Weight Loss Success: Natt Smith Became A Vegan And Lost More Than 75 Pounds

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Name: Natt Smith
Age: 25
Height: 5'5"
Before Weight: 211 pounds

How I Gained It: I have been a bit heavy my entire life and coming from a family of naturally thin people, I would often ask the question "Why me?" When it came to food I never felt satisfied and I would beg my mom to give me seconds or thirds. She did her best to distract me, but when she wouldn't give in I would scream and cry till she gave me what I wanted. If she didn't, I went in the fridge when she wasn't looking and took it on my own. When I was in second grade, a schoolmate told me I was fat, so I started a series of very unhealthy yo-yo diets. It continued on throughout my teens, when I ballooned to 211 pounds. The problem with overeating is the vicious cycle it creates. I was depressed because of how I was getting teased at school -- it was so bad that I memorized where certain bullies were throughout the day so I could try my best to avoid them. To numb the pain I would go home and drown my sorrows in a box of blueberry Pop-Tarts and a large Little Caesars pizza, which would only propel me to feel worse for the amount of calories I consumed. The pain never subsided.

The Breaking Point: I was walking down the science hall and one of the notorious school bullies poured milk over my head and followed me around making mooing sounds, pausing only intermittently to ask why I was so fat. I went home and had a good cry, and from that moment on I decided I was no longer going to give the power to other people's cruel words. I wanted to be the healthy, beautiful person I knew I was on the inside.

How I Lost It: I started off walking. I would walk for four to five miles a day. When I became stronger, I started kick-boxing classes and running on a treadmill. I figured out my resting metabolic rate, and would not eat calories beyond what I burned. I had lost 56 pounds when I stepped foot into high school, and for the first time in my life I was thriving. Unfortunately, over the course of high school and university I ended up gaining most of the weight back, as is the case for many people who lose a significant amount of weight.

In 2009, I moved to Busan, South Korea. Deciding to embrace the new change in my life, I continued my journey to become a healthy adult. I thought cardio was the key to weight loss, and while it is important, it was when I started doing a combination of cardio and strength training that I started seeing real results. About eight months ago I started researching a plant-based, whole-foods diet. I watched documentaries, became part of the vegetarian movement here in Busan and read everything I could before deciding that veganism was the right option for my life and what I wanted out of it. I have since lowered my blood pressure and decreased my body fat. I wake up feeling energized and fall asleep easily. I have stronger and healthier hair, skin and nails, and I have managed to get to a very healthy 137 pounds. I have never been happier, and I will carry on my life fighting the good fight for a healthier mind and body.

After Weight: 135 pounds

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Comments

[lleejohn]

10:29 PM on 01/12/2013

Did anyone notice she has different color eyes between the two photos?

[GRL28]

02:17 PM on 01/28/2013

No it's just a darker picture and her pupils are dialated. Plus I have eyes that are similar, they change colors with what I wear.

[cint]

11:03 PM on 05/08/2012

Great success stories ,keep up the good work.All things can be accomplished if you have a plan and determination your goal you"ll reach.Check this out Click Here!you can find more tips and advices.

[omobob]

08:55 PM on 05/02/2012

Death begins in the colon. Help. 75 pounds of undigested meat?

Wanna lose weight? No processed sugars. No alcohol. No bleached flour. No pasta or breads. No dairy. Feta cheese only. No processed foods. Foods in cans, sealed packages and frozen foods. Exercise for 30 mins each day. start with walking. 15 out. 15 back.

[elcerritan]

02:51 AM on 05/03/2012

I'm curious: why feta only? What are its characteristics that distinguish it from other cheese?

[omobob]

08:34 PM on 05/06/2012

Feta is unprocessed. Easier to digest. Most all Adults should avoid Dairy. cheers

[enbow]

03:55 PM on 05/17/2012

So is this basically just a raw food diet?

[Brett Tonaille]

09:26 PM on 05/01/2012

I'm heartened by the weight loss story. But that doesn't leave me any less sickened by the bullying with the milk.
How do we lose THAT burden?

[omobob]

08:56 PM on 05/02/2012

> But that doesn't leave me any less sickened by the bullying with the milk.

"Milk is for babies. When you grow up you drink beer". Big Arnie, Pumping Iron.

[wamsee001]

12:54 AM on 05/01/2012

Vegan diet is surely to help in case you are a person who do not burn a lot of calories. For example, athletes will be fine if they add up white meat instead of pure vegan diet. Another simple way of loosing weight is eating early...read this post http://www.healthscribes.com/HP/Women's%20Health/Weight%20Loss%20Plan%20-%20Natural%20And%20Simple%20Way%20/Exercise/13

[Aelfgifu1]

12:15 AM on 05/02/2012

There are plenty of vegan athletes, including body builders and they are far healthier than omnivores.

[elcerritan]

03:48 AM on 05/02/2012

Far healthier than omnivores? All of them are far healthier than all omnivore athletes? That's a rather sweeping statement. How about providing some proof - or at least a little bit of supporting evidence. The fact is, elite class athletes, whether they're vegans or omnivores, are typically so reliant on manufactured dietary components like protein powders and other supplements that their diets are not even remotely representative of what "normal" vegans OR omnivores eat, so talking about one group being "healthier" than another is pretty absurd.

[klbrz]

11:58 PM on 05/04/2012

"Do you not know what the word "plenty" means?
And there is PLENTY of evidence. Look it up. I'm not your kindergarten teacher."

Gee, it's so cute how you are trying to be a b@d a55. The fact is, your singling out your use of the word "plenty" in your argument with me has nothing to do with what you originally said. If I were you, I would contact my ESL teacher for some tutor references.

Have a great day. ;-)

[ladywindsor1]

11:24 PM on 04/30/2012

I admire vegans. It IS a healthy diet. That said, Bill Clinton I believe is now a smidge TOO thin. I guess his cardiac scares keep him in line. I remember when his Secret Service agents had to follow him as he jogged to McDonald's for a Big Mac.
Can't speak for anyone else, but I sure hate living like a mature, responsible adult........

[EMOTNAS]

11:54 PM on 04/29/2012

Weight in itself is not a very important indicator of over all health. Rather, Body Mass Index (BMI) is the medical method by determining if a person is underweight, healthy weight, overweight, obese, or grossly obese. BMI is one predictor to some of the most common causes of death in the USA. We should all visit our doctor, and determine our BMI, along with blood work to determine blood cholesterol levels. Together with other lifestyle choices, all of this data can help you determine your true health condition, and help you and your physician develop a nutritional and exercise program specifically for you. I had a BMI of 41- I was grossly obese and had 3 serious diseases (co morbidities), which threatened to shorten or even, end my life. Today, I weigh 185 pounds, and have a healthy BMI of 24. One fix cures rarely work, a comprehensive and lasting chance has to be made in order to overcome serious medical issues, and develop lifelong habits for healthy living. Looking better is not as important as feeling better and living longer. But I do believe that feeling better about one's appearance does encourage one to keep on a healthy program. While there are a lucky few who will never battle with their weight, the vast majority of us will. Daily choices determine the outcome on longevity and our overall health.

[InNeedofNatt]

07:42 AM on 05/01/2012

BMI is actually not as accurate as one may think as an indicator for health as it doesn't take muscle mass into consideration. Everyone should have their body fat percent checked out by a physician.

It's all about your mindset: instead of saying 'I can't eat that' say 'I could eat that, but I don't want to.'

[JSDKoeln]

03:03 AM on 05/03/2012

BMI is an absolute travesty. And guess what, Weight IS part of the BMI. It's just an average scale created to assess mass amounts of people. It was never designed for individuals.

[emily tripp]

06:55 PM on 04/29/2012

Has a great smile at any weight. Glad you are happier on the inside as well now.

[emily tripp]

06:54 PM on 04/29/2012

She hardly looks 211 in the before pic.

[elatas]

09:07 PM on 12/13/2012

Agreed, but If she's like me, she would've avoided the camera at 211.

[shannonbixler]

06:10 PM on 04/29/2012

Natt, you exude confidence because you taught yourself health and happiness by way of Mother Nature's bounty; and that is sooooo darn beautiful!

[InNeedofNatt]

04:01 AM on 05/01/2012

Thank you Shannon! What a sweet and positive thing to say! I appreciate your kind words. x

[windy51006]

03:44 PM on 04/29/2012

WAY to go .. but why change the eye color?

[emily tripp]

06:56 PM on 04/29/2012

Don’t think she did. It’s the camera.

[rhondajohn]

03:39 PM on 04/29/2012

To those who have lost fans, so goes the world.

[Gabrielle Rossi]

03:38 PM on 04/29/2012

She looks fantastic! Doesn't even look like the same person as before. The important thing is she is a lot healthier.

[rhondajohn]

03:38 PM on 04/29/2012

You were great and are great. People judge based on their needs or aspirations.
All I can say is you look great and are probably a lot healthier congrats.
To the rest of the people who have a problem with overweight people, bigotry and bias isn't as easy to spot on the surface but it is infinitely more ugly.

[Jerilyn Jund]

03:38 PM on 04/29/2012

Way to go Natt. Not just for the weight loss but for taking control of your own health. Do what is right for you! If others don't like/love you for who you are, there not worth there time. Those that degrade others simply do so to hide there own faults! Good for you for doing what you felt is right. Now you will be picked on for being vegan. Ya just can't win. Do what you think is right even if you stand alone. You look wonderful by the way!

[InNeedofNatt]

04:00 AM on 05/01/2012

You win some, you lose some but I'm happy, even if I will stand alone (which I never will). x