In my youth. I started my first diet when I was in second grade. My parents went from diet to diet and they thought dieting was the answer for me. I look back and don’t see an overweight child. I was a big bigger than my friends but looking back I look like a normal kid. But the more I was pressured to lose weight the more that came on as I got older.
NAME : Michaela
BEFORE WEIGHT : 300
AFTER WEIGHT : 150
POUNDS LOST : 150
HOW DID YOUR WEIGHT AFFECT ANY ASPECT(S) OF YOUR LIFE? Once my weight got up over 200lbs is when I really started to notice how it was holding me back. As I got bigger in my 20s and got up to 300lbs I could barely get up stairs without struggling. I wanted to hike, travel, go on adventures and my body held me back from all of that. I also developed horrible social anxiety I alienated myself from my family and friends. I would have panic attacks going into the store. I never wanted to leave my house.
WHAT WAS THE “TURNING POINT” THAT GOT YOU STARTED ON YOUR WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY? I was 25 and one day I thought I was having a heart attack. It turned out to be just an allergic reaction but that scare was enough for me to realize I’m done playing with my health. I knew another “diet” wasn’t the answer. I needed a long term solution so I went forward with weight loss surgery.
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED? I started the process to get vertical sleeve gastrectomy. My insurance wouldn’t pay so I had to finance it myself but I looked at it as an investment in my future. After surgery my whole lifestyle changed. I had to prep everything, get in a lot of protein, exercise daily, etc. it’s been a lot of hard work but worth it!
HOW LONG AFTER YOU STARTED DID YOU BEGIN TO SEE RESULTS OF YOUR WEIGHT LOSS EFFORTS? In the first month weight came off pretty quick then it slowed over time.
WHAT WAS THE HARDEST PART? I had a lot of support but I think the biggest issues are the mental and emotional walls you have to break down and continue to work through to be successful. Getting to the route if your weight issue and working through it with a coach/therapist.
DID YOU EVER WANT TO GIVE UP? WHAT KEPT YOU GOING? No… I hold tight to my WHY. That is what keeps me motivated even through hard times. I’m 5 years into my journey I’ve definitely had moments where I’ve fallen back a bit but I go back to my why and come back even stronger.
HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO LOSE MOST OF THE WEIGHT? It took about a year
DID YOU HAVE ANY NON-SCALE VICTORIES? Oh a million! Being able to paint my toes myself! I’ve summited 3 14ers in Colorado! Running Spartan races and tough mudders! Fitting in chairs/booths/plane seats comfortably! Now I can run up stairs… list goes on
WHAT DOES YOUR DAILY DIET LOOK LIKE COMPARED TO WHEN YOU WERE HEAVIER? I ate fast food daily. I binged a lot. I was a closet eater so I’d eat McDonald’s in my car then go home and have dinner with my parents.
HOW DOES YOUR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY COMPARE TO WHEN YOU WERE HEAVIER? Before exercise was only something you did out if punishment or to lose weight now it’s something I do every day just out of love for my body! I have grown to love fitness and seeing how strong and capable my body is which is why I am now a CPT!
HOW DID YOUR EATING HABITS CHANGE? I rarely eat out. I Cooke most of my own food. Oil meal prep every Sunday and look for recipes that sound yummy like mac n cheese but make tweaks to make it healthier and high protein. I also plan treats into every day and usually prep those too by making healthier versions of my favorite treats!
ARE THERE ANY PEOPLE, SERVICES, BOOKS – EVEN QUOTES, THAT UNKNOWINGLY HELPED YOU ON YOUR JOURNEY?
Girl Wash your Face
My Hungry Head
My mantra is: Because I Can
WHAT DID THIS JOURNEY TEACH YOU ABOUT YOURSELF?
That I am soooo much stronger than I realize!
MY WEIGHT LOSS TIPS & TRICKS
- Just start!
- Nail down your why. Make it deep rooted. Not something superficial. Dig deep!
- Don’t overthink it! Calories in calories out! Move your body! Drink water! Track your calories!
- Allow treats as a part of your plan so you never have reason to go “off”.
Ciao bella