Miranda Lambert lost 20 pounds and you can do it too

Miranda Lambert is a country star, but she’s also just like us! Though she’s often on the road, playing massive gigs and generally bringing the country-loving world to its knees in pure reverence, she has also struggled with her weight.

And then, a few years ago, she lost 20 pounds. Now she’s telling us how she did it. And FYI, there was no surgery involved.

How She Gained Weight

Lambert put on pounds the way most of us do: through fast food, late nights and not enough balance.

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“All through my 20s I worked a lot—I was on the road since I was 17 and the road life is a lot of fast food and a lot of late nights and a lot of drinking,” Lambert told People back when she debuted her weight loss. “But I just felt that I should get a little more healthy… I found a great spot in country music and I want to keep it.”

How She Lost It

With the help of her trainer, Billy Crutchfield (owner of Crutch Camp in Nashville), Lambert embarked upon a serious fitness journey that involved a lot of exercising and a lot less late-night whiskey. Oh, and portion control.

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“We do cardio, a lot of circuit training. We do things with my body weight, like lunges. A lot of stuff with [resistance] bands,” Lambert told People. “The stuff nobody loves, but it works!”

Although we might not all be on the road like Lambert, we all have busy lives with lots of commitments, which means we also might not always be able to get to the gym. Luckily, Crutchfield shared his workout for Lambert with Women’s Health, and it’s definitely doable.

“You have to be creative with what you have and with your environment,” Crutchfield told Women’s Health. “I carry a bag with exercise bands, an eight-pound medicine ball, a jump rope, and boxing gloves with pads. I mix up the workouts every time—I think variety keeps you mentally fresh and also helps you physically respond better.”

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Evidently, that variety really worked, because Lambert announced a year later that she had dropped an entire dress size. She also noted to the detractors that she had not undergone any sort of weight loss surgery and wasn’t planning to do so.

“It’s not about a scale. It’s about how you feel and how your jeans fit. And on November 10th when I turned 30, my skinny jeans were finally baggy! Mission accomplished!” she wrote in a letter to her fans. “I am proud to be a normal size girl and I want to encourage everyone to be confident at any size.”

You can get Miranda’s workout (and your own rock-hard bod, minus the glittery dress) here. And if Miranda occasionally celebrates with Cheetos, you can too.

Another Inspiring Weight Loss Story

Instagram-celeb Lexi Reed and her husband gained attention after losing a collected 300 pounds. While their weight loss was significantly greater than Miranda’s, the couple shared a few tips on how they managed the dramatic weight loss that we all can learn from.

It all began on Jan. 1, 2016, when Lexi made a New Year’s resolution. At nearly 500 pounds, Lexi knew her health—and possibly her life—were at risk. So, she and her husband Danny decided to take a weight-loss journey together.

“We traded in our lazy nights on the couch, eating terrible foods & binge watching netflix for the gym & healthy meals,” Lexi wrote on Instagram.

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She says in the first year of their weight-loss journey, they became different people—not just physically, but also mentally. “We are stronger, closer, & will live longer healthier lives together. This journey isn’t always easy, but it’s so worth it.”

1. Make Exercise A Priority

Although Lexi was working 10-hour days, she still set aside time for the gym. Her advice: Treat it like a meeting on your calendar.

“I just kind of try to set it up like a business meeting. I am my own boss and I can’t cancel,” she said.

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2. Find What Motivates You To Lose The Weight

Living a long and healthy life and setting a good example for their future children is what kept the Reeds motivated. Find what motivates you and remind yourself of it every time you need encouragement.

In her Instagram post, Lexi says to “surround yourself only with those who lift you higher.”

3. Make Sure You Have Someone Who Encourages Your Weight Loss

Staying motivated can be tough, so having someone on the journey with you can make a huge impact. Lexi says when she felt like skipping a workout, Danny encouraged her. If he wanted a break, she talked him into working out.

Using the buddy system while working out or eating can make all the difference if you’re struggling with motivation.

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Read more weight loss advice from the couple.