Woman loses 7 stone after failing to recognise herself in photos

She shifted the pounds by doing just three simple things

Instagram: @mygirlishwhims

A woman who lost an impressive seven stone says that her appearance has changed so drastically even her own mother doesn’t recognise her.

After graduating from university, Rebecca Grafton from Philadelphia experienced living completely on her own for the first time.

But as she began cooking all her own meals and drinking more alcohol than ever before her weight began to escalate.

At her heaviest Grafton ballooned to 17 stone when she says her weight gain had got so bad that she couldn’t even recognise herself in photos anymore, Pop Sugar reports.

But, after deciding that enough was enough, the 27-year-old began her weight loss journey and committed to doing just three simple things to help shift the pounds. Two years later, she has lost an incredible seven stone.

To kick-start her weight loss Grafton says that she began by tracking her calories using the app My Fitness Pal but at the end of the week she allowed herself to eat more freely.

By following the 80/20 rule, she was able to give herself a break from watching calories or macros so that she could satisfy cravings without jeopardising her progress.

Similarly, she also made the effort to work out every single day for around an hour doing exercises like barbell strength weights, spin class, at-home DVDs and five-to-10 mile runs.

Over time, Grafton says that as the numbers on the scale decreased her body began to change.

“My fingers shrunk from a size 10+ to a 7. And for the first time in my life, I had a flat stomach and was finally confident enough to wear a bikini in public.

“My face changed so much that once my mum didn't even recognise me while out in public!“

Now, motivated to maintain her weight and encourage others on their journey, Grafton shares her tips on weight loss, healthy living and inspiration on Instagram where she has amassed more than 140,000 followers.

“I get constant comments and messages from women who say that because of me they had enough courage to step into a gym for the first time.

Or because of me they decided to change up their eating habits and lost 10, 20, even 100 pounds like me, just from following along with my story and feeling inspired enough to believe that they were capable of making a similar change.“