Update Aug 2018: We featured Dalelynn‘s story back in 2014. She wrote in to share that she lost an additional 67 pounds for a total of 148lbs gone. Check out her update.
I’m a mom of 4, including twin boys (almost 2 years old). I’ve lost a total of 148 pounds. My starting weight was 302 pounds and my current weight is 154 lbs at 5’8″. It has been 4 years since I started my journey, after having loose skin removal surgery this summer. I am now working on tightening and toning. Weight loss has changed every aspect of my life. I started a YouTube channel to document my journey. I share what I eat and my exercise routine. I’m a healthier and happier version of myself all because I decided that I had enough!
Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Dalelynn lost 81 pounds. Inspired by her sister and helped by friends and family, she decided to have the Lap Band procedure and to embrace healthy actions. She shared with us about how she has changed her lifestyle…
What was your motivation? What inspired you?
I was motivated by my sister whom I lost in January of 2014. She was 34 years old and suddenly died from Aortic Dissection, which was caused primarily by high blood pressure. She had recently just lost 130 pounds on her own and encouraged me always to do it too. I had tried to lose weight MANY times prior to that but never got the courage and strength to keep going. Her passing has motivated me every step of the way. I wasn’t always overweight, but in my early 20’s I was married and became a mom of 2 in a few short years. My kids are everything to me and I wanted to be my best self for them.
How did you change your eating habits?
In March of 2014, I had the Lap Band procedure and that was what assisted me in changing my portion size in terms of eating. One thing the Lap Band doesn’t do is change WHAT you eat. It took several months for me to change my thought process. I learned from a friend of mine who is a Nutritionist to try to stay on the outside aisles at the grocery store. The inner aisles usually consists of processed food and higher sodium items. Now I eat more fruit for snacks and more veggies for dinner.
I totally cut out bread and soda from my diet. My favorite snack of all time is SKITTLES! My family would buy it for me as a gift! I cut them out totally. They were truly addicting. I have a smoothie almost every morning for breakfast and incorporate veggies I generally wouldn’t eat, like beets, ginger, kale, carrots, and spinach into them.
What did your workout routines look like?
I workout at least 4 days a week for a minimum of 45 min. My workouts include lots of cardio and stength training. Thanks to my personal trainer/my sister I am pushing myself further and burning more calories.
What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight was 302 pounds and my current weight is 221 pounds. I’m 5’8″ tall.
How long did your transformation take?
My transformations is still going. I am working on losing another 30 lbs. It has been 9 months so far.
What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
Weight loss takes time! You won’t get there by quiting, no matter how long it takes keep going. When you start and it gets rough, remember why you started in the beggining and use that to motivate you. Also, document your journey to help you see your progress. Sometimes the scale doesn’t move as fast or as much as you’d want and thats ok, the scale doesn’t reflect your work ethic or your value. And lastly, you are going to be your biggest motivator on your journey!
Instagram: @queendalez
Update Aug 2015: Dalelynn’s story was featured in a recent article from the Indianapolis Recorder.
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