I had always been overweight, but after having three children, the extra pounds seemed to pile on even faster. By my mid-30s, I weighed 380 pounds.
You don't have to be a nurse, as I am, to know that wasn't healthy, so I tried weight-loss shakes and other quick fixes, but nothing worked over the long term.
It took its toll. I couldn't walk for more than a few minutes without running out of breath. (My three-pack-a-day smoking habit sure didn't help improve the situation!) I knew I needed to do something, but, as a single mom with a stressful job, I didn't have the time or energy to take care of myself.
Falling Apart
Then one day I felt a shooting pain in my back and knew I had to go to my doctor. He found the culprit: sciatica, an inflamed nerve in the back of my leg, probably caused by my excess weight. The routine blood tests uncovered another problem: type 2 diabetes. The diabetes diagnosis scared me, and I realized if I kept on living this way, I would have many more health problems in the future. And, more importantly, I needed to take better care of myself if I wanted to be there for my children as they got older.
Though the doctor gave me a prescription to control my insulin levels, I didn't want to rely on medication to control the diabetes, so I decided to go with the only other option: change my diet. I started cooking food in a healthier manner — goodbye fried foods. Instead, I opted for broiled or baked fish, chicken and turkey. I also started eating more fruits and vegetables.
And I gave up smoking. I quit cold turkey, and almost immediately, I could breathe
easier. Then I started swimming. I would go to a local pool in the mornings, while my kids were at school, and swim for 15 minutes, three times a week. As it turned out, swimming was the best activity I could have done. The workout was low-impact and easy to do for someone my size — 380 pounds. As I got stronger, I increased my workout time and added two or three more swimming sessions per week. Exercise became "me" time, which kept me away from the TV and the mindless snacking that went with it.
With these "small" changes, I managed to lose 165 pounds over the next eight years. I intentionally lost weight slowly so it would stay off. I felt great — almost as if I had a brand-new life.
Health Club to the Rescue
Then I hit 215 pounds, and my weight loss stalled. So I joined a gym. I had no idea how to use any of the equipment, so I hired a trainer to show me the ropes. I talked to my trainer about my goals — to firm up and lose the last 65 pounds — then we mapped out a strategy: He would guide my workouts once a week, and the other days I would work out on my own. I coupled strength training with regular cardio workouts such as walking, running and playing basketball. I kept a workout log to track my progress and met with my trainer every two weeks to fine-tune my program. On the days when I felt discouraged, my trainer was my cheerleader and helped me stick with it. With my trainer's support, I reached my goal weight in a year and a half.
Now at 150 pounds, I'm at a healthy weight for my body type. I have my diabetes under control, and I'm no longer at risk for diabetes-related complications. I still work with my trainer, but these days he simply helps me shave time off my running or gives me advice on how to improve my balance and coordination.
Shedding 230 pounds has freed me to enjoy my life to the fullest. I've learned that eating right and spending time at the health club working out isn’t a hassle — it's an investment in me. With all these healthy new habits, I think I have a pretty good shot at living an active life until I'm at least 90!
HOW SHE DOES IT
Smart snacking. "I never leave the house without a stash of healthy snacks, such as apples, pretzels, a banana and/or nonfat yogurt. Being
prepared helps me avoid the temptations of fast food."
Keeping motivation high. "Whenever I felt frustrated during my weight loss, I visualized things I could do when I was fit, such as swing dancing and running. It helped."
Fueling up the right way. "Food is my body's energy source. When I eat something unhealthy, I usually feel
sluggish and uncomfortable. When I eat something healthy, I feel energized
and unstoppable."
by Debbie O'Brien
