R&B singer, actress and Braxton Family Values star Trina Braxton is looking absolutely amazing these days! Since just about everyone is in New Year’s resolution-mode, BlackDoctor.org thought it’d be very “fitting” to ask Trina to share some of her top weight loss secrets.
BDO: Where are you right now in terms of your weight loss goals?
TB: I gained almost 40 pounds. I went from 135 to 170 pounds. I am now at 146, with ten more to go. It was definitely a challenge!
BDO: What’s your relationship with weight loss?
TB: The scale and I used to be great friends…until I turned 35. Then, my stressors triggered my weight gain.
BDO: What are some of those stressors?
TB: My relationships, and being a mom to two teenagers.
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BDO: When did you realize that you wanted to lose weight? What was the catalyst?
TB: I was skinny girl all my life. What made me realize I had to change was when I saw myself on the TV, and when the things in my closet didn’t fit. My sister literally called Weight Watchers for me and registered me.
BDO: Did you stay with Weight Watchers?
TB: No, I didn’t actually go.
BDO: So what did you end up doing?
TB: I took a hard look at what I needed to change about my lifestyle…at what my challenges were.
BDO: And what were those challenges?
TB: My challenges were going to the gym and eating differently. Before my weight loss journey, I was depriving myself, then overeating when I did indulge. When, at first, the scale didn’t change, I ate more because I was frustrated. I learned that sometimes inches are lost before you see numbers drop on the scale.
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BDO: So, how did you push through the challenges?
TB: At first I thought, “I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. Maybe I’m meant to be this way.” But then, I just kept pushing through it. I also learned that water is your friend. Eventually, the pounds kept falling off.
BDO: You “learned that water is your friend.” Does that mean you don’t like water?
TB: I did not like water. I had to find water enhancers. Flavored drops, Crystal Light fruit punch, zero flavored drinks. These helped me get my intake.
BDO: What have been the most effective aspects of your weight loss success?
TB: Drinking water, pushing through challenges, taking the stairs, making myself stop cutting corners, and not eating everything on my plate. I really had to learn portion control. For example, now, when I’m at a restaurant, I ask for half of my meal to immediately be packed to go.
BDO: What does your exercise schedule look like?
TB: When my schedule is okay I work out 5 times a week. I take a core class with weights and I do walk/run interval training.
BDO: What is your favorite exercise?
TB: Weight training is my favorite. I like the burn that your body gets. It gives you a sense of accomplishment. I love thinking, “I really worked this! I’m really gonna see the results!”
BDO: What is your least favorite exercise?
TB: I hate working on my legs. I don’t like squats or lunges. That’s why my legs are a challenge. Upper body, no problem. Legs…problem.
BDO: Now what about food? What is your favorite healthy food?
TB: I love juicing, and I love tofu. I LOVE it , love it, love it!
BDO: How about your favorite guilty pleasure food?
TB: Pasta and red wine.
BDO: What would you say are some of the top things your weight loss journey has taught you?
TB: I’m not at 120, and I probably won’t be there again. I can’t judge myself today on how I used to look. I’m not facing the challenges I was when I was 20.
BDO: Any additional words of advise to women out there who are either on or considering going on weight loss journeys of their own?
TB: I would say don’t give up. Be accountable for yourself. And…water, water, water everywhere! Water is your friend. I promise!
