Transformation of the Day: Ariel shares how she lost 140 pounds. Living with PCOS for many years, she felt it would be easier to conceive and balance her hormones with less weight. VSG surgery, exercise, faith, and healthy habits are the tools she used to change her life.
What was your motivation? What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up? My motivation was to make and maintain habits that would change my life and my future family. I kept going because I wanted better for my life. I knew the feeling of being 320.6 pounds and didn’t want to go back.
I was diagnosed with PCOS at 18 and am currently 31 years old. I knew that it would be easier for me to conceive and regulate my hormones with less weight. Before losing weight, I would go months and up to 1 year without a menstrual cycle. I knew this wasn’t normal and that I needed to make a change.
I also suffered from neuropathy in my feet and would often go numb from my waist down. All of this led me to want better for myself.
So I tried many things to lose weight, but it wasn’t coming off. So, I made the decision that was best for me, which was to use Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy surgery (VSG)  as a tool.
How did you change your eating habits? I after had VSG surgery, my portion sizes were significantly reduced. I switched to mainly protein as my primary food. Now that I am a year out, I still maintain protein first with healthy veggies and carbs. I limit slider foods like chips, popcorn, sweets, or high-sugar foods.
What is your workout routine? I am currently building muscle, so I strictly stick to weight training.
How often did you work out? I work with a personal trainer twice a week, and he gives me things to do by myself twice a week. So, in total, I work out four times a week. I started working out at ten months post-VSG surgery.
What was your starting weight? What is your current weight? My starting weight was 320.6 pounds, and my current weight is 181.0 pounds.
What is your height? I am 5’9 1/2″
When did you start your journey? How long did your transformation take? I started my pre-op liquid journey on June 21, 2023. I had VSG surgery on July 5, 2023. It’s taken me a year to lose the 139.6 pounds.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far? I took this journey for myself. I took an Uber by myself to the hospital on the day of surgery. For the 1st time, I chose myself. It wasn’t the easiest initially to transition into a new lifestyle. I learned through the process that I used food as a coping mechanism and that I needed to deal with my trauma. So, I began doing the inner work and making healthy decisions with my mental health, relationships, family, and life.Â
I learned that I can make healthy choices and that it’s okay to discipline myself. I fell in love with challenging myself to do better. I found out it was okay to go into a season of isolation. I no longer needed others to validate me.Â
My relationship with Jesus has helped to steady me and bring me closer to who I was before the foundation of this world. I’m setting boundaries and loving myself and those I’m connected to.
What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight? My best advice is to think about your why so that when times are hard, you have that purpose driving you. Small, consistent steps will lead to building a healthy lifestyle.
- Having a relationship with Jesus and being able to deal with your hurts, pains, trauma, and the past.
- Being in a community of people who share the same goals.
- Being okay with not seeing results quickly and maintaining consistent habits even when you don’t feel like it.
You’re stronger than you think! Just start with Day 1 and keep going.
