A mother-of-three who almost died from a brain haemorrhage was inspired to drop an incredible 98 lbs (7 stone) using hypnosis.
Victoria Saldana, from North Carolina, weighed 392 lbs (28 stone) and wore a dress size 28 (UK 32) but, after a major health scare, decided to change her ways.
The 31-year-old, who admits to becoming ‘depressed’, said: ‘I looked at myself in the mirror one day and said I cant do this anymore.
‘I had just suffered a cerebral haemorrhage and almost died and knew I had to make a change.’
The way she was: Mother-of-three Victoria soared to 392 lbs (28 stone) and wore a dress size 28 (UK 32) but, after suffering a brain haemorrhage, decided to change her ways
Victoria shows off her new svelte frame. She insists her transformation is just the beginning in her weight loss, however, which has been commented on by family and friends
While the exact cause of Victoria’s brain haemorrhage is unknown, a 2013 study found that obesity can increase the risk of some types of intracerebral hemorrhages.
In her quest to shed the pounds Victoria, who has three daughters, began using a hypnosis weight loss app which helped her kick her junk food habit when she listened to it as she slept.
‘I would only listen at night but the pounds started to drop off,’ she recalled. I also started to attend nutritional classes and learned about proteins and carbs.’
Vanessa said at one point she had considered weight loss surgery, but didn’t go through with it – instead sticking with the app, which was called 12 Weeks To Wow! and describes itself as a ‘virtual gastric band programme’.
There were also some bad food habits Victoria struggled to shake, however.
Victoria, pictured before her weight loss, admits to becoming ‘depressed’ and says: ‘I looked at myself in the mirror one day and said I cant do this anymore’
She explained: ‘I really struggled to give up chocolate I loved it so much. But my weight was beginning to effect my life badly.
‘I would struggle to even tie my shoe and would sweat just putting on my clothes. I couldn’t walk up the stairs without taking a break.’
But, determined to succeed, Victoria has managed to drop six dress sizes and 98 lbs (7 stone) and her health has greatly improved.
She said: ‘Losing weight has changed my life tremendously. I have more energy I want to do more things. I got my life back.
Unrecognisable: Victoria has managed to drop six dress sizes and 98 lbs (7 stone) and her health has greatly improved. She said: ‘Losing weight has changed my life tremendously’
‘I no longer have high blood pressure, I can breathe easier and the migraines I had from the cerebral haemorrhage are almost completely gone.’
Victoria insists her transformation is just the beginning in her weight loss, however, which has been already commented on by family, friends and even strangers.
She said: ‘More men notice me since my weight loss and my self esteem is back up. My children love it and I am happier now that I have accomplished this much.
‘But I am ready to lose some more weight. My journey has been long but its not over yet.’