I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (My Weight Loss Story)

When I was three years old, I started gaining an unhealthy amount of weight. Throughout my entire childhood I continued to gain weight and was very unhealthy. Needless to say, I was pretty unhappy with my self image growing up. I couldn't shop at "normal" stores, boys never liked me, kids always teased me, and I was always the fat kid. I was on every diet that was ever created but nothing ever seemed to stick. I am only 5"2 and when I was 16 years old I reached my highest weight of 260 pounds. I wore a women's size 24. I was uncomfortable and embarrassed. At age 17, I decided that I just did not want to live that way anymore and something HAD to change. I set a goal for myself... I would be skinny for my senior prom! The summer of 2004 (going into my senior year of high school), I joined Weight Watchers and it changed my life forever. Starting that summer, I changed the way I ate, the way I moved and the way I thought. I exercised every day, ate my daily points target, and focused on being "skinny" for the dance. With God's help, I lost 110 pounds by my senior prom and I wore a size 10 dress! I never thought that would ever be possible! Not only did I look great but I felt great! My body and mind felt healthy and I actually had confidence. This was a huge milestone for me and definitely not an easy one.

After prom, I graduated high school and went off to college where I was surrounded by cheap, greasy, unhealthy foods. In the beginning, I tried my best to count points on my own and make healthy choices but it felt almost impossible. I was away from home, restricted to the high fat, high calorie foods that the college provided. I was back to an unhealthy lifestyle. Throughout my 4 years of college, I gained back about half of the weight I lost. I felt pretty bad about myself and wondered if I could possibly go through the long journey of weight loss again. I felt discouraged and really thought that it was just in my genetic make-up to be overweight my whole life. Well, GOD is SO GOOD and He always has a plan.

In 2009, I met my wonderful husband. We dated for 8 months, got engaged, and then married 10 months later. When Steve and I met I weighed 207 pounds and he loved me anyway! However, I was not really loving myself. Steve proposed August 2010, and in December 2010 I rejoined Weight Watchers. I did not want to be a fat bride! To be honest, this time around I did not expect to lose much weight. Like I said, I was still in the mentality that I HAD to be overweight and there wasn't anything I could really do about it. When I rejoined Weight Watchers my plan was to lose about 20 pounds just so I could look decent in a wedding gown. Well, God had much bigger plans for me. By June 25, 2011 (our wedding day), I lost 40 pounds and I felt fabulous! I couldn't believe the success I had on the plan. After the wedding, I moved to CT and for the first 6 months I struggled to eat healthy and follow the plan on my own. I gained a few pounds back but ultimately I wound up rejoining Weight Watchers in CT. This time, I just prayed that I would get down to the lowest weight I had ever been (my senior year of high school... 150 pounds). God said, "All things are possible with Me". So I trusted Him and I persevered. I stuck with the program and surpassed my expectations! Today, I stand 5"2, 130 pounds and a size 6! Who would have ever thought?! It was not an easy journey and I believe I will be on it my whole life, but I am so thankful to MY SAVIOR who has never left or forsaken me. He has encouraged me and been with me every step of the way.

I would love to be an inspiration and encouragement to others as well! Even though I have reached my goal weight, I still struggle with food on a daily basis. I know it is not an easy road to travel but I do believe that if I can do it, anyone can. I am hoping this blog will inspire people and I would love to help in anyway I can!

260 Pounds to 150 Pounds

260 Pounds to 150 Pounds (my sweet 16...my senior prom)

207 Pounds to 130 Pounds

Jan. 12, 2013.... 130 Pounds (Weight Watchers, Life Time Member!)