Nicole lost 110 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Nicole lost 110 pounds. This mother of four feared that her life could be cut short due to health issues related to weight. The weight she carried was also taking a toll on her knees and back. Determined to live a long life, she chose to have Gastric Bypass surgery and adopt a low-carb lifestyle.

I’m a 39 year old single mother of four. I had a Gastric Bypass weight loss surgery last year, and I’ve lost 111 pounds. I still have a low carb lifestyle to lose a little more weight and maintain my progress.

What was your motivation?
My motivation was that I became very self-conscious about my weight. I had gotten to the point where I hated taking pictures. I was also really fearful of dying at an early age. Many medical conditions run in my family, and I was afraid to be taken out by a health issue due to weight. I wanted to live longer for my children and myself. 

How did you change your eating habits?
Because of my gastric bypass, my diet changed to low carb with extremely small portions. I don’t eat sweets, pop, juice, or anything like that. I eat high protein foods and veggies. I’ve also started to eat a lot more plant-based meats.

Tell us about your workout routine.
My workout consisted of mostly walking. In the past, my work schedule didn’t allow me to work out often. I’ve had so much more time during the pandemic. Now I’m getting to the point where I’m starting to include toning.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight was 404 pounds, and I currently weigh 294 pounds.

What is your height?
I’m 5’9″.

When did you start your journey? How long did your transformation take?
I started my journey in March 2019. I’m still in my transformation phase.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
The biggest lesson that I learned is that my health is the most important thing. If my health is not in order, I can’t function at full capacity in any other aspect of my life. I also learned how important healthy eating is. Even without working out, I see how healthy eating habits alone can cause major changes!

What advice would you like to share with women who want to lose weight?
Don’t begin your journey to please other people who may judge you or tell you what they think you should look like. When you do it for yourself, you put more into the journey, and it’s more rewarding. You’ll literally add years to your life. 

You don’t know how bad you feel, until you feel better. I carried weight around for 38 years, and my body was tired. My knees and back were giving out. Take care of your body, and it will take care of you. 

Also, if you choose surgery, don’t let people talk down to you like you cheated. The surgery does not make the journey any less challenging. You still have to work for it on top of dealing with the restrictions and consequences.

Instagram: @Chicagocrochetdiva