Neecy lost 47 pounds

Neecy lost 47 pounds. This healthy diva will be 61 years old this month. She is retired military, so she joined the VA’s weight management program and got the accountability she needed. She also walked 2-3 miles five days a week.

What was your motivation? What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up?
My desire to see my six grandchildren graduate from college! The youngest one just turned two years old in January. I need to live long enough to see him graduate from college. I will be 61 years old in March.

How did you change your eating habits?
I used portion control and common sense. I gave up my beloved Pepsi, stopped eating fried foods, chips, and sweets. I have never been a huge bread eater but gave that up as well. I ate a lot of salads which I love! 

I am retired military, so I joined the MOVE program through my local VA. [MOVE! a national weight management program created by the Veterans Administration] It’s a wonderful program that provided me with a digital scale that reports to them directly for accountability (a nutritionist and a dietitian).

What did your workout routine consist of? How often did you work out?
Five days a week, I walked 3 miles in my neighborhood. Once the weather changed, I started walking 2 miles per day on my treadmill five days a week for 30 minutes. I’m looking forward to when I can walk outside again. It’s exhilarating and invigorating!

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight? 

I weighed 227 pounds before, and now I weigh 180 pounds.

What is your height? 5’4″

When did you start your journey? How long did your transformation take? It took me one year to lose 47 pounds.

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey? No surgery! Just a strong will to succeed! The VA also prescribed Ozempic for my diabetes, and I was a person who happened to lose weight using it. Not everyone does.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far? With determination and motivation, you can accomplish anything! The key to keeping the weight off is changing your lifestyle. You can’t keep doing the things you used to do and expect different results.

What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight? Make sure you have a good support system. My husband is an excellent motivator for me! Support can also come from family and friends if you are single.

Instagram: @ahmedswife