A woman has left TikTok users stunned after sharing her six-stone weight loss transformation online – after shifting the weight in just one year.
Allie Tarvin, 21, a student from Alabama, US, had struggled her entire life with losing weight, trying “trending” diets such as keto in the past where she often found herself giving up as she felt restricted.
Growing up, her class peers used to comment on her weight and soon, she started making fun of her own body, as well as calling herself “fat” so that nobody else would say anything.
She started experiencing fatigue, a lack of self-confidence and recalls hating the way she looked, where she began to feel embarrassed about her body, and weighed 15st 7lbs at her heaviest.
She decided to completely overhaul her lifestyle – changing her diet and adopting a healthy workout regime.
Now, one year later, she has lost 6st 5lbs, weighing 9st 2lbs and the transformation has had an incredible impact on her life.
“I feel so happy and proud of my body now – I feel like a new person,” Allie, who shares her transformation on Instagram (@alliemae.fit), told NeedToKnow.online.
“Every aspect of my body feels healthier, as well as being confident and strong.
“For years, I have done diets where I would restrict myself and this made me give up faster.
“I would lose a few pounds here and there, but eventually gained it all back, plus some more.
“[These methods] made me feel very sick and made changes to my taste buds, as well as my sense of smell and period cycle.
“I also tried intermittent fasting, which caused me to binge eat instead.
“I’ve always been very insecure about my body image and I always felt like I was overweight, where I never felt happy in my body.
“I was tired of feeling unhealthy all the time and my weight was affecting my mental health.
“After hitting nearly 16st on the scales, I felt very ashamed and I told myself there and then I was going to put in the work no matter how long it took or how hard it would be.”
Before, she recalls eating fast food for almost every meal with a big breakfast combo from McDonald’s and a sweet tea for breakfast, fried chicken and fries or tacos for lunch, and for dinner she would eat out most nights.
Allie used to snack on milkshakes, crisps and any fried leftovers from the night before – indulging in anything her heart desired.
Now, she eats eggs for breakfast, grilled chicken or turkey sandwiches for lunch and steak with a salad for dinner.
However, she doesn’t restrict her cravings and still allows some snacks, but has switched up the processed food for nuts, peanut butter and apples.
Alongside her diet changes, she also started exercising and now goes to the gym six times a week.
She said: “Before my weight loss, exercise was minimal and I laid in bed most days, only going to the gym up to two days a week.
“I would do mostly cardio with no plan and soon, I grew to love the gym, as well as fitness.
“I started to be more active in and out of the gym, where during my peak weight loss, I followed a workout plan for five days of the week.
“On Monday, I do a full-body day, followed by biceps and triceps on Tuesday, with a focus on legs on Wednesdays.
“I focus on my back and chest on Thursdays, have a full cardio day on Friday and then rest for the weekend.
“As far as my social life, people have become more accepting. I have noticed a difference in the way people treat me – most people are more friendly or inviting.”
In a bid to inspire others, she decided to upload her transformation on TikTok – racking up 7.8 million views and 1.1 million likes on one video.
In the clip, she shows her previous body while taking off a waist trainer, before revealing her body now.
In a two-piece gym outfit, she steps back, smiles and turns to the side while showing off her toned stomach.
Users shared their words of support in the comments, with many impressed by her efforts.
“Y’all it’s done with hard work and a calorie deficit there not magical fix,” one person commented.
Another viewer added: “Wow you can totally see it in your face!! Good for you girl!!”
“This is such an amazing confident girl I could never,” someone else wrote.
One viewer said: “I think you dropped this,” followed by a crown emoji.
“I’m very proud of u,” another person commented. [sic]
Allie added: “I felt like if people saw my transformation, they would know they can do it too.
“I know how it feels to be a person who doesn’t know where to start in their weight loss journey and I also shared because I was proud of myself.
“It’s inspired me to continue with my fitness lifestyle and motivated me to do better.
“There is no ‘right’ time to start your weight loss journey and you can start by simply walking around your neighbourhood.
“Just put in the effort every day and stop coming up with excuses as to why you can’t, because you can do anything you put your mind to.
“Every aspect of my life feels better and I believe this weight loss has taught me so many things that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
“I have grown such a huge love for fitness.”
DIET BEFORE:
Breakfast: Chicken finger combo and sweet tea
Lunch: Taco Bell burritos and slushie
Dinner: Fried chicken sandwiches and fries
Snacks: Crisps, ice cream, Debbie cakes
DIET AFTER:
Breakfast: Muscle milk or water
Lunch: Egg sandwich and water
Dinner: Grilled chicken with a side salad
Snacks: Nuts, eggs or popcorn
