Weight Loss and Selfies Helped Obese Widow Transform Her Life

At just 31 years old, Justine McCabe became a widow. When her husband John Paul took his own life , she hit rock bottom, barely leaving the house and stuffing herself with fast food.

She was 3 months into mourning when her family and friends convinced her to go to the gym so she can uplift her spirits somehow and lose the excess weight she piled on. Back then, she was tipping the scales at 313 lbs.

The exercise helped perk her up and she realized that she need to work on transforming her life. She started clean eating and paid for gym membership. She diligently worked out 6 times a week.

The mother of 2 also took selfies everyday to document her weight loss progress.

“Losing weight was part of that lifestyle change for me, I’d been overweight since I was 18 and was always trying the latest fad diets to get the weight off but it never worked,” she said.

After a year of hard work, Justine shed an astonishing 124 lbs. Her dress size dropped from US 24 to 10.

She credits her incredible weight loss to her online coach, as well as her own determination.

“From the very beginning Justine had a goal in mind and would seek the most challenging route to increase her success,” her personal trainer Jonny Straws said.

“We shifted a cardio based mentality to implementing weights and a variety HIIT training, also our meal plans adjust monthly with a focus on finding the enjoyment in healthy foods.”

“I can’t wait to help her as she continues to elevate her fitness and health to new heights.”

Aside from her weight loss, the experience also helped her overcome her fears and made her pursue her dreams. Before, she was scared of doing a lot of things, such as exercise, skydiving, and traveling alone. Now she checked off flying to Paris, cliff jumping, and parasailing off her to-do list.

The Los Angeles resident said.

“My husband’s death was a really heavy and horrible time, it was worsened because my mum had died not long before too,”

“Having a loved one commit suicide and being in the aftermath of that is one of the most fearful, awful things you can go through.

“The death of my husband shook me awake and made me realise I needed to make a lot of changes.”

“After having time to re-evaluate my life while working out, I came to the conclusion I needed to pursue my dreams and tackle my fears – I needed to truly live.”

“I knew if I could survive living without my husband and mum then I should push my boundaries and limits to face all fears I had, to live a life they would be proud of.”