Mandi Morrow

This mother and grandmother decided to improve her health and fitness for her family's sake. She's since lost 47 pounds and 27 inches overall.

Written By Jim Stoppani, PhD

Updated September 28, 2023

Written by Mandi Morrow

My name is Mandi. I am 41 years old and I am a mother of three and a grandmother of three.

My journey started 25+ years ago. My life was going downhill; I had no motivation to do anything or even get off the couch most days. I was what you would call a "yo-yo dieter." I would start to lose weight and do well, then life would happen and it all came back. Depression from raising two kids by myself when I was young took over my life. I didn't know what I was doing.

Then fast-forward: In January 2017, my husband's friend told us about Jim Stoppani. He told me what I needed to do and what to read. So for a few months, I did my research and learned what it was all about and how to start doing this lifestyle change the right way.

Then, on February 20, 2017, Jason and I started this lifestyle change together. My goal was to lose weight and be able to play and keep up with my grandbabies. My starting weight was 186 pounds, which I don't think was my highest. I followed Dieting 101 for the first month or so before I got my gym membership. I didn't know much about lifting weights, so I stuck to cardio for a little while. Then one day, I started using some of the machines and started to have some fun.

I was doing my own thing when I realized I had no idea what I was doing, so I started the Beginner to Advanced program. After that, I stuck to Train With Jim and full-body workouts because I can only work out three days a week due to work.

My current weight is 139 pounds and my goal is 135 pounds. I have lost 47 pounds and 27 inches so far and feel great. I went from a size 12 pants to a 2/4 and an XL shirt to a Medium, which is getting a little baggy.

Right now, I use protein powder and Shred JYM. I started Alpha JYM a few months ago and love it. I follow Dieting 101, carb cycling, and intermittent fasting, which has been the key to my success.

In the end, I needed to do this for me and my family. I needed to be here for them; on the road I was going down before, I wouldn't be around in 20 years.

My friends and family support me, but it has been my husband and the JYM Army that have gotten me through my ups and downs.

My advice to all of you is to believe that you can do this. Believe in yourself. It's one day at a time; if you fall down, get back up and do it again. There is no step-by-step book for this. It's just you believing that you CAN do this.

I would like to thank Jim Stoppani and Mike Mac for giving us the information to succeed and the JYM Army for always having our backs.

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