Daesha lost 82 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Daesha lost 82 pounds. High blood pressure, edema, and a devastating chapter in her personal life led her to let go of excuses and insecurities to find true self-love. With therapy, healthy eating habits, exercise, and a renewed mindset, she is thriving.

Social Media:
Instagram: @daeshamarie_ 

I’m currently about 15 pounds away from 100 pounds down, and I’ve thought long and hard about posting this. 

Vulnerability can be hard. It’s simple to look at a diamond without looking at the process it endured to become one: the fire, the grind, the chipping away at needed pieces to make it shine bright. 

That’s been me over the last two years. Chipping away at unhealed pain and areas in my life that I neglected for years. 

After going through a devastating season, I decided to no longer make excuses for not loving myself. I took time to untuck all my insecurities so I could see Daesha again. 

This is what healing, therapy, pushing through when all I wanted to do was give up, and many talks with God look like. 

What was your motivation?
My biggest motivator was experiencing high blood pressure and edema in my ankles. It was scary having headaches and then taking my blood pressure and seeing 145/ 110 some days (on the regular). Being at the point where I couldn’t bend over to tie my shoe comfortably or walk up a few stairs was added motivation. I did not want to take blood pressure pills, so I was determined to do something about it. 

On the days I wanted to give up, I reminded myself that I wasn’t battling anybody or anything but myself. I knew that if I gave up, I would be quitting on myself. After going through a devastating, unwanted divorce, the last thing I wanted to do was quit on myself.

It dawned on me that at the end of the day, I have to take care of myself and that I’m worthy of loving myself regardless of any adversity I face. By God’s grace and His strength, I truly learned the meaning of “When I am weak, He is strong.”

How did you change your eating habits?
Believe it or not, I still ate the things I wanted to eat but in moderation. If I really wanted cake, I had the cake. If I really wanted pizza, I had the pizza. However, I would make myself wait before getting it. I would say, “Ok, if you really want it that bad get it but not right now. Wait an hour or so, and you can get it.” What I realized is I often didn’t want it after all, but if I did, I ensured that I wasn’t eating sporadically or out of emotion.

I kept it super simple. I didn’t overthink my foods by getting super fancy because it stressed me out. Instead, I cooked what was easy for me to make and what I liked. So I ate a lot of salmon, baked chicken, fish, and veggies. I also drank lots of water. While I wasn’t low carb per se, I watched my carbs intake. 

What was your workout routine?
As far as working out, I walk and jog a lot. Being outside in nature is free therapy, so serious. I would put on my music and just walk. In the beginning, I would make it a mission to do just 15 minutes and slowly. Then, I increased the time. Now I walk 3- 4 miles on average daily for about an hour. 

I worked out three to four times a week. In the beginning, I ensured my eating habits were right and didn’t focus on moving my body as much, so I may have worked out once a week. But as the weight came off, it became easier for me to get around and do more, so I’ve increased it to 4 times a week. 

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight was 307 pounds, and my current weight is 225 pounds.

What is your height?
5’4″

When did you begin your journey, and how long did your transformation take?
It began in April 2021 and took 18 months.

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
I did not have weight loss surgery. 

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
I learned that you shouldn’t wait to love yourself and how you speak about yourself matters. Don’t wait until you meet that person, when the scale says a specific number, or anything else. You are worthy NOW. You can love yourself AS you are working to be the person you want to be. Be that person and love her today.