My name is Rafael Thomas and I've been overweight for much of my adult life. I was 451 pounds for a number of years. I have tried everything to lose weight. I've had some success on my own but pretty much yoyo back and forth.
In 2012 I went in for a routine physical and was informed that my weight had ballooned to 495 pounds. I then decided to seek help to lose weight. I started going to Waterworks YMCA to start my goal of losing weight. I then decided to have the gastric bypass after speaking with Dr.Fuzz at the weight loss clinic in May of 2013.
I then met Felicia Bennett Giles who introduced me to Time For A Change and was the instructor at Gateway YWCA. At Gateway I started attending different classes starting with Time For A Change, graduating to Muscle Hustle, yoga, Praise Sir Size, water aerobics, and then the elliptical machine; which was my favorite machine due to knee problems. The trainers at Gateway are very knowledgeable and take time out with you.
The Time For A Change program has had a major impact on my weight loss journey. I surpassed my weight loss goal within a year after the surgery due to Time For A Change and the trainers.
I'm reaching my three year mark and went from
495 to 186 that's a total of 309 pounds loss.
I'm currently 200 pounds and doing extremely well.
I look forward to my next stage of getting my excess skin removed to complete my journey.
Always remember it is important to
BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE!
-Rafa-
