Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Naftal lost 152 pounds. After being told that she had diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, she knew she had to change her life to change her health. Here is what she shared with us about what she did to lose the weight.
On March 31, 2012 at the age of 42, I was told by a doctor at a free clinic (I was an uninsured grad student) that I had Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I’d come to the clinic that day because I’d had a period that lasted 16 days and was heavier than I’d ever experienced. The doctor told me that was related to my obesity and insulin resistance. She put me on several medications, something which I’ve never been a big fan of. Also, my father had just recently had issues with his heart. I felt like, we couldn’t both be sick. I was supposed to be helping him get better and I couldn’t do that if I was sick myself. So, after that doctor visit, everything pretty much crystallized for me that I had to change things.
Early on, I went cold turkey. I cut all the carbs that didn’t come from non-starchy vegetables and some fruits. I also cut out all processed foods. I basically ate a lot of steamed or sauteed veggies, chicken, fish, some eggs/cheese (real, not processed), nuts and fruit. For the first few months, if I didn’t prepare it myself, I didn’t eat it. And my rule about drinks was if it wasn’t water or sugar free tea, I wasn’t drinking it lol.
Honestly, my workouts have not been super strenuous. I do a lot of walking, some zumba, and I’ve recently taken up tai chi. Because I have a large hernia in my stomach that I’m not in a position to get repaired currently, I try not to do much to aggravate my abdominals.
My starting wight was 316 pounds. I currently weigh 164 lbs. I’m 4’11” and a half tall. I went from size 24-26 to a current size 12. I’d like to lose another 8 lbs, but it has gotten much harder to lose pounds, so we’ll see lol. I started in March 2012 and I’m still on my journey. I lost the first 90 or so pounds in a year, but it has taken the last 2 years to lose the 60 additional pounds.
My advice for others;
1. Don’t look to far ahead into the future. When I first started, the day I left the doctor’s office, I didn’t have enough confidence in myself that I would even lose 5 pounds, let alone 150+ pounds. All I could say to myself was “Let’s see if I can get through the rest of this day with no cookies or candy. Let’s see if I can make just though today.” and I did! The next day I did the same thing, and so on, and so on…
2. Don’t beat yourself up when you have inevitable setbacks. When I would slip up or fall off the food wagon, I ultimately knew that I had the tools in my mind to get positive results. So, I just shook off the slip ups and got back on track the same day. Every day is another chance to get it right!
3. For me, my motivation was being diagnosed with diabetes. The thought of shooting myself with insulin and pricking my fingers with needles, and possibly losing limbs, was enough for me to get my mind together to change.
But motivation is a very personal thing. And just because you feel like something SHOULD motivate you doesn’t mean it will. Be true to your feelings and release the guilt, and begin to continuously contemplate what is REALLY important to you in your life. Eventually, I believe that your true motivation will reveal itself to you. What that motivation is and when it will be revealed is different for every individual.
Instagram: @Naffy70
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I began working out at D1 Sports Training. My son Brandon, 14 at the time, suggested I teach there. My response, “No Brandon, those people are too athletic there…But do you think I can do it? “ He said, “Yes Mama, I know you can!” I began my own program in 2010 at D1 Sports Training in Chattanooga; Donna’s D.I.V.A.s (determined individuals valuing activities) workout classes. I had several people that told me it wouldn’t work. “Black women won’t workout! Women don’t have time, they have families!” However, that was untrue. My first class had 65 women from all walks of life; mothers, wives, daughters, career women, blue collar. We all had one goal….to LIVE, to lose weight, and invest time for us. Through my mom’s encouragement, the trainers at D1, my son’s motivation, Donna’s D.I.V.A.s and realizing I’m worth it, I’ve lost almost 100lbs. I was a size 24 and now I’m a size 12! (height 5’11″). In April 2011, I WAS FEATURED IN EBONY MAGAZINE!! People ask me how long has it taken? I have decided to take things slow! There’s no rush because I don’t want to gain it back like before. I have lost 25lbs per year and have practiced maintaining it and then I go on to the next loss.
