Obese Texan, Caitlin Adams, who weighed 253lbs reveals how she lost 107lbs

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Caitlin Adams, 26, from Texas, failed out of school and fell $3,000 behind in her rent in 2011 because of her crippling depression
After moving back in with her mother, who also struggles with her weight, Caitlin vowed to get healthy once and for all
She lost 107lbs in one year and three months, going from a size 22 to a size 10

Published: 11:35 EST, 13 August 2015 | Updated: 13:49 EST, 13 August 2015

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An overweight woman who struggled with depression and binge eating has revealed how shedding 107lbs from her 253lb frame helped her to rebuild her life after she hit rock bottom.

In 2011, Caitlin Adams, from Texas, who is now 26, was suffering from crippling depression. After failing out of college and falling $3,000 behind in her rent, she was forced to move back in with her mother. And while she hated losing her independence, living with her mother and stepfather is actually what inspired Caitlin to get healthy once and for all.

In a little over a year, Caitlin transformed her body, going from a size 22 jeans to a size 10. At 5'9", she now weighs a healthy 146lbs, and her experience has inspired her to go back to school to study nutrition, so she can help other teens and young adults who are struggling with obesity.

Amazing transformation: Caitlin Adams, 26, from Texas, weighed 253lbs (left) before she lost 107lbs (right) in a little over a year

Caitlin, who was named a Yahoo Health weight-loss winner this week, explained to the outlet that when she moved in with her mother and stepfather, she got a first-hand look at how her mom's struggles with obesity negatively affected her health.

'I watched my mom go to bed and wake up every day in pain,' Caitlin said. 'I realized then that if I didn’t change, in 20 years I would be waking up and going to bed every day in some kind of pain, unable to fully live my life. I decided enough was enough.'

Caitlin told Daily Mail Online that when she was younger she was taller than her peers, and she mistook that for being fat. However, she said she didn't really start putting on weight until middle school, reaching her heaviest weight of 253lbs at the end of high school and at the start of college.

When sharing her story with Yahoo, Caitlin explained that in the past she tried everything to lose weight, including starvation, however, she admitted that, at the time, she was doing it ‘purely for looks'.

'I was doing it because I wanted to be skinny and beautiful and desired,' she said. 'I wanted to impress and be admired by other people. This time, though, it was about my health.'

New woman: Diet and exercise helped Caitlin go from a size 22 jeans (left) to a size 10 (right). She also went from wearing 1XL and 2XL shirts to buying size medium tops

In September of that year, Caitlin spent a month researching healthy eating and exercise. A month later she got rid of all of the junk food in her house and started her journey, determined to lose 100lbs.

Caitlin cut out processed food from her diet and focused on eating fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats instead. Instead of consuming soda, she drank water, tea and coffee. To keep on top of her daily intake, she tracked her calories with the MyFitnessPal app.

She started working out slowly, going to the gym for at least 30 minutes a day, six days a week. Caitlin went from briskly walking to jogging, and she also incorporated strength training three days a week.

When she was craving the junk food that her mother kept in the house, she forced herself to leave her home and go for a walk instead of giving into temptation.

After one year and three months, Caitlin shattered her goal and lost a total of 107lbs. Now, instead of wearing 1XL and 2XL shirts, she is able to shop in normal clothing stores and purchase medium tops.

Overcoming obstacles: Caitlin, who suffers from a binge eating disorder, said the concept of moderation is difficult for her to implement, so it is important for her to be 'mentally present' when she eats

In addition to Caitlin's newfound confidence, her healthy new lifestyle has also helped her to combat her depression.

'Exercise and healthy eating definitely affected my depression in a positive way,' she told Daily Mail Online. 'I found exercise to be a sort of therapy for me. It was the only time out of the day that I could be by myself with my iPod and just get into the zone and sweat out whatever negative thoughts had invaded my brain that day.'

On an average day, Caitlin said she will have three meals with one or two snacks. She has eggs every day for breakfast, and she makes sure to include whole grains with each meal. Dinners and lunches include one to two severing of vegetables and a lean protein such as poultry or fish.

Caitlin keeps protein bars on to have a snack, and after working out she had whey protein and almond milk. She also makes sure to drink at least a gallon of water a day.

However, despite her dedication, Caitlin admitted that maintaining her weight loss has been more difficult than initially losing the weight.

Caitlin's weight loss journey has inspired her to go back to school to study nutrition, so she can help other teens and young adults who are struggling with obesity

Mentally healthy: The 26-year-old also said that her diet and exercise regimen has helped her battle her bouts of depression

Caitlin explained that her weight loss has made her more confident and outgoing, which meant she was spending more time having meals and drinks with friends and family.

'It's incredibly hard to be around all off the foods and beverages I used to eat all the time and still love to this day,' she said. '[I] have to constantly exercise will power to not partake in those things because I know that if I let it slip just a couple of times, falling back into old habits will be almost inevitable.'

Caitlin noted that making sure she doesn't fall back into old eating habits is a daily struggle because she suffers from a binge eating disorder and the concept of moderation is difficult for her to implement.

'One bite of a cookie will send me snowballing until I've literally eaten the entire bag in 10 minutes,' she said. 'This is not an exaggeration. Every day, I have to be mentally present when I eat.'

Caitlin said that when she starts to fall back into old patterns, she looks at past photos of herself to remind herself why she lost the weight in the first place.

Personal motivation: Caitlin, who is pictured with friends, said that when she finds herself slipping up, she looks at old snapshots of herself to help her get back on track

Happy and healthy: When Caitlin started changing her lifestyle she made a list of every healthy food and exercise she enjoyed, so she never ate or did anything she didn't like

And Caitlin wants other to know that they shouldn't fall prey to the multibillion dollar weight loss industry because she said a balanced diet and consistent exercise will help you get healthy.

'I feel that the diet industry as a whole is hugely irresponsible and misleading,' she explained. 'The whole existence of the diet industry depends on people getting and staying fat. If people aren't overweight, they have no customers.

'While I don't want to generalize all supplements and products, I feel that most of the pills, shakes, wraps, and powders are greatly unnecessary.'

Caitlin revealed that when she started changing her lifestyle she made a list of every healthy food and exercise she enjoyed, so she never felt like she was forcing herself to eat something or do an activity that she didn't like.

For people who want to lose weight, but don't know where to start Caitlin recommends that do some research online and join a gym.

'I know some people are hesitant because they feel embarrassed or intimidated by other people seeing them workout, but you shouldn't care what others are thinking about you,' she said. 'Focus on why you're losing the weight, and strive to reach your goals, and soon you won't feel that way anymore.'