After she gave birth to her first child, Brandi Laughlin says she was 220 pounds, unhappy and sluggish.

So the 30-year-old blogger decided to embark on a weight loss journey to get her body back in shape! Now, after losing an impressive 71 pounds, Brandi says she is “happier and more confident” than ever before.

“With losing weight I found myself; a woman I fought for, and I’m proud of that,” she exclusively told ‘Closer.’

Read on to see how Brandi successfully shed the weight!

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Photo Courtesy of Brandi Laughlin.

  • What was your life like before the weight loss?

In the years I was gaining weight I was unhappy and sluggish. My days consisted of going to work, coming home and changing into my comfy pants, snacking and eating, lounging on the couch and going to bed. There was no excitement in my life. I was just a shell of myself.

  • Was there a specific event or moment that triggered your weight loss?

Six weeks after having my first son I stepped on the scale at my checkup and saw 198 pounds. I was distraught and made a promise to myself right then and there that I was going to change my life.

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Photo Courtesy of Brandi Laughlin.

  • How did you get started with your weight loss journey?

I started off by only changing my eating habits. Once I re-taught myself how to eat healthy, I began adding in exercise. Before, I couldn’t even run to the end of my street, and at the end of nine weeks I’d ran my first race and was addicted to running. Since then, I’ve ran several 5ks, half marathons and even a full marathon and I recently competed in my first NPC Bikini competition.

Related Story: Sarah Ferguson Loses More Than 50 Pounds — See Her Transformation!

  • How does it feel now that you’ve lost the weight?

I am happier and more confident now. I have achieved things I never thought possible and I’m optimistic and ready to see what the future holds for me. With losing weight I found myself; a woman I fought for, and I’m proud of that.

To read more about Brandi’s impressive weight loss journey, visit MamaLaughlin.com!

To submit your own weight loss story, email jbirkinbine@bauerxcel.com.