Many people struggle with weight loss, but the journeys of individuals like Dee and others offer inspiration and practical advice. This article explores Dee's weight loss journey, along with other inspiring stories, providing insights into the motivations, strategies, and lessons learned along the way.
Dee's Fitness Journey: From Transition to Transformation
Dee's weight loss journey began in June 2017, a year after his medical transition. He dropped from 360 lbs. at his highest to 210 lbs. For trans people who are working on getting fit, the deelovesdeadlifts Instagram page has likely popped up in their feed already. Dee's story is one of self-discovery and empowerment through fitness. "Before I transitioned, I was kind of just existing," he recalls. "I wasn't really living my life, I was just going through the motions." His medical transition sparked a realization that he could take control of his life and pursue his goals.
Early Steps and Gradual Progression
Dee started with a simple yet effective approach: walking. "I started with just getting steps in. I would walk in a circle around my yard until [I was tired]," he says. Initially, he could only manage 4,000 steps a day, but he gradually increased his activity level. As walking became monotonous, Dee transitioned to working out at home. This phase, too, eventually led him to seek new challenges.
Embracing the Gym
Dee's fitness journey took a significant turn when he discovered the gym. "I fell in love with the gym and I haven't stopped going since," he says. Despite being unfamiliar with fitness equipment and terminology, Dee remained focused and determined. "I didn't know anything about fitness. I didn't know how the equipment worked. I didn't know what a rep was. I'm going in there for the first time and it was just like, okay, tunnel vision. I made my plan." He emphasized the importance of not being discouraged by others' perceptions at the gym. "After a few months, you realize that 'bros' are not paying attention to you. No one is really paying attention to you," he says.
Transformation Shows and Candid Documentation
Dee's dedication led him to the world of transformation shows. "I don't know what really made me want to do it, but Christian Guzman, he owns Alphalete, was the only one who was putting on 'transformation class' shows in 2020," he explains. These shows focus on weight loss achievements rather than traditional bodybuilding aesthetics. Dee also documented his progress on his deelovesdeadlifts page, sharing both the highs and lows of his journey. Since his last show, Dee reveals he's gained some of his weight back.
Read also: Weight Loss Guide Andalusia, AL
Personal Training and Empowering Others
In 2020, Dee obtained his personal training certification during the lockdown. "I got my personal training certification in 2020 during the lockdown, and that was when I was also preparing for my first bodybuilding show," he says. He now offers personalized programs to clients, both in-person and online. "[It's great] when clients leave me and then they come back a few months later and they're like, 'Dee, I'm still making progress even though we're not working together anymore." Dee's goal is to equip his clients with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed independently. He continues, "I want to give you the tools that you need to succeed and hopefully you don't need me one day. I still have a few clients that come back to me and they're like, 'Dee, I just hit a [personal record] on bench press and you taught me so much.'"
Overcoming Challenges and Maintaining Consistency
Dee acknowledges that weight loss is not always easy and that setbacks are inevitable. "You're going to have peaks and valleys. You're going to go through days where you don't want to do what you need to do, but you just do it and then don't beat yourself up over it," he advises. He stresses the importance of perseverance and not giving up, even during difficult times. "If you are going through a low time, go through that low time. You can always get back at it."
Further Inspiring Transformations
Dee's 95+ Pound Weight Loss
Dee's transformation is a testament to the power of dedication and lifestyle changes. Her journey began after her brother's health scare served as a wake-up call. Despite a busy life as a full-time employee, mother, and wife, she prioritized health and fitness. Dee started her journey in 2017 at her highest weight of 274 pounds after having her second child. I started taking my journey seriously in August 2018 when I weighed 252.6 pounds. By April 2019 (8 months later), I had lost 77.6 pounds. I’ve lost over 100 pounds total, and I’m keeping it off. I fell in love with working out and helping women, so I decided to become a personal trainer. I did all of this while working full time and being a mom and a wife. Anything is possible if you put it in God’s hands and you let him guide you.
Dietary Changes
Dee adopted a low-sodium diet and eliminated greasy and salty foods.
Workout Routine
Her workout routine initially consisted of walking at home with YouTube videos and jumping rope daily. She gradually increased her activity level and worked out 5-6 days a week.
Read also: Beef jerky: A high-protein option for shedding pounds?
Lessons Learned
Dee emphasizes the importance of self-prioritization and mental wellness. She also advises against giving up when progress seems slow and encourages others to take progress pictures and avoid being defined by the scale.
Dee's 53-Pound Self-Love Journey
Dee's weight loss journey was rooted in self-love and healing. She developed a vision of her "most healthy, happy, healed, and whole" self and worked relentlessly to make that vision a reality.
Motivation
Dee became her own biggest motivator, driven by the vision of her ideal self. She also found inspiration in the support and encouragement of other women. I became my biggest motivation to not quit on myself. I realized if I could see my goal before I saw it happen, it would be possible to achieve. So, I created a vision of the most healthy, happy, healed, and whole me. I became relentless in seeing and experiencing her in the physical. Once I began consistently losing weight and implementing healthier habits into my life, including inner work, other Queens became a part of my motivation. The support and encouragement I received reminded me that once upon a time, I was that Queen on the other side looking in. They became a part of my motivation to keep going, so they could believe the same thing is possible for them!
Eating Habits
Dee created a balanced eating schedule, with intentional healthy eating on weekdays and mindful indulgences on weekends. She also found success with various approaches like Keto, Herbalife, and intermittent fasting, maintaining consistency through group accountability.
Workout Routine
Dee's workout routine evolved from cardio to weight and resistance training. She now focuses on maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle through diverse activities like dancing, hula hooping, yoga, swimming, and Pilates.
Read also: Inspiring Health Transformation
Consistency
Dee consistently started her Self Love Journey in August 2019. I’m still on my journey but hit a milestone in November 2021.
Key Lesson
Dee emphasizes the importance of enjoying the process rather than obsessing over the outcome. She advises others to discover their personal motivation and create a relationship with a higher power.
Gypsy Rose Blanchard: Life After Lock Up
Gypsy Rose Blanchard's life has undergone significant changes, including a physical transformation and personal milestones.
Physical Transformation
Gypsy underwent a rhinoplasty and septoplasty (nose job) April 5, 2024.
Relationships and Family
Gypsy's relationships have been a focus of public interest. She and Ken celebrated at a sex reveal party for their first baby in August 2024 and, at a baby shower in November, shared that they'll be naming her Aurora Raina Urker.
Memoir
Gypsy told her dramatic life story to date in her book My Time to Stand, which came out in December.