Shelly-Ann Thomspon, Freelance Writer

Keisha McCarthy on a mission to shed her unwanted pounds. - Contributed

Last month, as Flair continued its focus on employees who are making use of their workplace gyms and wellness programmes, we highlighted the remarkable story of Keisha McCarthy. McCarthy, who works at the Royal Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (RBTT), embarked on a drive to shed unwanted pounds. This week, Flair checks in with McCarthy.

Past weight: 342 pounds

Current weight: She has not weighed recently.

Inches lost: I don't know exactly how many I have lost. But I do know that my clothes don't fit anymore. They are 'looser' and I can fit in my jeans.

Height: 5' 6"

Healthy lifestyle regime: Changed eating habits, eliminated junk food and sweet-based fodder. Currently, on a 1,222 calorie diet.

Diet sheet: Breakfast: One finger of green boiled banana, a slice of yam and wheat flour dumpling with tea with evaporated milk.

Lunch: Baked chicken breast, one serving of rice, mixture of steam and raw vegetables and a glass of water. (Whenever possible, try not to have rice, gravy and fried food.)

Mid-afternoon: Four crackers sometimes.

Dinner (after 6:00 p.m., if I do): Small bowl of bran cereal with skimmed milk and a fruit, or a Symmetry shake, or a slice of bread and two sausages.

"To be honest, I feel much better and I am improving healthwise," smiled McCarthy who is in her late 20s.

Since publicising her story in last month's Flair, the mother of an eight-year-old girl, McCarthy said there is no point of return.

"Now I can take two steps and not feel tired," she said.

"I feel different and my clothes fit better. I have this particular pair of jeans that I couldn't wear and now I can fit into it easily. I even need to get a different set of work uniforms as they look and fit bigger."

Those close to her have also noticed the change and are cheering her on.

"My daughter says, 'Mommy, you look smaller.'"

Six-week challenge

McCarthy decided to tackle her overweight issue when her workplace developed a six-week dieting and exercise challenge. The challenge included aerobic exercise classes. Now that the challenge has ended, McCarthy, an accounting officer in the Finance Department at RBTT, is still physically active. She walks regularly, exercises with the assistance of television channel Fit TV and watches her diet.

"The challenge was for six weeks but I am on a lifetime challenge.

"I can't give up. Sometimes it is not easy, but there is no option to quit. The older I get, the harder it is to lose weight," she said.