Book Description

In 2011 I was asked to be a bridesmaid in my cousins wedding. A million thoughts raced through my mind … how exciting! … I’m so happy for them! … What will the bridesmaid dress look like? … Will I fit into it? … Oh no! The photos!

Many of us have been there. Self-consciousness about weight issues is certainly not uncommon. But for me it marked a turning point in my life. I had been diagnosed with diabetes 15 years earlier and have struggling with weight-issues my entire life. I had been insulin dependent for five years and lost 60 percent of my vision to diabetic retinopathy. I had racked up credit card debt as I struggled to pay for the costs of my medications, and the stress had plunged me into depression.

It was a vicious cycle. My life was spiraling out of control, I turned to my employers Employee Assistance Program for help. The guidance I received through the EAP was instrumental in helping me get my debt and depression under control, but her weight and fitness issues were ever-present.

The same day I went bridesmaid dress shopping, I decided to stop at 24 Hour Fitness on my way home. I signed up for a gym membership and a personal trainer on the spot. My personal trainer, Angie, and I compiled a list of weight loss and fitness goals, and the trainer then taught me new ways to use diet and exercise to help make those goals a reality. I had already lost 20 pounds by my cousin’s wedding in July, 2011 and now, two years later, I have lost 123 pounds, dropped from 48% to 34% body fat, lowered my BMI from 45 to 28 and lost 60 inches overall. The seven daily insulin injections I had to take before my weight loss program are no longer necessary.

The effects of my weight loss have been more than purely physical. I am more self-confident, have a better attitude in life, have more energy and will speak up for myself rather than hiding in a corner hoping no one notices me.

Having the right motivation was key to my success. I had tried diets and exercise before, but I had not truly committed to getting healthy. Diet and exercise are not going to work unless you do it for yourself not your family. Its also not going to work unless you commit to totally changing your lifestyle. You have to change the way you relate to food and change what you do in your spare time. I used to spend my spare time reading books and eating pizza. Now I listen to audio books on the treadmill. I still enjoy reading and eating pizza but its not something I do all the time anymore. I work out six times a week and set small personal fitness goals each month with my trainer. I ran in my first 5K in December and hope to eventually do a half marathon.

Having the right mindset is also important. I don’t consider myself ‘on a diet. I try to make healthy choices 80% of the time. For years I had told myself and everyone else I cant diet! I cant exercise! The only change I made initially was to tell myself I can diet! I can exercise! I no longer eat fast food every night for dinner and when I do, I choose lower calorie options like Subway sandwiches or chili from Wendy’s. Learning how to avoid using food as an emotional crutch has been the most difficult part of my journey. I ate when I was sad and stressed. I ate to celebrate. Now I’ve learned sometimes it’s ok to be sad. It’s not a reason to overeat.

I have 4 more pounds to go before I reach my goal weight. When I reach that goal I plan to have a big party at the casino! The bridesmaid dress I wore near the beginning of my weight-loss journey? It now falls to the floor if I try to wear it. “The groom jokes that we should go back to David’s Bridal and take a picture of me in a smaller size of the same dress and then Photoshop it into the wedding photos.