Lucinda lost 90 pounds

Lucinda lost 90 pounds with a medically supervised diet plan and by working out.  Her health was improved in a number of ways.  She is no longer diabetic or dealing with sleep apnea.  Here is what she shared with us:

I would like to share my weight loss journey.  Hopefully it will encourage someone somewhere to get up, get started and be motivated to transform into a new healthier and better looking person!! My journey started when I went to my annual exam on 12/24/12.  I’ve been plus size for a very long time, and on this day I weighed 306.5 pounds. On 12/28/12, my doctor called me with the lab results and began telling me I was in the diabetic range. When he said the “D” word that lifted my spirit to motivate me to do something about my weight! A really good friend of mine named Doretta had been loosing a lot of weight on the Optifast program.  I looked into it and even went for a consultation. I began changing my eating habit immediately. I also started preparing diabetic foods. During my consultation, Dr. Angela Tran was focused on what my health conditions were and how the plan could benefit me.

I had, asthma, sleep apnea, and was possibly diabetic by that time. I have also had two breast surgeries with one cancer positive cyst removal. I started the Optifast program on Jan. 9, 2013, which is a 22 week medically monitored weight loss program (liquid diet focus). I was encouraged stay dedicated to the program during the 22 weeks as it re-trains and shrinks your stomach back to the normal size. I was determined to loose the health issues I was dealing with, so I was very dedicated to the weight loss program. I would go to weigh in weekly and meet with Dr. Tran. At my appointments she would teach me all the things I didn’t know about weight loss, eating, etc. to help me when I graduate from the program. For example “listen to your body when it speaks” I know that may sound weird but when your body says “I’m full” you should listen and stop eating. That is very hard.

I also met with a personal trainer named Liz weekly.  She would teach me exercises and what areas I should work out. Working out could be a struggle, and often overwhelming. So, I would walk 6-8 miles a day at the beginning.  Now I’m up to walking 11 miles a day and doing about 200 squats. Working out has become the best habit I could of ever developed! I am not done with this journey and I have lost 90 pounds so far.  Along with losing the weight, in April my medical labs were pulled and I’m no longer in diabetic range. I have not had any asthma issues since.  Also, I retested for sleep apnea and that is no longer a problem!!  It’s no longer necessary for me to have a mammogram every three months!! I thank God for giving me strength daily to stay motivated and press on during this difficult journey and for placing a resource by way of a friend, Doretta, in my life to share with me. I hope if there’s anyone out there struggling with any types of health conditions, that you decide to make a change and begin your weight loss journey.