While many of our readers send us emails, DM's and personal messages about how to lose weight, there are a number of people who also want to gain weight, but gain it the right way. As we get older our metabolism starts to slow down and we naturally put on extra pounds--usually in all the wrong places.
So what about those women who want to gain weight in all the right places, without sacrificing their health. Many who try to do it end up with high blood pressure, heart disease or something worse. That's why when we heard about fitness trainer, BreAnna Dore', better known as @FitnessDore on social media, from a number of our fans, we knew we had to share.
BrAnna has personal experience from starting a very low point in her life to finding her calling in fitness, gaining weight the right way, and now showing others how to do it too.
You May Also Like
Here's what BreAnna has to say in her own words.
"My personal experience with losing my father to a heart attack drove me to a really dark place," explains BreAnna to Afrogirlfitness.com. "I lost myself completely and almost gave up on life. After four years, I started working out with a trainer to prepare for a pageant. Then, I realized that I felt so much stronger whenever I worked out. So, I started sharing my workouts on my social media page and noticed other people reposting it. At that moment, I realized that this journey was no longer just about me anymore."
"Unlike the average, I was on a weight gain journey. So, initially I would consume a lot of the wrong foods because I thought that was how I was supposed to gain weight. I wasn’t noticing any changes. So, I started doing my own research and found that in order to gain weight, I would have to consume calorie-rich food and lift weights. So, my workout consists of light to moderate cardio to strengthen my heart. I then spend the majority of my workout lifting weights targeting the lower body and glutes. I do a lot of squats, lunges and butt lift exercises using weights on a barbell or free weights."
You May Also Like
"I changed my eating habits by creating a schedule. I created my own plan and listed my meals along with the time to eat next to it. Then, I set my alarm on my phone for each meal time so that I could get in the habit of eating at least six calorie-rich meals a day. I also started meal prepping so that it would be easier for me not to get off track during lunch because my meals were already prepped."
"My starting weight was 99 lbs. and my current weight is 140 lbs."
"Honestly, my transformation took about three years because I wasn’t consistent. I was a college student working three jobs and stressed on occasion. So, once I finally developed a habit and stuck with it, I started to see quicker results within three months. Everyone’s journey is different because everyone has different life experiences. So, a person has to really reach deep down inside and find the strength within to push through no matter what! This journey is not easy, but I guarantee you it’s worth it!"
"The hardest part about my transformation was trying to put on weight the healthy way. A lot of people may think of a fitness journey as only 'losing' weight, but there are so many people that are also trying to gain. I’m genetically very thin and I wanted a curvier figure. So, it would be times when I felt like giving up but I would look back at where started and keep pushing forward. For me, it was more than just a physical transformation. I was also on this journey for mental healing and to just be happy again!"
In one of her instagram posts, she says:
"If only I had known all of those nights of me crying myself to sleep would lead me where I am today. I was so unhappy with my body. I felt weak, small and ashamed of myself. I was stressed due to the loss of loved ones and I was in an unhealthy relationship. I was barely eating and when I did eat, I would consume a lot of fast food at one time. I told myself that it was time to stop living like this. I walked away from that unhealthy relationship. I prayed and asked God to help me remember my loved ones but allow me to go on with my life. By the grace of God, I found the strength within me to push through the pain and get in the gym. I remained consistent and initially started drinking Ensure to gain weight. After much research, I begin to learn about protein powders (Mass XXX), proper nutrition (meal prep) and proper exercise form and it transformed me into who I am today. At one point in my life I was on the verge of giving it all up, but God's grace and fitness saved my life."
"Ladies, I know what it feels like to want a more curvier butt lift. Trust me, at one point I was unhappy with my shape until one day I decided to stop feeling sorry for myself. I remember this day like yesterday. I looked...
...myself in the mirror and said starting tonight, I'm going to do my butt lift workout every night before bed until I reach my goal. No matter how much it burned or how bad I wanted to quit, I remained consistent! After about three months, I started to notice a difference! So, now I'm going to help you reach your goal!"
I thank God for being by side throughout my journey. There was always this strength within me that kept me going even when I felt like giving up. No matter what, I never lost my faith and because of that, God never left me.
My advice to anyone looking to start their own journey would be to set a realistic target date for yourself. Write this day on a calendar and work towards your goal until you reach this day! A lot of times, it’s not that we can’t complete a workout or eat healthy. It’s typically because we can’t remain consistent. So, commit to yourself today! Set a target date and accomplish your goal! Don’t go through another year wishing for your dream body. Work for it now so that you can motivate someone else later!
Original story posted here.
