Today we’d like to introduce you to Lyvia Laurent.
Lyvia, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
“Change your mind, change your life.” I know that sounds as cliché as it gets but it’s true. I grew up with loving parents who didn’t have much knowledge about making healthy food choices.
I grew up on orange soda and honey buns. No lie. I ate as many servings as I wanted to when it came to the holidays, and that was my childhood.
It was actually great at the time… until I was bullied and teased for my weight in middle school. I entered college at 265lbs and became more…”self-aware.” I became quite uncomfortable in my own skin. I knew nothing about working out and wouldn’t even know what to do if someone ever offered me cottage cheese. But I was very active. I played basketball, volleyball and used my bicycle to get around.
After college, I lost my taste for red meat. I decided to research alternatives to meat and really dove into learning about the foods that are actually good for my body. I decided to try a “diet” of all the foods that I learned about that would help me lose weight and overall improve my health. But of course, with all diets come expiration dates. I tried all kinds of diets. The “no carbs” diet.
The “fruits and veggies” diet. The “hard-boiled egg” diet. Then I went a little more extreme and tried the “banana diet” and the “water” diet. You name it, and I’ve probably tried it, and I’ve always gained all of the weight back when I returned to eating “normally.” I realized that my issue was the “diets.” I needed to change my mind when it came to food and started an actual lifestyle of permanently making healthier food choices.
I realized working out alone didn’t work for me, so I started taking workout classes like boot camps and Zumba. Working out combined with making more wholesome food choices truly changed my life. I started to see the weight come off and it only pushed me to want to learn more about workouts for my body type and about foods that really aid in shedding off the pounds. In due time, I inspired my parents to start making healthier food choices.
We stopped eating meat as a family and chose wheat bread over white bread and brown pasta over white pasta. We bought a juicer and started making our own juice instead of buying store bought. Later on, I realized that I really wanted to encourage others who were struggling with weight loss and demonstrate that eating healthy isn’t as “hard” as most make it seem. I decided to create an Instagram page, Lyvinhealth, which focuses on living a healthier lifestyle.
I started cooking and finding ways to alternate ingredients to make delicious meals. I don’t have a million followers, nor is that my goal, but I am content in just knowing that many will continue to stumble on my Instagram with the desire to also change their lifestyle.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Struggles along the way we’re trying to figure out what worked for me. Sometimes, it’s easier to look around and notice how easy weight loss is for others and feel discouraged that what works for them doesn’t work for you.
Are you on social media? Where can our readers connect with you?
My Instagram is Lyvinhealth, and it focuses on healthy eating (though I still indulge in my favorite foods here and there. 😉 I am still learning how to make better choices when it comes to food.
Contact Info:
- Website: Lyvingtowrite.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lyvinhealth/
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