Woman Who Weighed Over 300 Pounds Shares Before And After Transformation Photos From Losing Weight Over 3 Years

When she was 22 years old, Laura Micetich weighed over 300 pounds, which was causing her innumerable health problems, including "hyperthyroidism, high blood pressure and prediabetes." She even began to consider weight loss surgery to try and regain control of her health.

But that became unnecessary after Micetich found her love of weight-lifting. She donned the nickname "The Iron Giantess," and began posting photos of her workout progress...

Little did she know what a startling transformation the next years would bring.

@theirongiantess/Instagram

Micetich wrote on her website:

What initially began because of consideration for weight loss surgery quickly grew into an intense love of health, fitness and nutrition. I started by going to the gym, lifting weights and eating a clean diet tailored to my body's needs.

It only took a few weeks for me to realize that I didn't need to go under the knife. I needed to get under the bar.

@theirongiantess/Instagram

In the first year, I shed more than 100 pounds without surgery and significantly changed my unhealthy habits.

I am now health issue free and my life has changed for the better with the simple realization that what we want and what we do are completely in our own control.

@theirongiantess/Instagram

@theirongiantess/Instagram

Laura describes how common sense solutions, combined with hard work, helped her quickly shed weight:

I just adjusted my diet.

I ate lots of clean foods and removed all starches and processed sugars. I stopped eating out.

I stopped getting takeout. I stopped buying junk at the grocery store.

I stopped having alcoholic drinks with friends. I stopped binging on crap.

That was it.

@theirongiantess/Instagram

@theirongiantess/Instagram

Micetich's intense lifting schedule, more gradual weight loss and young age allowed her to get in shape while avoiding the "excess skin that many other rapid weight loss diets tend to leave behind."

@theirongiantess/Instagram

@theirongiantess/Instagram

@theirongiantess/Instagram

It took Laura a while to admit her life needed to change:

I grew up heavy.

I also grew up a ball buster.

So there was no chance I was going to admit I was insecure about my appearance.

@theirongiantess/Instagram

I played it cool and a lot of people bought it. After finally having time to think about who I wanted to be, I decided to make a change.

@theirongiantess/Instagram

After she discovered weightlifting, however, everything became easier:

I started weight training almost daily, spending hours in the gym and studying research and scientific findings relating to health, fitness, and nutrition.

@theirongiantess/Instagram

The results took time, but they were worth it!

@theirongiantess/Instagram

Micetich is glad she decided to turn things around while she still could.

@theirongiantess/Instagram

And she has a message for everyone who may be inspired by her story:

If you get tired, learn to rest, not to quit.

With patience, age, and a little self-love, your smile won't quite catch on your insecurities the same way it once did.

Give it time...you're not too old. It's not too late.

@theirongiantess/Instagram

@theirongiantess/Instagram

@theirongiantess/Instagram

If her 330k Instagram followers are any indication, Micetich's message is making a real difference.

@theirongiantess/Instagram

In her words:

You are who you choose to be.

@theirongiantess/Instagram

H/T - Bored Panda, Instagram