Single mother, 50, reveals how she lost 80LBS and reinvented her life in ONE YEAR - after a doctor warned her she was at risk of having a stroke

Trish Cheatham, 50, from the Midwest, weighed 202lbs at the start of 2020She overhauled her diet and started working out daily after a health scareFour years later, she weighs 121lbs and competes in fitness competitions  

A single mother has revealed how she lost 80lbs in one year and completely reinvented herself after a life-changing health scare.

Trish Cheatham, 50, from the Midwest, weighed more than 200lbs and was warned that she was at risk of having a stroke at any moment when she started her fitness journey in early 2020.

Four years later, she is down to 121lbs and living a healthy lifestyle filled with daily workouts and fitness competitions.

‘Working as a CEO running two companies, amid intense pressure, long hours, and single parenting an autistic son, I let my health slide and gained weight,’ she explained.

Trish Cheatham, 50, from the Midwest, lost 80lbs and transformed her life after a health scare

The single mom went from 202lbs (L) to 121lbs (R) in just one year

Four years after Trish started her fitness journey, she said she doesn’t miss much about her old lifestyle

Trish realized she needed to overhaul her lifestyle after she ‘fell seriously ill’ and had to go to the hospital four years ago.

‘I discovered I weighed 202lbs, far from my usual 135lbs,’ she recalled. ‘My normally low blood pressure was 166 over 100, and the doctor told me I was at risk of having a stroke at any moment. 

‘The hospital refused to release me unless I bought a blood pressure cuff and took my blood pressure four times a day.

‘Terrified, I bargained with God, thinking of my child, whom I love more than anything. I vowed that I would do whatever it took to live and regain my health — for him, for us.’

When her health improved, she kept the promise she made to herself and started a 10-day sugar detox, eliminating processed foods and sugar from her diet.

Trish began walking daily, starting slowly as she recovered, and gradually increased to walking 10 miles a day.

The exercise combined with her healthier diet led her to lose 25lbs in three months. She found inspiration in Joan MacDonald, who became a fitness influencer in her 70s.

‘I saw an account on Instagram, @trainwithjoan, and started to follow her,’ she said.

Trish explained that she let her ‘health slide and gained weight’ while running two companies and raising her autistic son

At the start of 2020, she ‘fell seriously ill’ and went to the hospital, where she learned she weighed 202lbs and her blood pressure was so high she was at risk for a stroke

Trish went on a 10-day sugar detox and signed up for a fitness program. She spent nine months traveling in an Airstream travel trailer with her son during the pandemic

‘Impressed with how she had regained her health at the age of 70, I investigated further and found that her daughter, Michelle MacDonald, was a coach running an online transformation program.’

Trish was one of 20 people out of hundreds of applicants who were chosen to start the program, but then the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

‘I decided to buy an Airstream travel trailer and embark on a nine-month adventure traveling the United States with my son, covering over 15,000 miles,’ she said. 

‘My goal was to work remotely and to get outdoors in the middle of so much uncertainty. Gyms were closed, the world was shut down, so my coach had already tailored our workouts for minimal equipment. 

‘I did my entire transformation with a set of adjustable dumbbells, resistance bands, booty bands, a stability ball, sandbags, a slam ball, and a yoga mat.’

Trish said she worked out every day, either at a campground or in the wilderness.  

‘I would film my workouts, and I would send them to my coach, who’d give me instructions on how to improve my form,’ she explained.

‘Nutrition-wise, I adopted a structured plan based on macros, eating five times a day and prioritizing protein. Although it felt like a lot initially, my body adjusted.

‘I did my entire transformation with a set of adjustable dumbbells, resistance bands, booty bands, a stability ball, sandbags, a slam ball, and a yoga mat,’ she said

The mom recalled how she filmed her workouts and sent them to her coach, who would advise her on how to improve her form

Not only did Trish lose weight, but she also gained energy, changed her body composition, and saw improvements in her skin and hair

‘Cooking isn’t my forte, but I managed with fresh ingredients and grilling. I cut out all processed food, sugar, and alcohol.’

Trish said her diet consisted of organic meats, vegetables, and berries, as well as a ‘ton of water.’

Not only did she continue to lose weight, but she also gained energy, changed her body composition, and saw improvements in her skin and hair.

She went from feeling heavy to forming muscles and reshaping her entire physique. After hitting her initial goal, she decided to train for her first fitness competition at the age of 48.

‘Initially, I had no intention of competing in a fitness competition. My main goal was to regain my health and lose weight,’ she said.

‘I had reservations about such competitions and how women were judged in them, but my perspective changed after attending one in person.’

Trish’s coach used the True Coach app for tracking workouts and progress, with strict requirements for check-ins, progress photos, and meal planning. Excuses were not tolerated.

‘For me, the competition symbolized emancipation and empowerment. I designed my theme and bikini around the concept of rising like a phoenix from my past, and it marked the beginning of my new life,’ she recalled.

After hitting her initial health goal, Trish trained for her first fitness competition at age 48

Trish used the principles she learned from her fitness journey, including having a positive mindset, to transform the rest of her life

‘I schedule my workouts based on what my workday looks like, and I look forward to each and every session because it melts away my stress and leaves me feeling empowered,’ she said

‘Stepping onto that stage, I felt an incredible sense of accomplishment and pride.’

Trish used the principles she learned from her fitness journey, including having a positive mindset, to transform the rest of her life.

‘What I love most about my new lifestyle is how incredible I feel. It’s like a natural high, and it’s become a powerful stress reliever, especially given my high-stress career,’ she said.

‘I schedule my workouts based on what my workday looks like, and I look forward to each and every session because it melts away my stress and leaves me feeling empowered.’

Trish shared that there isn’t much she misses from her old lifestyle.

‘I began this journey during a pandemic, making it easier to abstain from going out to eat or indulging in social activities,’ she explained.

‘Sometimes, I do miss sipping a cocktail or eating a big Italian meal of fresh pasta and warm bread, but I’ve only allowed myself six drinks since I started this journey, and I regretted every one of them.

‘I do not miss feeling terrible the next day. I used to drink a whole bottle of wine without much effect, but now, a single glass makes me feel awful. It’s just not worth it to me. I’ve completely cut alcohol from my life.’

Trish, who now weighs 121lbs, has replaced alcohol with healthier options such as Pellegrino with a lime, saying ‘it’s an experience in itself.’

Trish explained that her nutrition plan is based on macros, saying she eats five times a day and prioritizes protein

The CEO said she also stopped drinking alcohol because she realized it made her feel ‘terrible the next day’

Trish’s health journey has earned her more than 70,000 followers on Instagram, where she shares her fitness triumphs and struggles

‘It’s eye-opening to step away from these substances and realize their impact on my body, sleep, and overall well-being,’ she shared. 

‘I’ve also discovered that cutting out daily Starbucks trips and indulgent drinks has made this lifestyle more affordable. 

‘Eating healthy, mainly focusing on protein and vegetables, has become economical, and I’ve noticed a positive change in my bank account.’

Trish’s health journey has earned her more than 70,000 followers on Instagram, where she shares her fitness triumphs and struggles.

Her message is all about empowering others to realize their own potential and that they are just as special and capable as anyone else.

‘When people see pictures of me, the first thing they ask me is if I’ve had plastic surgery,’ she said. ‘The answer is “no.”

‘I haven’t undergone any surgeries or procedures of any kind or loose skin removal — and I don’t edit my photos. Everything you see on my Instagram feed is genuine and achieved through hard work and dedication.

‘My greatest hope is that my story inspires others to make these positive changes in their life. I wish everyone could feel as free as I do in my body!’