Melissa McGilvrey as told to Aryelle Siclait

<p>Over the next 20 years, I gave birth to a premature and immunodeficient son, had a second daughter, and left my abusive relationship. Needless to say, taking care of my children became my first priority, so I neglected my own health. Soon, I was 378 pounds and eating high-calorie junk food like ice cream on a daily basis. </p>

<h1>  My turning point came at an amusement park.   </h1>

<p>Once my kids and I got to the front of the line and boarded the ride, the harness attached to the seat wouldn't fit me. As I watched my kids's reactions, <strong> </strong> I realized Id been lying to myself my entire life. Id always told myself my obesity wasnt getting in anyones way, but it actually affected every person around me. I became determined to change that. </p>

<h1> First, I started hiking-and it wasn't easy.  </h1>

<p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BkKz7_5HKmm/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading&amp;utm_campaign=embed_locale_test" id="ef8eac45-dd67-387e-a90f-4ed742e4bd8e">  View this post on Instagram </a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BkKz7_5HKmm/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading&amp;utm_campaign=embed_locale_test" id="63e6c713-9443-35ba-a0d3-0e207bc0f320">  #colorado #hiking #beautiful </a> A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/melisse_marie/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading&amp;utm_campaign=embed_locale_test" id="b3b036c8-9979-3fa0-af52-072b3b876bab">  Melissa McGilvrey </a> (@melisse_marie) on Jun 18, 2018 at 7:12am PDT</p>

<p>My first hike, in 2014 at 38 years old, was on a public trail. I only walked a one-mile loop on a low incline, but by the time I was done, I was beet-red, my fingers were extremely swollen and tingling, and I was beyond disappointed in myself. I was super sore the next day, but I went back the day after that for another mile and kept on going every other day. </p>

<p>Once it became more manageable, I started hiking two miles every other day, and once I got up to three miles, I started going every day. By the 18-month mark, I was hiking five to seven miles per day and 15 on Sundays. Since I was an Uber driver, I had a flexible enough schedule to hike everyday and still be home for my kids. But these hikes helped me make myself a priority, too. </p>

<h1> Once I started being more active, I revamped my diet.  </h1>

<p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BKheo0ahnES/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" id="ae877865-b614-31f6-ad38-3c1825aacb30">  View this post on Instagram </a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BKheo0ahnES/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" id="59530ea3-b907-33d0-a756-ba51ee613a39">  #1st14er #mtsherman #loveher #healthyliving </a> A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/melisse_marie/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" id="cb4dfc10-43aa-3f97-acd3-6657865ebe18">  Melissa McGilvrey </a> (@melisse_marie) on Sep 18, 2016 at 8:52pm PDT</p>

<p>I don't cut any specific food groups out of my diet, but I make sure to eat healthy foods like lean meats, veggies, and whole grains. </p>

<p>I also use tracking tools like MyFitnessPal to remind myself to eat, so I don't go long stretches without food followed by binges. This is what I usually eat in a day:</p>

<ul><li> <strong>  Breakfast: </strong>  a half cup of egg whites with mushrooms and spinach </li><li> <strong>  Mid-morning snack:  </strong> nuts or a protein shake </li><li> <strong>  Lunch: </strong>  four ounces of fish and a sweet potato  </li><li> <strong>  Dinner:  </strong> chicken or ground turkey with a grain like quinoa or farro  </li><li> <strong> Treat </strong> : a peanut butter cookie, since my daughter loves them.  </li></ul>

<h1> I lost 167 pounds-and my daughter is getting into health and fitness, too. </h1>

<p>We recently started going to a gym together called <a href="http://projectrisefitness.com/" id="b4c7f65e-cf1d-359e-a6f1-671e5b95e9d7">  Project Rise Fitness </a> , and the team there has become a family to us. Everyone is accepting and encouraging.</p>

<p>We do HIIT and yoga classes together there, but the gym also offers community building exercises, events, an on-site nutritionist, and coaches who can modify every exercise, which is why we keep going back. </p>

<p>I was sick of my weight affecting everyone around me, so I made a commitment to change. And now that I've reached my goal, I'm determined to pass these healthy habits on to the rest of my family.</p>

Growing up, I was always overweight, but my body changed the most when I hit my late teens. At 19, I gave birth to my first daughter and was in a relationship with an abusive man. I used food to cope.

‘I Lost 167 Pounds Using MyFitnessPal And Hiking Every Day’

Politics

Local

Filla

World

News

Football

Ghana Premier League

Black Stars

Sports

Celebrities

Music

Movies

Entertainment

Fashion

Beauty & Health

Relationships & Weddings

Food & Travel

Lifestyle

Domestic

International 

Business

Explore categories

Checkout our authors for the latest content across entertainment, sports, business and more. Be first to receive exclusive updates with your free subscription straight to your phone | Pulse Ghana

Authors | Pulse Ghana

| Pulse Ghana

Read the latest news across entertainment, sports, business and more. Be first to receive exclusive updates with your free subscription straight to your phone | Pulse Ghana

Breaking News & Top Stories | Pulse Ghana

Pulse Ghana is the most followed news and entertainment platform, informing and engaging young Ghanaians round the clock, providing updates by the hour.

Pulse Ghana

Search for the latest content across entertainment, sports, business and more. Be first to receive exclusive updates with your free subscription straight to your phone | Pulse Ghana

Search Results | Pulse Ghana

Watch the latest videos across entertainment, sports, business and more. Be first to receive exclusive updates with your free subscription straight to your phone | Pulse Ghana

Melissa McGilvrey as told to Aryelle Siclait

Articles written by the author

‘I Lost 167 Pounds Using MyFitnessPal And Hiking Every Day’