Real Life Weight Loss: Why a selfie made one woman lose 220lbs in two years
How Minnesotan Stacy Blair shed 220lbs and became a healthy lifestyle coach, after a revealing selfie changed everything
When a selfie caused her to burst into tears, Stacy Blair decided she needed to change. The 31-year-old from Minneapolis, Minnesota, US, felt miserable after stepping on the scales at 352.4lbs.
Stacy decided that this time would be different to previous weight loss attempts and she was going to do it for her health.
Even a knee injury did not hamper Stacy’s efforts as she focused on a healthy diet. In under two years, Stacy managed to lose an incredible 220lbs.
Stacy told Truly: “I am a true testament to how important food is on your weight loss journey.”
Following a bike accident in June 2019, Stacy struggled to hold her own head up but after starting her fitness journey earlier this year, she is able to smash out push ups and burpees in her workouts.
Having gained 30lbs following the accident, Stacy managed to lose the weight again, developed muscles and dropped to 27% body fat. Stacy now weighs 151lbs which means she is maintaining a 200lbs weight loss since she started in September 2017.
Stacy said: “This was my opportunity to focus on my strength and not so much the scale, and just the way I feel and how I fit in clothes, and my body fat percentage.” In January 2020, Stacy started her business: Losing For Health.
Get the Fit&Well Newsletter
Start your week with achievable workout ideas, health tips and wellbeing advice in your inbox.
Now, as a healthy lifestyle coach, she is helping others develop healthy habits, and lose weight as a bonus on their journeys. Stacy said: “Find your why that is stronger than your most powerful excuse.”
Our takeaway? Stacy's reliance on diet for weight loss. Exercise can burn calories and keep you fit and healthy, but taking a structured approach to your diet is the best way to slim down.
Consider keeping a food diary as a way to continue being mindful about what you eat. One study, published by the Kaiser Permanente's Center for Health Research, also found the more food records people kept, the more weight they lost.
Participants who spent just over 14 minutes per day actually recording how much they ate and drank actually DOUBLED their weight loss progress. Yep: just being mindful about what you eat could help you dramatically drop lbs.
Liked this? More RLWL stories here:
Matt Evans is an experienced health and fitness journalist and is currently Fitness and Wellbeing Editor at TechRadar, covering all things exercise and nutrition on Fit&Well's tech-focused sister site. Matt originally discovered exercise through martial arts: he holds a black belt in Karate and remains a keen runner, gym-goer, and infrequent yogi. His top fitness tip? Stretch.
-
Just four minutes of vigorous everyday activity can have serious health benefits, according to this expert
Active Ageing Carrying shopping or brief bursts of power walking can cut the risk of heart attack by 50% a new study finds—here's how to make VILPA one of your healthy habits for 2025
By Sam Rider Published
-
A Pilates instructor says these three exercises will strengthen your pelvic floor and lower abs
Pilates Everyone can benefit from pelvic floor exercises—here's why
By Alice Porter Published
-
Real life weight loss: How this woman lost 100lbs in less than a year (and kept it off)
Weight loss Londoner Martyna lost 100lbs in a year after placing a bet against herself online
By Matt Evans Published
-
Real life weight loss: How Chris lost nearly 180lbs safely and sustainably over 4 years
Weight Loss Californian Chris began his weight loss after looking in the mirror and seeing "nothing but a heart attack" waiting for him
By Matt Evans Published
-
Real life weight loss: From being 360lbs and anxious to losing 160lbs in two years
Weight loss Thomas was approaching 400lbs, anxious and depressed. Now, he's 160lbs down, active and more outgoing
By Matt Evans Published
-
Real life weight loss: How this woman lost 105lbs after getting pregnant at 21
Weight loss Brianna became a single mother and decided to turn her life around for her daughter, losing 105lbs
By Matt Evans Published
-
Real life weight loss: How this California man lost 242lbs in two years
Weight loss Matthew Rivera lost an incredible amount of weight, going from 487lbs to 242lbs in just two years with lifestyle changes
By Matt Evans Published
-
Real life weight loss: How this woman lost 200lbs through healthy lifestyle changes
Weight loss Danitza Casas lost an incredible 200lbs with the help of walking, spin classes and an accountability partner
By Matt Evans Published
-
Real Life Weight Loss: How this busy mom lost 130lbs in 11 months
Weight Loss Brianna lost 130lbs without stepping foot in the gym, to create a better life for her and her daughter
By Fit&Well Published
-
Real life weight loss: "I lost 215lbs and changed my life after a suicide attempt"
Weight Loss Summer Stultz changed her life after losing 215lbs, feeling fitter and stronger than ever – but left with loose skin
By Matt Evans Published