5'7" / 131 lbs.
"I've been very nervous about participating in this project because I'm concerned that people might see me as a "cheat." But, I decided to take part because I believe everyone has a story to tell and if my story can be inspirational, then I want to tell it! There's this myth surrounding heavy people, that we are all just sitting around watching TV and eating Mickey D's all day. Well, I was fat because I made and ate incredibly beautiful foods. My sport was throwing lush dinner parties and enjoying world-class wines. It was my passion.
We formerly fat people are really good at guilt: we feel guilty for being fat, enjoying food, failing to lose weight, and then, even when I decided to change for the better, I felt guilty about having weight-loss surgery. I had gastric bypass three years ago. I was close to 300 lbs. It was very hard to be so heavy, and I was nervous about my health. I felt I had to take charge. It was the best thing I've done. Yes, I miss my large life as a foodie sometimes, but I don't miss my large body and I wouldn't trade my health for it. I eat small portions of healthy food and get my protein requirements for the day in, no matter what. Don't get me wrong, my small portions of healthy food are still foodie-worthy and I have the best of both worlds now. This did not happen over night and my goal of life-long health does not have a finish line. It takes vigilance every day to maintain my weight and learn to love who I have become. And, really, doesn't everyone deserve self-love?"
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