An American woman who was overweight for most of her life has revealed how she lost 50 pounds in less than a year after moving to Europe.
Kayleigh Donahue, based in Boston, Massachusetts, has more than 100,000 followers on TikTok, where she talks about how living abroad changed her life.
The content creator, who uses the handle @kayshayneebought a one-way ticket to Ireland and worked across the pond for four years before returning to the US
Donahue went viral after sharing a slideshow detailing how she lost 50 pounds without trying during her first six months living in Europe.
Kayleigh Donahue, a former expat based in Boston, Massachusetts, has more than 100,000 followers on TikTok, where she talks about how living in Europe changed her life
The content creator, who goes by the handle @kayshaynee, recently shared how she lost 50 pounds in six months after crossing the pond
“The difference I felt after living on quality European products was shocking,” she explained. 'The food quality was not only better, but also more affordable'
She attributed her weight loss primarily to “easy access to fresh, local foods.”
“The difference I felt after living on quality European products was shocking,” she explained. “Not only was the food quality better, but it was also more affordable.”
When she went out to eat abroad, she noticed that the portions were half the size of the portions she had become accustomed to in the U.S.
“I never realized how big American portions were in restaurants,” she admitted.
'Since I got used to European food, I have never been able to have a full meal in an American restaurant. The overconsumption is real.'
She noted that eating at a restaurant abroad is more of a “social experience,” where you take the time to “digest your meal slowly rather than digesting it without ever being present.”
Not only did Donahue change the way she ate while she was abroad, but she also dramatically increased her daily exercise by constantly walking and cycling.
“I never thought I would be the girl who would choose walking over driving, but that quickly changed when I moved to Europe,” she explained.
“I went from someone who complained about walking to the car in the parking lot to someone who thought a 45-minute walk to the store or a restaurant was no problem.
When she went out to eat abroad, Donahue noticed that the portions were half the size of the portions she had become accustomed to in the US.
Not only did Donahue change the way she ate while she was abroad, but she also dramatically increased her daily exercise by walking all the time.
Donahue said if she had to go somewhere quickly, she would hop on her bike instead of driving, which was “really the last option.”
Donahue added that the work-life balance she had in Europe also improved her mental and physical health
'Walking became part of everyday life and helped improve not only my physical health, but also my mental health.'
Donahue said if she had to go somewhere quickly, she would hop on her bike instead of driving, which was “really the last option.”
“The infrastructure made it so easy to get everywhere by bike,” she said. “So many people would cycle to work every day, to friends' houses, to the supermarket, you name it.”
She remembered how there were days when she would go to the gym, bike three miles to work, walk around at lunch, and then bike home again.
“The healthy lifestyle came effortlessly as I adapted to the European lifestyle,” she explained.
Donahue added that the work-life balance she had in Europe also improved her mental and physical health.
She started her job with 29 days of paid vacation that she “was actually encouraged to take.”
In another video, Donahue talked about how she has maintained her 50-pound weight loss since moving back to the US.
“You don't realize how much work-life balance can impact your physical body,” she said, noting that less stress equals lower cortisol levels.
'I felt like I could unplug, relax and live. Physical and mental health go hand in hand.'
In another video, Donahue talked about how she has maintained her 50-pound weight loss since moving back to the US.
She acknowledged that most people can't drop everything and move to Europe, but her healthy habits can be implemented anywhere in the world.
The content creator first recommended walking as much as possible while remembering how she walked everywhere from the supermarket to the bar in Ireland.
“I know you can't walk everywhere in America, but increase your steps where you can,” she said.
“Get up early, get on the treadmill, go for a walk, park far away in the parking lot when you go grocery shopping. Find a way to deal with walking in.”
Donahue acknowledged that most people can't drop everything and move to Europe, but her healthy habits can be applied anywhere in the world
Donahue recommended walking as much as possible, eating mindfully and finding effective ways to reduce your stress
Since returning to the US, she has taken what she learned abroad and has become a certified integrative nutritional health coach
Donahue also recommended “watch your food” and watch your portion sizes in the US
She remembered how she was raised to eat what was on her plate, which led to her ignoring her body signals when she was full.
Since returning to the US, she has taken what she learned abroad and has become a certified integrative nutritional health coach.
Finally, Donahue said people should find ways to reduce their daily stress.
'The body can't do that lose weight when you are chronically stressed,” she explained.
She noted that Europeans do get stressed, but they have more free time to relax and reset, while Americans are “constantly in that stress cycle.”
'Believe me, I was stressed all the time at work in Ireland, but I took my time off. I reset. I have found ways to de-stress. “I meditated for five minutes in the morning,” she said.
'So finding something that works for you and getting your body into a calm state can really help. If your mind is not right, your physical body will not be right either.”