Kerby lost 70 pounds in 5 months. Faced with pre-diabetes, PCOS and hypertension, she decided to it was time for a major change of course. Going vegetarian, getting the gastric sleeve and working out with a trainer are the main tools she used to transform her body and her health. Check out her story.
I struggled with weight gain all my life. This year, I reached 262 pounds, which is the most I’ve ever weighed in my life. I started having issues with my health including pre-diabetes, PCOS and hypertension. This was my wake up call and I decided to make a drastic change. I started my weight loss journey 07/25/16 and never looked back. I worked out with my personal trainer and became a vegaterian. So far, I’m down 70 pounds. I currently weigh 192 pounds. My goal weight is 150 pounds.
I was my own encouragement. My before picture stayed in my mind and kept encouraging me to stay the course. I knew I had to change. It was just a matter of changing my habits and my mindset.
I know for some people weight loss surgery sounds like an extreme thing to do to lose weight, but for me this was my saving grace. I got the gastric sleeve procedure done. For many people this may seem like the easy way out. Surgery is by NO MEANS an easy way to lose weight. The process is ROUGH and it’s still a challenge for me sometimes. It is a tool, just like counting calories. You feel fuller faster and you are able to stay on track. You still have to change your diet and focus on better eating habits, because you can gain the weight back If you’re not careful. I wasn’t afraid of surgery. I was afraid I would continue being obese and sick the rest of my life.
Food wise, I gave up is anything that is processed. I DO NOT eat junk food. I figure if I’m going to be healthy, I need to put more healthy foods into my body. My diet is mainly soups, salads, porridge (I’m Haitian, lol.) and fresh fruit. My go-to foods as a Lacto-ovo-vegaterian are protein shakes, boiled or pouched eggs and different types of yummy yogurts with fruits and granola. I change it up when I’m bored, but for the most part that’s what I consume on a regular basis. I use portion control and each portion is 3-4 oz. 3
When I first started my diet, I went meatless the first two months. Switching to vegetarianism, was extremely difficult especially because my family still ate meat. However, I did notice a huge difference in my bowl movements, my skin and overall energy. I think it had a lot to do with me not consuming meat products. I felt better overall.
My workout routine started off with just walking everyday. Then, I got a personal trainer who did heavy weights and weight training with me three times a week. On the other days, I wore my Fitbit and did 5,000+ steps a day. Exercise is HARD, but necessary to prevent loose skin. Plus, I had a lot more energy once I started working out.
What contributed most to my weight loss was my mindset. I was so tired of being obese. I wasn’t comfortable in my own skin, and that feeling alone will change your habits very quickly. I know a lot of people who have experienced life changing events and put on weight as a result of depression. However, I gained over 70 pounds because I’m a foodie and so is my man. We
just love food! Food from every culture, all different types and textures. I wasn’t depressed, I was in love. We gained weight together, be we also lost it together.
My advice to anyone trying to lose weight is to remember the reason you started this journey in the first place and let that be your inspiration. In the end it’s all worth it! I’m still on this journey and I hope my experience helps out anyone ready to make a change and really start living their best life ever!
Stacey says
You go girl!!! I am 10 months out RNY and down 120 lbs. I know exactly what you are talking about. Surgery is definitely not the easy way out. Keep up the good work. You look amazing!