Black Weight Loss Success

The Official Blog of the Black Women Losing Weight Community. Tips, articles and weight loss resources for African American Women.

Join Our Email List:
We respect your email privacy
You are here: Home / Archives for grandmother

grandmother

AJ lost 33 pounds

by Leave a Comment

Transformation of the Day: AJ lost 33 pounds. Motivated by her grandchildren and a desire to avoid obesity-related health issues, she reached out to a coach for help. She has adopted healthy eating habits, daily workouts, and a new mindset.

AJ before and after weight loss

What was your motivation? What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up?
One motivating factor is my grandkids. I have two, and they are like supersonic balls of energy with no reset button. I would like to keep up with them for as long as possible.

The other factor is ME. I finally got tired of denying how big I was. One of my close family members passed away a few years ago, partially due to obesity. That is a constant thought as well. 

How did you change your eating habits?
I started working with Terry Starks and his program.  I had success with it in the past. I stuck with it for a while, but then I fell off. His program is all about the person. He provides you with meal plans, and it’s all about eating fresh foods that are easy to prepare. From there, I just started paying more attention to how my food makes me feel. For example, does it energize me or wear me down? That is how I approach food.

What is your workout routine?
My workouts consist mostly of 30 minutes of cardio two times per day.  I have started doing a little strength training as well. 

How often do you work out?
Every day. 

What was your starting weight?
321 pounds

What is your current weight?
288 pounds

What is your height?
I’m 5’6″.

When did you start your journey?
April 20, 2025

How long did your transformation take? 
It took about eight weeks.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
The hardest part is getting started.  However, once you do, and that first pound melts off, it’s extremely motivating.

What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight? It didn’t take a week to gain the weight, so it’s going to take longer than a week to lose the weight. Making time for something that is going to change your life for the better is ALWAYS worth the effort.

Also, CONTACT TERRY STARKS. I LOVE that his program is natural: no diets and no pills. There are some restrictions, but you are not restricted (if that makes sense). He remains available to you when you need him. You justhave to make that initial contact. 

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
No. Another reason I contacted Terry is that I personally want to avoid medical intervention for weight loss if at all possible. I understand that it can be necessary in some situations, but if you can avoid surgery, I believe that it is always the best option.

Disclaimer: Reference or link to any specific product, diet plan, exercise plan or service mentioned in the weight loss stories we share is for the information of our readers, and does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Black Women Losing Weight.

Dana lost 58 pounds

by Leave a Comment

Transformation of the Day: Dana shares how she lost 58 pounds this year with healthy food and exercise. Her goal is to be holistically healthy and to live a long life as a proud grandmother. 

Dana before and after weight loss

Social Media:
Instagram: @healthier4life

Here are my stats:
Starting weight: 282 pounds (April 2023)
Current weight: 224 pounds (November 2023)
Goal weight: 175 pounds
Starting clothing size: 22/24, 2X
Current clothing size: 14, Large

What is your motivation?
My goal is holistic health. I have my first grandchild. I want to live a long, healthy life so that I can play with her and be there for her and my future grands!

How did you change your eating habits?
I started focusing primarily on protein and not so much on calories. I keep my calories low and am on track with my deficit daily. I try my best to stick to 64 ounces of liquids daily. I don’t deprive myself of anything. 

Dana lost 58 pounds

What is your workout routine?
I work out four days a week, focusing on cardio and strength. 

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned so far is that I have to be consistent. I also have to approach things as a lifestyle vs. a diet. Lifestyles are forever. Diets aren’t. 

What advice would you like to share with women who want to lose weight?
Find out what works for you. Don’t be hard on yourself if you fall off. We all do. That’s why this is a lifestyle change and not a diet. When we fall off in life, we get back up and keep moving. That’s how you have to look at the weight loss journey. 

Remember, this is YOUR journey, and the only competition is you. Being a healthier and stronger woman is what the goal is. The time will pass by, so why not use this time to do something to make yourself feel proud?

Dana before and after weight loss

Theresa lost 92 pounds

by Leave a Comment

Transformation of the Day: Theresa lost 92 pounds. As a grandmother of 11 children, she wants to live long enough to see them thrive and grow up. In 2022, she decided to have VSG surgery and begin her transformation.

Theresa before and after weight loss

Social Media:
Facebook: MrsLady Optimistic
Updated Instagram: @theresaybrown
TikTok: @mrslady_optimistic

What was your motivation? What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up? I will be turning 47 in 2023, and my motivation was and is to live a long and healthy life. I have 11 grandchildren and want to live long enough to see their children. 

Also, I was a pre-diabetic, and diabetes is a disease that runs heavily in my family. Today I am no longer pre-diabetic! 

How did you change your eating habits? I had been trying to lose weight for a long time, but I would lose and regain it. I made up my mind to have weight loss surgery, and I had VSG surgery on 2/13/2022.

What is your workout routine? I run (slow jog), do weight training for my arms, and do situps. 

How often did you work out? My goal is at least four times a week, although I don’t always meet my goal. 

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight? My starting weight was 278 pounds, and my current weight, as of today (12/30/2022), is 186 pounds. My goal is 170 pounds. 

What is your height? 5’7″

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far? Anything is possible if you want it bad enough. VSG surgery is hard; although the weight comes off quicker, it is still a hard journey. It is a tool that I had to learn to live with, but it is well worth it. 

What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight? Whatever route you decide to take, just do it! You are sooo worth it! 

Princess lost 79 pounds

by Leave a Comment

Transformation of the Day: Princess lost 79 pounds. Her family is her motivation! This proud grandmother of eight was experiencing knee pain and overall body pain. In addition, taking Prednisone was causing her to gain weight. She decided to have vertical gastric sleeve surgery to improve her health.

Princess before and after weight loss

What was your motivation?
My highest weight was 343 pounds. I knew I needed to do something about it. I’m 40 something, and my body was hurting so bad I couldn’t take it any longer. My husband and I brought our first house, and he was worried about us getting a home with stairs because my knees hurt so bad.

I have worked in health care for over 25 years, and most of us take care every one but ourselves. Unfortunately, I began putting on more weight due to medication for my breathing. I was taking Prednisone, which is used to treat conditions such as arthritis, blood disorders, breathing problems, severe allergies, skin diseases, cancer, eye problems, and immune system disorders. Prednisone belongs to a class of drugs known as corticosteroids. It decreases your immune system’s response to various diseases to reduce symptoms such as swelling and allergic-type reactions. I was also eating poorly because I was too busy to eat right. 

My family was my motivation. I knew I wanted to live to see my grandchildren get older. We have eight beautiful grandchildren, three granddaughters, and five handsome grandsons.

How did you change your eating habits? 
On January 12, 2022, I decided to have bariatric surgery. I chose to have vertical sleeve gastrectomy done. With this surgery, the stomach is drastically reduced in size, but its function is preserved. This means the gastric sleeve results in fewer food restrictions for patients after surgery.

So I have to eat plenty of protein, but I generally can’t eat much. Food was never my go-to. Before the surgery, I only ate once a day.

Princess before and after weight loss

What was your starting weight?
343 pounds

What is your current weight?
264 pounds

What is your height?
I’m 5’7″.

When did you start your journey?
It began four months before my surgery. I was trying Keto, and it was working great also.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
Taking care of your body is one of the most important things you can do. Clean eating makes your body work so much better. I also work out at home six days a week.

What kinds of workouts do you do at home?
I hop on YouTube, work out, or make up my own routine. I do lots of cardio every day. I also lift 10lb weights three days a week. Whenever I feel down, I work out. I work out whenever I feel like I’m not doing my best. 

What advice would you like to give women who want to lose weight?
First, never give up on yourself and keep reminding yourself you are in a fight for your life. No matter what, keep going. Even if you keep starting over, it’s never too late.

I feel so blessed the Lord has given me the strength I need to keep pushing, and I’m willing to help as many people as I can reach their goals.

Instagram. @mrsprin28
Youtube. https://youtube.com/channel/UCpagSWQr5CcgqKgiAG1yuHA

Denise lost 75 pounds

by 3 Comments

Transformation of the Day: Denise lost 75 pounds. This proud grandmother/great-grandmother will celebrate her 70th birthday in December. She experienced several serious medical challenges, including two strokes. Seeing her siblings pass on due to health issues is also part of her motivation to change her lifestyle. She had Gastric Sleeve surgery in 2020.

Denise before and after weight loss

I am the third child of my parents and the only girl. None of my siblings lived to be my age of 69. My 70th birthday is coming up in December. My three brothers (2 older and one younger) all passed on from health-related issues (i.e., high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and complications thereof). Two brothers passed in their late forties and one in his mid-sixties. My parents are deceased also. I decided I wanted to live and break the “curse” of early health-related death.

My children and grandchildren motivated me to get healthier, as well as my health issues. I had two strokes in 2010 (complications of high blood pressure). Then I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2012 and diagnosed as a boarder-line diabetic during the same year. All the while, my weight had ballooned upwards to 270 pounds. 

After much thought and grief, I signed up to have gastric sleeve surgery in 2019, following the death of my last living sibling in 2018. However, Covid had shut all elective surgeries down. So finally, in July 2020, I underwent my gastric sleeve surgery.

My gastric surgeon and nutritionist taught me what foods to avoid (sugar and carbs). I learned to eat healthier and began going to the gym. I’m now officially a “gym rat” who works out five days a week. I also joined a water aerobics class three mornings a week. 

I may not have been perfect on my weight loss journey, but I have been faithful. I must give my Lord praise for giving me the strength to keep moving through this journey. 

I weighed 270 pounds at 5’4” in 2020. I am now down a total of 75 pounds. HALLELUJAH!!! It’s not over, as my goal is to lose another 25 lbs. Also, I recently had tummy tuck surgery in December 2021.  

I learned that I CAN do all things by having faith in God and myself. I finally love myself! I am now a fashionista who loves clothes, going out, having fun, traveling, and meeting people. I am not ashamed of my body anymore. 

If I can do it, then you can too. Yes, it’s a challenging but not impossible journey. Besides, nobody is perfect. So if you fall off, forgive yourself and get back on track asap. You’ll see and feel the rewards. You’ll be proud of the work you put into reaching your goal(s) and be an inspiration to yourself and others. 

I am no longer pre-diabetic, nor do I have high blood pressure. As for the doctors saying I have Parkinson’s, nobody (including me) believes that when they see me moving about! I have more energy than ever before, and my balance and range of motion have improved dramatically too. 

This 69 years young, grandmother and great-grandmother is living a happy and healthy lifestyle.  

Meshell lost 72 pounds

by 2 Comments

Transformation of the Day: Meshell lost 72 pounds. At 54 years old, the process of changing her lifestyle has made her feel like she is aging backward. She was motivated by a diabetes diagnosis. When her doctor shared how diabetes can cause various health issues, she knew it was time to change. 

Meshell before and after weight loss

When did you start your weight loss journey?
The beginning of my journey was March of last year. I am 54 years old and aging backward since I started my journey. I give all the glory to God for this transition in my life.

What is your motivation?
My motivation is that I am diabetic. When the doctor said, “You can eventually lose your limbs, eyesight, etc.,” I thought about my grandchildren and knew I wanted to be a healthier version of myself. I wanted to live to assist them through this life journey and not be a burden to my husband. I also don’t want to be sick while working my position for the Lord.

Starting Weight/Current Weight
My weight started at 265 pounds. I weigh 193 pounds now, and I am still on my journey. I chose to be healthy, and I’m getting there. My goal weight is 140 pounds. (BMI reports that I need to reach 123 lbs, but this is my goal.)

How did you change your eating habits?
I joined a FB diabetic group, and the awesome coach is helping us reverse diabetes (and it is working). She is the truth and very knowledgeable. 

My doctor would give me instructions for three weeks at a time – No carbs, no sugar, drink over eight glasses of water per day. This works. The weight comes off, and my blood sugar is stabilized. (I have random spikes). 

I eat mostly green veggies and berries (strawberries, blueberries, etc.). All other fruit are random and not eaten often due to the sugar content. I always follow the Weight Watchers rules regarding portion control (it will shrink your stomach). 

Basically, I stay away from carbs, and water is my friend. I add fresh lemon to my water.

What is your workout routine?
No exercise, but I will start walking as soon as the weather clears. I have excess skin, so exercise is necessary. 

What is your height?
I am 5’1″.

Did you have weight loss surgery?
No. I am afraid of surgery.

What is the biggest lesson you’re learned?
The biggest lesson I learned was that I was dealing with emotional eating. This is why I was so heavy. So I went to therapy and did the work. I learned it is okay to forgive when people don’t apologize, and it is okay to love and celebrate me when people don’t or won’t. I also learned to accept my gifts and use them without feeling guilty.

What advice would you like to share?
Give yourself grace throughout the process, and never give up. Remember, all things are done through Christ. He will guide you even on your lowest day.

Michelle lost 82+ pounds

by 2 Comments

Transformation of the Day: Michelle lost 82+ pounds. She recently celebrated her 19th wedding anniversary, and she’s a grandmother of four. Over the years, her health started to decline, and eventually, her back, knees, and ankles gave out. With the full support husband and children, she used gastric sleeve surgery, healthy eating habits, and daily exercise to transform her life.

Michelle before and after weight loss

My name is Michelle, I’m 52 years old, and this month (January 2022) will mark my 19th wedding anniversary. I have three children and four grandchildren. My family is the reason why I lost 82+ pounds and why I continue to work out every day. 

My beginning weight was 369 pounds. I was this weight for the last five years. Unfortunately, I had to stop working in 2018 because my health started to decline. I did nursing for 12 years, and in 2008 I started working for the school system. With all the heavy lifting, bending, pushing, and pulling year after year, my back finally said, ” I can’t do it anymore. ” So, I had to use a cane. 

My back, knees, and ankles gave out on me, and I applied for disability, but I was denied. In 2019, my doctor told me I had lost all the muscles in my legs, and in six months, I would be in a wheelchair. I was so hurt and lost until a specialist told me I qualified for bariatric surgery. And that’s what I did. 

On December 5, 2019, I had my surgery. On the day of surgery, I weighed 315 pounds. That’s the day my life changed. I went home two days later and was on an all-liquid diet. After that, every week, the post-surgery diet would change. 

One month after surgery, I started walking outside my home for 15 minutes until I could do 30 minutes. Once I did 30 minutes, I told my family I wanted to go to the rec center and get a membership, and my entire family joined with me. I met my now trainer at the center, and we all started working out every day. 

I walked at first but had to stop because I had never really walked before. However, day after day, I got good with it. My trainer mixed workout routines in with the walks. I was doing 3 miles in less than 30 minutes. 

Next, we started going to the gym, and that’s when EVERYTHING changed. I started lifting weights, doing rope pulls, and so much more. I also began to eat clean, and the weight fell off. My entire family started to eat clean, and it just became a part of life for us. 

I work out EVERY DAY, sometimes twice a day, and I love it! I’ve been doing this for nine months. My trainer Jarrell pushes me beyond myself. My health is so much better. I can do more things with my husband and grandchildren. My children push me to keep it up. 

I was a size 26 in pants, and I wear a size 16/18…No more 3’x. I’ve never been happier to be alive than I am today. 

Tell us more about how you changed your eating habits? Did you have a pre-op diet? I changed my eating habits before I had gastric bypass surgery. I stopped eating beef one year before surgery. (The bypass is also known as the sleeve. They took 80% of my stomach and left me with 20%). 

Once I had my surgery, I stopped eating all sweets and cut out soda and bread. I had to do a low-carb, high-protein diet. I make sure that I take in 64oz of protein daily. I also have to drink at least 64 oz of water every day!! 

What is your current weight?
My current weight is 233 pounds. 

What is your height?
I’m 5’7″. 

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
First, I had to love and understand myself. The real me, not the me that I played. I was unhealthy and unhappy. However, my family never made me feel less than. They kept pushing me and showing me that I was worth all the happiness and love they had to give. 

What advice would you like to share with women who want to lose weight?
Losing weight to please others is the wrong reason. But losing weight for you and your health is wonderful. Do what’s best for you. 

I have to thank my Husband, Clifton Taylor, and our three children, Joy, Dwon, and Jeffrey, for standing by me, working out with me, and changing how they keep me on my toes. My personal trainer Jarrell is a God-sent because he pushes me beyond myself but never forces me beyond my strength.

Instagram: @mprincetaylor107

Tonya lost 136 pounds

by 1 Comment

Transformation of the Day: Tonya lost 136 pounds. She changed her lifestyle so she could be an active and healthy grandmother after learning her first grandchild was on the way. In 2018, she opted to have Gastric Sleeve surgery. She also cut out high-carb foods, walked for exercise, and focused on healthy eating habits when she couldn’t work out.

Tonya before and after weight loss
Before and January 2022

What was your motivation?
I had been procrastinating a lot about losing weight. I set many New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, but those resolutions became a whole bunch of broken promises to MYSELF because my weight kept going up and down until it became an uphill battle with gaining and not losing. 

I scrolled across a few FB posts that read “No one can motivate you until you motivate yourself” and then one that read “Do something TODAY that your future self will thank you for.” (authors of both quotes unknown). Those words truly motivated me. 

Then my son and daughter-in-law informed me that I was going to become a first-time grandmother. That also motivated me because I want to be around and physically able to be with my grandchildren.

What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up?
One of my biggest inspirations to keep going was that I NEVER wanted to get back to being as heavy as I was before. Believe people when they say, “I didn’t know I was THAT big.” I have always been a confident woman, so whatever weight I was, my daddy would tell me that I was a jewel. And even though he passed away in 2005, I still hold firm and believe that to this day. But after losing the weight and looking back at old pics, I had my own “WOW, I didn’t know I was THAT big” moment. 

I also had three other little inspirations that came along in the form of three more grandchildren whom I need to be around and healthy for.

Is weight loss surgery a part of your journey? 
I had Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy surgery (gastric sleeve) in 2018.

How did you change your eating habits? 
Before having weight loss surgery in February 2018, I had already decided that I wanted to lose weight. So I started making the necessary changes. I LOVED rice, pasta, bread (CARBS), sodas, and sweet kool-aid, and I would make sure I always kept those items in the house. However, it seemed that I really didn’t crave those unhealthy things if I was out somewhere. When I was home, the cravings were at their worst. A MIND THING FOR SURE!! 

So I had to convince myself that if I stopped buying it and bringing it home, I for sure couldn’t eat or drink it. So I decided to stop buying bread, rice, pasta, and sugar for kool-aid. Once I stopped buying it, I started to see the pounds and inches come off.

Tonya before and after weight loss
Before and Oct 2021

What did your workout routine consist of? How often did you work out?
I joined a gym after I began losing weight, but I honestly didn’t keep the membership very long. I enjoyed walking outside rather than indoors on a treadmill. So I started going to work almost 2 hours early to walk in the empty parking lot five days a week (unless it was raining, which I then walked indoors.) This would give me between 2 and 2 1/2 miles per day. 

That routine came to a halt. Because of all the weight I previously carried, I had worn out the cartilage in both of my knees and was bone on bone. So my Dr. advised me to stop the fast pace walking because the pounding on the pavement was making the pain in my knee worse. At that point, I was left with only depending on watching what I ate.

What was your starting weight? 
389 pounds

What is your current weight?
253 pounds

What is your height?
5’5″

When did you start your journey? How long did your transformation take? 
I had weight loss surgery in February 2018, but I started a few months prior by just cutting carbs and sugar. I successfully lost about 42 pounds. As far as how long my transformation took, I am almost four years out, but I must quote Marilyn Ferguson when she said, “Transformation is a JOURNEY without a final destination.” So my journey CONTINUES…

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
While my story motivates others, I can NEVER forget or stop motivating myself. I’ve also learned to remember that EVERYTHING starts in the mind. “Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything” (George Bernard Shaw)

What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight?
“EVERYONE’S journey is DIFFERENT, EVERYONE’S story is DIFFERENT so wherever the destination is to YOUR journey, START IT, and whatever your story is, WRITE IT” – Tonya Samuels.

Instagram: @Ladiitvsg

Tonya before and after weight loss
Before and July 2021

Veronica lost 48+ pounds

by Leave a Comment

Transformation of the Day: Veronica lost 48+ pounds. She is on a mission to be a purpose-driven advocate for wellness and be available for her children and grandkids for years to come. By embracing a Vegan lifestyle, leaning on faith, and making fitness a top priority, she is thriving.

Veronica before and after weight lossWhat was your motivation? 
My motivation is being an advocate for wellness, being purpose-driven, and of course, being an ambassador for Christ. I have a goal to reach before I turn 50 years old, which is happening soon. I plan to continue building a legacy, enjoying the fruit of my labor, and being available for my children and grandchildren. 

What inspired you to keep going when you wanted to give up?
Being a person of influence. I never want to steer people in the wrong direction and disappoint God. Wellness is essential to our daily life. Wellness improves productivity and performance; it lowers the risk of sickness and diseases, and good health minimizes stress levels. 

As a social worker, work can be stressful. However, when I sit back and think about all the challenges I have overcome since I started this journey, I get inspired. I also get inspired when people tell me that me just being myself motivates them. 

How did you change your eating habits?
I have been eating vegan for almost four years. Of course, I could blame the pandemic on my recent weight gain, but that would not necessarily be true. 

I was in a car accident at the beginning of 2020. I injured my back, hip, and shoulder. And I wasn’t not moving around as much, and I worked from home. So, I went on a 21 day fast. I also began learning more about the raw vegan lifestyle. It minimizes the inflammation in my body. I am still in the process of converting over to the Raw Vegan lifestyle. 

I love all green vegetables, raw and cooked. I drink a warm glass of lime water in the morning. I stopped drinking green smoothies in the morning. Now I drink mostly water or fresh juice in the morning and wait until mid-afternoon to take in greens. Through a Raw Vegan group on Clubhouse, I learned that this is better for digestion. It’s working well for me, and it has increased my metabolism. 

What did your workout routine consist of? 

  • I pray.
  • I meditate before and after the workout.
  • I currently have a personal trainer. I work out with him three times a week.
  • I do strength training.
  • I get cardio in after our training sessions.
  • I also do about 1-2 hours of walking in nature, roughly 3-4 times a week.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My heaviest was 300 pounds. During my transition to a vegan lifestyle, I lost 160 pounds. At the beginning of 2021, I weighed 246 pounds, and my current weight is 198 pounds.

What is your height?
5’7″

Veronica before and after weight loss

When did you start your journey?
After physical therapy and months of going to a chiropractor, I decided to get a personal trainer in March 2021. 

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
No.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
I learned not to be so focused on pounds. I weigh more now, but I’m stronger and I have more inches off my waist. I have also seen skin tighten up in areas I didn’t think you could tighten without surgery. I know women can have defined abs. 

What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight?
Don’t be afraid of starting over. Remember, everyone’s body is different. Get a positive image of yourself in your mind, soul, and spirit. 

Speak well of yourself at all times. Say your affirmations daily. Pray, and meditate. You don’t have to do it for hours for it to be effective. 

Believe in yourself. Love your body, learn your body, and listen to it. Go at your own pace. It’s not a competition. No matter what, don’t give up.

We were all born with a purpose, and being healthy, mind, body, and soul will help you fulfill your purpose.

Instagram: @veronicakfa_50
Website: https://linktr.ee/Veronica4K

Sandy lost 161 pounds

by Leave a Comment

Transformation of the Day: Sandy lost 161 pounds. 55 years young and thriving. She started her journey because her knees are bone on bone, and she wanted to do something to make that condition easier to bear. She shared her story with us, which includes meal prepping, working out, and having gastric sleeve surgery.

Sandy lost 161 pounds

What was your motivation? What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up? My motivation: I had to change my life around because I have two bad knees. They are bone on bone. I get shots in them every three months, and the effects of the shots may last about two weeks. I decided that I had to do something about this. 

My grandkids inspired me to keep going because they like to do things. I want to be right there with them, enjoying them and not sitting on the sideline.

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
Yes, weight loss surgery is part of my journey. I had the gastric sleeve procedure on February 16, 2021.

How did you change your eating habits?
I started meal prepping. I have friends who are bodybuilders, so they gave me advice. Down the line, I had weight loss surgery, and that changed my eating habits as well. My diet is high in protein and low in carbs now.

What did your workout routine consist of? How often did you work out?
I work out five days a week, giving my body two days to rest. I do 30 minutes of cardio. Then I work my whole body for 1 1/2 hours on machines and weights. 

Sandy lost 161 pounds

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
I used to weigh 420 pounds. Before I had weight loss surgery, I got down to 347 pounds. Now, at 55 years old, I weigh 259 pounds. I have lost a total of 138 pounds so far. My ultimate goal is to be healthy. I am still on my weight loss journey.

What is your height?
My height is 5’4″.

When did you start your journey? How long did your transformation take?
I started my journey in 2017, but I would stop and quit along the way. However, as of 2020, I’ve stayed with it.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
The biggest lesson I have learned is that you have to stick to it in order to achieve your goal. 

What advice would you like to share with women who want to lose weight?
My advice to other women is you have to do it for yourself and nobody else. Also, if you want it bad enough, go and get it.

Instagram: @Mz_Sand1

Sandy lost 161 pounds