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This woman thought she would always be plus size” until she made that lifestyle change
At 6-foot-2, Melody Wells is no stranger to standing out in a crowd, but that was before she started struggling with her weight. As a young girl, she believed that her body type meant she should be taller. Over time, this mental approach caused her to gain weight, and she yoyoed it for years. "I had lost some weight in 2014 and felt great," Wells told SHAPE, "but then I felt like I didn't need to go to the gym anymore. By the end of 2015 I had gained all the weight back and then some." It wasn't until Wells went for a routine checkup...
This woman thought she would always be plus size” until she made that lifestyle change
At 6-foot-2, Melody Wells is no stranger to standing out in a crowd, but that was before she started struggling with her weight. As a young girl, she believed that her body type meant she should be taller. Over time, this mental approach caused her to gain weight, and she yoyoed it for years.
"I had lost some weight in 2014 and felt great," Wells told SHAPE, "but then I felt like I didn't need to go to the gym anymore. By the end of 2015 I had gained all the weight back and then some."
It wasn't until Wells went in for a routine checkup that she got the reality check she really needed. "I usually avoid looking at the scale [in the doctor's office] but I looked down and was horrified at the number," she said. “My parents have diabetes, and I knew if I didn’t do something soon, I would end up with diabetes too.”
“I never thought I would ever be able to lose weight,” she continues. "I always thought I was destined to be plus size. The day I decided my weight wouldn't define me was one of the best days of my life." (Read: Plus-size sports bras that have your back – and your front)
Although she was determined to get healthier, getting started was easier said than done. “I used to hate playing sports or doing anything active,” she says. But she knew if she couldn't find a program she loved, her progress would only be temporary.
“When I discovered weightlifting, I knew I had found the perfect program,” she said. “Everything I do is self-taught… YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest are super helpful when it comes to finding new and exciting ways to workout.”
Today, Wells spends six days in the gym, focusing on different problem areas throughout the week. “Monday, Wednesday and Friday are leg days because I love leg days,” she says. "Tuesdays and Thursdays are upper body days and I add an ab workout on whichever day I have the most time."
In addition to resistance training, Wells also swears by a daily dose of cardio. “I do cardio every day,” she says. “Whether it’s 45 minutes of walking on the high incline treadmill, 30 minutes on the Stairmaster, or 20-25 minutes on two different machines.” She rests on Sundays. (Read: 8 cardio myths that are making you fat)
After finding what worked for her in the gym, Wells knew her diet needed to be reevaluated, too. “I watched a video a long time ago whose premise was, ‘If you can’t read it, don’t eat it.’ I live by that rule now,” she says. "I read the ingredients on EVERYTHING. If there are a few words I can't pronounce, I don't buy them. So I eat a lot of natural foods - lean meats, fruits, vegetables. I eat five to six small meals a day to make sure my body is fueled appropriately. Plus, it helps your metabolism."
In just over a year, Wells' lifestyle change has allowed her to lose 122 pounds, and while she's come a long way, she's eager to make further progress. “Sometimes I think, ‘I’ve lost a whole person,’ and sometimes I think, ‘I still have a lot of work to do and I want to see progress now,’” she says. “I’m really proud of how far I’ve come and I’m excited to see where I’ll be in a year or even a month!”
Wells continues to set goals, whether it's participating in the Dirty Girl Mud Run for the first time or fitting into a two-piece swimsuit by summer. “The old Melody would never have considered it,” she says. (Read: These weight loss benefits will motivate you to achieve your goals)
To those struggling with their weight and unsure where to start, Wells says, "You have to find the right reason, and it has to be for you. If you're trying to lose weight for someone else or impress someone, you won't be able to get through. The hardest part of any journey is the beginning, and it's okay if you're afraid, it's okay to ask for help, and it's okay to fail! I've failed countless times, and I just have to trust myself get back up and carry on.”
"Start small and you'll be surprised at how far you'll go! I know it's cliché, but if I can do it, anyone can do it."
Follow Melody's inspiring journey on Instagram.