A SINGLE mum-of-two said she cried herself to sleep nightly and was taunted by cruel colleagues over her body.

Weighing around 234lbs at her heaviest, who goes by the name of Andrea BoldBody on Instagram struggled with her weight after the birth of her second son.

She also suffered with multiple health conditions like lupus, hypothyroidism, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) that made losing weight harder.

Determined to overhaul her lifestyle, the 37-year-old, who has two sons, aged 12 and 17, decided enough was enough.

After changing her diet and fitness routines and losing 100lbs, Andrea says she’s now healthier than she was as a teenager.

“To end up in better shape now than I was at 17, while in high school, speaks volumes," Andrea, from Houston, Texas told NeedToKnow.co.uk.

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“During my weight loss journey, I went through a divorce, which gave me the motivation to lose the additional 30lbs and keep it off.

“I eventually healed my relationship with food and poured the energy I was putting into my marriage into myself instead and flourished.

“But it’s not been easy, especially with being diagnosed with PCOS a few years ago – which caused me hair loss, acne, and facial hair growth too.

“So I had to deal with that, plus the lupus, on top of the weight."

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'I was ashamed of how I looked'

Andrea said she'd always struggled with her weight, but she grew more self-conscious of her body in recent years.

“I always thought of myself as cute, but it depressed me that I was so big.

“When the scale showed 234lbs, I refused to step back on it.

“I would make my kids get in front of me in photos or just take pictures of my face because I was embarrassed of my body.

“I didn't attend a friend's birthday once because I was ashamed of how I looked."

The mum said things took a turn for the worse after she took a sedentary job.

“I've struggled with my weight all my life but after taking a corporate job I hated, I gained over 60lbs and was no longer able to keep up with my kids.

“I was even embarrassed of my body when being intimate with my now ex-husband.”

Andrea claims colleagues would laugh at her and claims they cruelly said they “couldn’t see the difference” after she shed her first 15lbs.

But as the pounds continued to fall off, the mum says these same people asked if she could then train them, too.

She said: “The same ones who teased me started asking for my help and advice.

“It's been an incredible journey not only externally but also internally in giving me the confidence in my body and what I'm capable of.“

'Lupus isn't a walk in the park'

Suffering from lupus – a long-term condition causing joint pain, skin rashes and tiredness – means that Andrea hasn’t had an easy ride when it comes to her weight loss journey.

Heavy lifting poses a struggle to the mum-of-two and recovery takes “twice as long.”

She said: “My immune system is weak, making me more susceptible to getting sick.

“So, bouncing back from any workout or even a cold feels like a never-ending process.

“When I have a flare, it's excruciating. It feels like I have the flu with the body aches.

“Lupus isn't a walk in the park.”

Doctors tried to help Andrea by offering her medications for her health conditions but nothing worked.

And after researching lupus, she decided she had to heal her gut –which meant completely overhauling her diet and starting from scratch.

'Incredible results'

To kick-start her natural weight loss journey, the mum first switched out beef and pork in favour of leaner proteins and vegetables.

She also cut out alcohol, coffee, dairy, gluten, and any “fried, dyed, or bagged” foods with preservatives, as well as limited her sugar intake to less than 50g per day.

Andrea said: “When I would slip up and eat one of these foods, I noticed how upset my stomach would get.

“I would get gassy, bloated, constipated.

“The diet didn’t just help with my weight, but also my PCOS."

Despite the odds being stacked against her, Andrea managed to stick to her weight loss journey.

“Being a single mom to two young boys, and working a full-time job throughout my weight loss journey, I prioritised the gym and meal prepping instead of making excuses.

“The dedicated time I invested in my health has provided me with incredible results.”

But the mum still has a taste for sweet treats.

“I still have a big sweet tooth.

“Everything is fried in Texas, so I used to eat a lot of fried meals for dinner, as well as doughnuts, breads, cakes, and high-calories drinks.”

Alongside her new diet, Andrea hit the gym hard, focusing on cardio.

The mum dropped 60lbs in the first 12 months and another 40lbs in the following five years.

Andrea now works as a TikTok creator and spiritual retreat host and shares her journey online.

She added: “I genuinely think anyone can achieve this.”

“I hope that my personal story can serve as a source of encouragement for anyone else with a similar journey.

“Sharing my experiences, both the struggles and triumphs, is a way to install the belief that we have the capacity to overcome obstacles in our weight loss journey.”

ANDREA'S TIPS FOR WEIGHT LOSS

The mum has also shared eight of her top tips to help others achieve similar results.

1. Set realistic goals

“Break down your weight loss goal into smaller, achievable milestones. One to two pounds a week is a great start.”

2. Find an accountability partner

“Whether it’s a friend, family member, or a workout buddy, accountability can make a significant difference.”

3. Mix up your routine

“If your workouts or meals are becoming monotonous, try something new.

“Explore different forms of exercise, and experiment with healthy recipes to keep things interesting.”

4. Don't just focus on the scale

“Don’t solely measure your progress by the number on the scale.

“Notice improvements in energy levels, better sleep or my personal favourite is the way my clothes fit differently.”

5. Be compassionate with yourself

“Instead of being too hard on yourself, acknowledge the challenges and refocus on your goals.”

6. Visualise your success

“Imagine yourself achieving your weight loss goals.

“Visualization can be a powerful motivator and help you stay focused on the positive outcomes.”

7. Seek professional guidance

“Consult with an expert to create a personalised plan that aligns with your goals and lifestyle.”

8. Eat mindfully

“Pay attention to what and how much you eat.

“Mindful eating can help you develop a healthier relationship with food and prevent overeating.”

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