Cornesha lost 120 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Cornesha lost 120 pounds. Hashimoto’s and PCOS made it hard to keep the weight off. She had VSG weight loss surgery in June 2021, and it helped her develop discipline and learn habits that will help her sustain her results. Along the way, her progress photos and her family inspired her to keep going. 

What was your motivation?
My motivation was to become a healthier me so I can conceive and carry children full term one day. Also, I suffer from Hashimoto’s (an autoimmune thyroid disease) and PCOS. These disorders made it hard for me to lose weight and keep it off.

What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up?
My transformation photos and my family inspired me. I’d be the first to tell anyone to take as many pictures as you possibly can along the way. Then, when you look back at yourself, you’ll be surprised. We see ourselves every day, so it’s hard to see changes. However, those pictures do not lie! 

My family keeps me motivated with words of encouragement and by telling me to continue to press on.

How did you change your eating habits?
My eating habits changed drastically! I’m not where I want to be, but I’m also not where I once was. I don’t eat junk food like I used to. I also try to avoid gluten and dairy because they seem to trigger my Hashimoto’s. Now I eat more vegetables and fruit than ever before.

I stopped drinking sodas around 2018. They were damaging my insides, and my skin reflected it. I drink 90% water now. The other 10% is sugar-free juice/tea.

What did your workout routine consist of? How often did you work out? My workout consists of lifting in the gym five days a week with 20 minutes of cardio following my daily weight lifting. I designate Mondays for my arms and shoulder, Tuesdays for legs, Wednesdays for glutes, and Thursdays for abs. On Fridays, I freestyle it! I work out for an hour each day, starting at 5:00 am.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight was 410 pounds back in March of 2021. I now weigh 290 pounds as of January 2022.

What is your height?
I am 5’4″.

When did you start your journey? How long did your transformation take?
I started my journey in March 2021 when I was approved for weight loss surgery. It has taken me about ten months to get to where I am today.

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
Yes, I had the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG weight loss surgery) in Houston, TX on June 1, 2021 at North Cypress Medical Center with Dr. Manny Ayyar. WLS has a negative stigma for the most part, but it was the BEST thing I could’ve done for myself. It has taught me a new form of discipline that I didn’t know existed! I wouldn’t change my decisions for anything in the world!

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
I’ve learned to be more disciplined and study everything that goes into my body. I’ve learned to dedicate time out of each day for myself and my well-being. I’ve also learned how to read food labels to know how much I am intaking daily.

What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight?
My advice is to start now. We all have to start somewhere! Even if you don’t know how to start or where to start, starting right where you are is key! No one’s journey is perfect. We all have mishaps and mess-ups, but you have to press forward. You have to continue even when you feel like you’re at your lowest. Even if you fall off track, you can still get back on it. Don’t mess yourself up over being human!

Instagram: @imperfect.j0urnee