Where do you live?
Greensboro, NC
When did you start your weight-loss journey?
My journey began in 2008 in my last semester of graduate school, I experienced the death of a close friend. Two months later my father was in the hospital from a ruptured aortic aneurism. During the grieving process things became overwhelming and stress was taking a toll on my body. After those two traumatic events, my weight jumped to 252lbs by July of 2009 so I decided it was time to do something about it. By November of 2009 I had lost 25lbs.
What was your motivation to lose weight?
I began experiencing chest pains in December of 2009 and after going to the doctor I was told my cholesterol was too high. I remember the doctor saying that if she didn’t put my on a medication immediately to help control the cholesterol, I could die any day. Being 25 years old at the time, I knew that was not a normal conversation to be had. I knew my family and friends would not and could not experience my death in that way. I knew there was more. I would often talk with my friend before he passed and he, being a football player had a desire to stay in shape. I knew I not only had to do it for me, but for the memory of our friendship as well. I remember going home after that doctor’s appointment and praying to God to help me lose the weight.
How much weight did you lose?
By year 2012 I lost 120lbs. However life happened once again and I have been able to naturally with the help of God maintain 57lbs in 2022.
What did your eating routine consist of?
I come from a family that really knows how to burn in a good way! Coming from Indiana the Mid-West and growing up in North Carolina (the dirty South), I’ve experienced the best of both worlds food wise. I remember the Holy Spirit saying just ask for what you want. I asked my mother if she could start making me baked chicken and cabbage. She did just that! I began tracking my calories and exercise in an online journal. Over time I started subtracting and adding different things from my diet. I replaced beef with chicken or ground turkey, pork bacon for turkey bacon, white bread for wheat breads and whole grains. I went cold turkey on everything. The only fast food I allowed myself to eat was Subway. I didn’t eat any sweets at all. I eliminated sugary drinks. This all worked in combination with exercising for 2 hours a day 6 days a week. Let’s fast forward to 2020 and beyond. I have learned that I was not happy doing cold turkey long term, so I now have a new word in my vocabulary, BALANCE. If was fine to jump start the process, just find balance with whatever you are going to do long term. You can basically eat whatever you want in moderation. I may not be 129lbs, but I enjoy this balanced life much more. Not only has spiritual fasting helped me with discipline, but intermittent fasting as well which I started in April of 2021. I also take my vitamins(multi ,B-12, D, fiber, iron and biotin).
What did you do for exercise?
I had to find a way that was cost effective to lose weight so in 2008 I began using exercise DVDs. I was an overweight child for as long as I can remember, so in middle school I would come home and do Tae-Bo because I wanted to lose weight so badly to look like a normal kid. During my journey, I would also go to the park to walk and while observing other avid runners, I began to pick up tips on how to move from being a walker to a consistent jogger. I did not join the gym until I had lost over 100lbs. At the beginning of 2012 I joined a gym and have incorporated all those components into my exercise routine. I don’t exercise for 2 ½ hours a day any longer. As a matter of fact, I force myself to take a week off from exercising every month. Exercise can become addicting and an idol in a sense if you let it. When I am working out on my active weeks, I exercise 3 times a week for 1 ½ hours. This time consists of doing cardio and resistance exercises.
Did you have any weight-loss surgery?
No.
What is keeping you motivated?
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