Laura Govan, known for her role on Basketball Wives: LA and as the fiancée of former NBA player Gilbert Arenas, has undergone a remarkable weight loss transformation. Her journey, marked by dedication and lifestyle changes, offers valuable insights for anyone seeking to improve their health and well-being. Govan's experience highlights the importance of mindset, diet, exercise, and self-acceptance in achieving weight loss goals.
The Starting Point
Before her weight loss, Laura Govan weighed 234 pounds, a significant increase from her pre-baby weight of 117 pounds. Govan told Celebuzz, “This is who I’ve always known,” Govan told Celebuzz in a new interview. “I’ve only known the 225-pound pregnant Laura for five years. She attributed her weight gain to overeating, admitting to consuming an average of two cakes per week.
The Turning Point: Mindset and Motivation
Laura Govan's transformation began with a change in mindset. “I had to change my mind first. I had to make up my mind that I wanted to lose weight, but I still ate like I was pregnant. She emphasized the importance of mental preparation and determination in achieving her goals. To reinforce her commitment, Govan used visual reminders, placing photos of herself at her heaviest weight in strategic locations such as her pantry, car, phone, refrigerator, and stove. “I took photos of me at 224 pounds, I placed them in my pantry because I’m a snacker, in my car, on my phone, in the refrigerator, on my phone, on the stove. I had to remind myself that this is where I was and this is where I want to be.
Govan also found motivation in an unexpected place: her daughter's comments. After being snapped back to reality by the gibes of her child, the former athlete and basketball coach took action.
Initially, Govan's motivation was fueled by a desire to impress her fiancé, Gilbert Arenas. “My first motivation was to get back at Gilbert like, ‘I’ll show you what you lost.’ But it became more than that. However, her focus soon shifted to personal well-being and self-acceptance. “Once you learn to live in your own skin, everything else just comes into place,” she said.
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Diet Overhaul: Cutting Sugar and Embracing Greens
A significant aspect of Laura Govan's weight loss journey was changing her diet. “I had to change my whole lifestyle,” Govan said. She made a conscious effort to reduce her sugar intake, acknowledging the difficulty of this change. “I can’t break sugar down,” she said. There’s so much sugar in so many things. Changing my diet was hard. Govan also focused on incorporating more nutritious foods into her diet, emphasizing green vegetables and hydration. “I just try to eat a lot of green stuff, stay hydrated,” she said. “I eat a lot of kale, spinach, green apples, cucumbers.
Exercise Regimen: Finding Time and Staying Active
Laura Govan incorporated regular exercise into her daily routine. “I started working out. I had to change my mind. Despite her busy schedule as a mother, Govan found creative ways to stay active. “The difficult part was the timing, I didn’t have much time,” Govan admits. “I had to figure out when and where I could work out - in the morning before they [my kids] got up and at night when they went down…and in between I’d work out with them at soccer practice. She engaged in conditioning, running, and weightlifting. “I do conditioning, running, weightlifting. Govan also found ways to exercise at home, utilizing her surroundings and even incorporating her children into her workouts. Laura says a strict exercise routine, that included carting her children in a wagon tied around her torso, brought her down to a much more familiar size and back to the Laura she knew.
Addressing Health Issues: Bacterial Vaginosis
During her weight loss journey, Laura Govan also addressed a health issue: bacterial vaginosis. She makes it clear that while she didn’t “go around smelling like salmon croquette,” there was a “little cardboard” smell and an overhaul of discharge going on down below. She sought medical treatment and made lifestyle adjustments to resolve the issue. Aside from a diet change (including a lot of water to flush out toxins and laying off of sugar - “I can’t even eat a Starbust,” she said), she had to get on an antibiotic regimen and make a shift to cotton underwear as opposed to the thongs she was wearing. “Oooo them thongs boy!” Govan said. These included antibiotic treatment and switching to cotton underwear.
Dealing with Setbacks: Miscarriage and Emotional Health
Laura Govan faced a personal setback when she suffered a miscarriage. Laura Govan recently used Instagram to share a very personal story with her fans and asked them for support to get her life back on a positive path. The Basketball Wives LA star revealed that she had suffered a miscarriage and it took a serious toll on her mental and physical health. She openly shared her experience on social media, seeking support and encouraging other women to do the same. “I wanted to share something with U guys and why I’ve been out of the loop, well #NRealLife for the past three months I’ve been sick, and extremely exhausted and about a month ago I found out that I was pregnant with my 5th baby, which I thought was impossible,” she wrote on Instagram. “Unfortunately, I had a miscarriage. When it happened I didn’t want to talk about or deal with it, but now I’m ready to get my life back on track!” Govan used this difficult time as an opportunity to focus on her health and well-being, launching a fitness challenge to lose the weight she had gained and regain her sense of self. She used the post to rally her followers for a new fitness challenge to lose the weight she’d gained during that rough time and focus on getting healthier and happier.“I gained a good 15 pounds during this rough time in my life,” she wrote. “I want you to rock with me as I take this journey of losing the weight and getting ME back … because this is something REAL that happens every day to women like you and me and it’s real easy to feel alone, confused and unsure about how to handle or deal with the struggle.”
Laura Govan's Tips for Weight Loss
Based on her experiences, Laura Govan offers the following tips for those seeking to lose weight:
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- Change your mindset: Mental preparation is crucial for success. “I had to change my mind.
- Set realistic goals: Gradual progress is more sustainable than drastic measures.
- Incorporate exercise into your routine: Find activities you enjoy and fit them into your daily life.
- Prioritize healthy eating: Focus on whole, unprocessed foods and limit sugar intake.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water is essential for overall health and weight loss.
- Practice self-acceptance: Embrace your body and celebrate your progress.
- Seek support: Don't be afraid to ask for help from friends, family, or professionals.
Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle
Laura Govan's weight loss journey is an ongoing process. She continues to prioritize her health and well-being through regular exercise, a balanced diet, and a positive mindset. Govan's story serves as an inspiration to others, demonstrating that with dedication and perseverance, it is possible to achieve weight loss goals and live a healthier, happier life.
The Broader Context: Celebrity Weight Loss and Body Image
Laura Govan's weight loss journey is part of a larger trend of celebrities openly sharing their experiences with weight loss and body image. This transparency can be both positive and negative. On the one hand, it can inspire others to pursue their own health goals and promote body positivity. On the other hand, it can contribute to unrealistic expectations and pressure to conform to certain beauty standards. It is important to approach celebrity weight loss stories with a critical eye, recognizing that everyone's journey is unique and that health is more important than appearance.
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