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Shanisha lost 133 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Check out this update from Shanisha. She has worked hard to lose 133 pounds. We’ve followed her journey since Sept 2021, when she shared how she lost 50 pounds before VSG surgery. She is truly committed to healthy eating habits and exercise, crediting her trainer for helping her get results.

Shanisha before and after weight loss

Social Media:
Instagram: @shanisha_weightloss

What is your current weight?
My current weight is 241 pounds as of today.

How have you maintained your weight loss/continued to lose weight? 
I continue to meal prep my foods and eat 1200 calories a day. I noticed during this journey that when my body is under stress, my weight will stall. So I make sure that I eat all three of my meals and two snacks in between my meals. 

I work out five days a week, including three days with my personal trainer. Without my trainer, I wouldn’t be 133 pounds down.

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Shanisha (@shanisha_weightloss)

Which of the lessons you’ve learned on your journey stands out the most at this point?
I have learned that it’s very easy to regain weight after it’s gone. I also learned to eat sweets one day a week and how to hold myself accountable for everything. 

Losing weight is not an easy task. Don’t ever think it’s easy to lose weight. It was easy putting the weight on and very hard to take it off. Since I have been on my weight loss journey, I have lost my relationship of 12 years. The goals you want for yourself may not be the goals someone else wants for you. 

I’m learning how to be by myself again, work two jobs, be a full-time mother, work out, and continue to lose weight. I didn’t know that my life and body would change so much. I’m learning new things every day on this journey. I have turned my heartbreak into my source of energy.

I’m not done yet. I have another 61 pounds to lose, and I will hit my 180-pound mark no matter what.

Read more about her transformation journey.

Jessica lost 136 pounds

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Update: Jessica has lost 170 pounds.

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by •J E S S I C A R E N E E• ✨VSG✨ (@jessicarenee.vsg)


Transformation of the Day: Jessica lost 136 pounds. This proud mom wanted to enjoy activities (like going to amusements parks) and live a long life for her son. She had Gastric Sleeve surgery in 2021 and adopted healthy habits that have transformed her lifestyle.

Jessica before and after weight loss

What was your motivation?
My motivation to lose weight was wanting to live longer for my son. There were times when he wanted to go to amusements parks and have fun. However, I also just didn’t want to go because of my weight, and I knew I couldn’t get on rides with him, so I decided to make a change for the both of us. I knew he needed me, and I knew I needed to be here longer for him. 

What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up?
My biggest inspiration that kept me motivated was merely looking at how far I’ve already come. During this journey, I’ve endured many trials and tribulations, and there were times when I did just want to give up. However, when I thought about my initial WHY (MY SON), I kept going for him.

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
Yes, weight loss surgery is a huge part of my journey. I had VSG [Gastric Sleeve surgery] on 5/14/2021. 

Jessica before and after weight loss

How did you change your eating habits?
I have changed my eating habits in some ways. Now I eat more in moderation whereas before I ate excessive amounts of food. I cut out sodas entirely and bread, but I try not to be so restrictive about my carb intake, though. 

What did your workout routine consist of?
My workout just consists of me walking 2-4 miles a day for four days out of the week, depending on what I have planned out for the week. I recently joined the gym, so I’m excited to work on muscle gains. 

What was your starting weight?
My starting weight was 384 pounds. 

What is your current weight?
As of today, I weigh 248 pounds,

What is your height?
I’m 5’4″.

When did you start your journey?
I started my journey on 12/31/20. 

How long did your transformation take?
This transformation has taken ten months. 

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
I learned not to base my journey on the experiences of others. Although we may have similar struggles, we experience them differently from others. 

What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight?
DO IT! DO IT FOR YOU! Your body is your temple, and you only have one! Take care of it. We often neglect ourselves to make sure our families are good, but it’s time to get back to YOU! 

Instagram: @jessicarenee.vsg

Jessica before and after weight loss

Lynese lost 130 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Lynese lost 130 pounds. She started her transformation journey after developing sleep apnea and other health issues. After two years of working out and changing her eating habits, she opted to get the Gastric Sleeve. She shared with us how she’s maintained her 100+ lbs weight loss for nine years.

Lynese before and after weight loss

In 2010, I decided to reduce my weight. My 5-foot, 2-inch frame was showing signs that it could no longer handle carrying around 285 pounds. I felt sluggish, and I developed sleep apnea and other health problems. 

I started working out five days a week and even hired a trainer. However, the scale was moving very slowly, but I stuck with my exercise regime and moderate food portions.

Frustrated that I had only lost 28 pounds two years later, I opted for vertical sleeve weight loss surgery in 2012. It helped propel me on my journey to a healthier weight of 155 pounds (an almost 46 percent weight drop). Keeping the pounds off hasn’t been easy. However, I have managed to maintain it through a commitment to staying active and eating a nutritious, low-calorie diet.

Life is a balancing act between my family, career, and sorority activities (Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated). I still work out four to five days a week and plan healthy meals. 

I have a number on the scale that I set for myself. If I start seeing my weight rise too close to that number, I go back to the basics to get on track. After maintaining a 130-pound weight loss for nine years, I recently went through skin removal surgery. My only regret in this entire weight loss journey is that I didn’t do it sooner! 

Lynese before and after weight loss

Could you give us a few more examples of how you changed your eating habits after surgery? 
I honestly followed my surgeon’s plan; protein first, don’t eat and drink at the same time and limit your carbs. Even before surgery, I was always trying to eat a clean diet. About three months following surgery, I found out I was suffering from Hypothyroidism & Hashimoto Thyroiditis. Because my body was not producing enough of this hormone, it caused my weight loss to be extremely slow, even after surgery. 

As a result, I changed my diet even more, and my doctor prescribed a hormone replacement. Normalizing my thyroid hormones revitalized me and gave me the energy I needed to push harder in my workouts. 

I also developed a wheat/gluten intolerance, and I haven’t eaten wheat/gluten at all since 2015. This has contributed to my weight loss because I don’t substitute with gluten-free versions of bread cakes and cookies. Instead, I avoid those foods and opt for naturally gluten-free foods. 

What did your workout routine consist of?
My husband is and has always been my workout partner and biggest supporter. Melvin would find different workout programs for us to follow for 10-12 weeks, from kickboxing to treadmill routines. Switching up my workouts helped me not get bored. 

When the gyms were closed, he enrolled us in Beachbody on Demand. My favorite workouts are T25, The Work, and of course, Insanity Max. When It was time to switch up our routine, he enrolled us in Detroit Cycle for virtual spinning and kettlebell classes with a live instructor. These programs helped me get through the pandemic without being idle, but I’m still changing up the routine, so I don’t get bored. 

It was also important to ensure my body didn’t get used to the exercise programs, allowing me to always have a new challenge. Working out has been an awesome way to relieve the stress of the day as well.

What is your height?
I am 5’2″

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
Trust the process. Life happens. When it shows up on the scale, analyze what bad habits have crept in and adjust. 

Consistency is key. Once you release the weight, you can’t go back to old habits. The weight will come right back. Maintenance takes a mindset and lifestyle change.

What advice would you like to share with women who want to lose weight?
My advice to other women who want to release the weight is to understand that weight loss surgery is a tool. And the tool only works if you use it. How do you use your tool? You must eat healthy and live an active lifestyle. Weight loss surgery will help you lose initially; however, it takes dedication and consistency to keep the pounds off. 

Instagram: @lsthomas1920

A’shantey lost over 130 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: A’shantey lost over 130 pounds. After years of being overweight, she reached her highest weight of 438lbs, and decided to commit to change.  With the help of a great coach, she took action. Now, she is more mobile, eating healthy food and loving life. Check out her story.

shantey before and after

Weight for me has always been a struggle. I’d never known about healthy eating, because for as long as I can remember I’d been obese. I reached my highest weight of 438 pounds, and I knew that had to make a change. I’m still a work in progress, but to date I’m down over 130 pounds. With the counsel of Terry Starks, aka “the Diet Doctor,” I’ve managed to successfully keep the weight off and better control my hypertension.

What inspired you to keep going in the hard times?
My biggest inspiration was seeing the battles that my mother had to overcome, which included having two strokes, high blood pressure, stomach cancer and a heart attack. I’m determined to be the change she wants to see.

How did you change your eating habits?
Honestly, I was in bad shape. I ate out 4 to 5 times a day, and I never cooked. It got to a point where I could barely make it from my car to my desk after lunch. I had to change something. I met Terry Starks, who is a Godsend, and I followed a strict regimen provided by him. I cut out the junk food and fast food. I started replacing the bad stuff with healthier options.

I eat really clean. I started eating more chicken, fish, and turkey. I eat multiple servings of vegetables each day. I do not eat any snack foods, such as snack cakes or chips. Also, I do not drink sodas, and I eat fruit to cure my sweet cravings.

What did your workout routines look like?
In the beginning, I couldn’t walk a .25 of a mile. To date, I usually walk anywhere from 3 to 5 miles a day. I’m still a work in progress, so I haven’t advanced to lifting and all the other fancy stuff. I’ve mainly stuck to cardio.

What is your height?
I’m 6ft tall.

How long did your transformation take?
I lost the first 40 pounds in less than 60 days. By month six, I was down 80 pounds. To date, I’ve lost over 130 pounds in 19 months.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
There’s a person inside of you is dying (literally) to get out. That person is the healthier, sexier, and more confident version of you. Work until she shows up and when she does, stay consistent so she sticks around.

BWLW, Thanks for being a motivation throughout this journey as we continue to work on reaching “destination healthy”! I’m happy to share my success. I just want to be a motivation to someone who may need it because somebody had to motivate me!

Instagram: @shantey2003

a'shantey

Alisha lost 138 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Alisha lost 138 pounds. This survivor works to change the lives of homeless Veterans at her day job. She wanted to share with us how her decision to have weight loss surgery saved her life by helping her doctors find a serious, life threatening condition. Check out her awesome story.

alisha weight loss cancer

I wanted to share my story of losing 145 pounds through surgery and how it saved my life. Through pre-operative testing for weight loss surgery, I found out that my thyroid was enlarged and crushing my trachea. I later found out that I had thyroid cancer, which had spread to my lymph nodes.

What was your motivation?
I was motivated to lose weight because I wanted to be the healthiest/best version of me and for me that wasn’t being 300+ pounds. I was inspired by my clients. I work with homeless Veterans and after years and years of homelessness and other issues, I can’t expect them to change overnight. Change is very difficult. Deciding to change behaviors, ones that I’ve had almost my entire life, was difficult, but I had to start somewhere.

I had weight loss surgery after several years of plateaus. I didn’t how to overcome the plateaus, so I sought information on surgery because it was covered by my insurance. During my prep-op work, up it was found that my thyroid was crushing part of my trachea. However, because it was not causing any serious issues we proceeded with surgery. I had the Duodenal Switch with Dr. John Rabkin in San Francisco at Pacific Laporscopy.

6-7 months after weight loss surgery, I went to my new primary cary physician for a work up and was referred to an Endocrinologist. My endocrinologist wanted to remove my thyroid because it was so large.

While preparing for surgery to remove it. My lymph nodes looked suspicious on one of the tests. After a biopsy of my thyroid and surrounding the lymph nodes, it was found that I had thyroid cancer. My surgeon explained to me after surgery that had my trachea collapsed I probably would have died due to the size of my thyroid. My thyroid was the size of 2 fists and wrapped around my trachea. The icing on the cake was that a year and half before my surgery, I contacted my previous PCP to discuss my enlarged thyroid. She brushed me off, giving me the once over and saying, “Nope, looks fine to me.” Despite all of that I’m alive, healthy, and continuing to live a full and blessed life.

How did you change your eating habits?
I started using My Fitness Pal to decide how many calories I needed to eat a day to lose the weight that I wanted. 1700 calories was my goal. That was actually “more” intentional food than I was currently eating. I became most successful with my food habits by doing meal prep on Sundays. I would take 2-3 hours and make all my meals and snacks for the week. I didn’t eliminate many foods as much as I counted my calories. I prefer a big steak over a candy bar, any day. I now follow a high fat, high protein diet that aligns with my weight loss surgery.

What did your workout routines look like?
All I did was walk. I did anywhere from a mile to two miles a day at a leisurely pace, nothing too much. I’m still intimidated by the gym but I continue to walk and I’m currently looking for a personal trainer to help me lose the last 20-30 lbs and tone my body.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight was 333 pounds (approximately). My current weight is 195 pounds and my height is 5’5″. After having my thyroid removed on 2/6/2015, I’ve only lost about 4 pounds. However, I’m not gaining weight, which is what most people say happens after having their thyroid removed and trying to find the right dosage of medication. In addition, on January 29th, 2016 (my birthday) it was confirmed that my cancer had returned. I’m currently waiting on the results, but hopefully I’ll get another negative test.

How long did your transformation take?
It’s been about 2.5 years

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
Believe in yourself and don’t give us. Celebrate the smallest victories and keep pushing forward toward your goal

Instagram: @wanderingalisha

alisha before and after

Alicia lost 131 pounds

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Great Transformation: Alicia lost 131 pounds. After a serious injury, she was told that for proper healing she needed to lose weight. She chose weight loss surgery, after which she focused on working with a trainer and learning how to live a much healthier lifestyle. Now her life is full of “new experiences, flights without seatbelt extenders, crossed legs and every activity with a weight limit.”

alicia before and after

Hello! My name is Alicia L. and I want to tell you about my weight loss journey. Back in the spring of 2009, I suffered what I now know to be my first weight-related health issue. I tripped, fell and nursed the injury for almost a year before finding out that my meniscus was torn. The fact that I am 5’2″ tall and weighed about 350 pounds directly impacted the initial injury and the treatment after. I had surgery to repair the knee in 2010 and the surgeon told me that if I really wanted to heal well, I needed to lose weight. I attempted to lose (as I had so many times before) and was moderately successful in losing a few pounds, but I wasn’t able to maintain the weight loss.

Fast forward to January 1, 2012, when I sat in my bed thinking about it being another year where I said I was going to lose weight and hadn’t been able to do it. A few months prior, I had a conversation with my GYN about the possibility of weight loss surgery and she said I should consider it. In January 2012, I met with a surgeon to discuss my options. I decided on Lap Band Surgery and had my procedure on May 12, 2012 (I was 28 years old). Since then, it has been a beautiful, roller coaster journey.

In July of 2012, I began working with Metra Lundy of Kinetics Personal Training and Fitness in addition to following doctors orders and my nutritionists plan for me. When I began with Kinetics, I couldn’t even make it through the fitness assessment. The week before my surgery I weighed at 351 lbs. Now, I weigh about 220 and feeling great. I’m planning to get to 198 pounds eventually, but I’m taking it slow and toning/tightening along the way. It was important for me have as little loose skin as much as possible, because I know I do not want extensive skin removal surgery. I now workout 4-6 days a week and choose to do something active EVERYDAY! My workouts include personal training, bootcamps, Zumba, Pilates, yoga, and my favorite…WillPower and Grace. I’ve challenged my body to push and challenged my mind to embrace my new life and my new body.

I love cooking which has helped significantly, because meal planning and prepping comes easy to me. I embraced eating well, eating whole and working out regularly. I mostly eat chicken as my meat of choice (always my preference even pre-weight loss) and veggies. I have lots of fresh food and very little processed food. Every day is not perfect and every day is not easy, but I commit and recommit to this being a lifestyle and journey. It has truly been the best thing I have ever, EVER done for myself. There’s no doubt in my mind that I have added years to my life! A life that I can fill with adventures, new experiences, flights without seatbelt extenders, crossed legs and every activity with a weight limit. Thank you for providing a forum to learn and place to share!!!

alicia weight loss story

Star lost 136 pounds with surgery

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Weight Loss Transformation of Day: Star lost 136 pounds with surgery.  After seeing her family ravaged by the effects of diabetes and dealing with the loss of her father, she decided that she had to change.  She opted for weight loss surgery.  Now she’s changed her lifestyle, her eating habits and is an avid runner.  Here is what she shared with us about her journey…

star before and after

My name is Star T. and I would like to share my story. Diabetes has plagued my family. I lost my grandmother, grandfather, and my father (who raised me as a single dad) to complications related to diabetes. All three family members had renal failure and had to attend dialysis. In 2012 is when I lost my father and I knew I had to make a change otherwise I was looking at the same fate. I used to be against weight loss surgery but decided to check out my options. After getting educated about the options and doing my own research I opted for the gastric sleeve surgery. I had the procedure done on May 24th, 2013. It was the best decision I had ever made. My highest weight was 320 pounds and I currently weigh 184 pounds so I’ve lost 136 pounds. I’m 5 feet, 6 inches tall. I just celebrated my 2 year anniversary of having weight loss surgery on May 23rd.

star runningPrior to surgery, I would exercise but not nearly enough to be considered active. Now I work out 7 to 8 times a week doing “boot camp” style exercises. I also belong to the local Black Girls Run! chapter here in Sacramento which promotes healthier lifestyles and being active. Since losing weight, I have completed several 5k races (running them, not walking). I have set a goal of completing my first half marathon in October. I’ve also inspired my family to get healthier and make better choices when it comes to food. Weight loss surgery isn’t cheating. It’s a tool and it’s up to you to use it properly.

With weight loss surgery, eating is very restricted and that forces you to have to change your eating habits. I mostly consume protein, vegetables, and fruit. I’ve cut out a lot of carbs such as rice, potatoes, pastas, and bread. I do consume them but not as frequently as I used to prior to surgery. I never was a big soda drinker so that wasn’t hard for me to cut out. I’ve incorporated meal prepping, so on Sundays I will meal prep for the week and that usually consists of some type of protein like chicken breasts or ground turkey meat, a vegetable like sautéed spinach or broccoli, and usually a baked yam or quinoa. I find that meal prepping saves me from making bad choices. It’s an everyday struggle choosing the right foods to eat especially working in an office setting where there are lots of temptations.

Instagram: @starzee78

Sue lost 130 pounds

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Update Dec 2016 – “I lost over 120 pounds in one year just by eating healthy and working out (130 pounds total). I’m still not the most body confident person in the world, but my weight loss journey has taught me how to respect my body and how to care for it. Junk food doesn’t appeal to me any more. I would much rather eat a fresh, well balanced meal. I still eat chocolate now and then, as it is my guilty pleasure and quite frankly it makes me happy… and that’s OK. You just have to know your limits. Balance is key. Your body is a temple. Honor it, love it, and treat it with some TLC!”

sue omar before and after

May 2016 – Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Sue lost 130 pounds.  This UK sista lost 120 of those pounds over the course of one year.  She simply embraced clean eating and exercise to lose the weight. Check out what she shared with us about her journey and her video below…

Sue before and after

My name is Sue and I’m a 24 year old Journalist who lives in London. Here is my story.

Start date: 29/04/14
Weight before: 137kg – 302 pounds
Weight after a year: 83kg – 182.9 pounds
Current weight: 78kg – 171.9 pounds
Total weight loss: 59kg – 130 pounds
Dress size before: UK 22
Current dress size: UK 12

In 2013, I embarked on a weight loss journey that changed my life forever. I lost 54kg (that’s a whole person practically!) in less than a year by eating better and moving my body. I’ve never had a personal trainer and lost the weight without having to splurge on super expensive slimming shakes. I simply changed my diet, started to eat clean and dedicated a few hours to the gym each week. I still indulge in chocolate from time-to-time, but I have managed to stay on top of my cravings.

I thought I’d be stuck in my size 22 body forever and never work in the fashion & beauty industry as I published writer, but I beat the odds and surpassed my own expectations. I’m now a size 12 but my journey still continues. They say losing weight is the easy part and maintenance is where it gets tricky – there is definitely some truth in that but I’m determined to live as healthy as possible.

I changed my eating habits by cutting out junk food completely and eating clean. I cut out carbs like rice, pasta and bread and sugar. I started by writing down everything I ate, monitoring my weight to understand how my body works. I eat a lot lean meats, vegetables, fruit and drink plenty of water now. I have the odd treat here and there.

I signed up to my local gym and trained 4 to 5 times a week. I started slow with my workouts with things like walking on the tredmill and Zumba classes until I built up my stamina. I still workout 4 times a week and mix cardio workouts with strength training to define and tone my body. I still have a weight loss goal of about 4-5 kg more (8-11 pounds).

I have started a YouTube channel to motivate and others to get healthy too. I am started a weight loss challenge on 29th of April 2015 to celebrate my second weight loss anniversary. www.youtube.com/c/sueomar

and have started 30 Day Weight Loss Challenge on my 2 weight loss anniversary (29.04.15) to motivate myself and others to reach our goals #SlimDownWithSue

Instagram: @sue__omar

Sue weight loss

Kimberly lost 137 with weight loss surgery

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Kimberly lost 137 pounds with Gastric Sleeve weight reduction surgery.  Here is what she shared with us about losing the pounds:

“I lost 137 pounds (126 of those pounds in 8 months).  I started out at 299 pounds.  My current weight is 162. At a height of  5’8”,  my goal weight was only 185 pounds.  I hope that my pics can be posted to inspire someone.

My motivation was to get healthy for my family, especially my four boys who are ages 11, 9, 7, 6 years old.  I had gastric sleeve surgery.  Now, I don’t drink any calories.  I also don’t eat rice, pasta, or bread.  For exercise, I work out three times a week and lift a little weights.  My advice to others is never give up on your goals.  Be positive and remember that it is a journey.  Some journeys takes time but as long as you are headed in the right direction that is what is important.”

Kimberly before and after Kimberly weight loss success story