“Leaving a toxic relationship and in a new and healthy one I came to the realization that I needed to finally do something for myself. I joined Weight Watchers, I found a meeting right near my job (no excuses) and dove right in, head on.”
“Food filled a void in my life for a long time. I would eat when I was happy, sad, depressed, anxious. It was an awful cycle of eating like crap, feeling awful, and then doing it all over again. Food never judged me or put me down. I used food as a way to comfort myself for many years. It wasn’t until April of 2017, two years after leaving a toxic relationship and in a new and healthy one that I came to the realization that I needed to finally do something for myself”.
Justine Traver
Clothing Size: 16 down to current size 2
Weight before/after: 190 pounds/125 pounds
Inspiration ahead…
What motivated you to lose weight?
My boyfriend and I attended my cousin’s wedding in April 2017 and once we saw the pictures, we were devastated. There are only so many mirrors to avoid and there’s a limit to how many times you kindly ask someone to take a photo of you form “just the neck up, please.” These photos were full body and they were eye opening. We both decided we needed to get ourselves together.
Brief summary of how you lost the weight: counting calories, Weight Watchers, Whole30, etc.
I joined Weight Watchers in May 2017. I knew I wasn’t going to be able to do it alone so I signed up for the weekly meetings. I found a meeting right near my job (no excuses) and dove right in, head on.
How do you stay motivated?
I take this journey of mine one day at a time. I am not perfect. I have a cheat meal. I don’t go to the gym all the time. I have setbacks, just like everyone else. I try my best to plan out my weekly meals. I use the Skinnytaste Meal Planner and it has been very helpful for me to stay on track. I still track all my food and attend weekly Weight Watchers meetings.
What are some of your favorite Skinnytaste recipes?
My all-time favorite Skinnytaste recipe is a toss-up between the Chicken Cacciatore in the Instant Pot and Turkey Chili Stuffed Acorn Squash. Both dishes have so much flavor and they are beyond filling! Oh, and how can we forget about the bagels? Those bagels have been absolutely lifesaving for a carb-loving girl like me! YUM!
Justine! I am so motivated by your story…it’s so relatable. It’s almost like I wrote the story myself of how food fills a void, doesn’t judge you, etc. Tomorrow is a new day and I feel so crappy about myself. I joined Weight Watchers but I have been slipping. Your story has motivated me to brush myself off and get back up on the wagon. Thank you for sharing your story and for being an inspiration.
Good for you! I am a current Lifetime Weight Watchers member. Joined in June of 2017, needing to lose 50#. I have lost 63# and have been on maintenance for 41 weeks now. 🙂 I love their program, but the one thing that makes everything better is GINA! Her food is always delicious, she tells us how many points each meal is, and she’s been a true lifesaver for me! I finally enjoy cooking again. 🙂 Made the Escarole soup last night… gave bowls out to 3 other people and they all loved it too!
That is awesome Kim! Congrats!! Thank you for letting me be part of your journey!
I too, rid of some unhealthy and toxic relationships in my life that were no longer serving me in January 2018 and from there my life made dramatic shifts, I took a solo adventure up North to Page visited antelope canyon and immersed myself in nature for a few days. I think May must be magical as I have made great strides so far in 2018! In May I Signed up for my first 5k solo and finished in 109 degree heat that is uncalled for during that time of year in AZ. From there I made conscious choices and stuck to a whole30/paleo meal plan per my nutritionist for extra support and am now down 50lbs! My favorite recipe is the bang bang shrimp but truthfully there are too many to count. I have been following Gina from the beginning and as many said make a book, and now she has continued to help people with their health and body positivity. My energy and self esteem have seen such a shift that had been in a deep slump for almost 8 years. This month i will be turning 29 and am so happy i gave myself the gift of good health that has fulfillef my life in so many areas!
This was very inspiring for me. I lost 50 lbs the first time I tried weight watchers and unfortunately I’ve gained all of it back and then some. I’m ready for another lifestyle change. Thank you for sharing your story. Congrats on the weight loss!
I am thinking about joining weight watchers but not sure about the new program. Can I ask which program you used for your weight loss?
I am currently on WW. I have lost 30 lbs in three months. It works as long as you follow the program.
Congraulations….kudos to you!!!
Five uears ago I lost 40 lbs with a new treadmill and healthy food choices. Unfortunately, it is all back +10 ?
Trying again with a new fitbit, salads, smoothies and a lot of yard work. The older you get the harder it is to have it come off, but I am in a new chapter of my life, and I am working it.
Good luck, and blessings
Very inspirational story and photos! i just joined WW and I am glad to see it works! wanna try the ww bagels
How amazing! It’s great to do things for yourself. What an inspiration!