LaMia lost 103 pounds

Transformation of the Day: LaMia lost 103 pounds. As a child, a kidney condition caused her to be put on steroids, leading to weight gain. At 27, her spine collapsed and her doctor told her that her frame could not support the weight. Read about how she came to decision to have weight loss surgery after putting it off and how her life has changed.

At 5 years old, I was diagnosed with a rare kidney condition and had to be put on steroids. That started an ugly battle with food and weight gain that I would lose for over 25 years. I began to associate food with everything. It made me happy. But even when I was depressed and had ballooned up to 336 pounds, food was still my solace. That is, until a near tragedy struck again.

At 27, my spine collapsed. When the covering doctor came in to tell me my options, he was very cold, blunt and had no bedside manner. He straightforwardly told me that my frame didn’t support my weight and that I should consider weight loss surgery. I was highly offended. So, instead of taking his advice, I had my spine surgery, went through being partially paralyzed, physical therapy and the residual side effects for five more years before finally deciding to do something about my weight.

At 31 years old, I decided to get gastric sleeve weight loss surgery. At 32 years old, a week after my birthday, the procedure was done. I had my surgery in June of 2013. My diet after surgery was high protein. I started making smoothies and shakes, and also started juicing. For a while, I did no carbs and then transferred to low carbs. For exercise, I walk over three miles a day, five days a week.

Now I’m 35 and I can truly say it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. I now weigh 233 pounds, down to a size 14 from a 24 (height: 5’5″).  I have so much confidence now. I am FINALLY comfortable with me, LaMia L. Ashley. I have a ways to go to hit my goal, but I’m not stopping anytime soon.

As for advice, I would say, “Do your research, start slow and make small changes. Once you see the progress that resulted from small changes, you’ll be determined to do more.”