Sonia lost 146 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Sonia lost 146 pounds. She experienced significant weight gain in college, and as she started her career as a teacher. After trying many fad diets, she decided to have gastric sleeve surgery. She also embraced a plant-based lifestyle. Check out her journey.

I’ve been overweight for as long as I could remember, and I just became fed up. I tried many fad diets that never seemed to work, mainly due to my being inconsistent. Also, my school and work-life was a factor. College life also took a significant toll on my health, with a 40+ pound weight gain). After graduating, teaching took an even bigger toll, and I reached my highest weight. I decided to get Sleeved (VSG weight loss surgery) in October 2017.

Weight loss surgery is a tool, and like all tools, it will stop working one day. So, I used the tool to make a lifestyle change. I lost about 90 pounds in the first six months.

Eating Habits: To continue losing weight and to remain between 165-170 pounds, I cut out all forms of meat, most processed foods, and most dairy products. I found vegan alternatives, like plant-based “meat,” vegan cheese, and coconut milk. I eat fish, most forms of seafood, beans, and various nuts for protein.

Exercise: It takes 30 days to build a habit. In the beginning, I went to the gym every day for 30 days. No exceptions! By day 29, it became an addiction. Now, if I don’t go, it doesn’t feel right.

Now, I work out between 3-5 times a week. I do cardio once a week and weight training and lifting the rest of the week. That helped ALOT with excess skin. The best piece of advice I was given: Do not just lose fat, tone your body. In other words, cardio is not enough! Incorporate weight training and LIFT.

Transformation: My highest weight was 314 pounds. I was sleeved at 284 pounds, and I currently weigh 168 pounds. I am 5ft, 6 inches tall.

Biggest Lesson: My biggest lesson learned is that nothing on this earth is impossible if you want it bad enough! I also learned that there is no easy fix. You have to change your mentality, change your lifestyle, and focus on YOUR own goals and journey. No two journeys are the same! Lastly, I learned that you must surround yourself with likeminded people who want to see you do well, and who offer positivity and support.

Advice: If you don’t like something, change it. I had to change my mindset to get where I wanted to be. I told myself, “It doesn’t matter how you get there or how long it takes you to get there. Just start walking, and you will reach your goal.”

CONSISTENCY IS KEY! I messed up many times along the way, (I’m still messing up here and there) but I know that getting back on track works.

May God bless your process.

Instagram: @Sublime.adj