I have an AMAZING story to share with you today. I relate so much to this lady and I admire her for her openness with her journey. She is an inspiration to me and I know she will inspire you as well!
Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Lauren, and I live in a small town in East Texas. I've been overweight my entire life. I've written on Facebook several times that I have always been the biggest one in the room. I've tried every diet, plan, and group out there aimed to help people lose weight, but I never stuck with any of them long enough to lose down to a "normal" size. I even had gastric bypass surgery in 2002 in an effort to lose weight. I lost 195 pounds, but then quit losing...then started gaining. When I started this journey this time, I was just 30 pounds shy of my heaviest pre-surgery.
What made you decide to live a healthier lifestyle?
There were several things that prompted me to lose weight right now in my life. I truly believe all of them had to be in place before I could have done this. One is my parents: both are obese, and both are suffering from medical issues because of their weight. I worry about them, and I do not want to have to battle those issues. I'm also single and childless. I was so depressed before I started this journey, partially because I looked at my life and realized I was alone and would stay that way as long as all I did was eat and sit in my house growing fatter. I didn't want to die alone. I also have to care for my house-bound mother who lives in a different house than me. I was unable to do the things I needed to do for her because of my weight. Most importantly, though, I am a Christian, and I felt really convicted of the fact that the way I was treating my body was a sin. I believe we're supposed to be good stewards of the blessings God gives us, and our bodies are one of those things.
What changes have you made?
I've changed my eating habits from eating EVERYTHING from a fast food restaurant --and I do mean everything....every meal and snack I ate came from places with drive thru windows. I now cook my meals at home, eating as clean (nothing processed) as I can. When I do need to rely on buying food out, I opt for salad or something similar. I also stopped drinking soft drinks (I used to down 6-10 cans of Coke a day) and drink tons of water. I also started exercising on a regular basis. I started small....just walking to the end of my block and back...and worked up from there. I did my first 5K in December with several more planned in the months to come. I get good amounts of sleep. I used to stay up all night and operate on 3-4 hours of sleep a night. Now I make sure to get at least 8 hours a night. Finally, I concentrate on Bible verses that are applicable to this journey I'm on. They help keep me encouraged when I get frustrated.
How is your life different now?
Oh, my life is so amazingly different now! I'm no longer depressed. I'm actually happy! I smile so much more. I also feel in control of my life for the first time ever. I've seen that if I can do this, I can do anything. I've started doing things that I never thought I would, like signing up for 5Ks and taking piano lessons. I'm able to do so much more physically, too. Where I used to be exhausted and in pain at the end of a work day -- to the point I couldn't even go to the grocery store -- now I can go all day at work, go shopping after if I need to, come home and clean house, and still have energy to spare. It's amazing!
Any advice for others on their own journey?
My best advice to anyone wanting to begin a journey like mine is start small. Take your time and build new, healthy habits into your life. For me, jumping in to something and changing EVERY aspect of my life all at once never lasted. This time, I just did one or two things a day, every day, to build it into my life as a habit, then added more. For those already on a journey, know you're not alone. Find friends, whether on Facebook or in real life...or both!...and cling to them. Those on their own journey know better than anyone else what it's like. We all have great days where we feel like a rock star, and we all have days where we feel like the junk on the bottom of a rock. Know that the bad days will pass if you just keep on doing what you know what is healthy for you. EVEN IF YOU GAIN A LITTLE, keep doing what you know to do. It'll catch up eventually. The most important thing is to never give up.
My Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/TheNewLauren
My Blog:
http://www.thenewlauren.com
Isn't she AMAZING???? Go check out her Facebook page and her blog. No one knows better than someone who is going through the journey (and let's face it, this journey is NEVER over!) Her words bring tears to my eyes. So much of what she says reflects me to a T!! Thank you, thank you, thank you Lauren for sharing your inspiring story with us!
And don't forget out verse for the week (which fits well with Lauren's story):
Saw my doctor this morning and he is referring me to a foot specialist. So I see him next Friday. Doc said to ease up on the miles and do different exercises for a little while. I also saw my chiropractor today. My SI joint is still inflamed, but healing still. Got some good therapy. She suggested a massage for myofascial release on the back of my legs where the muscles are really tight. So I see a massage therapist on Monday!!! So hopefully I can get my body to cooperate!
Gonna go for now! Sending love and healthy thoughts to you all! Tune in tomorrow for weigh-in results!
Keep Losing,
Kari
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