Lexi Lowther, 23, made a New Year's resolution in 2018 to drop 10 pounds. She ended up losing 50, going from a size 14 to a size four in less than eight months. She lost the weight naturally with just a few simple changes to her diet and adding in some moderate exercise a few times a week.
Keep reading to learn the details of her journey to feeling happier and more confident. Be sure to read all the way until the end, where she shares the top 20 things this weight-loss journey has taught her.
Lexi's Journey Begins
Image Source: Lexi Lowther
"I knew I was gaining weight at a fast pace. Every season I went up an entire pant size," she told POPSUGAR. "I didn't like what I was seeing in the mirror, I hated going shopping for clothes, and most certainly didn't want to be in any pictures. I knew I needed to change because I was simply unhappy with who I was becoming."
Lexi's journey began on Jan. 1, 2018, at 178 pounds. It was the first New Year's resolution she has ever successfully finished. "It was originally to just lose 10 pounds by summertime, and look how far it brought me."
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Lexi's Diet
Image Source: Lexi Lowther
"I bought some $20 bento boxes from Amazon to use for meal prepping," she said. "Even if I didn't have time to prep, I put my food in the box instead of on a plate because my biggest struggle was overeating. These boxes really helped me with my portion control."
Lexi also started eating clean and stopped buying foods that were in a box, frozen dinners, and fast foods. She did rough estimates on calories and macros, consuming about 1,500 to 1,700 calories a day (her calorie intake is higher now that she works out more). Lexi added, "Protein was the macro I focused on the most. I tried to eat half my bodyweight and sometimes more in grams of protein."
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What Lexi Eats in a Day
Image Source: Lexi Lowther
Breakfast: Two slices of Dave's Killer Bread with one mashed avocado and boiled egg spread on top. She adds a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of chia seeds to finish it off. "Weird, I know, but it is delicious!"
Lunch: She likes to make a salad with a bag of StarKist tuna since it's a big time-saver for protein. "I normally have spring mix, blueberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, almonds, light feta cheese, and top it off with some light balsamic vinaigrette dressing."
Dinner: Chicken breast stuffed with asparagus, red peppers, and feta cheese cooked on the grill. "I normally pair this with cottage cheese or a sweet potato."
Snacks: "I love anything made by the brand Kashi. I love their bars, cereal, and of course the cookies are amazing!"
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Lexi's Workouts
Image Source: Lexi Lowther
Lexi's workout schedule started in baby steps. "At first, I went to a local gym and left within minutes. I then decided I would walk in the evenings. Walking led to cycling and cycling led to me setting up a home gym." She added that she tries to work out three to four times a week. "It has taken me months to get to where I am."
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Lexi's Motivation
Image Source: Lexi Lowther
Lexi was able to lose 50 pounds in seven to eight months. "My significant other was deployed for the duration of my major weight loss. His homecoming was my drive to keep pushing myself to do better. Talk about a surprise when he finally came home! Now, we both keep each other balanced and motivated. Our relationship is stronger than ever before."
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Lexi's Nonscale Victories
Image Source: Lexi Lowther
Apart from being able to move from a size 14 to a size four, "I have more self-confidence and self-love," Lexi shared. She's more positive, and her glass is always half-full now. She has energy to do anything, and her sleeping schedule has improved dramatically.
Another bonus? "No more acne! My face has become so clear." What's more, the issues she had with her digestive tract are no longer there — all amazing things!
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Top 20 Things Her Weight-Loss Journey Has Taught Her
Image Source: Lexi Lowther
These are the biggest lessons Lexi told us she learned:
"Listen to your body."
"Do not cut out any food groups completely."
"No fad diets! Fads come and go, a healthy lifestyle change lasts forever."
"Willpower is the only thing you need to start your journey."
"There is no magic pill."
"Give yourself cheat meals."
"Do not fear the scale."
"Surround yourself with positive people."
"The cleaner, the leaner."
"Don't let setbacks discourage you."
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Top 20 Things Her Weight-Loss Journey Has Taught Her (Continued)
Image Source: Lexi Lowther
"Make small goals and crush them."
"Don't expect immediate results. Slow and steady wins the race."
"The body can achieve anything as long as the mind convinces itself."
"Treat yo' self!"
"Water is your best friend."
"You must be in a calorie deficit to lose weight."
"Make your deficit gradual. Baby steps, baby steps."
"No two bodies are the same, so the journey will be different."
"Remember, a lion does not concern itself with the opinion of sheep."
