Jessica lost 168 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Jessica lost 168 pounds. She’s gone from a size 30 to an 18. Her wakeup call came when she was unable to fit in an airline seat during a business trip. Gastric Sleeve surgery, meal prepping, and working with a personal trainer worked for her. She shares her progress online to keep herself accountable and motivated. Check out her story.

At my heaviest weight, I came in at an astonishing 402 pounds, and I wore a size 30 pants! Looking back on it now, I can’t believe I allowed myself to
weigh that much because I refused to take care of myself. In July 2017, I
came back from a business trip embarrassed as hell because I wasn’t able to fit in my seat on the airplane. I realized then I needed to make a change!

That following August, I entered Aurora’s bariatric program, hired a
personal trainer, and got super serious about my health. I leverage social
media to help document my progress and to get support from online friends. This helps me to be accountable for what I’ve set out to do.

I managed to lose 63 pounds before having Gastric Sleeve weight loss surgery on March 13, 2018. Since then, I’ve lost a total of 105 pounds post-op and a grand total of 168 pounds from my heaviest weight. (height: 5’6″) I also went from a size 30 to a size 18, and in few a weeks, I will be even smaller!

I still want to lose another 90lbs to get to my goal weight of 140 pounds, but I also don’t place value on myself based on numbers on a scale. Losing weight has transformed my entire life! From walking without breathing heavily, to crossing my legs, to being able to shop anywhere I want… I am truly a different person. Now, I love working out, and I meal prep every week.

Before surgery, I was eating out all the time (McDonald’s, Burger King, etc.), but even before surgery, I realized that I needed to make a change. I limited my eating out, started cooking healthier foods at home, and started to meal prep. When it came to meal prepping, Pinterest was very useful for finding great ideas.

When I first entered the bariatric program, I decided to hire a personal trainer to help me develop new work out routines and to keep me motivated. I did weight training and cardio (elliptical and bike riding). I no longer have a personal trainer, but I still work out a few times a week. I try to work out for an hour Sunday-Thursday. I never let a week pass when I am not going to the gym. I also do small things like taking the stairs or parking further out to get more steps in.

I share my journey openly and honestly online. There is no shame in getting surgery. I wish I had done it sooner! Weight loss surgery is nothing more than a tool, and if you still aren’t putting in the work, nothing is going to help.

My advice: Be honest and open with yourself and don’t worry about what
other people think! This is your health and your body! You must keep your goals realistic. You must be consistent and persistent in achieving your goals. Also, always take pictures of your progress as it also keeps you motivated.

Twitter: @JassyPrinciple
Instagram: @jassyjeanette

Disclaimer: Reference or link to any specific product, diet plan, exercise plan, surgery or service mentioned in the weight loss stories we share is for the information of our readers, and does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Black Women Losing Weight.