“I have no fear that the weight might creep back on. The changes I've made are permanent.”
I wore the same pair of size 20 jeans and the same big XXL gray sweatshirt every day. My drapes were always pulled closed and I rarely went out. I was suffering a deep depression. At 218 pounds, I was miserable - at the lowest point in my life. I'd had a hysterectomy the year before, and I'm sure the hormonal adjustments were taking their toll. I had been overweight most of my life, but never this heavy.
One night a friend dragged me out to dinner. Of course, I ate too much. To my horror I found that I couldn't breathe - not only were my jeans making a huge indent into my fat, they were actually cutting off my circulation and bruising me.
I realized then that something had to be done. It came down to "do or die." By overeating, and not just overeating, but by living with a diet of poor, poor nutrition and totally neglecting to take care of my body in any way, I was committing the slowest form of suicide. I cried, not only for myself, but also for my children. I cried in sorrow and disappointment, that I was not being the strong and happy mother they needed me to be. I hit my knees and prayed out to God to help me, somehow, someway. Just to help me. That was it. No specific prayer, no plan, no goals, just "God help me."
Not long after that prayer, my father informed me that he was giving my family a gift. He was sending us to Hawaii to visit my sister the coming summer. This was the catalyst that sparked the coming weight-loss jorney. Knowing I could not and would not go to Hawaii in that condition, I decided immediately to begin a new eating plan in my life. I began to follow the Eat-Clean Diet® Principles. Not only did I begin a new eating plan, I decided to incorporate anything and everything into my lifestyle that would benefit and be kind to my body. I started forcing myself to turn off the television at night and go to bed earlier, so I could get a longer and better night's sleep. I started having sex with my husband more often. Then I started exercising, doing both cardio and lifting weights. That's when the results of my efforts really started to shine through.
Nearly two years after I began, I am 90 lbs slimmer and trimmer, and having the time of my life! I feel strong and healthy, full of energy and vitality. I can arm wrestle with my sons. I can run and play with them. I am no longer ashamed or disappointed in myself when I'm around them, because I see the "I'm so proud you're my mom" look in their eyes.
The best part is when people tell me I look like I've been thin my entire life! That is a compliment I never thought I'd hear. It tickles me pink. I went from a size 20 to a size 4. I feel fantastic, and I look younger than I did 10 years ago!
Everything about me is healthier and stronger. My body went through a greater transformation than just the weight loss. My skin, hair, nails ... everything has improved. And of course, I love my new body. My true inner "sexy bombshell" has come out to greet the world! I am truly happy!
Looks are one thing, and make no doubt about it, when you look better you feel better. But nothing compares to the value of your health. One way among many that eating clean and losing 90 pounds improved my health was to decrease my resting heat rate from 90 beats per minute to 60 beats per minute! That's 30 beats a minute saved each minute. That's 43,200 beats a day, and that's over 15 million heartbeats a year! Imagine the years of health I just added to my life.
I have no fear that the weight might creep back on. The changes I've made are permanent; they weere earned, through hard work and discipline. There's no way I'm going back. Besides, I love clean-eating food now! Junk food makes me sick.
Sometimes, at the moment I awake in the morning, I forget for a split second that I'm not fat anymore. Suddenly I realize: "Oh yeah, I'm lean!" I jump out of bed to arise to my day with excitement and vigor, as though a dream has just come true. And it has. I am living the life I have always dreamed of now. One of strength, both inner and outer, one of contentment, and one of true happiness, because I now know, with God's help and by eating God's clean food, prayers get answered and dreams come true!