Name: Cassandra
Age: 41
Occupation: Photographer
Location: Orlando, Florida
Height: 5’9″
Waist: 31″
Starting Weight: 495 pounds
Current Weight: 170 pounds
Pounds or Inches Lost: I lost 325 pounds!
Cassandra’s Weight Loss Story!
I reached my highest weight ever which was 495 pounds. I gained 100 pounds with my second pregnancy and 195 pounds after having the baby. I gave up on life and I knew I would never lose the weight because everything I tried had failed. I hadn’t looked in the mirror for 6 years or even been to a doctor because I knew he would have told me I was obese and needed to lose the weight. I went from a size 12 to a size 6X, my waist went from a 27″ to 63″, I couldn’t walk 5 feet or even stand 5 for minutes! My knees and back ached so badly, my health was fading and I began to develop dark black spots all over my body. I had to take 4 aspirin every night to keep from waking up with a migraine every day because my vision would be red with lightning strikes and I could barely open my eyes. I would vomit up grease every night which caused my throat to burn. It got so bad until my body became toxic which means that I began to vomit my own stool.
I began to hide food and it got so bad that I would order food to eat and cook for my family and then eat again. I had my blood pressure taken and it was 275. I was so afraid because I didn’t want to die since I had two kids, so one night I went to sleep and woke up around 2am and I could see out of my left eye but my right eye was turned into the back of my head and came out about 3 inches from the socket! It scared me so bad that I didn’t sleep for two days straight.
After being a prisoner in my home for 8 years I decided it was time to do something about my life. I wanted myself back so I decided to go cold turkey which meant no sweets, no meat and no bread with just veggies and fruit. I had lost 60 pounds in 60 days. I started my journey July 2012 and as of July 2014 I have lost a total of 325 pounds! But I’m not done yet. I went from a 6X to a 7/8 and my waist went from 63″ to 31″. I can now walk for 15 miles straight. I don’t have migraines anymore, my skin tone went back to normal, my blood pressure is perfect and I can sleep through the night like a baby. I decided to add years to my life by eating right and I did this all naturally with absolutely no surgery. I am proof that it can be done because I did it!
Cassandra’s Weight Loss Interview!
When did you become unhappy with your weight?
After having my second child.
What made you decide to lose weight?
I could not walk.
What were the most important changes you made to lose weight?
My eating habits.
What was most challenging about losing weight?
The walking.
How long did it take you to start to see results?
1 year.
How long did it take for you to reach your current weight?
23 months.
How long have you maintained your weight loss and how do you do it?
Almost 2 months but I’m still losing. Exercising is the most important thing for me.
What keeps you motivated to continue your weight loss success?
The people who I have touched makes me want to continue to do this.
How has your life changed now that you’ve lost weight?
Yes, no one knows me anymore (LOL) but I get more photography jobs than I ever have.
Do you have any advice for others who are trying to lose weight?
Just keep focusing on the end results.
How did ShapeFit help you reach your weight loss goals?
I love the health and fitness advice ShapeFit.com provides.
Cassandra’s Weight Loss Tips!
Weight loss tip #1:
Drink lots of water.
Weight loss tip #2:
Eat lots of veggies.
Weight loss tip #3:
No sweets, salt or bread.
Weight loss tip #4:
Walk at least 3 times a week even if you don’t want to.
Weight loss tip #5:
Stay focused on the person you want to show everyone that’s inside.
Cassandra’s Weight Loss Eating Plan!
Breakfast:
Protein shake and oatmeal.
Lunch:
A salad.
Dinner:
Salad with chicken and a protein shake.
Snacks or Mini Meals:
Veggies or fruit.
Nutritional Supplements:
One a day multivitamin for women.
Cassandra’s Weight Loss Workouts!
Weight Training:
I currently do not weight train. I just do cardio.
Cardiovascular:
I do a cardio workout DVD twice a week and walk a lot.
3 Comments
AWESOME STORY!
I’m 15 and weigh 326 pounds. I want to lose this weight but I don’t know what to do. Cassandra, can you please help me lose the weight? When my mom past away in 2010 I gained a lot of weight and kept gaining. I live in Houma, Louisiana with my grandma who is 71 years old. My sisters are all big too. I need serious help to lose this weight. I can’t even fit into the desks at school!
Hi LaQuinta – You might be able to get some support at your school. Ask the counselors or school administration if they have contact information for different programs or facilities in your area that help overweight/obese children.