Photograph courtesy of Sara KaplanStruggling with weight was nothing new for me. Looking back now, as early as age 10, I showed signs of full-on food addiction. After school, I would order food with my babysitting money—usually Chinese—and eat it all before my parents got home from work. Then I would eat a second dinner with my family.
In high school, I weighed 270 pounds, and still was abusing food. In my senior year, I remember having a vivid dream about losing weight, which inspired me to do it for real. Within a year, I dropped about 100 pounds. For the most part, I was able to keep the weight off until I had my first kid, but I did it in the worst way: I swung between strict food restrictions and bingeing.
In March 2012, after the birth of my second child, my weight reached over 300 pounds. I had high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. I knew I had to do something to get my health back, so I started exercising. I was feeling really good when I was sidelined with the terrible news that I had kidney cancer. (Tackle the root causes of disease with The Power Nutrient Solution.) Surgery was my only option, so I took it. While it cured my cancer, the recovery process took about 9 months. I wasn't able to exercise and fell into a funk. Again, my unhealthy eating habits started to control my life.
Photograph courtesy of Sara KaplanAs I sat watching that weight loss show in the hot July weather, I realized I was ready to get back to putting my health first. That night, I decided to write an e-mail to my family and friends. I told them my goals, what I wanted to accomplish, and that I was planning to start this journey on Aug. 1, 2014. Once I sent the e-mail, I was shocked by all the support and encouragement. I remember breaking down and crying. I was so happy and thankful that I was given a second chance to change, but this time I was going to do it out of love for myself, rather than shaming and self-loathing.
Photograph courtesy of Sara KaplanI started slow with exercise, embracing my body where it was. I did low-impact activities like walking, swimming, Zumba, yoga, and Pilates. Throughout my journey, I was able to increase my exercise routine by trying boot camp classes—which I love—and I started walking/running every morning for about 3 miles. I also worked with a dietitian to learn about food, and found that eating protein at every meal, lots of veggies, and avoiding my trigger foods—flour and sugar—obliterated my desire to binge. (Find the best diet tips here.)
Photograph courtesy of Sara KaplanThe biggest change, though, was in how I talked to myself. Every day I would stand in front of the mirror and say out loud that I was beautiful and good enough. It sounds small, but it made a big difference in my journey.
Today, a year after I started, I've lost 97 pounds, and I couldn't be happier or healthier. I no longer have high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes, and this October I have been cancer-free for 2 years. I've come to realize that if you believe in yourself no matter what, you will be amazed at where your mind and body can take you. Now my goal is to help others, something I do through my Facebook page. I'm so grateful for my second chance. My life now is full of choices, self-worth, and love.
