Most of us love things like ice cream and fried foods. That does not mean that you should indulge yourself every day. Moderation is the key. Having these things as part of your diet should not even be a once a week kind of deal. Maybe once a month but it would be better if you indulge in things like this on rare occasions instead. See how making a lifestyle change brought around positive results for this young woman.

This is 21-year-old Jessica Beniquez. Her daily routine from a year and a half ago would have eventually killed her had she not made some drastic changes. She was five-feet-four inches and weighed 320 pounds. She was on her way to some serious health issues. She said that all she did was eat, go to work, and watch her TV shows.

That is not a healthy lifestyle for anyone no matter your size. Early last year, Jessica made that realization for herself. She decided to give up fast food for healthier options. She also ditched the couch potato life. She began to exercise. She started out with walking in order to build up her stamina so she could do some of the workouts that she was interested in on YouTube.

In the beginning, the thought of going to the gym terrified her. Now, she has found it to be more of a happy place for her to be. She spends two hours a day in the gym now that it has become a part of her lifestyle just like healthy eating.

Jessica started documenting her weight loss journey on social media in hopes of inspiring others. She said, "My name is Jessica, and I’m 21. I’m 5’4, and I have lost over 170 lbs with diet and exercise. Starting at over 320 lbs and currently between 145-148."

We applaud Jessica for being so strong and making these changes. Old habits are incredibly hard to break, and making a full lifestyle change does not happen overnight. She will still have some difficulties, and may even slip up here and there, but nobody is perfect. What is important is that she is making the effort to change her life for the better. She says, "There were and still are obstacles that get in the way, but that’s just the way it is, and I have to deal with it. Did I let me give up? NEVER."

Even making the smallest change can feel like it is impossible to maintain. Jessica wants you to know that you have to take things day by day. The most important thing is to not give up on your goals or yourself.

Jessica has decided to dedicate her life to fitness. She has learned to love it even though she used to dread a simple walk to the bus stop that was only five minutes away.

Jessica also says that all of the changes she has gone through have not all been physical. She has a lot more energy and confidence than she has had in a long time. She is amazed at all of the things she can do that she used to not be able to do.

Her transformation has opened her eyes to the new confident woman that she is now. She knows that this transformation was truly worth the struggles and the days she wanted to quit. She loves herself for who she has become, and we think that is just fantastic!