A woman who has lost 305 pounds has revealed on Instagram that being forced to weigh herself on an industrial scale, as she weighed over a quarter of a ton, finally made her realize she had to change her lifestyle.
Brittany May, an agricultural teacher from Mercersburg, Pennsylvania had been ‘on the larger side’ her whole life and as time went on ‘the weight added up’.
By June 2016, she says she could barely make it through the day and ‘the smallest of tasks seemed like mountains’.
Transformation: Brittany May, an agricultural teacher from Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, weighed 514 pounds at her heaviest, left, but has since lost 305 pounds
Smaller: At her heaviest, Brittany took a size 38 in pants but can now fit into a size 14
Lifestyle change: Brittany had to use an industrial scale at her dad’s work to find out what she weighed, left in June 2016 and right in January 2018
Bags of potential: Brittany, pictured in May 2017 when she had successfully lost just over 200 pounds is no longer a slave to sugar thanks to her new healthy diet
She couldn’t fit behind the wheel of her car and shared that she spent most of her time outside of work sitting on her couch.
Brittany also revealed that her weight started to impact on her ability as a teacher, and she spent most days wishing for the dismissal bell.
When an old school friend reached out, saying they were concerned about her health and happiness, Brittany knew she had to take control of the situation.
As her weighing scales at home could no longer weigh her, Brittany went to her dad’s workplace to use their industrial scale.
Domestic weighing scales typically go up to 400 pounds, however industrial scales used to weigh machinery and livestock can facilitate weights of over 500 pounds.
There she found out she weighed 514 pounds.
‘I stood in almost shock, and new it was time to make a change. I needed to be a healthier me, it’s what I and my students deserved,’ she shared.
She began her weight loss journey on June 27, 2016, and although she still has some weight to lose, says her new lifestyle has given her a ‘can-do’ attitude and she feels she has just ‘scratched the surface’.
Big difference: By June 2017, Brittany had lost just over 200 pounds, pictured left in April 2016 and right in June 2017 wearing the same shirt
Impact: Brittany says she struggled to fit behind the wheel of her car and spent most time outside of work on the couch before losing weight, left, but now has more energy, right
Happy: The teacher says she used to spend each day waiting for the dismissal bell to ring but now has more energy and doesn’t feel the same depression and anxiety
Less is more: Brittany, pictured in July 2017 (with her mom on the right), is now 12 sizes smaller than she used to be
Habits: Brittany now follows the Optavia Optimal Weight 5&1 Plan where she eats six meals a day, totally 800-100 calories, left before her transformation, and right in November 2017
Incorporating healthy habits into her routine has been fundamental to Brittany’s success and she has used a specific set of tools to aid her weight loss.
A follower of the Optavia Optimal Weight 5&1 Plan, Brittany eats six meals a day, consisting of five ‘Fueling’ meals and one ‘Lean and Green’ meal, totaling 800-1000 calories.
Created by doctors for maximum weight loss, coaching is also provided, and withing the first five months, Brittany had lost 100 pounds.
She is now a size 14, a full 12 sizes smaller than she used to be.
Brittany also shared on her Instagram page that her changes have also been mental as well as physical and her new lifestyle has positively impacted on her mental health.
‘As one who in the past struggled heavily with depression, I feel like the dark clouds have now dispersed. I wake up each day, anxious and ready to see what it has in store,’ she explained.
‘I know that I do not need to worry about the weight coming back. I am learning the tools necessary to maintain the progress past weight loss. I am breaking the mental chains food once used to hold me captive. I am truly free to begin living my life!’