There are many before and after weight loss transformations all over the web. Some great, some not-so-great. There’s even some that people use to just so you can buy something. But then there are some that literally make you say “WOW” because of their honesty and transparency on their journey to weight loss. One of those is definitely Danaka, better known as @Danakafit on social media.
Dana pulls no punches when it comes to her weight loss whether good or bad–that’s why we love her. She’s totally transparent about what it took to reach her weight loss goals and when and where she may have stumbled. All in all, she’s one of the most giving online personalities when it comes to weight loss.
At her heaviest she was over 240 pounds, then she got serious about her weight and dropped over 100 pounds naturally, to get to 130. But then a tragedy happened and she fell back (like many of us do) and her current weight according to her instagram is 175lbs.
Take a look at Danaka’s journey from her own words below and you’ll see why you need to follow her too.
“I was a chubby little kid, slimmed out in high school, because of unhealthy eating habits, then packed on the pounds in college,” explains Danaka on her Instagram. “Thereafter, I was always on “diet” but never successfully lost weight or maintained any lost weight over a period of months. Emotional eating and addictions to junk foods along with unhealthy habits prevented me truly enjoying my life. I was over 240lbs. I stopped weighing myself and I kept getting bigger. I have very few pictures of this time because I didn’t want any record of it. I thought I was large framed “big boned” and this would just be my life.”
“On New Years Eve 2013, I went to a party where I was the only ‘Big Girl’ and I hated myself for it. I felt insecure, uncomfortable, ashamed and in that moment I decided that I did not want to feel that way anymore.”
“In Jan 2014, I started eating a salad for lunch. Each month after I challenged and pushed myself. I had to get the eating part under control. I started working out and continued to lose weight. In July 2014, I started working with a…
… WeightLoss coach @poloprincessnyc and trainer @nkemsway my results doubled. I started to follow #keto plan (I ate only lc hf hp meals) The habits and routines that I’ve developed over the past few months are still a part of my routine to this day. In the gym I would lift heavy and I love cardio (sorta). I’m a lot more flexible with food and I no longer exercise daily. In the first 14 months, I lost 108 pounds. I got close to my “recommended weight” (Lowest was 131lbs). I went from over 45% bodyfat to 24% bodyfat. I’m smaller than I’ve been since high school and I’m stronger than ever! This past summer I lost someone who was a major ???? part of my life and I haven’t been the same since. I ended up GAINING 30lbs, lost a lot of muscle and now I’m working to get back to where I was.”
“If you’re starting out over 200lbs or are considered “obese” (per BMI chart) or are not happy with your current weight, don’t lose hope, keep going, don’t ever stop.”
“This is mostly a mind game and once you conquer your mind, you will be invincible!!!”
“Sometimes you have to look back at your past to see how far you have come and remind yourself of how far you can go. It’s odd starting over with the experience of setting a goal and meeting it and having to meet it again.
“The good news is that I can look at my own transformation as inspiration and a goal. When I was larger, it was all I knew. Now that I have gained weight, I can feel it. I can feel the extra weight when waking, running or lifting. Everything feels different whereas before I didn’t notice it (until I lost weight). I do get very annoyed and impatient. I have to keep reminding myself that it takes time and with consistency I can get there. Everyday I have to remind myself: I can do this!”
For more on Danaka, find her journey here.