Keisha lost 99 pounds

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Keisha lost 99 pounds.  After seeing how diabetes ravaged people’s health and wanting to be there for her young son after a tragic loss, she decided to change her lifestyle and lose the weight.  She wrote in to us to share about her journey…

My name is Keisha Washington. My starting weight was 335 lbs. I’m 5’5″ and  at that weight I wore a size 26 pants and 3-4X tops. I lost 98 pounds in one year. My current weight is 236 lbs and I’m wearing a size 18, which I might add is getting a little loose on me.

I’ve always been overweight but I found myself at the age of 33 with so many health issues related to food. I’m a type II diabetic who had become insulin dependent. I have chronic hypertension. Even with those health issues, weight loss wasn’t my focus. My 2.5 yr old son passed away from complications from having Athetoid Cerebral Palsy. I found myself in a dark depression and the only reason I wanted to live was because my oldest, who was 10 years old at the time, needed me. After my younger sons death, I took a job in healthcare. I started transporting patients in their 40s who had the same health issues as me. Diabetics who were now amputees and living in nursing facilities. I would transport them to doctor appointments and dialysis. That was my wake up call. I didn’t want that to be my fate at 40.

I started to follow my diabetic diet. I gave up soda’s first, started walking daily and cut out fried foods. I’ll eat a piece of fried chicken every now and then but I bake almost all meats. I look at food totally different now. I eat off a smaller plate to trick my mind into believing that I’m eating more. I take the stairs instead of elevators and drink water all the time. I’m just trying to lead a healthier life. My 1st goal weight is to get to 200 pounds. I’m 36 lbs away from that. Once I hit that mark I’ll make another goal.

Instagram: @Keisha_Squared