Erin used to get called thunder thighs and a beached whale but found a way natural to lose the weight
A mum of three who once weighed 306 lbs has shared how she lost 140 lbs without weight loss surgery or diet pills. Erin Drotleff is now using her journey to help others reach their weight loss goals.
“I grew up in a healthy household. My mum was in great shape and made home-cooked meals. But as life got busier and my parents had less time, we started eating more processed foods and snacks. In middle school, I gained some weight and became incredibly self-conscious,” Erin said.
“At school, kids would call me ‘thunder thighs’ and ‘beached whale’. The comments didn’t stop at school; I’d hear things at home too. That’s when I developed a severe eating disorder. Ironically, when I was at my sickest, people told me how great I looked. It completely messed with my head. It wasn’t long before I became a closet binge eater with a horrible relationship with food. I was constantly yo-yo dieting and basing my self-worth on the number on the scale. It wasn’t just me who was concerned about my weight; it seemed that everyone else was as well, which caused me to withdraw socially.”
Erin tried various diets, from Atkins to weight-loss drugs, but none seemed to work in the long run. She’d lose weight, just to regain it.
“I was obese. My asthma was terrible, and I was often out of breath,” she admitted.
“I had severe foot pain (plantar fasciitis), back pain, heavy periods, and I would get sweat rashes. Mentally, I was anxious, depressed, and angry. I didn’t feel like myself anymore.”
In 2022, Erin attended a parent-teacher conference at her child’s school. “I had a parent-teacher conference, and my daughter’s classroom happened to be in the back of the school down three very long hallways,” she remembered.
“Halfway to the second hallway, my calf burst. I heard a loud pop and immediately felt indescribable pain. I ended up limping to the classroom, stopping whenever someone would pass me in the hall to pretend I was using my phone. I didn’t want to admit what had happened or show how much pain I was in. I sat through the conference sweating until my husband got to the school and was able to help me back to my car. I knew in that moment that I needed to lose weight.”
It took Erin three months to see the scale move. By the fifth month, she had lost 17 lbs, and her weight kept dropping over the following months. “I decided to share my progress on TikTok. It was motivating to hear about other women who had lost weight; their stories helped me so much with my own weight loss. I then started sharing my tips, recipes and favourite healthy foods.”
Speaking of her favourite foods, she continued: “I start my day with greens and coffee, followed by a protein-packed breakfast like oats or eggs. Lunch and dinner contain protein, jasmine rice, veggies, and a sauce. I always save room for a nighttime snack to avoid any late-night bing. I still love food, but I approach it differently now.”
Exercise has also helped Erin shed the pounds. “Walking has always been my go-to,” Erin added. “But six months in, I started weight training and aim for three sessions a week. I also challenge myself to run, even though I hate it!”
In January 2024, Erin launched Drotfit, her online coaching business. “The year before I launched Dropfit, my husband and I got forced out of our home because of toxic mould,” Erin explained. “We had to move so many times, deal with lawyers, and the financial stress was just piling up. I knew I had to do something to help my family, so I decided to put together an e-book – a four-week meal plan to help people start their weight loss journey. Right after I launched it, people from all over the world started messaging me, saying they were losing weight with it. With everything we were going through, especially trying to find a stable place to live, I knew this was a sign to go all-in and really start my business. Launching Dropfit was tough, probably one of the hardest things I’ve done, but also the most rewarding. This past July, after 11 moves, we finally found a long-term home, and for the first time in what feels like forever, we finally feel stable and beyond grateful.”
Looking to the future, Erin is focused on growing her business while staying committed to helping others.
“My advice to those wanting to lose weight is – don’t overcomplicate it. Focus on the nutrition over the exercise and give it time. Be patient as you become someone you have never been before. Motivation won’t be constant, so stop waiting for it to get started. When you mess up, get back on track; don’t dwell on it. A cheat meal is ok, but it does not need to become a cheat day,” she concluded.