Florida woman who lost 117 lbs credits weight loss surgery

A woman who lost has lost 117 pounds thanks to gastric sleeve surgery and a tummy tuck, has taken to Instagram to reveal the hard work and determination it took. 

Cheryl who goes by @thegymlady on Instagram, weighed 257 pounds at the beginning of her weight loss journey.

But in just under two years, the veteran from Port Charlotte, Florida, has managed to slim down to 117 pounds.

New woman: Cheryl has has lost 117 pounds thanks to weight loss surgery and now weighs 140lbs

Transformation: Cheryl, from Port Charlotte, Florida who goes by @thegymlady on Instagram used to weigh 257 pounds (left) but lost 117 pounds thanks to weight loss surgery (right)

Under the knife: The veteran underwent gastric band surgery in March 2017 and a tummy tuck in December 2017

Under the knife: The veteran underwent gastric band surgery in March 2017 and a tummy tuck in December 2017

Mind over matter: Cheryl credits a change in mindset as the key to her success, pictured before her surgery

Off the scale: Not just focusing on a number reflected on a scale was also a huge motivator

Off the scale: Cheryl says she tried every diet going before her surgery (left) but a change in mindset and not focusing on a number on a scales was the key to her success (right)

In 2014, Cheryl decided to overhaul her body but a ‘setback’ sent her weight soaring and in November 2016 she decided to make a change, and transform her life and body through bariatric surgery.

She was initially able to lose 32 pounds naturally in five months, bringing her weight down to 225 pounds.

However, the road to success was not an easy one, and Cheryl explained that she had to make a decision that her previous failures wouldn’t defeat her again.

She wrote: ‘I’ve tried everything under the sun and moon for weight loss. Things such as over-exercising, Adkins, Weight Watchers, HCG shots, pills, starving myself, the grapefruit diet, the cabbage diet, and naturally never worked for me.’

However, Cheryl credits a change in ‘mindset’ with helping her overhaul her diet and fitness.

‘What has made my journey so successful this time around? Simple, a changed mindset on overall wellness of mind, body, soul and not just focusing on a number reflected on a scale,’ she shared.

‘I also did my research on weight loss surgery and learned that having the surgery alone would help me lose 50-70 (average) lbs of excess weight, but I wanted to be the 10 per cent that loses all of the excess weight. 

‘Guess what? It wasn’t easy. But then again, all the trials and errors I endured before were a precursor for me to be successful this time around.’

On track: Cheryl also tracks her food using the Lose It! app, tracks the intensity of her workouts on an AppleWatch, meal preps and eats 'clean'

On track: Cheryl also tracks her food using the Lose It! app, tracks the intensity of her workouts on an AppleWatch, meal preps and eats ‘clean’

Throwback: The veteran, who served in the US Navy for seven years, admitted that she used to 'hate' all of the 'physical stuff' that they were made to do in the military

Throwback: The veteran, who served in the US Navy for seven years, admitted that she used to ‘hate’ all of the ‘physical stuff’ that they were made to do in the military

Before: Cheryl

Drop: After undergoing weight loss surgery in March 2017, Cheryl dropped another 85 pounds in just over seven months (right)

Drop: After undergoing weight loss surgery in March 2017, Cheryl dropped another 85 pounds in just over seven months (right)

After undergoing weight loss surgery in March 2017, Cheryl dropped another 85 pounds in just over seven months, before undergoing a tummy tuck to remove lose skin in December 2017.

By this point she had dropped to 140 pounds.

She credits tracking her food using the Lose It! app, tracking the intensity of her workouts on an AppleWatch, meal prepping and eating ‘clean’ foods most of the time with helping her transform. 

Her new-found love of workouts and the gym have also helped her to slim down and get into such great shape – and she admitted in a recent Instagram post that she wishes she had always had that same passion for fitness, particularly during her time in the US Navy. 

Sharing an image of herself during a Fleet Week party in New York City, she explained that, although she had a great time while serving, she used to ‘hate’ the ‘physical stuff’ that they had to do. 

‘Here’s me, in true sailor fashion enjoying New York Fleet Week at Hogs and Heifers,’ she wrote in the caption. 

‘A bra (mine) left behind, peeing on myself during during a physical readiness test (PRT), and many wonderful memories of travel and friendships pretty much sum up my seven years of service. 

‘Thinking back, my only regret was hating the PRT or any physical stuff we were made to do… doing it now would be no issue.’ 

Middle ground: She also revealed that before her weight loss she carried most of her fat on her stomach, thighs, back, and arms, pictured after her tummy tuck

Middle ground: She also revealed that before her weight loss she carried most of her fat on her stomach, thighs, back, and arms, pictured after her tummy tuck

Bounce back: Despite researching skin elasticity, a tummy tuck to remove excess skin was the best option for her, pictured weighing 257 pounds

Debilitating: Cheryl said she tried as hard as possible to burn stubborn fat on her stomach, pictured before her tummy tuck

Bounce back: Despite researching skin elasticity, a tummy tuck to remove excess skin was the best option for her, pictured left weighing 257 pounds and right, 140 pounds

Going solo: Cheryl also advocates not comparing yourself to others when trying to lose weight 

Going solo: Cheryl also advocates not comparing yourself to others when trying to lose weight 

Since leaving the Navy and beginning her weight loss journey, however, Cheryl has found a true fondness for working out – and credits all her hard work in the gym with helping her dramatic weight loss.

She added: ‘Long story short, you’ve gotta find YOUR own way and figure out what’s stopping YOU from losing weight. If you don’t, no one else can help you make that type of commitment to yourself. The end.’ 

Speaking about her new post-surgery shape on her Instagram account, Cheryl revealed that she is ‘in disbelief this is my body’.

‘To be honest, I worked as hard as humanly possible to me to burn all the fat. Unfortunately, my efforts left me with some fat and excess skin… more debilitating than what it was once before, so I made a decision to have it removed,’ she shared.

Revealing that she carried most of her fat on my stomach, thighs, back, and arms, Cheryl also explained that even though she researched how the skin’s elasticity works, ultimately, surgery was the best option for her.

‘There are so many variables when it comes to how your skin will “bounce” back after major weight loss. For example, your age and genetics. This is why comparing yourself to others is a huge no-no,’ she advised. 

‘We are ALL different!’



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