Michelle lost 82+ pounds

Transformation of the Day: Michelle lost 82+ pounds. She recently celebrated her 19th wedding anniversary, and she’s a grandmother of four. Over the years, her health started to decline, and eventually, her back, knees, and ankles gave out. With the full support husband and children, she used gastric sleeve surgery, healthy eating habits, and daily exercise to transform her life.

My name is Michelle, I’m 52 years old, and this month (January 2022) will mark my 19th wedding anniversary. I have three children and four grandchildren. My family is the reason why I lost 82+ pounds and why I continue to work out every day. 

My beginning weight was 369 pounds. I was this weight for the last five years. Unfortunately, I had to stop working in 2018 because my health started to decline. I did nursing for 12 years, and in 2008 I started working for the school system. With all the heavy lifting, bending, pushing, and pulling year after year, my back finally said, ” I can’t do it anymore. ” So, I had to use a cane. 

My back, knees, and ankles gave out on me, and I applied for disability, but I was denied. In 2019, my doctor told me I had lost all the muscles in my legs, and in six months, I would be in a wheelchair. I was so hurt and lost until a specialist told me I qualified for bariatric surgery. And that’s what I did. 

On December 5, 2019, I had my surgery. On the day of surgery, I weighed 315 pounds. That’s the day my life changed. I went home two days later and was on an all-liquid diet. After that, every week, the post-surgery diet would change. 

One month after surgery, I started walking outside my home for 15 minutes until I could do 30 minutes. Once I did 30 minutes, I told my family I wanted to go to the rec center and get a membership, and my entire family joined with me. I met my now trainer at the center, and we all started working out every day. 

I walked at first but had to stop because I had never really walked before. However, day after day, I got good with it. My trainer mixed workout routines in with the walks. I was doing 3 miles in less than 30 minutes. 

Next, we started going to the gym, and that’s when EVERYTHING changed. I started lifting weights, doing rope pulls, and so much more. I also began to eat clean, and the weight fell off. My entire family started to eat clean, and it just became a part of life for us. 

I work out EVERY DAY, sometimes twice a day, and I love it! I’ve been doing this for nine months. My trainer Jarrell pushes me beyond myself. My health is so much better. I can do more things with my husband and grandchildren. My children push me to keep it up. 

I was a size 26 in pants, and I wear a size 16/18…No more 3’x. I’ve never been happier to be alive than I am today. 

Tell us more about how you changed your eating habits? Did you have a pre-op diet? I changed my eating habits before I had gastric bypass surgery. I stopped eating beef one year before surgery. (The bypass is also known as the sleeve. They took 80% of my stomach and left me with 20%). 

Once I had my surgery, I stopped eating all sweets and cut out soda and bread. I had to do a low-carb, high-protein diet. I make sure that I take in 64oz of protein daily. I also have to drink at least 64 oz of water every day!! 

What is your current weight?
My current weight is 233 pounds. 

What is your height?
I’m 5’7″. 

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
First, I had to love and understand myself. The real me, not the me that I played. I was unhealthy and unhappy. However, my family never made me feel less than. They kept pushing me and showing me that I was worth all the happiness and love they had to give. 

What advice would you like to share with women who want to lose weight?
Losing weight to please others is the wrong reason. But losing weight for you and your health is wonderful. Do what’s best for you. 

I have to thank my Husband, Clifton Taylor, and our three children, Joy, Dwon, and Jeffrey, for standing by me, working out with me, and changing how they keep me on my toes. My personal trainer Jarrell is a God-sent because he pushes me beyond myself but never forces me beyond my strength.

Instagram: @mprincetaylor107