Mt. Jackson

Member Since June 2008

My Story

I have discovered on this life changing journey, it's not just about loosing weight to "look better" outwardly, but more importantly, it's about loving ME enough to care about my health. By going to the bottom and climbing, no crawling my way back up, I have learned that we are all precious people, we just need to realize it ourselves.

As with most people who struggle with weight, this has been a lifetime battle for me; which I never realized the cost of until extreme stress in my life, compounded with my weight, my body finally screamed enough and started to shut down.

In 2004, I was diagnosed with Sacoidosis in my heart, lungs, skin and eyes. It was a devastating blow to my life at only 34 years old. I was brought to my knees many times after this, as my condition worsened. I was placed on many different medications that made me gain even more weight and with my mobility getting more and more limited, I spiraled out of control. I was placed on a heart transplant list. In 2006 at the age of 35, I had a pacemaker/de-fib placed, was a severe diabetic and on oxygen 24 hours a day. During this time, my weight soared to 348lbs. I felt as if every moment in my life I was a prisoner in my own body. Even on oxygen 24 hours a day, every breath I took felt as if I was gasping for my last breath of air, such as a drowning person.

Somehow, through all this, with the help of God and my family and friends, I never lost my determination and hope. I fought from where all my doctors thought I would never return.

In 2008, I decided I needed to change or my son would be growing up without a mother. I started "exercising" by walking 50 feet (the length of our driveway), with my oxygen pumping as fast as it could. I would get to the beginning and actually lay on the hood of my car, exhausted from just 50 feet!
I gradually built up to walking around our yard. Once, twice and then three times. All this time obviously changing my eating habits, as well. In 2008, we moved to Mount Jackson, Virginia, where I saw there was a Curves, which I had been hearing a lot about. I joined, with the hope of building up my muscle tone which was lost while being so ill. But I gained so much more than muscle tone! I gained friendship, encouragement and a whole bunch of fun!!!

I won't lie, it's not always easy. There have been many days I have pulled up to Curves and looked up at the sky and asked God, "WHERE is this going to come from"? As I have much difficulties with breathing. But once I walk into Curves, with it's bright and cheerful colors and the people with big smiles....it gives me the lift I need every time. I am very proud to say, that with the combination of going to Curves, walking and changing my eating habits, I have lost a total of 178lbs and still striving to loose more.

I have made many friends at Curves and it is a terrific support system. I actually miss it when I can't make it, now THAT is a change!

It's so awesome to be surrounded by other strong women that have the same goal as me, to be healthy and make the most out of what we have. Every time I walk into Curves, I feel like the sun is shining inside my soul, I feel ALIVE!!!!

My Photos