Cassie Ann lost 112 pounds: 'I remember how I used to feel, and I never want to be in that place again'
Weight-Loss Win is an original Yahoo series that shares the inspiring stories of people who have shed pounds healthfully.
Cassie Ann is 29 years old, 5 feet 1 inch tall, and currently weighs 140 pounds. In 2015, after realizing her weight was having a detrimental impact on her health, she decided to make sustainable lifestyle changes for the sake of her future. This is her weight loss story.
The Turning Point
I was overweight from the age of 10, so pretty much the majority of my life. I was certainly bullied in school, but I never let it keep me from participating in the things I wanted to do. I was a fairly active child, a cheerleader for many years, and I also took dance classes. I was always insecure about my weight, and I had many unsuccessful attempts at dieting. Although the weight did not keep me from doing the things I enjoyed as a child, it was still an issue that affected me.
The turning point for me wasn’t being teased in school, nor was it the time I was extremely humiliated in front of people at an amusement park as I had to move seats to one I could fit into. Although those events were significant, my turning point was when I started having health issues at such a young age. I was in my early 20s, and I was always fatigued. I had trouble making it through cleaning without feeling sick. I was extremely unhealthy and I knew I had to do something in order to change my life. I was too young to be struggling with something that I had the ability to change, and it was time to do something about it.
The Changes
The first step I took was making small changes. I believe the first decision I made was to cut out soda. I made it a habit to order water when I was out to eat, because I used to drink three glasses of soda in one sitting. I then started hitting the gym and kept it simple at first. I would just use the elliptical for about 30-45 minutes per day, about three days a week. I started noticing small changes, and from there I would periodically challenge myself to make my workouts more difficult. Then, I started using food logging apps like MyFitnessPal and Fooducate to assist me with making healthier food choices. The key was to keep it simple and make small changes throughout the journey — that is what I knew would make it a sustainable lifestyle. I don’t think there are secrets, magic pills or quick fixes. You have to be consistent, be determined and work for it.
As I started making these changes, I felt great! Which also became a motivator for me. I was motivated by the progress I saw, and I was motivated by how I felt. I was unstoppable from there. I had no desire to go back to the life I was living. I remember how I used to feel, and I never want to be in that place again.
The After
After the weight loss, physically I felt great, better than I ever had. The emotional part is tough. Every day is different. Some days I feel amazing emotionally, others are a challenge. Many people struggle with the emotional aspect of losing a significant amount of weight. For me it was accepting how my body looked after losing 112 pounds. Stretch marks and loose skin are a reality for most people after losing so much weight. My body is not perfect, and it never will be. But I began to focus on the things I did like about my body, and it is important to remind myself that everyone has insecurities and parts that they do not love about themselves. Nobody is perfect, and that is an amazing thing.
I am always surprised when I create the “before” and “after” photos to share with my followers on social media. I look back at the “before” side and I am shocked that it was me. I am surprised at the attention weight loss brings. I love helping people and love when someone reaches out to me to ask about my journey. But I am still surprised when people view me as someone who inspires them.
The Maintenance
I would be lying if I said I eat extremely healthy and I am in the gym six days a week. I have maintained my weight for about a year at this point. At this very moment I am living a balanced lifestyle. I do not deprive myself of the foods I love, but I try to keep most things healthy and balance it out. I also still work out, but I am in a maintaining workout phase right now.
Making myself eggs and turkey sausage every morning for breakfast is typically how I start my mornings. Taking the stairs at work is a habit now. I also use the treadmill workstations at work, which doesn’t even feel like a workout to me. Small changes like that are tough at first, but soon they become second nature and I don’t even think about it.
My journey has been about finding what works for me, finding healthy things I love to eat and workouts I enjoy doing. Nothing about it feels like a chore. It is a lifestyle, and I think that is what has allowed me to keep off the weight.
I am inspired by other’s journeys on Instagram. I love following fellow weight loss people who share their journey as well. I am motivated by how far I have come and not wanting to go back to that place.
The Struggles
My struggles today are still with food. Sometimes I indulge a little too much, but it is important to jump right back in. I also struggle with making it to my goal weight. I am still not there, and it is always the last 10-15 pounds that are the hardest, but I am also not at a place yet where I am making changes to push myself there. I have a plan in place, and I am looking forward to it.
Advice
My best advice is just start by making small changes and small goals. I wasn’t successful at losing weight until I approached weight loss with a more gradual mindset and stopped looking for it to happen quickly. If you go extreme all at once, you will crash and burn quickly. It took me about two and a half years to lose the weight, and I have kept it off by not doing those things.
Follow Cassie’s journey on Instagram @completelycassieann.
Need more inspiration? Read about our other weight-loss winners!
Weight-Loss Win is authored by Andie Mitchell, who underwent a transformative, 135-pound weight loss of her own.
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