How I Went From 3XL to XS and Lost 120 Pounds Naturally

Meredith Hutson is a TikTok influencer with over 674,000 followers who goes by the handle @_getfitwithmer. She has built a following for her incredible weight loss journey story, going from 256 pounds to 136 pounds in two years. She shares all the diet, fitness, and mental health tips that have been instrumental along the way. Here is what motivated Meredith to change her life once and for all, and a few of the things she did to lose 120 pounds naturally. 

@_getfitwithmer 3 years ago today I changed my life #weightloss #weightlosstransformation #weightlossjouney #myjourney #tiktok #weightlossprogress #gymtok #motivation ♬ The Funeral – Band Of Horses

Meredith's weight loss journey started shortly after getting engaged in August 2019. According to the influencer she went shopping for a wedding gown but couldn't find one that fit her. So, she decided to lose weight. 

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@_getfitwithmer I wish I tried harder and gave myself more of a chance all those years before I did. I wish I had the support, the motivation and the willpower to keep going back then. "I wish" was something I said every time I thought about losing the weight. Self doubt is something I talk about SO often with my clients because it's THE thing that blocks you from starting AND committing to your journey. You have to block out the noise of thinking you can't do this because your thoughts & your mindset will ultimately determine if you make it to the end. This weekend I challenge you to set yourself up for success – take a step into the right direction. Do what you need to do to make it happen. Don't second guess yourself – just do it. You got this babes 🤍 #weightloss #weightlosstransformation #foryourpage #weightlossmotivation #weightlosscommunity #weightlosscoach ♬ Blessings – Fridayy

Prior to her wedding in November 2020 she lost a whopping 50 pounds – in just 15 months. After her wedding she lost another 70 pounds. She maintains she did this with a few simple changes: She started tracking her macros and calories and also weight and strength training. 

"Before you give up or just accept the fact you will struggle with your weight forever..I need you to first know I felt that exact same way. I never thought I'd have the discipline, the knowledge or the confidence to stay true to my goals. I never could stay with it in the past and nothing ever seemed to work so why did I think this time would be different?" she writes in one of her viral posts. 

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@_getfitwithmer Starting can be scary and if there's anyone that gets that it's me.. Starting was so scary to me because of all the failed attempts I've made in the past and the feeling of that kept me from trying again for years. I reached my ultimate heaviest when I gave up on trying and all the years that pasted by made not only my physical health suffer but my mental health as well. Living in a life you aren't really living in isn't worth fighting for! You are worthy of doing all the things you want in life and if starting is one of them then don't hold yourself back. If guidance is what you need then I'm right here my love, it's what I'm passionate about and what I live and breathe. Regardless of the steps you make today I want you to make each one count. Today will always be the best day for you to start. That's from someone who did all of this because of not hesitating and just DOING! 🤍 #weightloss #weightlossmotivation #weightlossjouney #weightlossadvice #weightlosscoach #weightlosscommunity #fitnessmotivation ♬ Belonging – Muted

"I spent years of my life in that mindset and instead of making a change I continued to stay in the same place, doing the same things that only made things harder on me. 🥺 Change isn't fun and just like anything in life it's an adjustment but I can promise you this you CAN accomplish anything you set your heart & mind on," she says. 

One of the things she had to change is her diet. "Meredith, what did you eat to lose 120 pounds? What was it that you were eating?" her followers always ask. 

@_getfitwithmer we keep it simp #weightloss #weightlosstransformation #weightlossmotivation #weightlossrecipes ♬ original sound – Meredith | Weight loss Journey

"Listen, would you eat what I would eat?" she responded. "Because right now I'm eating ground beef." She revealed that she consumes a high protein meal every single day, consisting of eight ounces of ground beef, one-half can of black beans, and some shredded cheese. 

She wasn't quite as confident that her followers would be fans. "Would you eat that?" she asked. "Like I'm actually really curious. "Not only am I eating this, but I've eaten this every single day for like a good solid two weeks. I like it, but it isn't extravagant by any means."

@_getfitwithmer How did creating new habits help me lose 120lbs, along with changing my life in the process? ✨ Something I need you to know first is every single one of these were changes I personally made that got me here. It's honestly mind blowing how much changing your lifestyle can do for you in your life. Never in a million years did I think cooking from home, waking up early, watching less tv, moving my body more, reading instead of scrolling and speaking kindly about myself could do for my life. I get emotional thinking about how I used to live my life compared to how I do now. Looking back I wasn't "living" at all and it's the reason why I found myself feeling unfulfilled & just lost in this world. You have the power to become anything you want. Look at what you do from the moment you wake up – how are you starting the day and how are you ending the day? What changes could you make now that will help you grow and become who you are meant to be in 2024? Apply yourself – give it everything you have and know I'm here to remind you that these changes aren't impossible. Your life is whatever you make it to be. 🤍 #weightloss #2024goals #newyeargoals #weightlosstransformation #weightlossmotivation #weightlossinspiration #2024weightlossgoals #2024fitnessgoals ♬ original sound – habz.fx

According to clinical trials, consuming more protein than the recommended dietary allowance not only reduces body weight (BW), but also enhances body composition by decreasing fat mass while preserving fat-free mass (FFM) in both low-calorie and standard-calorie diets. Meal planning is also a great research-backed weight loss hack. One, one study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity found meal planning was associated with a healthier diet and less obesity.

Other healthy habits she has incorporated? She went from "eating fast food" to cooking at home, from "sleeping in late" to waking up early, and from watching tv to moving her body, she revealed in another video. She also reads more, goes on adventures on the weekends instead of drinking, and practices positive affirmation. 

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We asked The Diet Diva, Tara Collingwood, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD/N, ACSM-CPT, a Board Certified Sports Dietitian, to weigh in on her tactics. "I love that she didn't let the 'I couldn't stick with it in the past and nothing works' mantra get her down and she tried again and was successful this time," she says. "It sounds like she really took control of her not so healthy habits and decided to make a huge change in many areas of her life." She also agrees that finding healthy meals you like and sticking to them as long as you want is a great idea, and is totally supportive of black beans, cheese, and ground beef. "Black beans are one of the healthiest foods around:  Fiber, protein, high antioxidants, high in B Vitamins," she says. "Cheese of course has calcium and protein. Ground beef is really nutrient dense and hopefully she was choosing the lean beef and draining any extra fat."

💪🔥Body Booster: Finding protein-rich meals you love will help you lose weight while feeling satisfied, according to research.