Kevvy lost 48 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Kevvy lost 48 pounds. After being put on medication for cardiomyopathy she experienced life threatening side effects and weight loss. That caused her to do anything she could to gain weight, but that eventually got out of hand and her health was more compromised. Her wake up call was having a defibrillator implanted. This proud mom has taken the last 2 years to transform her life and her health. Here is what she shared with us about her journey…

Hello, my name is Keevy J. I am submitting my story just to share with the world that you can achieve whatever goals and dreams you set out in your mind. In 2001, I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy six weeks after I had my baby. I went to the doctor and was told that I could no longer bear children because the strain of pregnancy would kill me and the baby. At this time, I only weighed 155 pounds at 5 feet tall. That still meant I was overweight, but nothing too bad.

Well, the medication I was taking began sending me down a spiral. I couldn’t keep anything down and soon I was retaining water and losing weight. I needed help badly. I was medically transported to a hospital where fluids were drained and I weighed in at only 97 pounds. When I was healthy enough to be released from the hospital and I looked in the mirror, I stated that I would no longer look this way. So, I went about doing everything I could to gain weight. Well, when you are not educated about the proper way to take care of yourself, you really don’t know what is a healthy caloric intake, what is a good carb and things of that nature. I just knew that I was gaining weight and didn’t look like I was half-dead.

Over the years, the weight just added on. Even though I was going to the doctor and they were telling me I needed to lose weight, none of that was being heard by me. It wasn’t until 2012, when I was at the doctor and they told me that I would need to get an implanted defibrillator as a preventive measure, in order to ensure that my heart would not stop that I woke up. I had to start to examine my life, because I was 32 years old and getting a defibrillator put in my chest. That was scary! I had the device placed in December 2012 and in February 2013, I decided to change my situation.

I decided that I would lose 30 pounds and my friend joined me. I signed up at the local YMCA and enrolled in a weight loss challenge in order to keep myself accountable. The challenge lasted for 3 months and in that time, I went from 208 lbs. to 177 lbs. I won the challenge and overcame the mindset that I would always be a fat girl. In that 3 month time frame, I grew to love working out. I started out with just doing the treadmill, the bike and the rower machines. I also did some weight machines. What really changed my life was when I was introduced to CrossFit. I am not a routine or group fitness person, so the competitiveness, challenges and randomness of the program really motivated me.  For 3 months, I had no fast food, no junk food. All my food was prepared at home by me and included nothing processed at all. I also tried liquid diets, going vegan and no meat diets.

I started out wearing a size 18/20, and now I currently weigh 160 pounds and I fit into a size 8/10. I have re-programmed myself and my kids on what we should and should not eat, why exercising is important and how to incorporate healthy eating into our lifestyles.

My advice to others seeking to lose weight is to set a goal. Make sure that goal is reachable and then research how you can reach your goal. Start off slow. You don’t have to go for it all at once and if you do slip, just get back on track and start over. You have to find something that interests you when it comes to exercising. If you must, go with a friend. Find a friend that will hold you accountable and who will not complain the entire time. If you like dancing, try a Zumba or a dance class. You may meet a new friend there.

It has been 2 years since I started my weight loss journey and it has been the best two years ever. I am enjoying the new me and I cannot wait to see where this journey will take me to in the future.

Instagram: @keevydj