Cierra Johnson-Hicks as told to Aryelle Siclait

My diet was basically anything with <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a19975246/how-many-carbs-should-you-eat-per-day/" id="14c5d68a-84a1-309f-af2d-80cddb80c218"> carbs </a> (bread, rice, and pasta), and tons of cajun spices-and I always helped myself to multiple servings. But it wasn't until I gained weight in high school (about 10 to 15 pounds each year, for four years), that I realized I was heavier than most. Still, I was happy and loved my body.

<h1> When I gave birth to my son at 22, I stopped taking care of myself to take care of him. </h1>

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BrjNLmrHKTY/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" id="d4829193-d498-3c17-ac91-453ccd79cee4"> View this post on Instagram </a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BrjNLmrHKTY/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" id="f59297fc-8985-323f-a34a-f10c1b8a5055"> A #transformationtuesday Happy Holiday!! . . So, most of you know that I forgot my camera at home the day we took our photos... youd never know, but it was 32 degrees and pitch black outside when we made it back to the location My plan was to take the same poses as the 2016 image, but... . . None the less, my boys did their best to get me one shot as we all were freezing our asses off! Clearly my son wasnt here for this moment so excuse his face . . CHEERS TO family and continued health in 2019 and beyond!!! #godisgood . . @southernamore . . #100Poundsdown #fitnessmotivation #blackgirlmagic #weightlossjourney #weightlossmotivation #weightlosstransformation #blackwomenarepoppin #blackgirlsworkouttoo #fattofit #healthylifestyle #vsg #wls #beforeandafter #beforeandafterweightloss #plussize #bodypositive #selflove #wlscommunity #vsgcommunity #motivational #mondaymotivation #blacklove </a> A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thechicandsavvybelle/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" id="1cb9584c-824c-35ef-ae5e-a4aac528b6ea"> Cierra Johnson 126lbs </a> (@thechicandsavvybelle) on Dec 18, 2018 at 5:14pm PST

My activity levels slowed significantly after giving birth. Once my son was old enough for childcare, I started a desk job where I remained for 10 years. My weight during that time kept increasing while my self-esteem and body image took a dive. I was starting a new diet every Sunday and quitting by Wednesday, and I couldnt figure out how to stop. Before I knew it, I weighed 311 pounds.

In 2013, I stuck to a <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a19982790/fad-diets/" id="fa5af35a-5d4f-3bd1-affa-d50f1d9ab0fe"> strict diet </a> for three months that isolated me from my family and mentally burned me out. I was desperate to see results, so I restricted myself to 1,200 calories per day by eating only vegetables with baked chicken and fish, and I was working out twice a day for two-hour sessions. But this unsustainable diet ultimately failed, too, and I gained what little weight I lost back, while still feeling depressed.

<h1> My turning point happened on a family trip when I was too heavy to go down the waterslide at an amusement park. </h1>

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BpryODbnKsP/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" id="a67ad482-e9be-3837-ab5f-0affef0c4228"> View this post on Instagram </a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BpryODbnKsP/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" id="f12f4051-c523-3fce-a8f0-e62d3305a97c"> The best #onederland Gift I could have ever asked for!!! This man gave me my life back!! When I saw him he gave me the warmest hug, remembered me, and knew my surgery date #pompeii #pompeiisurgical #9monthspostop . . #100Poundsdown #fitnessmotivation #blackgirlmagic #weightlossjourney #weightlossmotivation #weightlosstransformation #blackwomenarepoppin #blackgirlsworkouttoo #fattofit #healthylifestyle #vsg #wls #beforeandafter #beforeandafterweightloss #plussize #bodypositive #selflove #wlscommunity #vsgcommunity #motivational #mondaymotivation #tijuana #fbf </a> A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thechicandsavvybelle/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" id="1cb9584c-824c-35ef-ae5e-a4aac528b6ea"> Cierra Johnson 126lbs </a> (@thechicandsavvybelle) on Nov 2, 2018 at 9:09am PDT

During that trip, I was also too big to fit into a chair at dinner. As soon as I returned home, I started looking into alternative weight-loss options-ones that weren't diets.

I learned about a weight-loss procedure called a <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a25657605/debbie-gardner-weight-loss-success-story/" id="0ca1c3a5-d99f-369a-a3da-da9df8a8992c"> vertical sleeve gastrectomy </a> from people at work, and after a ton of research (and talks with my doctor), I elected to go under the knife in February 2018.

The surgery reduced my stomach to about 15 percent of its original size and completely changed my relationship with food. Since the amount of food my stomach could now hold was restricted and second helpings werent an option, food eventually went from something to which I was addicted, to fuel. I used the surgery as a tool to become more mindful about food and control my impulses to overeat.

<h1> I soon learned my new the surgery wouldn't work unless I did, too. </h1>

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BqKY1-fH9Ia/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" id="07c6a8f9-9110-3e48-a890-2f57221d87a4"> View this post on Instagram </a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BqKY1-fH9Ia/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" id="595f4405-99f5-3ac7-a102-3287d1fff78c"> Its not a FAIRY TALE, its REAL LIFE . . If youre reading this, THANK YOU! Thank you for supporting my journey and thank you for all your kind words and consistent outpouring of love. This page has grown a lot since launching in January so I wanted to take the time to reintroduce myself . . On March 22nd of this year, I decided to make my page public. Only having the page since January, I started this IG to document my #weightlossjourney because I knew I would need visuals to keep me motivated! This time last year, I became fed up with myself! I couldnt believe Id become this couch potato, only move when its for work or my son, cant fit anything, miserable, off and on depressed, uncomfortable, lazy, woman!!! NONE of which are truly who I am. FED UP with the effects of being morbidly obese, I started considering, for the first time ever, weight loss surgery options. As soon as I educated myself and stopped being bias, I realized that this could be an option for me. It took me two weeks to make the final decision and the rest is history! . . I underwent #vsg surgery which is a procedure that reduces the size of your stomach to limit the amount of food consumed. I opted for this procedure because I was battling a #foodaddiction and didnt know until November of last year!!! You see food addition is REAL! Its just like being a drug addict, and guess what, it kills just like street drugs or worse... Knowing this, I knew I had to do something Id never done before. . . On September 1st, almost exactly 6 month post opt, I was down 100lbs and celebrated with a fun photo shoot!! . . On November 1st, I reached my second to last long term goal of being under 200lbs for the first time in my life, and celebrated with a trip back to see my surgeon and medical team. . . This weekend, I celebrated being able to fit a swimsuit I purchased in 2013 as a goal item! . . None of those celebrations would have been possible if I didnt put in the work, so today, I encourage you to set a goal, work hard, and CRUSH IT! . . #100Poundsdown #transformationtuesday #blackgirlmagic #weightlossjourney #weightlossmotivation #weightlosstransformation #wls </a> A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thechicandsavvybelle/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" id="1cb9584c-824c-35ef-ae5e-a4aac528b6ea"> Cierra Johnson 126lbs </a> (@thechicandsavvybelle) on Nov 14, 2018 at 5:24am PST

For the first year of my journey, I limited my carb intake and did intermittent fasting-that's it. Since then, I've started to slowly incorporate breads and rice back into my diet, but Im still fasting and sticking to meals like these:

<ul><li> Breakfast : none, I fast until 12 p.m. </li><li> Lunch : salad with turkey breast, cheese, egg, sunflower seeds, and strawberries with balsamic vinaigrette </li><li> Snack : honey roasted nut mixes, cheese sticks, berries, or watermelon </li><li> Dinner : baked fish or sauted shrimp with vegetables </li></ul>

These eating habits, in combination with my surgery, led to a 126-pound weight loss. While its possible for my stomach to stretch back out over time, the limit on the amount of food I can currently eat has given me time to work on my overeating, so Im not worried about a relapse.

<h1> Losing weight has also allowed me to work on incorporating more exercise into my routine-this time, because I want to. </h1>

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BqmvQRJhMDT/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" id="516dea33-1309-30c7-a334-83de5899d200"> View this post on Instagram </a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BqmvQRJhMDT/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" id="79fb2f6a-bc2f-3946-ae55-05b8ef92342e"> First day in the gym post op vs yesterday!! . . Slow and steady when its a lifestyle change not a fad. Im in this for the long haul so my body will transform daily and Im in no rush. . . When you are focused, you tend to have tunnel vision! Focus on being better than you were yesterday and I promise YOU WILL! . . #100Poundsdown #fitnessmotivation #blackgirlmagic #weightlossjourney #weightlossmotivation #weightlosstransformation #blackwomenarepoppin #blackgirlsworkouttoo #fattofit #healthylifestyle #vsg #wls #beforeandafter #beforeandafterweightloss #plussize #bodypositive #selflove #wlscommunity #vsgcommunity #motivational #mondaymotivation #transformationtuesday #strengthtraining </a> A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thechicandsavvybelle/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" id="1cb9584c-824c-35ef-ae5e-a4aac528b6ea"> Cierra Johnson 126lbs </a> (@thechicandsavvybelle) on Nov 25, 2018 at 5:41am PST

I no longer work out because I feel like I have to, but because I love it. I started off doing a lot of cardio, but as I've lost weight, Ive started to focus more on strengthening exercises.

Five to six times per week, I run, spin, kick box, and lift weights. I've even started my own jump-rope challenges on Instagram. (Tip: Get a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Crossfit-Counter-Skipping-Adjustable-Children/dp/B0725Q26L4?ref_=Oct_RAsinC_Ajax_3407981_1&amp;pf_rd_r=0KT6CT649DZYXM3DBQRZ&amp;pf_rd_p=3cac03c1-bece-5e34-a5e6-dbcc88746449&amp;pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-6&amp;pf_rd_t=101&amp;pf_rd_i=3407981&amp;pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER" id="8de84fb2-c0c8-3257-a7c4-fa86f5a7a7e3"> jump rope with a digital counter </a> -it really helps to see how much you can do.)

In addition to those jump-rope challenges, I've also started organizing events (like fitness brunches!) for people who have-or hope to-make the same lifestyle changes that once felt so impossible to me.

My number-one tip for anyone out there who feels like weight loss is impossible: Surround yourself with a great support system. Feeling loved has been the most important part of this process, and I try to pay it forward every day by documenting my own weight-loss journey on social media to let others know they can do it, too.

‘I Lost 126 Pounds After Giving Up Crash Diets'

I grew up in a New Orleans household where food was celebrated and diets were nonexistent. And, while I grew up overweight, I was never ashamed (or made to feel ashamed) of my size.

‘I Lost 126 Pounds After Having A Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy’

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Cierra Johnson-Hicks as told to Aryelle Siclait

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‘I Lost 126 Pounds After Having A Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy’