When Chasity was pregnant with her third child, she weighed 365 lbs and experienced a health scare that would change the rest of her life. At just 4 feet 11 inches tall, Chasity felt miserable constantly and was exhausted by daily tasks.
“I was piling on the weight. Just eating all the time. It was ridiculous. I was in a very terrible state, but I didn’t realize how bad my health really was” Chasity said.
Chasity’s health seemed fine despite her morbid obesity. She didn’t experience high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and hadn’t developed pre-diabetes. However, shortly after giving birth to her daughter in the hospital she began having shortness of breath. Doctors moved Chasity to the cardiac ward where she was monitored overnight. The following morning doctors revealed from a heart monitor that her heart had stopped beating for 3 seconds. At the time Chasity didn’t think it was that big of a deal. However doctors revealed to her: “In the cardiology world, three seconds is a long time. You only need one second to be out of here permanently.”
Further tests revealed Chasity had fluid in her lungs and a 50% blockage in one of her arteries. At 34 years of age Chasity had to have a heart catheterization procedure to clear the blockage, normally reserved for people twice her age. Doctors emphasized to her that if she did not get the weight off immediately she would not live long enough to see her children grow up. One of her cardiologist told her “You’re not going to wake up one morning, and that day is soon.”
Chasity took the information she was receiving from her doctors very seriously. She elected to have Gastric Sleeve Surgery to help her lose weight. Following surgery she lost 75 lbs. She decided to supplement her weight loss by joining a walking group for women of color called Girltrek. The organization encourages groups of women to walk together and offers goals to keep them motivated. Chasity really took to walking and committed to losing weight through walking. “I realized, I can lose the weight through walking.” This was a breakthrough moment.
Since surgery and joining her walking group, Chasity lost 171 lbs. In total, she has lost nearly 250 lbs in the past 7 years. “Life is so much greater when you are healthier,” she said. “I just feel great about myself. I handle situations different. I have learned so much.”
Chasity offers some helpful tips she’s learned over her 7+ year journey below
- Drink water
Chasity often meets people who think of being healthy as cutting things from their diets. But she recommends that people start by adding more water. “Water gives you energy,” she said. By drinking more of the infused water she kept in her fridge, Chasity passed up juices and sodas without even realizing it. This small addition helped her lose weight. - Focus on one goal at a time
Often, people try quitting all their bad habits at once while also exercising. Chasity realized she was more successful when she worked on one small goal. “You got to tackle one thing at a time,” she said. “When you try to change it all at once, you are going to crash and burn. When you tackle that one thing and it becomes second nature, then you get the next goal.” - It’s OK to eat “bad” food
While eating more fruits, vegetables, lean protein and whole grains helped Chasity lose pounds, she still eats some fatty or sugary foods. She just knows she should limit them. “Just because I lost weight doesn’t mean I never eat anything bad,” Chasity said. “The difference now is that we have a home cooked meal every single day.”
Please click the video below to view Chasities video testimonial of her experience
Before & After Photos
