Andrea BoldBody has battled lupus, hypothyroidism, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which, alongside the birth of her second son, affected her weight.
Determined to overhaul her sentient lifestyle, the 37-year-old, who has two sons, aged 12 and 17, decided enough was enough – changing her diet and fitness routines and losing 100lbs.
And Andrea, who weighed around 2340lbs at her heaviest, says she’s now healthier than she was as a teenager.
“To end up in better shape now than I was at 17, while in high school, speaks volumes, Andrea, from Houston, Texas, who has 71,600 followers (@andreaboldbodytravels), told NeedToKnow.co.uk.
“During my weight loss journey, I went through a divorce, which gave me the motivation to lose the additional 30lbs and keep it off.
“I eventually healed my relationship with food and poured the energy I was putting into my marriage into myself instead and flourished.
“But it’s not been easy, especially with being diagnosed with PCOS a few years ago – which caused me hair loss, acne, and facial hair growth too.
“So I had to deal with that, plus the lupus, on top of the weight.
“I always thought of myself as cute but it depressed me that I was so big.
“When the scale showed 234 lbs, I refused to step back on it.
“I would make my kids get in front of me in photos or just take pictures of my face because I was embarrassed of my body.
“I didn’t attend a friend’s birthday once because I was ashamed of how I looked.
“I’ve struggled with my weight all my life but after taking a corporate job I hated, I gained 60+lbs and was no longer able to keep up with my kids.
“I was even embarrassed of my body when being intimate with my now ex-husband.”
Andrea claims colleagues would laugh at her and claims they cruelly said they “couldn’t see the difference” after she shed her first 15lbs.
But as the pounds continued to fall off, the mum says these same people asked if she could then train them, too.
She said: “The same ones who teased me started asking for my help and advice.
“It’s been an incredible journey not only externally but also internally in giving me the confidence in my body and what I’m capable of.“
Suffering from Lupus means that Andrea hasn’t had an easy ride when it comes to her weight loss journey.
Heavy lifting poses a struggle to the mum-of-two and recovery takes “twice as long.”
She said: “My immune system is weak, making me more susceptible to getting sick.
“So, bouncing back from any workout or even a cold feels like a never-ending process.
“When I have a flare, it’s excruciating. It feels like I have the flu with the body aches.
“Lupus isn’t a walk in the park.”
Doctors tried to help Andrea by offering her medications for her health conditions but nothing worked.
And after researching lupus, she decided she had to heal her gut – which meant completely overhauling her diet and starting from scratch.
To kickstart her natural weight loss journey, the mum started with an elimination diet by first ditching beef and pork in favour of leaner proteins and vegetables.
She also cut out alcohol, coffee, dairy, gluten, and any “fried, dyed, or bagged” foods with preservatives, as well as limited her sugar intake to less than 50g per day.
Andrea said: “When I would slip up and eat one of these foods, I noticed how upset my stomach would get.
“I would get gassy, bloated, constipated.
“The diet didn’t just help with my weight, but also my PCOS.
“Being a single mom to two young boys, and working a full-time job throughout my weight loss journey, I prioritised the gym and meal prepping instead of making excuses.
“The dedicated time I invested in my health has provided me with incredible results.”
“I still have a big sweet tooth.
“Everything is fried in Texas, so I used to eat a lot of fried meals for dinner, as well as doughnuts, breads, cakes, and high-calories drinks.”
Alongside her new diet, Andrea hit the gym hard, focusing on cardio.
The mum dropped 60lbs in the first 12 months and another 40lbs in the following five years.
Andrea now works as a TikTok creator and spiritual retreat host and shares her journey online.
She added: “I genuinely think anyone can achieve this.”
“I hope that my personal story can serve as a source of encouragement for anyone else with a similar journey.
“Sharing my experiences, both the struggles and triumphs, is a way to install the belief that we have the capacity to overcome obstacles in our weight loss journey.”
*** FACT BOX: TIPS FOR HOW TO GET STARTED WITH WEIGHT LOSS ***
The mum has also shared eight of her top tips to help others achieve similar results.
SET REALISTIC GOALS
“Break down your weight loss goal into smaller, achievable milestones. One to two pounds a week is a great start.”
FIND AN ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER
“Whether it’s a friend, family member, or a workout buddy, accountability can make a significant difference.”
MIX UP YOUR ROUTINE
“If your workouts or meals are becoming monotonous, try something new.
“Explore different forms of exercise, and experiment with healthy recipes to keep things interesting.”
FOCUS ON NON-SCALE VICTORIES
“Don’t solely measure your progress by the number on the scale.
“Notice improvements in energy levels, better sleep or my personal favourite is the way my clothes fit differently.”
PRACTICE SELF-COMPASSION
“Instead of being too hard on yourself, acknowledge the challenges and refocus on your goals.”
VISUALISE YOUR SUCCESS
“Imagine yourself achieving your weight loss goals.
“Visualization can be a powerful motivator and help you stay focused on the positive outcomes.”
SEEK PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE
“Consult with an expert to create a personalised plan that aligns with your goals and lifestyle.”
PRACTICE MINDFUL EATING
“Pay attention to what and how much you eat.
“Mindful eating can help you develop a healthier relationship with food and prevent overeating.”
