Deja lost 169 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Deja lost 169 pounds by changing her eating habits and going up and down nine flights of stairs daily instead of using the elevator. She’s been on her transformation journey since 2017, and she figured out what works for her.

What was your motivation?
Even though I didn’t have any medical issues, my doctor advised me that I was going down the wrong path. If I didn’t change my habits, I would be dead before I turned 35 years old. That wasn’t going to work for me. I wanted to live.

What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up? 
My daughter was and still is my biggest inspiration. I wanted to be around for her. As much as she inspires me, I wanted to inspire her as well.

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
My doctor recommended that I have Gastric Bypass surgery. However, I couldn’t afford it, so I did it all by myself.

How did you change your eating habits?
I cut out fast food and junk food – No unhealthy carbs and no fried foods. I drink nothing but water and tea (Green, Hibiscus, and Oolong).

What did your workout routine consist of? How often did you work out? 
The only exercise I did was walking nine flights of stairs. The elevator in my building that I lived gave out all the time. Also, I didn’t want to wait and be in a crowded elevator. So I decided I would just walk up the stairs, all nine flights of stairs. That’s what I did every single day and sometimes with bags of groceries.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight was 326 pounds, and my current weight is 157 pounds.

What is your height?
I’m 5’6″.

When did you start your journey? How long did your transformation take? 
I started in 2017, and it took a year and a half. I did take a break in between for about four months. 

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far? 
On this journey, I have learned so much about myself and realized there’s nothing I can’t accomplish if I put my mind to it. 

What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight?
Be patient and positive with yourself, and also have fun with it.

Instagram and TikTok: @accordingtodede