Rashida Wright

In March 2018, I had just relocated to Austin, TX and I was getting acquainted with my new surroundings. I had never lived outside of Atlanta for longer than three months and this was my first time living away from the hometown by myself with no friends and no real contact with other people outside of work, which was remote. After about a month of exploring the city, dining away on the many renditions of tacos and sipping on the plethora of margarita flavors available, I got on the scale and realized that I gained 5 lbs. This additional weight gain put me at 221 lbs. On my 5’2 frame the weight was overwhelming, and I began to feel despair.

While I enjoyed dining out in Austin, my foodie desires were exacerbating my pre-existing weight issue. After feeling hopeless for a short while I decided to try to lose the weight. I knew I had a very long and uphill battle because I had been over 200lbs for at least two years, but I knew that if I didn’t stop now thata 300lb Rashida was not far away. So, naturally I went the “easy” route, and walked into a Quick Weight Loss Center which was down the street from my apartment. And after paying so much money to do the program with its volumes of pills, shakes and other random foods, I realize that the restrictive nature and the ability to not drink alcohol, was not going to work for me at that time of my life. After feeling defeated from yet another failed weight loss attempt, I decided to pray.

At this point in my life, my walk with God was gratitude prayers in the morning, and honest from the heart prayers at night. And they really weren’t consistent. But at that point in my weight loss journey, I felt like I hit rock bottom and knew that I could not do it alone. So, I went to God and I pleaded for His help. I don’t remember the exact prayer, but I do remember saying I needed His help. That managing my weight had been a lifelong struggle and that I wanted to lose the weight for good this time and to not go back to being this size again.

After that, I decided to begin again and do it the old-fashioned way, with diet, exercise and moderation. He even helped me incorporate monthly fasting. I had a gym in my apartment complex, and I started a workout routine. I would get on the treadmill for about 20 minutes in the beginning. Then I started doing 2 sets of 20 minutes. And I just kept adding on from there. I would use the stairs in each apartment building and run up and down and get my cardio in during the week. I would squeeze in the stairs running in between on my lunch break during the day, add in walks in the evening while sprinkling in strength training as well. With the help of the Holy Spirit, He led me to adjust the way I ate. I started my morning out with oatmeal and coffee with little to no sugar which kept me full during the day and I ate HEB’s delicious and economical meals that were pre-proportioned, with calorie counts, so I never had to worry about eating fresh and healthy foods that were affordable which helped me stay on track without sacrificing taste for lunch and dinner. I didn’t count calories, but I was aware of what was going into my body. I still enjoyed eating out weekly, sipping wine and an occasional margarita and beer, and I even went out with my newfound friends. But because of established consistency in my eating, I continued to lose the weight. It started slow, a couple pounds here, a couple pounds there. But over the course of the weeks, it started to add up.

By August, I was 199 lbs, a number I hadn’t seen in at least two years. I continued to thank God in my prayer time because I knew that it was not me doing it by myself. I made a promise to myself that I would pay for a gym membership if I could remain consistent in the free gym at my apartment complex. I wanted to make sure I could justify the extra expense. After I proved I could keep going, I started a new gym membership at 24-hour fitness. At that gym, I was able to take fun fitness classes like Zumba, BodyPump and other classes that allowed me to rediscover myself and realize that I could lose the weight and enjoy the process. I was so grateful for that season of my life because there were many nights that I cried about my weight and struggled with cravings, but the Lord gave me the strength to learn to eat in moderation and to be satisfied with what I ate. By the time February 2019 rolled around I had gotten down to the 160s which at that time was unheard of for me. I hadn’t seen that weight since 2013.

While I did gain weight since that time, I have never seen 221lbs since the Lord helped me lose weight beginning in 2018. I’m writing this testimony because the only reason why I never gained all the weight that I lost from that initial weight loss journey is because the Lord was faithful and answered my prayer.

Most Americans struggle with the battle of the bulge and all of us with that struggle know how hard it is to stay motivated, and consistent with the process. I want someone to know that it is possible to lose that weight and keep it off, even if it’s a struggle, if you do it with the help of the Lord and be open to His process. It’s not easy but He will help you through it.
Since then, I have gone back and forth losing and gaining weight, weighing anywhere from the 150s to the 180s. However, I can honestly say that even with that yo-yo of weight loss and weight gain, He has helped me reassess how I look at food, try out new ways of eating such as vegetarianism and remembering that it is because of his grace strength and mercy with that I am still able to remain under 200lbs even though my body is predisposed to being that weight since I have been that size.

Currently I’m on a fitness journey and weight loss is a part of it but that’s a different testimony that is loading. Lord willing, I’ll be able to share that with you soon. But let’s just say, I’m the smallest size I’ve been since college.

I’m writing this to help me remember what God did for me before and hopefully encourage you on your weight loss journey too. Ask Him to help you and keep fighting the good fight. I’ll also keep you in my prayers. May God be with you and may you remember to lean on God as you go through this journey and give him the glory when you achieve the victory! I can’t wait to hear your testimonies!

With love,
Rashida