Mum doesn't recognise herself after massive 7stone weight loss
A stay-at-home mum says her face has changed beyond all recognition after shedding more than 7stone (100lbs). Singer-song-writer Brianna Sirota, 26, weighed in at 15st 7lbs (220lbs) at her heaviest.
Despite eating healthy food as a child with her mum, she says her grandma - with whom she would stay every summer - would allow her to eat what she wanted. As a result, he weight skyrocketed.
The problem only became worse during her pregnancy. It was in 2022 when she realised her baby was about to start walking that she knew something had to change.
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She said: "Growing up, my mum always encouraged healthy eating, but every summer when I stayed with my grandma, I was allowed to eat anything I wanted. I would come home after those visits with extra weight and feel restricted by the healthier foods at home," explained Brianna, who has nearly 4,600 TikTok followers and over 169,000 likes.
"I struggled with binge eating for a long time, and pregnancy contributed to reaching my heaviest weight. On top of that, dealing with postpartum challenges and adjusting to life as a new mum made it even harder to start my weight loss journey. My health was also a major concern. I was prediabetic, constantly out of breath, and dealing with persistent knee and back pain. The sciatica pain, which started during pregnancy, never went away and made everything worse.
"I knew I needed to keep up with her (my daughter) - chasing her around, playing with her, and being an active part of her life. At my weight, I knew I couldn't do that. I wanted to be around for as long as possible, not just for her but for my husband. Another eye-opening moment was when my grandpa took a picture of me and sent it to me. I was heartbroken by how far I had let myself go. I'm sure I started my weight loss journey the next day."
Sirota began following a strict ketogenic diet, drastically cutting her carb intake and focusing on protein. "I dropped 30 lbs, and I was so proud of myself. But then, just like that, the weight stopped coming off. I was doing everything by the book, but it felt like my body wasn't responding anymore," she remembered.
"I decided to see a doctor who specialised in weight loss. He prescribed phentermine, an appetite suppressant, and put me on a strict weight loss plan. I avoided carbs and high-calorie foods, and my meals became more structured. A typical day would start with two hard-boiled eggs and two slices of turkey bacon for breakfast, followed by a protein shake a few hours later. Lunch was usually a salad with a protein of my choice and another protein shake later in the day. Dinner would be a lean protein with one cup of vegetables."
As the pounds started to drop, Brianna's body wasn't the only thing transforming - her face changed in dramatic ways, too. My face looks so different now. My facial structure is reshaped, I have more defined cheekbones and a slimmer jawline. Initially, it was weird because I was so used to seeing myself a certain way. I'd catch a glimpse of myself and think, 'Who is this person?' But now, when I look in the mirror, I see someone who worked hard to get here. It's not just the physical transformation - I see the confidence and happiness that came with it," she noted.
Exercise also became a part of her daily routine, although she kept it simple. Incorporating light exercise, like walking with her daughter and doing Pilates, has helped her maintain weight loss. Brianna's advice for anyone considering losing weight?
"Talk to your doctor and explore your options. While medication can be a valuable tool in a weight loss journey, it's just a small part of the process. Taking phentermine changed my life, but the side effects were no joke. It made me feel both crazy and depressed at times, and staying on it was tough.
"Long-term weight loss success comes from a shift in mindset and lifestyle. It's crucial to work on your relationship with food, understand portion control, and stay consistent with healthier habits. The key is finding balance and a routine you can stick with for life," she concluded.