Body Positivity
‘Real Life Barbie’ Who Dropped 14st Says She Loved Her Body Even Before Weight Loss
Positive mindset is a game-changer.
Kayla Lavende has always wanted to look like the iconic doll Barbie but struggled with her weight. The US-based had even tried all diets and nutritionists; it wasn’t effective either. The Sydney, Australia-native reached 24.5st at her heaviest, and her wakeup call was when she boarded a flight.
Now, the influencer with over 16K followers has lost an impressive 14st 2lbs after having gastric sleeve surgery.
She shared the transformation snap with her audience, and it has since left them inspired. Kayla, in particular, had 80% of her stomach removed and started a grueling diet and fitness routine to achieve her dream physique. Four years later, she weighs just 10st 1Ib and looks incredible but insists she doesn’t hate her pre-wright loss body.
“After the surgery, I felt excited and like a brand new woman with the fresh start that I needed. I had a lot of mental clarity.”
“But I knew that was not the be-all and end-all. I knew I had to change my whole lifestyle. Obviously because of the surgery, my portions were a lot smaller however I learned all about nutrition and what my body needed versus what I wanted. I eliminated carbs, sugar and processed foods. I incorporated higher protein foods and meals prepped.” Kayla also started working out every day.
The Morning Show reported Kayla needed two seats and a seatbelt extender at a time, and the whole experience was horrible and definitely the wake-up call she needed.
In a before and after snap, one photo showed Kayla in a white bra and pink underwear before she lost weight. While in the next, she posed proudly with her hands on her hips and her long hair in braids while showing off her trim figure in a tight leopard print dress. With cutouts on the sides, she paired the dress with a pair of cool butterfly-shaped sunglasses.
Her caption read: “I am proud of my body and what it has done for me. That almost 350Ib body never failed me! I got me where I am today and I’m not stopping here. Friendly reminder to love your body at every stage of your journey.”
Previously, Kayla has shown off her flamboyant, Barbie-esque style, which she claims she had even before slimming down. Her obsession with Barbie started as a child and has continued into her adult life. She used to have over 200 dolls, as her parents used them as an incentive to go on a diet and lose weight.
In an Instagram post, Kayla had noted her size physically held her back from activities, but it never held her back from dressing cute.
She added: “Clothes wouldn’t fit me; that’s when I took it upon myself to make/alter my own stuff.”
Her followers applauded her weight loss and her mindset in the comments; One person commented: “I love how you don’t speak negatively regarding your previous size. It truly shows a positive example of loving yourself through thick and thin. Another added: “You look like a beauty queen and a model! Keep going! You look so amazing.” A third stated: “Absolute queen and so inspiring.”
