The Untold Story of a Former Fat Girl
8:00 AM
Before you begin thinking Oh Boy...here is another weight loss story, let me give you the reason why my story is different in three words...disabled and determined!
The History
As many women do, I have dealt with many diet "suggestions" from doctors, dieticians, "helpful friends", commercials and advertisements. Nothing ever seemed to work or I could not afford to stick with the pricey product to see any success. I have always been on the bigger side. I began to notice this in third grade when I was eight years old and thought I was dying when I experienced my first period in the elementary school bathroom stall. The nurse told me because I was bigger than the other girls I got it and they will not for another few years. All the way through school I was very active constantly involved in numerous sports and programs. My senior year I became pregnant, I lost my baby due to a thin cervix. I became deeply depressed and pushed the scales at 250 pounds. For the next three years, I gained more weight as I lost three more pregnancies, my relationship crumbled and I lost my dad to his battle with cancer. I was now 307 pounds. I began working on making myself healthier as I became diagnosed with Diabetes; I ended up plateauing at 275 pounds. I met my ex-husband and endured an unhappy marriage for five years which ended with me wheelchair bound from Heavy Metals Poisoning. Doctors told me I would never walk again as the muscles deteriorated in my legs and arms. I was assisted with the tiniest of activities. At this point I allowed the depression to envelope me like a warm blanket. During this time, my diet was very regulated and I slowly lost around 30 pounds.
In 2010 through a twist of fate, my middle school sweetheart came back into my life. By the end of the year, we were married. Daily he encouraged me that God did not intend for me to be trapped in my body; he took me to appointments to learn how to help me. He became my one-man cheering squad. Eventually I was able to leave the wheelchair for a walker and then braces and a cane. Now I barely use the cane. I still could not shed the weight. I would yo-yo a consistent 30 pounds, gaining and losing depending on my symptoms from my health issues.
The Struggle
Daily I struggle with Fibromyalgia, Spondylosis, Degenerative Bone and Joint Disease, Neuropathy, Emphysema and Insulin Pump Controlled Diabetes. Working out is a tricky feat as I can easily fracture or break a bone. Pain is guaranteed and exhaustion is inevitable, the only thing that changes is how intense and the duration.
After losing multiple pregnancies, I gave birth to my Miracle Baby in 2015. I began really focusing on losing weight. In a previous blog, I wrote about not believing that I had been losing weight. With the encouragement of my husband, I tried on a pair of "Goal Jeans". They fit and I felt great! I was ecstatic with my progress and then the old record from my childhood began playing in my head again..."You're a fat girl, you will always be a fat girl". I vigorously began working on losing weight again. I had to break this constant playing record.
This year has been very long and very hard. I have physically pressed myself beyond my limits. There have been days spent on the couch because I have over worked my muscles. I have dealt with dangerously low Blood Sugar levels. I have had to go to the emergency room from over working my body. It has been worth it in the end. However, during this journey I have learnt that my degenerative bone disease had been playing havoc while I have been trying to strengthen myself.
The Results
I pushed myself beyond safe limits for the ability to proudly boast I am in a comfortable size 16! When I began this journey, I was busting the seams of my size 26 jeans. I lost a total of 27 inches! I weighed 283 pounds on July 20, 2016 and today I weigh 220 pounds! There are no words to describe how awesome I feel! I am able to cross my legs, fit in armed chairs, buckle my seatbelt without my hips getting in the way. I can swing at the park with my kids and slide with my baby on my lap! I can be the mom I have always dreamt of being. I have so much energy and my body does not feel weighed down from all the weight.
How I Did It
Here is where I tell you the unbridled truth about how I lost 63 pounds in a year.
I busted my butt and did not do the conventional exercising. I created a garden that I had to work in every day. I made it a point to have outside playtime with my kids where I physically had to interact with them. As a family we rode bikes, went to the park, swam, and walked and on the days I could not physically do this, I forced myself to use my glider.
I changed my diet to lots of protein and low carbohydrates. I gave in to my cravings within reason. My kryptonite is chocolate; I bought a small bag of Mini chocolates and ate two to satisfy my craving once a week. I also froze a tub of cool whip and ate a spoonful when I craved ice cream. I gave into my craving for French bread twice a week. I found it was harder to ignore the cravings than scheduling them into a meal as a special treat for accomplishing by goal for that day.
I also included a protein shake from Kickass Healthy Moms.(Note: If you request a sample let them know you found the link one Crossing New Bridges.) I found I was not getting enough protein as hard as I tried. I drink two shakes a day to help curb the hunger and supply my body with the energy to keep up with my daily tasks and family. With a one year old and five year old, I rarely get to sit still.
New Lease on Life
I want to tell you that this was an easy journey and that I skipped right through the last year with ease. The truth is I cannot, this year SUCKED! This year brought me to breaking points I never knew I had. I fought to keep myself from drowning in the pain or passing out from dangerously low Blood Sugar levels. I vomited numerous times from the physical stress my body struggled to complete. I had to push myself off the couch of misery to interact happily with my family. I even had to pretend I enjoyed what I was doing in order to continue the next task. Numerous times, I had to restart my “healthy diet” day after day because carbohydrates won over proteins.
I can say that in the end I got results! I enjoy looking in the mirror and seeing the new me. I have more energy. I am enthusiastic about getting my busy day started. There is nothing more fun than sliding with my kids before I was too wide to fit down the slide. I love going to appointments because I can fit in the waiting room chair. These things only a true fat girl can understand. Sometimes the simplest of things matter the most when you have always been unable to experience them.
I encourage you my dear friends to find a healthier pattern for your life. Find the new you, be it a diet change, a change in your attitude, new friends or even educating yourself in something you would love to know about. Get out of that old shell. Stop being comfort able with who others claim you are and become determined to be a new and better you! You decide your future!
What things would you like to change about the current you! What record plays in your head?
Warm Wishes to You and Yours
Deb
Deb
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14 comments
What an amazing story. I had a lot of trouble losing weight after having my son. The psychological battle is huge - well done on getting through it. #familyfun
ReplyDeleteThank you. It really helps having supportive people around to lean on when you just cannot go on another minute by yourself.
DeleteWhat an inspiring story and it sounds like you were incredibly lucky to have the loving support of such a caring partner. Thank you for linking up to #ablogginggoodtime 🎉
ReplyDeleteHe has gotten me through a lot standing by my side. I just hope I am just as supportive to him.
DeleteGood for you. That's great! #Stayclassymama
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful story. I'm so sorry for the loss of your previous pregnancies but I'm glad this story had a happy ending. I love the idea of exercising by having a garden to work on. What a great solution.
ReplyDeleteFinding something I enjoyed doing to keep active was the greatest struggle.
DeleteOh Deb congratulations, I've been reading your journey and I've been amazed at your determination and ingenuity of ways to exercise! Something so simple as running around playing with your kids plus everything else is brilliant. So proud of you! Thanks for linking up to #familyfun
ReplyDeleteThank You! It has been a journey to say the least. Trying to incorporate different activities to keep it fresh is the challenge.
DeleteGosh, this is very inspiring. Your weight loss is incredible, you must be so proud of yourself. What a supportive partner you have, amazing really. Thank you for sharing with the #DreamTeam xx
ReplyDeleteThank you! I never thought I would get to this point but day by I day I pushed myself to get up and do something.
DeleteOmg I'm so so so happy for you! I remember reading your posts each week on your weight goals and now you have really done it. Seriously amazing work, you are an inspiration to us all. You have been through so much but still have the determination to be the best mom you can be. Wonderful story! Thanks so much for sharing with #StayClassyMama!
ReplyDeleteThank You! All my friendly followers helped keep me motivated on those days I just could not do much more.
ReplyDeleteWow this is an incredibly inspiring story. Well done, you have overcome so much and must be so proud of yourself x #familyfun
ReplyDelete