Daniell lost 180 pounds

Success Story of the Day: Daniell lost 180 pounds.  She took us on a journey through working to lose the pounds and change her habits as she prepared to make the decision to have weight loss surgery or not.  Here is what she shared about her journey:

Hello, my name is Daniell Moore and I have lost 180 pounds. Feeling healthy, sexy and motivated is a great new adjustment to my life. My motivation came from wanting to be around for my family, a loving husband and two beautiful children that need me. I decided to have gastric bypass surgery in January of 2012. I decided to have the surgery because of health problems. Every doctor’s visit added a new medication and depression. What I was doing was NOT working! I tried so many diets in my lifetime but that’s not the key. You know the word DIE is in DIET? So, a diet was not the answer for me, but a new outlook on life is. My doctor requested that I try out the Option Class at Kaiser to learn about the surgery and learn healthy ways to eat many times, but I denied. Finally after learning that I had diabetes, high blood pressure, a bad back and a host of poor lab tests, I decided to try the class. I’m not one for keeping a food log or counting calories as the class required but I gave it a try.

My Journey: Before I tried the Option Class, I also started a workout. Because I was now over 340 lbs, I never wanted to let anyone see me workout so I would get up at 5am and walk around the park by my house. Doing this and changing my food intake did help a little. I lost 20 lbs which I did very often, but would always gain it back plus more. Joining the Option Class, I went 20 lbs lighter as well. In the class we learned how to use food logs, count our food intake and know how much you should be eating. They taught us what foods were good and bad and IT HELPED!!! I lost 33 lbs in 8 weeks in that class. Once I finished the class it was my decision to make if I wanted to go ahead with the surgery. I knew I would gain the weight back and because of my Diabetes I decided to go ahead with the surgery.

BEST DECISION OF MY LIFE!!!: I can’t explain it but right after surgery my vitals started to change. They keep coming in my room checking my blood and my Diabetes blood test seems to be going back to normal right away. My blood pressure was normal. The doctor suggested that I talk with my primary doctor about my meds but he cut them in ½! When I went home, I followed the plan and believe me it was not just an easy fix for weight loss. Many think it’s the easy way out but that’s not true. Everyone is different, some follow the plan and succeed. Some go back to bad ways and gain it all back…and maybe more. The choices we make determine our outcome. I started losing weight very soon after going home. I lost 130 lbs since surgery making a total of 180 lbs and I’m holding steady ever since. It will be 3 years in January of 2015 and I can’t say it enough, I FEEL GREAT!

EXERCISE BOUND: I have never been the one to go to the gym. I never wanted others to see me work out. I was afraid of what others would say or how they would look at me. NOW, I’m a beast in the GYM, LOL. I love the way I feel, the drive I have when I’m there. People look because I’m doing my thang and I don’t care. I know they want to join me but they just watch. I feel good inside because I know where I’ve been and what I have defeated, so let them look. Some have asked about my weight lost and I tell them the truth, I HAD GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY! I love the elliptical machine it’s the best but I do the treadmill, zumba classes, spin cycle classes and light weights. I even did my 1st ever 5K run for Cancer last year and it was AMAZING.

JUST DO IT: So, in closing, I hope my story has touched someone to make changes for better health in their life. Surgery is not the answer for everyone but it was for me. Do it your way whichever is best for you.
A happier, healthier and sexy young lady,
Daniell Moore
Instagram: @4daniellonly