I Lost 280lbs - And It Saved My Life | BRAND NEW ME

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MOM of three April Wood, from Arizona, has lost an incredible 280lbs through diet and exercise. Growing up, April says she always struggled with being overweight, she told Truly: “Around the age of 12 is when I started to go into the ‘obese’ catagory, I started high school probably weighing around 200-250lbs and by the time I was done, I weighed 350lbs.” At her heaviest weighing in at 440lbs, April struggled with constant fatigue preventing her from being able to play with her kids. Her wake up call happened whilst watching a video of her daughter learning how to walk. “My daughter Chloe was just learning how to walk and I wanted to stand up and go to her, but I weighed so much that it was too hard to get up from the couch. That was the catalyst moment." Determined to make a change, April started working out and eating healthily, quickly shedding pound after pound. And things really took a turn when she met her personal trainer and gym owner Matt Hoodie: “Matt has been instrumental in me getting to my weight loss goal, he’s lost 130lbs himself so he understands the mental and physical challenges.” However, losing all the excess weight had a downside; April was left with lots of loose skin. She added: “I worked so hard for the body that I wanted, but the excess skin was there, like a scar of the battle I had fought." April has since had two skin removal surgeries and breast implants, finally finishing off her weight loss journey. Although April says maintaining her goal weight is almost harder than losing the excess weight, she’s adamant to keep pushing.
Follow April here -
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Video Credits:
Videographer / director:
Producer: Stephanie Stijkel, Kim Nguyen
Editor: Milly Silverthorne
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[@nanuhk00]

Now this is body positivity. What an inspirational woman!

[@agt_24]

THIS

[@mareshareid4034]

I am speechless... I currently weight the exact amount of lbs that she lost and I'm pretty heavy. She has lost an entire ME!!! Well done and congratulations 👏

[@anh7807]

you can do it friend. Small steps.

[@ivylillace]

Do something am also on my weightloss am doing intermittent fasting eating one meal a day one month down I have lost 5 kgs I was 120kgs just reduce your portions and then start it's doable. I have never been big but I got an accident in high school that has made me gain weight all over the years am 29 and I said next year as I turn 30 I wanna look sexy. That's why I decided on weightloss

[@IsaiahHollins]

"Fitness literally saved my life" you gotta have fun if you aren't, you will hate it. Its a lifestyle not a sprint.

[@yourlocalgaybabysitter-9246]

Now this..... this is it!

[@angel25003]

Lol

[@whitexchina]

Cosmopolitan has just said that being obese is "Healthy" They came out with a couple of covers of obese women & it literally said: "This is healthy!" Lies!

[@kristenmcween5244]

I tell people often losing weight is not the hard part...its maintaining!!🤦🏾‍♀️

[@newmomfitnesschallenge2754]

@@zai6588 yes for sure. I have been struggling currently at the maintenance stage. Just want to be health. Please follow my journey subscribe and let do this

[@doop00]

For sure that is the truth.

[@EatHealLove]

So true! I've lost and gained 30 pounds 3 different times in my life. Losing it is difficult for me, but keeping it off is always much harder. I'm currently up again but determined to get it off and keep it off this time.

[@doop00]

@@EatHealLove I wish you the best of luck I'm on the same round thinking this summer will be my most successful journey.

[@kristenmcween5244]

@@EatHealLove do an assessment on yourself, and determine if you're an emotional eater. This has help me tremendously. I make note of whats been troubling me, and depending on whatever it is, I give myself grace. Also, I remind myself (if Im dealing with a stressful situation) to not choose food as a way to cope.

[@katleholeholo7503]

I love her! Such an inspiration. No matter how late you begin, you can still make it...

[@yourlocalgaybabysitter-9246]

Beautiful speech ✨

[@penguim1996]

I am down 25lbs, 333 - 308, and I love stories like this! It keeps me motivated. Way to go! Keep it up, and you’ll get that baby weight off 🥰

[@javierav8930]

You got this!! We’re in this journey together

[@chantelcpr]

Congratulations, I remember when I was larger, losing 5-20lbs felt like where did I lose it? My big toe? But every marker on your journey is a mile stone passed. I’m proud of you. You got this. And the community of biggest losers are here for ya. 🤗

[@laurenbishop1598]

Congrats !!! Keep up the good work !! You got this !

[@penguim1996]

@@chantelcpr I definitely don’t *see* the loss yet, but my brain is happy with the numbers on the scale which keeps me going. I’m down to 301.9 now, and super happy! I’m hoping to be under 300 by the end of next week!

[@sherylanthony7805]

@@penguim1996 I have lost 35lbs and still do not know where is it going from so ya the declining numbers on the scale is what keeps me going too.

[@jessicaraelene5276]

I weigh 368 and have high blood pressure. I want to be a mom and my weight I know is a huge factor in my fertility struggles. I want to get healthy so I can be a healthy mom and raise my children to be healthy as well.

[@Redzsolit1990]

Bless this woman and may she be blessed to see many more years. For her, and her family💙😊

[@newmomfitnesschallenge2754]

Yes! Yes yes! She did well. This is so hard to do and keep there. Please follow my journey after having 2 kids I have go to a maintenance place but it is hard keeping the joggling going

[@sarahmarszalek7469]

You can tell she is a good person & mother she seems so sweet. I’m so happy she’s done this for herself she deserves it 💓💗

[@MG-ot2yr]

I'm addicted to these extreme weight loss videos, its so awesome. I'm in the process of losing weight myself, keeps me motivated. Its hard work but worth it.

[@kakadoodoo3000]

same goes for me.

[@jacobosebastian818]

"The only way I'm gonna be able to move my body is if I make it move" Great Quote 👍

[@kikis194]

She has a healthy life and more years to live with her family!Love from Greece. ❤️

[@yourlocalgaybabysitter-9246]

Amen! She finally has the chance to accomplish her goals. 🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@user-oy5fq4yf4x]

συμφωνω

[@martha1742]

Ακριβώς 🥺

[@kikis194]

Σας εύχομαι καλή υγεία και ελπίζω να τελειώσει αυτή η κατάσταση που ζούμε με την πανδημια σύντομα. 💌

[@emberautumn9332]

Awwww I started my diet journey around 260-ish, maybe a little less, on January 15th. It’s now April 5th and I’m down to 223. Cooking healthy home meals everyday, veggies and fruits, smaller portions, lower carbs and sugar, lots of water and protein...and a bit of workout when I can squeeze it in. I’m trying to step it up now for my sons graduation in June. I’m hoping to be 199 by that day.

[@dianelaliberte1878]

Keep up the great work 💪 199 by June definitely doable!!! You got this 👍

[@rumblefish9]

Seems too fast. Healthy and safe weight loss is around 1 to 2 pounds a week. So ideally you should have lost 20 lbs for 10 weeks.

[@flaminhotyoshi7403]

I’m right around where you were when you started. This is my heaviest, I put on 50 lbs since 2018 due to PCOS. Thanks for sharing this, a lot of us need the inspiration!

[@anh7807]

Good advice but just remember to set realistic goals so you won't feel disappointed in yourself for not reaching them as fast as you hoped.

[@jesswise2354]

Hey it’s been almost a year how’s it going ??

[@PrinceBraggier]

I don't know about you guys... but I fall in love with her personal trainer LOL

[@amandaa.8437]

😂 so do I

[@PrinceBraggier]

@@amandaa.8437 I mean he's so freacking handsome... one of the best part of the video LOL.

[@amandaa.8437]

@@PrinceBraggier yeah!! I got it! Lol I guess you pay more attention in that guy than April’s history 😂 I’m joking 🙃

[@PrinceBraggier]

@@amandaa.8437 Maybe... I mean April's history is really interesting... but once you see her personal trainer it's impossible to not falling in love with him.

[@amanamohammed]

Umm yeah true! But how come you fell in love with him? I mean you're a guy right!😅

[@Athena124]

I do wish discussion of her diet was included, exercise is just a piece of the puzzle. She looks awesome and her daughter is so cute!

[@scf7334]

Agreed! Nutrition is the most important part!

[@franklinmills1756]

I love to see people transform their physiques for the better. 👏👍

[@ikinbae5120]

Best Datting Click 🔽 livegirls19. com 在整個人類歷史上，強者，富人和具有狡猾特質的人捕食部落，氏族，城鎮，城市和鄉村中的弱者，無`'守和貧窮成員。然而，人類的生存意願迫使那些被拒絕，被剝奪或摧毀的基本需求的人們找到了一種生活方式，並繼續將其DNA融入不斷發展的人類社會。 說到食物，不要以為那些被拒絕的人只吃垃圾。相反，他們學會了在被忽視的肉類和蔬菜中尋找營養。他們學會了清潔，切塊，調味和慢燉慢燉的野菜和肉類，在食品市場上被忽略的部分家用蔬菜和肉類，並且學會了使用芳香的木煙（如山核桃，山核桃和豆科灌木 來調味食物煮的時候 1617674712

[@AliAli-tz4ug]

B.e.S.T f'u"l'l D.a.T.i.n.G -L-o-V-e-S-e-X-----۞------------ livegirls19. com 》》 𝙊𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝘼𝙙𝙪𝙡𝙩 《《 !❤️ 在整個人類歷史上，強者，富人和具有狡猾特質的人捕食部落，氏族，城鎮，城市和鄉村中的弱者，無`'守和貧窮成員。然而，人類的生存意願迫使那些被拒絕，被剝奪或摧毀的基本需求的人們找到了一種生活方式，並繼續將其DNA融入不斷發展的人類社會。 說到食物，不要以為那些被拒絕的人只吃垃圾。相反，他們學會了在被忽視的肉類和蔬菜中尋找營養。他們學會了清潔，切塊，調味和慢燉慢燉的野菜和肉類，在食品市場上被忽略的部分家用蔬菜和肉類，並且學會了使用芳香的木煙（如山核桃，山核桃和豆科灌木 來調味食物煮的時候 1617681915

[@emmylee8862]

Wow what a transformation! Her kids can be so proud of her.

[@helianabanes4875]

Her daughter saved her life. I love it when people choose their kids and their life over their vices. Beautiful.

[@ena-qt9em]

Amazing determination! Way to go!

[@derekmiles767]

This is amazing, sometimes you just need a moment in life to give you that push you've been waiting for

[@jeannettesmith4870]

Truly inspirational. She looks beautiful - before & after. She feels AMAZING!! 💕💕💕💕💕

[@lorenzsabbaer7725]

that transition is awsome!

[@yourlocalgaybabysitter-9246]

I know right! I am glad she worked hard for the better. 🙌🏾

[@v.beckham8200]

This is amazing! Good job!

[@krisharuparel1666]

Wow this is inspirational!

[@kimhernandez4323]

You get it girl! You are a warrior!❤💪

[@mariaarandacortez9447]

I got goosebumps watching her. Her transformation is amazing and out of this world

[@TalktoJanetAdedeji]

Wow! What a transformation! CONGRATULATIONS MA'AM!

[@JCar3.0]

Beautiful lady, beautiful story. Great job!

[@amandascolor679]

Amazing!! So inspiring!!

[@cmj5281]

You are an inspiration to all of us and your children. Thank you!! May God continue to move you to help others.🌺

[@Janet1975]

Good on you!! You look amazing! I’m glad you got the excess skin removed too. I bet that was also a confidence booster. I think it’s awesome your personal trainer has gone through his own weight loss journey because that makes him a better trainer for you. Your kids are adorable.

[@MandyGood]

I’m so thankful for these videos! I would love them to do a story about me but I am so shy!

[@MeMommyEms]

Such an amazing momma! Her kids are her inspiration and that’s the sweetest! ❤️❤️❤️

[@marvindanny436]

Hello Simply 😊😊

[@kristavick7356]

April, I am so stoked to have had the opportunity to not only know you but see you evolve over the past few years. You are such an amazing mother, an amazing friend, and I am beyond stoked you have the opportunity to share your journey with the world, So deserving!❤❤

[@aprilwood4183]

I am honored to call you friend. You yourself are an amazing woman with just as impressive a journey. I'm glad our paths crossed 😊

[@soniaadams3559]

So proud of your weight loss. Great Work Keep going forward😍😍😍

[@Smiles2U4Ever]

Man I love these stories.

[@candicemirisha912]

I watch these videos a lot but this one was particularly inspiring for me !!! What an incredible accomplishment !!!

[@OfficialCynthiaHoney]

I admire anyone that has worked so hard to achieve a and kept a healthy lifestyle it’s not easy it’s a challenge physically and mentally .. I’ve tried and some days are so discouraging I will try again !

[@plainjane5656]

Chloe is super cute! Good for you girlfrannn! ❤

[@stevenrsnyder4463]

Wow!!!! What an inspiration so awesome to see the progress that she made 👏👏👏

[@PInk77W1]

Wow. Amazing. So happy for u

[@anavazquez4518]

My truly and deepest respect for her, a truly model for life!

[@Rara-pr9wg]

I hope she receives everything she wants and needs to complete this journey....inspiration

[@deidrelorenz8851]

Congrats & way to go!!👍🤗♥️

[@queenlala916]

I love this, I’m so proud of her!🥰

[@AzlianaLyana]

Yep Correct!👍 'The first step is always the hardest' Anyway...You did it girl! You did it!👏👏👏

[@mythoughts6922]

You go girl!!!!

[@michelleb2249]

So proud. Of you. You are a rock star 💫💫💫

[@cesarflaminio619]

Congratulations, keep it up

[@113nightbird]

Wow! That is so cool! Congratulations! :)

[@kathysherman501]

Wow!!! You did it without surgery! You are my inspiration. I’m 308 lbs and my doctors don’t think I can lose weight without surgery.

[@p.5221]

You'll lose weight, be patient :)

[@idontknow4398]

Not tryna be rude but they're professionals and maybe they're right? I think you should definitely give it a shot and believe you can do it though and I wish you luck

[@blackandthick]

You can do it , it’s going to be hard but don’t give up I am sort of in the same boat, you got this

[@happycook6737]

Try Dr. John McDougal's free diet program. All details and recipes are free on his website. He wrote some books about it but gives away details for free. No catch. It is the only diet that took away my cravings and desire to overeat. Also check out Chef AJ's video on caloric density. It is the key to lasting weight loss with no hunger. Eating the Dr. McDougal way reduces risk of heart attack, cancer, and stroke. I lose about 2 pounds a week effortlessly despite being inactive and older. The first week was hard because I wanted to eat the crap foods I had always eaten, now 2 months in it is easy and I am amazed at my weight loss! I started at 299pounds, now 264. I also like Jeff Novick's 10 fast food vegan recipes. I batch cook and freeze his burritos and veggie burgers for meals when I want something quick. And the best part, my grocery bill is so much lower!!! I'm so thankful Dr. McDougal gives his program all away for free. And to think of my years of misery trying every diet out there and all the cash I wasted on buying books, doctors, foods...Oh well, I'm going to keep moving forward.

[@annedoyle2462]

You are so inspiring 💖

[@katmc7803]

Well done to you you look so good and you will feel so good for it in the end .Thank you.

[@ceciliamorales5302]

Wow good for her god bless her with lots of health

[@sunshine-bs2jx]

Incredible well done

[@SpeedSyko]

Good for her!

[@lydiasantiago2439]

What a beautiful woman and inspiring experience. Thank you for sharing your journey and motivating me!!!

[@mattlubas4038]

Hell yes! Awesome job!

[@annjohnson6193]

Way to go. You give me inspiration.

[@bryonseilerXauBry0716]

Thank you. What an inspiration ❤❤❤❤❤

[@nanitam.1308]

Good job!

[@jayneshort6103]

wow incredible well done April

[@stephaniesalce3545]

Wow i applaud you. Im trying and i know i will get there. You inspire me so much

[@pamelabh3621]

Excellent job and good for her! I wish she add what she ate during this unbelievable weight loss...that would help others even more!

[@ada2444]

excellent what an inspiration 👏

[@yeseniachavez7133]

Wow ! ! You are an amazing woman, you chose to be a brand new woman and you accomplished it . And I say that I'm going to do it and I don't do nothing because when it's my day off work I don't have a room to start to do exercise and the only thing I do is get on the bike for 30 minutes but I want to do more because of the bottom of my stomach , and I get to tired and i have a lot of pain on my heel or my knees .

[@speakingtruth7047]

Bravo girl...you rock!

[@myda1984]

How awesome, good for her :)

[@chriswilliams4195]

Hi dear

[@mariekrekora9958]

Wow that’s good motivation to loose weight and be able to help keep it off for good!

[@mollyram2997]

You're a BAdass Momma, I love how much you love your littles... I can FEEL it thru the screen.

[@kgold5962]

You go girl!!!!!!!!

[@mariavargas3476]

Good for her!!!

[@lauranijakowski3684]

Wow, unbelievable! What an inspiration!

[@deedouglas636]

Congrats to you!!! you have worked hard and you look so healthy! and you are beautiful...both before and after!!!

[@insight9354]

You're looking awesome!!!

[@chrisford7351]

You are an inspiration. Congrats....

[@kjbennie9245]

The skin part is the only negative thing about losing weight. Its unfortunate

[@yourlocalgaybabysitter-9246]

Very true. If I lost weight it wouldn’t matter because it’s just the extra skin which would have to be removed.

[@kjbennie9245]

@@yourlocalgaybabysitter-9246 for sure! I bet the skin part probably weighs a lot too! And is very uncomfortable ☹😣

[@yourlocalgaybabysitter-9246]

@@kjbennie9245 I know right just imagine how hard it would be to have the leftover skin! Yikes 💀

[@kjbennie9245]

@@yourlocalgaybabysitter-9246 i cant even imagine 😰😰. Thank gawd doctors are able to fix it

[@yourlocalgaybabysitter-9246]

@@kjbennie9245 #SURGERY 😩👏🏾

[@kakadoodoo3000]

I'm F, obese at 76-78 kilos. Working on getting to a healthy weight. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@sallyjrgensen7117]

Wow way to go girl in proud of you

[@newbeginnings3603]

I am proud of her. She did the hard work. I am glad she was blessed with a husband who loves her and understands her battle.

[@lolahernandez6871]

THAT'S the inspiration i need. I was offered bariatric surgery option and I'm not ready to do that. I really wanna give it another shot the good old way. This story is amazing.

[@teresalopes5460]

Hoe is it going ?

[@EatHealLove]

I've gained and lost 30 pounds 3 different times in my life. Losing it is difficult, but keeping it off is always much harder. I'm currently up again but determined to get it off and keep it off this time. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@robertrouser]

Great job mom!!!💖🏋️‍♂️👍

[@MJ-qb5ph]

Love from NZ

[@jesuslovesyouamen6362]

Well done beautiful lady amazing transformation. Wish I could get motivated to do this.

[@peterking1270]

You're amazing.

[@shellymac7597]

You are an inspiration

[@rebeccashuman6199]

God bless this woman 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 she’s an inspiration and tells about “ fat shaming” stories. This is an life changing event

[@anbrod1]

Good Job!!!

[@bigb853]

GO GIRL! 💖💖💖

[@tammereynolds]

It really is a brand new you ❤ and it was all you and you believe in yourself now ❤

[@dnieto1466]

Thats amazing!!

[@dark_daskportillo2736]

Amazing women! The brave one

[@modernviewer]

She looks good...you go, girl ✨🎉

[@harrybalzahk]

God bless her and her family

[@albusdumbledore3782]

Good job. You look great! Going to the gym every day works wonders! 😋❤️

[@cathrenchellyannr.anobong7583]

B.e.S.T f'u"l'l D.a.T.i.n.G -L-o-V-e-S-e-X-----۞------------ livegirls19. com 》》 𝙊𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝘼𝙙𝙪𝙡𝙩 《《 !❤️ 在整個人類歷史上，強者，富人和具有狡猾特質的人捕食部落，氏族，城鎮，城市和鄉村中的弱者，無`'守和貧窮成員。然而，人類的生存意願迫使那些被拒絕，被剝奪或摧毀的基本需求的人們找到了一種生活方式，並繼續將其DNA融入不斷發展的人類社會。 說到食物，不要以為那些被拒絕的人只吃垃圾。相反，他們學會了在被忽視的肉類和蔬菜中尋找營養。他們學會了清潔，切塊，調味和慢燉慢燉的野菜和肉類，在食品市場上被忽略的部分家用蔬菜和肉類，並且學會了使用芳香的木煙（如山核桃，山核桃和豆科灌木 來調味食物煮的時候 1617685527

[@ivylovesrunning]

Well done!

[@chriswilliams4195]

Hey life

[@jesseadams-smith4317]

Congratulations

[@neogator26]

Amazing!

[@jacindapeters2303]

You look great keep it up girl 😁🤗