FROM OROBO TO LEPA THE STORY OF IJEOMA EKPE

I featured Ijeoma Ekpe as my hottie of the day  some months back on my blog, and alot of people drooled and felt she was really hot and oozed sex appeal.  What you all never knew is that Ijeoma was really on the big size in the past . She wore size 18 -20 clothes due to her really large and fluctuating weight.

She got a wakeup call when she decided she didn't want to suffer all the negative consequences of being overweight and decided to take a drastic action.

I hope this post inspires you , making you realize it takes YOU  to accomplish any feat and dream.

Check out her full orobo to lepa story below

WHAT WAS YOUR TURNING POINT?

Some say we should always be comfortable in our own skin but I was never comfortable being fat. I believe if you love yourself,  you should try to bring out the best in you. Being overweight didn't bring out the best in me at all. I was irritable, overly sensitive and depressed. I kept struggling to loose the weight. I tired all the half measures/ short cuts. I tied my teeth, took slimming pills etc but it always got worse. My turning point was in the US last year.

 I love nice clothes and I love dressing up even more. I went shopping with my siblings and realized I couldn't fit in one  of the size 16 I was managing. It was horrible. Even the size 18 was tight which meant I was almost a size 20. I was in shock. I refused to buy anyting. I barely shopped. I decided there and then to make a change. 

Before I got back to Nigeria, I only bought clothes that  were a size 12 or 14. They didn't fit but I made up my mind that I must wear them. So I got back to Nigeria and  had no nice outfits to wear that was my size so I had to start working  out by fire and by force (seriously). It was not easy at first. I even had people pressuring me to tie my teeth that it will help fast track the weight loss with the exercise. I refused. I didn't want anymore half measures. I knew it would take a while, it would be difficult but it would also be fulfilling and rewarding  and also help me build body and mind in order to maintainin a healthy lifestyle. It's not just about loosing weight but being healthy.

That is the  best way to stay fit and trim.

WHAT SACRIFICES DID YOU MAKE?

I stayed away from sweets and drinks. I cut out all carbohydrates, I was mostly on salad, some protein like fish, chicken, moi-moi. I took oatmeal sometimes and I fell in love with smoothies (blended fruits). 

I  currently take them alot and it's filling.                                     

For exercise, in the morning, I jog, do some aerobics sometimes with light weights, step exercises, skipping and in d evening, when I can, I go to the field and jog and if I can't,  I use the elliptical machine and skip before bed.

 Everyday,  I try to ensure that I work out more than I eat. So it gives me so much joy when I pick up a size 12 or 14 cloth which could not enter my head or arm before and it finally fits or when I have 2 go and  amend one I had b4 or when my tailor has 2 take my measurements again. That is my motivation right  there. 

I love looking  good and like they say,  it's good business, lol. So it inspires  me to work harder everyday. Even when I backslide, I look at a picture I took the previous week in an outfit I couldn't wear before, and  I get  gingered immediately.

HOW DID YOU ACHIEVE THIS?

 By forcing myself out of bed by 5:00am or 5:30am so I can jog  before my  aerobics class starts by 6:30am. I also achieved this  being consistent and  persevering even when I backslided.

THE STORY NOW

I have not reached my target yet which is a size 10, lol. I currently wear sometimes a size 12 and mostly 14. It's been 8 months and I am down 2 dress sizes. I am still working on it. Right now , I love exercise. If I skip a day or 2,  I feel so heavy and lazy.

 It's like a drug I need to  start the day, lol. It makes me energetic. Click the link to check out  IJEOMA'S AMAZING LOOKS NOW 

Do you have a story about you that can inspire others? Feel free to share with me by sending a mail to nikkynaz2009@yahoo.com