La-Fina lost 231 pounds

Transformation of the Day: La-Fina lost 231 pounds. After giving birth, she realized that her health was hindering her from being all that she could be for her daughter. She decided to use gastric bypass surgery as a tool to change her life. Check out her story.

When did you start your weight loss journey?
I started my weight loss journey on July 19, 2011, the day I had weight loss surgery. I decided to get the operation after I gave birth to my daughter. I realized that my weight was keeping me from being what I needed to be for her. I had severe sleep apnea, so I was always sleeping and always tired. I was literally missing time with my daughter.

What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up?
What inspired me to keep going was that I needed to be here to raise my daughter. My biggest fear was not being able to raise her and to be there for her throughout her life.

How did your eating habits change? Did you have to go on a pre-op diet?
The pre-op diet I was on before the surgery was very strict, and it consisted of mostly soft food and liquids. I lost 10 lbs prior to my surgery day.

My eating habits changed drastically after surgery. I consume a lot of veggies and lean meats (fish primarily). I ate a lot of sweets and carbs before my surgery. After surgery, I can hardly tolerate them.

Tell us about your workout routine?
My workout routine consists of an hour-long workout, 3 to 4 days a week (depending on my calorie intake).

Starting weight/Current weight
My starting weight was 421 pounds. My current weight is 190 pounds. Same Spirit, Different Body, Same GOD.

What is your height?
I’m 5’5″.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
The biggest lesson I learned during my weight loss journey: No matter what, KEEP GOING. There will always be obstacles, but discipline and consistency will help you obtain any goal.

What advice would you like to share?
Do what is best for you. Don’t let anyone tell you how you should live your life. Pray before every decision you make and walk in faith. No matter what the situation is, keep going.

I was once told, about ten years ago, “Don’t get the gastric bypass surgery. You are good the way you are. Just exercise. Just diet.”…Just do this and do that. All these people were suggesting things to me, but they did not know it was deeper than just the pounds.

I always wore a smile on my face because that was simply who I was. However, I was battling a war deep down within myself. I had to make the decision to not only want better but to DO better as well.

Gastric bypass surgery helped me get the pounds off. My ambition helped keep the weight off. Today, it’s still a hard battle to fight. I go up, and I go down, but I will NEVER go back to the very beginning. – CurvyBoss💋

Instagram: @La_CurvyBoss