, I love reading and researching on my down time. When I’m not with my kids, working or studying astrology I’m at the gym!

 What sparked my weight loss journey? 

I’ve been overweight for most of my life as far as a teenager and up. I was insecure, my self-esteem was low. I always wore jackets because I was ashamed. I tried weight loss pills everything that seemed easy, my mother and uncle had just had bypasses within a month of each other, and diabetes runs on my father’s side so I decide it was time for a change.

What were my measurements? 

The heaviest I’ve weighed was 230 I wore a size 18 now I weigh 161 and I currently wear a size 10 to 11. My goal is to weigh 150 or 155.

How long did my journey take? 

I’ve been on this journey for about 3 years and counting.

What physical activities did I participate in? 

I started out with doing 50 sit ups in the morning and night then I started walking, then classes at the gym then eventually consistently going to the gym or working out at home.

How did my eating habits change? 

I cut out all liquid calories so no sodas, juices, etc. I cut my carbs and stopped eating after 8 pm.

What do I typically eat for breakfast etc? 

For breakfast I usually try to eat big so 3 to 4 egg whites, a half a cup of oatmeal, some fruit and green tea, sometimes a protein shake. For lunch I usually have a spinach and kale salad with chicken or tuna and protein drink. I try to add peanut butter to everything! Lol snack wise anyways so apples and peanut butter, or some wheat toast with peanut butter or yogurt and for dinner I’ve have baked or grilled chicken or fish usually wish spinach or broccoli and a sweet potato or quinoa.

What is your favorite fitness activity? 

Leg day! Lol I love leg day. I love squats and cable kickbacks but I’m working towards it being anything that has to do with abs!

What do I do to maintain my physique? 

Squats, exercises using resistance bands, hip bridges and tons of planks but mostly weight lifting.

How do I develop and sustain willpower? 
People keep me motivated by finding inspiration in my story and photos. There is also a situation that has stuck with me since high school. We were in class playing telephone showing how information can change by word of mouth so the teacher let us choose messages and the last person this guy was getting the message and in front of the class he says “ LaKeisha Taylor’s belly hangs over her pants”. The entire class was laughing I was cursing because I was so embarrassed and while we’re talking to the principal I just cried, I had never been so hurt and embarrassed in my life but it reminds me not to ever give anyone the power to she me feel that away about myself again.

What advice do I have for someone starting their journey? 

Never ever give up! Even if you slip up and eat the wrong thing, even if you don’t go to the gym and miss a day none of that matters, it’s the giving up that matters. As long as you keep going you will never fail. When you feel like quitting push yourself even harder!

What are the biggest misconceptions about this journey? 

I would say that it’s going to come quick and or easy it doesn’t. It’s hard work BUT if you stay committed and encourage them you will definitely see results and achieve your goals.

Who are my fitness inspirations? 

I have a few from Instagram that I absolutely love like Pita.grace, Achanty.t and Theresljenmarie there’s so many!

How can people find you? If anyone wants to follow my journey you can find me on Instagram Leogoddess85 or on Snapchat Leogodess I hope my story, my words, my sweat and tears really inspire someone Peace and blessings!