Kecia lost 28 pounds

Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Kecia lost 28 pounds.  I love that her story is not just about weight loss.  It’s about her health and wanting to have victory over all the ailments she was facing.  She didn’t watch the scale, she just did the work and pushed herself out of her comfort zone to reach results.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey…

Hello, My name is Kecia. I love your FB page!!! It’s part of my motivation!!! The women are so uplifting, determined and STRONG! I’ve lost 28 pounds since January 2014 by eating clean and healthy, daily exercise, working with a trainer and by reading the success stories on your page. It’s been a lot of hard work, but I am determined to reach my goal. I am no longer on bloop pressure medication!! My doctor is so happy with my progress. I’ve never felt better.

I have had to deal with rebounding after knee surgery, rotator cuff surgery and spinal fusion surgery, but my trainer knows my limitations but was able to modify my workouts. He pushed me when I limited myself and I am so thankful that he did. I’ve had many breakdowns while in the gym, crying when I doubted myself and didn’t trust my trainer. Crying when I was able to do something I told myself I couldn’t and he let me have my moment, but then redirected me to PUSH forward!!! Although I don’t consider myself to have any rhythm, I LOVE Zumba and when I dance, I act like no one is watching. I’m in my own world and I’m FREE.  On 2/22/15, I will be 50 years old. I wasn’t one to ever go overboard and celebrate my birthday, but this year, I WILL! Tears are flowing as I type this. I ‘m so happy. My son who is very athletic is very supportive and he is so happy for me. Also, I got engaged on 8/2/14, another great day in my life. Right now, I’m floating on top of the world.

What was your motivation? 
My motivation was to get fit and healthy after undergoing knee surgery, rotator cuff surgery, and spinal fusion surgery, I just felt blah! I tried other diets Like Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers and tried doing it on my own. I lost, gained, lost and gained. I was tired of the roller coaster. Then, my doctor told me I was pre-diabetic. I also had liver issues due to Acetaminophen toxicity which requires monthly liver levels testing, I wanted to feel better, move better, and be a better me. Diabetes runs in my family, and I didn’t want to go down that route. I had high blood pressure too, and was taking a daily medication, which after my weight loss I no longer have to take. January 2014, my company gave out FitBit’s and I love mine!!! They also provided a health coach and a nutritionist for a year. How could I not take advantage of that?

What inspired you? 
Finding and becoming part of your Facebook page helped inspire me. The women are so uplifting, determined and STRONG!!! My journey began on January 19, 2014.  It’s been a lot of hard work, but I am determined to reach my goal. 

How did you change your eating habits?
I started a MyFitnessPal account and linked it with my trainer and nutritionist. My nutrionist and I would discuss my journal and we would make adjustments as needed. I made appointments with the health coach, watched my sugar intake, and watched my calorie intake, but I allowed myself a cheat meal with either wine or beer once a week…LOL.

What did your workout routines look like?
I do cardio 5 days a week at the gym, 2 days include working with the trainer and weight training. (I HATE THE ROPES) I take Zumba class once or twice a week. I also walk with co-workers at lunch time (weather permitting) to make sure we achieve the 10,000 steps on our FitBit’s. We challenged each other to win the awards through FitBit, also when the company I work for had a Fitness Challenge, we joined. It was a 6 week eating healthy, daily workouts competing with other in the company nationwide…in order to win and wear the t-shirt, you had to EARN it and we did!!! I was so proud the day it was presented to me.

What are your current stats?
I am 5’9 and I am 49 years old. I’m not sure what my starting or current weight is. I know that sounds funny, but when I went to the doctor on January 15th, I asked her not to tell me, but to tell me what I needed to lose in order to feel better. She said she would be happy with 40 pounds.  I said ok…especially after she called with the results of my blood work. I started my journey that week.

Whenever I went for my monthly liver levels checkup and blood work, her nurse would weigh me, but I didn’t want to know, they would write the number down and hide it from me. When I went on December 26, my doctor smiled when I weighed in, she asked if I wanted to know. I said no, not until it’s been a year. As she read the liver level results from the month prior, she said I don’t have to come in January, they are better than the normal range. Tears flowed as I heard this. My blood work was perfect, cholesterol (good and bad), thyroid, etc. all perfect!!! She asked again, do you want to know and I said “Yes”, but I just want to know what I lost, not the weight as of yet. When she said, “28 pounds.” I was so happy…and again I cried. She told my fiancé that she is so happy and proud of me and so was he. 

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
Stay the course, the road ahead is well worth it. My motto is “Life in a Whole New Light”