Shante lost 94 pounds

Update Sept 2021: Shout out to Shante. She lost 31 more pounds for a total of 125 pounds gone. Check out her update.

I’ve lost over 120 pounds, starting at 292 pounds and I currently weigh 167 at 5’1″. I started my journey in March 2020.

How have you continued to lose weight/maintained your success? I have continued to lose by remaining active at least three times a week and sticking to a meal plan that incorporates all food groups in moderation. 

My focus shifted from numbers on the scale to measurements because the further out you are from initially having weight loss surgery, the slower you lose. I have maintained my weight loss, and I’ve made sure not to fall into old habits. Currently, I am pregnant. 

Would you like to offer any new or different advice to women who want to lose weight? My advice to women who want to lose weight is to find a program that works for their lifestyle. Also, try not to compare your journey to the next woman. 

Of the lessons you’ve learned on your journey, which one stands out the most at this point? Of the lessons I’ve learned, the one that stands out the most is that happiness is not associated with a number on the scale. Instead, I had to learn to love myself throughout all the stages of my journey.

Transformation of the Day: Shante lost 94 pounds. Her weight negatively affected her joints, self-esteem, and various aspects of her life in general. In March of this year, she decided to have gastric sleeve surgery and use it as a tool for lifestyle transformation.

It’s hard to see myself in the photo on the left. I weighed in at 292 pounds, and it was affecting my entire life. My self-esteem was low, my joints ached, and life, in general, was just uncomfortable. 

I decided to have VSG surgery [gastric sleeve] on March 10, 2020, and it was the best thing I could’ve ever done for myself. I am finally able to live and not just exist. I am not ashamed to say I had surgery because anyone who has had it knows it is just a tool. 

My current weight is 198 pounds. I’ve lost 94 pounds, and I feel fantastic. The opportunity to become a better me has been the greatest gift I could ever give to myself. I can finally do things that most people take for granted, like fit in a bathtub and cross my legs. I’m able to shop in the regular section for the first time in my entire life. 

I can’t wait to see what the future holds and to further my transformation. Life is too short to live with restrictions.

How did you change your eating habits?
I changed my eating habits by having a focus on protein and veggies and limiting starchy carbohydrates.

What did your workout routine consist of?
Now that I have more energy and less stress on my back and knees, I have incorporated exercises like dancing. I also invested in a smartwatch to participate in step challenges. These challenges remind me to be active and motivate me to keep moving. 

What is your height?
5’1″

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to be patient and kind to myself. With rapid weight loss, your brain often takes longer to process the transformation. I find myself focusing on how much further I have to go instead of how far I’ve come. 

What advice would you like to share with women who want to lose weight?
My advice to other women is to do it for yourself and never forget your reason why! I don’t worry about how others feel about my choice to have gastric sleeve weight loss surgery. I am saving my life, and it has been the greatest tool for me. 

Instagram: @shanteandthesleeve