Mary lost 102 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Mary lost 102 pounds with a low-carb lifestyle. She and her twin sister were both diagnosed with congestive heart failure and type 2 diabetes. After her sister passed due to cardiac arrest, she knew it was time to make some changes.

What was your motivation? What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up?
I had several motivating factors in losing the weight. First, my twin sister and I were both diagnosed with congestive heart failure and type 2 diabetes. We also were both considered obese. Then, at the age of 36, my sister passed from cardiac arrest. I knew then that I had to make some changes at 240 pounds.

How did you change your eating habits?
To tackle my diabetes, I opted for a low-carb, low-calorie diet. I drank two meal replacement shakes daily with a low-carb dinner, mostly baked fish and a vegetable. I also stopped eating bread, drinking soda, and basically cut out anything that had more than 15 carbs per serving.

What is your workout routine?
My workout routine was mostly walking in the beginning. Then, as I began to lose weight, I worked up to jogging. 

How often did you work out?
I walked 4-5 days a week, 3-4 miles per day.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight was 240 pounds. I now weigh 138-140 pounds.

What is your height?
I’m 5’3″.

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
I did not have weight loss surgery. 

When did you start your journey? How long did your transformation take?
I started my journey about ten years ago, but my weight fluctuated up and down until I started getting serious about six years ago. 

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
I learned that reducing carbs and getting exercise of some form is the key to weight loss. 

What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight?
Cut the carbs and exercise! It has truly become a lifestyle for me.