Micia Lopez, as told to Emily Shiffer

<p>My weight issues started after high school. I was a competitive athlete, and by the time I got to college I was spending time on the road playing basketball. But I was plagued with injuries, and after my second knee surgery, I fell deep into a depression. </p>

<p>I began to eat uncontrollably and used food as my escape from the pain. In 2016, I realized my weight was an issue when I couldnt play or keep up with my baby brother, who was about to be 4 years old. I would often breathe heavily and get extremely winded or tired from simple activities.</p>

<h1> One day, I ate an entire large pizza by myself. I went into the bathroom, looked in the mirror, and broke down.  </h1>

<p>I didn't cry because I was overweight, but because I felt like I had given up on myself and lost who I was. That day (I was 20 years old at this point), I decided to order Tupperware and get a gym membership, and I told myself that no matter how hard it would get, I would not look back. </p>

<p>Food-wise, I started with the basics: chicken, broccoli, and rice. I *hated* every bit of that. So I started playing around with different vegetables and carbs and realized there isnt necessarily one way to eat in order to be healthy. </p>

<p>I started to fall in love with the idea of <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a28563472/intermittent-fasting-diet/" id="a697b537-d258-3816-a839-f93e2ebcff5d">  intermittent fasting </a> and realized that this, combined with a <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a19993913/protein-breakfast-ideas/" id="22c68744-c38c-37c8-a596-6a3657ec42dc">  high-protein diet </a> , was the most beneficial way for me to eat, paired with the way I was working out. I realized that following my macros versus trying to stick to a specific caloric amount helped me see way more progress.</p>

<p>I started cooking pretty much everything. Preparing my food on my own helped me better understand what I was putting into my body. It is 100 percent true when people say, abs are made in the kitchen." When I changed my diet and went more homemade with my meals, I started to see major body changes.</p>

<p>Heres what I typically eat in a day now:</p>

<ul><li> <strong> Breakfast:  </strong> Oatmeal with berries and almond milk. </li><li> <strong> Lunch:  </strong> Grilled chicken (with mustard or BBQ sauce) with roasted zucchini and brown rice. </li><li> <strong> Snacks:  </strong> Rice cakes with almond butter or Greek yogurt with berries and honey. </li><li> <strong> Dinner:  </strong> Grilled chicken, kale, and spinach salad with balsamic vinegar. </li><li> <strong> Dessert:  </strong> Banana slices with almond butter or a smoothie bowl. </li></ul>

<h1> I started out   doing cardio every day  and noticed my body wasnt responsive to it. So I looked into   weight lifting  . </h1>

<p>When I discovered <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/a30124184/hilary-duff-bodybuilding-workouts/" id="1b15547f-4274-3ef4-a160-01302d3f4c31">  bodybuilding workouts </a> , I *loved* it. Once I started to incorporate weight lifting I dropped 30 pounds in about two months and started to get my shape back. I realized that I was in love with the concept of being strong, and that there is nothing wrong with a woman embracing her muscles and strength.</p>

<p>Now, I typically lift bodybuilding-style, with hopes of competing in my first competition in 2020. I work out five days a week and have a super-regimented workout schedule that looks something like this: </p>

<ul><li> <strong> Monday </strong> : Legs/quads </li><li> <strong> Tuesday </strong> : Back and biceps </li><li> <strong> Wednesday </strong> : Shoulders and triceps </li><li> <strong> Thursday </strong> : Chest </li><li> <strong> Friday </strong> : Legs (hamstrings-focused) </li></ul>

<h1> The most important thing during my journey? Telling myself that I could do this.  </h1>

<p>With the pessimistic mindset that I had previously, there was no way that I would've been able to reach success. I already counted myself out before I started. This time around, I committed and believed in myself. And now?  <strong> I have lost 105 pounds, and it only took me a year. </strong></p>

<p>I want other women to know that they are not alone in this process. I was always ashamed to post my before-and-afters, assuming no one would understand and people would just talk badly about me. I never knew how many other women were dealing with the same things and were also in need of someone to relate to. </p>

<p>My weight gain started because I lost myself in food and depression, but once I started working out and eating healthy, I started to find myself again. No weight-loss journey is the same, but we all have one common goal and that is to better ourselves. </p>

'I Lost 105 Lbs. With A High-Protein Fasting Diet'

<strong> My name is Micia Lopez ( <span id="40ef7c8c-1b36-3a0f-a38c-4f17b2f394b1" itemtype="link" itemscope="itemscope">  @_mdeneise </span> ), and I am 24 years old. I am from San Diego, California, where I'm a gym manager. I lost over 100 pounds when I committed to my weight-loss journey, using a high-protein, fasting diet and weightlifting. </strong>

'By Eating A High-Protein, Intermittent Fasting Diet, I Lost 105 Lbs. In 1 Year'

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Micia Lopez, as told to Emily Shiffer

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'By Eating A High-Protein, Intermittent Fasting Diet, I Lost 105 Lbs. In 1 Year'