Queenie lost 152 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Queenie lost 152 pounds. This woman is a true survivor in so many ways. She started her journey after being diagnosed with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and PCOS. During her weight loss journey, she faced even more challenges, but she refused to give up. 

What was your motivation?
My motivation was being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and PCOS all in one sitting. I just knew this couldn’t be life at 35 years old. 

What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up? 
My health, honestly! I wanted to be a healthier version of myself. I began to be super curious about what I truly looked like underneath the weight. I have a teenager and a spouse, so I’m living for me as well as them.

I was raped, abused, and neglected as a child, so the weight was the little girl in me protecting herself. It feels so good that she is still alive, breathing, and living! Without the weight, it feels like I’m no longer wearing my past.

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey? 
I had Gastric Bypass weight loss surgery on 09-21-2019. Weight loss surgery isn’t for everyone. Please make sure you are mentally ready for this journey. I did well; however, my relationship with food is rough. I’m not saying it will be the same for you, but not being able to eat more than a spoonful at a time is hard. Also, most insurance companies don’t pay for skin removal. 

My program through United Healthcare made me wait six months and stick to a diet before I was approved. Now I’m waiting on stomach skin removal surgery and breast reduction surgery. 

During my weight loss journey, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. After weight loss surgery, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent chemo. Being bald with a smaller face took adjustment. How did I adjust? I started a self-love journey and found out how to love the new me. I went on a spiritual journey to find her. I am her! 

How did you change your eating habits?
I stopped eating pork, chicken, turkey, beef, lamb. I also don’t eat sugar or processed food. If I don’t cook it, I don’t eat it. If I want dessert, I have to make it from scratch. 

I held myself accountable with a good journal that I kept on the refrigerator. (annoying, right! I know.) Whenever I grabbed something to eat, I would write it down in my refrigerator journal. Get your favorite journal and put magnets in the back!

What did your workout routine consist of? How often did you work out?
I started by just walking around the house and using my stairs. I was broke! However, being broke helped me understand that I only needed my body weight to start my fitness journey. I would use the wall for wall push-ups and bags of rice or can goods for weights. Doing this, I went from 335 pounds to 300 pounds, but I soon realized I couldn’t do it on my own. 

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight was 335 pounds, and I currently weigh 183 pounds.

What is your height?
5’5″

How long did your transformation take? 
2.5 years 

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far? 
I learned that it is okay to need medical alternatives to help you reach your weight loss goals. You don’t have to wear any shame! NONE!

What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight?
Make this YOUR weight loss your journey, not mine or the next person’s! We are women, and our bodies are so different. Explore your options, and don’t beat yourself up for the fails. Use your failures as motivation! 

Fun facts: 

• The day I put on size 14 jeans, I took them off to make sure the tag didn’t say size 24.
• The day I looked in the mirror and didn’t see myself as fat but healthy for the first time, I just cried. 
• My guy walked up to me and said, “Thanks for giving me the healthier version of you!”
• My teenager, who is struggling with weight (she just needs to lose 15 lbs), has been coming for me! I have been wearing her clothes, so I get it. 
• I eat one solid meal a day and workout every day. (If I walked a flight of stairs, I count that as exercise.)
• Looking for a wedding dress is about to hit different!
• It took me until last month to accept my smaller face. I hated it!