MaryCara Fernandino, 40, of Farmingville, at left in May 2017,...

MaryCara Fernandino, 40, of Farmingville, at left in May 2017, when she weighed 304 pounds, and after her more than 90-pound weight loss. Credit: Alyssa DeStefano; John Paraskevas

MaryCara Ferdinando, 40, Farmingville

OCCUPATION Senior manager at a group home for disabled adults

BEFORE 304, May 2017 AFTER 207 January 2019

MaryCara Ferdinando, who says she had been overweight her whole life, spent 2017 feeling sorry for herself after being treated for bladder cancer that was diagnosed in 2016. She decided in February of 2018 that she wasn’t going to let cancer or obesity kill her.

Wanting to treat her bladder better, Ferdinando says she stopped eating processed food, fast food and junk food the day after the Super Bowl. By April, she had lost 37 pounds and started going to Theodorou Academy of Jiu Jitsu and Total Body Shaping.

“Phil does the workout part and John is the nutritionist. They believe in eating a range of protein, fat and carbs in every meal and every snack. It’s a balance [of foods] and so easy to stick to,” says Ferdinando.

So far, she has lost 97 pounds. She says she wants to lose 40 more pounds but is already enjoying benefits such as no more acid reflux and being able to bend over to tie her shoes. Ferdinando remains cancer free.

Breakfast is either a protein shake or a half cup of oatmeal and a scoop of protein powder and a sprinkle of nuts on top. Lunch can be a piece of baked seasoned chicken, roasted broccoli and a half cup of roasted sweet potatoes. Dinner is similar to lunch. Snacks include celery or carrots and hummus, sliced apples dipped in peanut butter and Quest protein chips. Ferdinando says she has a “cheat” serving of ice cream once a week.

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“I tell people to not have a cheat week or a cheat day. Limit it to a cheat meal and a cheat dessert once a week,” adds Ferdinando.

Ferdinando works out for 55 minutes five to six days a week. Monday through Friday she does a mix of strength training using weights and resistance bands and doing pushups and then some interval training such as boxing and kickboxing. She does fast walking on Saturdays and rests on Sundays.

“You have to get over your hump, and it’s different for everyone. Once it sets in that this is a change for life, it becomes your routine, and once it’s your routine you can’t imagine not doing it.”

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