My name is Nicki Albarran Newell (@nickialbarrannewell), and I am 25 years old. I’m from Richmond, Texas. During the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine period I decided to start tracking my macros and doing at-home workouts to lose weight and transform my physical and mental health.
I was always a larger-bodied kid throughout elementary andhigh school. I played sports throughout high school and was able to maintain my weight until my senior year when I quit soccer to pursue my future in agriculture. Slowly, the weight started to pile on. But I tried to not pay any mind to it.
In 2015, my mom mentioned I was gaining weight, but I never really wanted to admit it to myself, but I never really wanted to admit it to myself and pushed the thought to the back of my mind. After taking some time to recognize the weight gain and how my clothes were fitting day to day,I started my first weight loss journey that lasted about six months.I quit because I wasn’t seeing the results I wanted quickly. Then, I was back at square one and gained even more weight (about 50 to 60 pounds) over the next five years.
Fast-forward to 2019, when a coworker and I wanted to lose weight for our New Year’s resolutions. But January 1 hit and we didn’t act on it.
It wasn’t until COVID-19 hit in 2020 and everything shut down that I acted on my weight loss goals because I finally had the time to dedicate myself to it.
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It felt like the perfect time to focus solely on myself and my health for once. I was 25 and didn’t feel confident in my own body, something needed to change for the better. I got on the scale randomly and saw “305” pounds. I had never weighed that much in my life, and it got me thinking, How the heck did I let myself get to this weight at 25?
When I first tried to lose weight in 2015, I had looked up every diet known to man: Atkins, paleo, keto, intermittent fasting, Weight Watchers, you name it. Nothing felt like the right thing for me. In 2020, when I started to work out again, I told myself to watch my portions, and not to deprive myself.
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After combining those tried-and-true weight loss tactics with my workouts, weight slowly started to come off.
I was happy to see a change. The further along I got into my journey, I started tracking my macros (proteins, fats, and carbs), so I could make sure I was getting the proper nutrients my body needed. It’s crazy to see how much your body changes when you give it the proper amount of food daily!
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Here’s what I eat in a day.
- Breakfast: Premier Protein shake, diced sausage, diced hash browns, whole-wheat tortilla, and reduced-fat Monterey and Colby Jack cheese.
- Lunch: Grilled chicken (5-7 oz.), brown rice or some potato source, carrots, and some sort of sauce with my chicken.
- Snacks: Protein shake, Light & Fit yogurt, carrots, fruit, or pepperoni.
- Dinner: Tacos with grilled chicken or 93.7 percent lean ground beef with whole-wheat tortillas, reduced-fat cheese, Daisy light sour cream, and rice or beans.
- Dessert: Light whipped cream and strawberries.
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Gyms were closed due to the pandemic, so I made my own at-home workouts that I did with a friend about three times a week.
Once things finally started to open up a bit, I joined Camp Gladiator, which is like a HIIT-style workout. I go there three times a week, and that’s when the changes really started to become noticeable.
I have also started training to compete in the Summer Shred Classic in October, a physique show, so I have added in three gym workouts each week. I never imagined I’d be working out six times a week, but I’m loving honoring my body and moving it daily.
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These three changes made the biggest difference in my weight-loss results.
- I started drinking more water. I used to hate drinking water. I mostly drank sweet tea or a fountain Coke. I had seen these half gallon water jugs on Instagram by HydroJug and bought one to help me stay accountable with drinking water. I now drink almost a gallon of water daily, and once in a blue moon I’ll have a Gatorade Zero. But buying that half gallon jug has changed my water intake for the better!
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- I measured my progress by how my clothes fit. Before I had even noticed a change in my weight, I mostly noticed that my clothes were slowly but surely starting to fit loose! Now I get excited when I see my clothes are starting to get big and I get to go shop for new outfits!
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- I acknowledged I was overeating. I never really acknowledged this disordered eating reality until I became more and more aware of what and how much food I was putting into my body. I used to ignore the fact that I’d get food before going somewhere in case I didn’t like what they had to eat, and then eat again when I got there. Once I came to the realization that I had a problem with overeating, I learned how to set myself with times to eat my meals and snacks so I wouldn’t get that urge to binge eat because I was bored, stressed, or just wanted to eat. My binge eating has come to a stop.
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Overall I’ve lost between 45 and 50 pounds so far, but I’m not stopping there—my goal is to lose about 100 pounds overall.
If you’re looking to start a weight loss journey, focus on your body and your mental health when starting out. Not many people talk about the mental strain a weight loss journey can be! It’s equally a mental battle along with physical.
And second, have fun doing it! Don’t deprive yourself because you have a deadline to lose the weight. Enjoy your journey, live your life, and be the best version of yourself that you possibly can! You owe it to yourself to be happy.
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