Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Transformation of the Day: Jennifer lost 200 pounds. Being hospitalized for diabetic ketoacidosis was her turning point. Her doctor told her that if she had not come to the ER that day, she may have gone into a coma. After that life changing event, she dedicated her time and energy to transforming her life. Check out how she did it.

My life got turned around in Sept 2014. When I got to the emergency room that day, I was placed in the ICU. My pancreas had shut down. My body started producing acid instead of insulin. The acid was going into my bloodstream and urine. When the tests came back, I found out that I was suffering from Diabetic ketoacidosis. I spent 3 Days in the ICU, because my sugar levels were reaching 600. The doctor said that if I hadn’t come to the hospital, I would have gone into a coma and probably wouldn’t have woken up.

When I was given an ultimatum from the Doctor, to live or die, that changed everything. The prospect of changing my life didn’t seem hard to me, because all I could remember was laying in ICU. I was just too young to die from something I could change on my own. After that experience, I decided that I wanted to live. My journey started after I went to my follow up appointment on Dec 20, 2014. On Dec 21st, I was in the gym.

During this journey, I’ve lost 200 pounds by being dedicated, committed and determined. My starting weight was 460 pounds and my current weigh is 265 pounds. I’m 5 feet, 9 inches tall and I didn’t have any type of weight loss surgery. Today, I am free of diabetes and high blood pressure.

I worked out 6-7 days a week, doing cardio for 30-45 minutes. My cardio of choice: stairmaster, double dutch, treadmill, bike or elliptical. Today, I am still in the gym 6 days a week and I lift weights. I just added Step and Sticks and Zumba classes to my routine. Zumba isn’t really my thing, but it helps me to work up a sweat before or after weight training.

I made big changes to the way I ate. I completely gave up white carbs; potatoes, rice, bread and pasta. Here are some example of the foods I ate/drank…

breakfast: Oatmeal, egg white with spinach or a protein shake. Straight black coffee, green tea or red tea.
Lunch: Protein shake, salad with chicken breast or turkey breast, plain salad, baked chicken breast and veggies. Water, green tea and sometimes coffee.
Dinner: The same food I have for lunch, but mostly protein shakes depending on the time I get home.
Snack: Plantines, popcorn or cashews.

I don’t eat pork or beef and I eat very little fish. A cheat meal for me would be hot wings and shrimp. I also don’t drink soda or eat cake, cookies and chips.

My advice to other people who want to lose weight is that it first starts in your mind. Once your mind is totally set, nothing will get in your way. Change doesn’t happen overnight. Just keep at it and go as hard as you can. Before saying “I can’t.”, just give it a try and keep trying. Never give up. I did this naturally, so I know it can be done. Also, have fun with it. No workout should be boring or dull.

Instagram: @jpretty1226

Mommy is Transforming: Zadora lost 100 pounds. After giving birth to her daughters, postpartum depression led to weight gain. Months later she had a life threatening bout of Diabetic Ketoacidosis that opened her eyes and led her to start her weight release journey. Check out what she shared with us.

zadora weight loss story

Hi, my name is Zadora. I’m 24 years old and this is my story thus far. I have always been a bigger woman, but once I gave birth to my twins my weight I really spiraled out of control. I only gained 7 pounds while pregnant, but I put on 50 lbs after delivering due to post-partum depression. My highest weight was 445 pounds. I was shocked to find out that I weighed that much, but that still didnt change me.

What changed me happened back in April 2015, when my twins were 10 months old. I fell ill with Diabetic Ketoacidosis and almost died. That is what made me decide that I am not going to leave my babies motherless. I found something that I loved more than good food… my family.

I decided that it was time for a change so I started going through the process for weight loss surgery, which included a 6 month supervised diet. I was able to find my own balance of going vegan/vegetarian, combined with just plain healthy eating . I exercise daily and drink a whole lot of water.

I cut out all the carbs and junk food. No more fast food or soda, and the couple sweets I did indulge in I stopped having. Now, I eat a fusion diet, as I call it. Sometimes I will vegan or vegetarian for a whole week and other times I am eating lean and healthy meats (no pork) along with low carb sides. I love cooking healthy kid friendly meals as well. I plan to start a blog on my journey soon.

When it was warmer outside, I would push my girls in the stroller for exercise. We would also go on long walks. Now, I do in-home aerobic workout tapes and youtube videos, as well as jump roping and kettlebell exercises.

I’m so far into this journey and I have already lost 100 pounds. I currently weigh 345 lbs at 5’8″ tall. I been taking small steps since April 2015, but went full throttle beginning in July 7, 2015. I’ve decided to delay applying for weight loss surgery, because I am curious to see how far I can get without it. I always tell my daughters (now 20 months old) that they were sent here to save my life, because before becoming a mom I was traveling quickly down a fast road to unhealthy living. I know that I still have a long ways to go, but the first 100 lbs was so hard to lose that I cried many times and almost gave up. Now, I feel so good that I am off my insulin. My diabetes is close to reversing and above all I can breathe again with no more shortness of breath

Advice others who want to lose weight: Drink WATER, WATER, WATER! Also, don’t worry about what the next person is doing. Just live your life and be happy. Be happy with the weight you lose, not sad because “Salle Joe Over There” lost more than you. Celebrate all of the small victories. Find something that motivates you and think of it everytime you want to quit.

zadora before and after