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After a life full of fighting my weight, I found myself firmly in enemy territory. My body was giving up the fight, and with a diagnosis of Hashimoto’s Disease, I surrendered.
When my thyroid finally found a place where it would stop freaking out, I was able to assume a normal life… aided by daily thyroid hormone supplements. But I felt so defeated. I no longer wanted to try dieting. I just did not care.
I found a place on the couch where I could sit comfortably with my laptop and allow myself to be absorbed into my career as a work from home mother and business owner. I only left home to go to the grocery store, our church, the occasional field trip, and a couple of blogging conferences… but I would much rather be at home in my yoga pants.
Wake up call
One afternoon, as I was working in my cozy spot of the couch, I glanced over at my son who was working beside me with his tablet. I noticed he had a shadow of a double chin… a double chin that looked a lot like mine. I saw his struggle to button his pants and his thickening waistline… that resembled one I saw each time I looked in the mirror.
The horror hit me like a chainsaw across my heart.
I was teaching my children to be just like me. In my efforts to show them how to be an entrepreneur and business owner, I was inadvertently guiding them towards a sedentary life where life is summarized by the size of your pants and not the success of your brand.
I was cursing my kids to be fat.
At first, I made excuses. I am busy. I have so much to do. I don’t have time to exercise.
Then, I left the television on one day as I was working and a program came on about a woman who weighed over 600 pounds. My daughter walked through the living room and paused to watch for a moment. She asked a few questions and then began to cry.
“Will she die?” she sobbed.
“If she doesn’t stop eating so much and moving so little… yes,” I replied.
My words boomeranged around the room and when she quietly walked down the hallway, they hit me with full-force.
None of these people ever planned to weigh 600 pounds. As a matter of fact, most said they had no idea what brought them to their current plight. But, if I allowed myself to remain in my delusion, I would soon be a candidate for that program.
Finding a mentor
I traveled more than normal in 2014, and at every place I stopped, I was greeted by the friendly (and skinny) arms of Toni Anderson from The Happy Housewife. She is the epitome of fit, and yet her schedule is ten times as busy as mine. Even so, she still finds time to exercise.
I asked her what she did to stay in such excellent shape and she told me about the changes she had made to her diet and exercise routine that had created the gorgeous woman I saw. I thought about her advice, and after a family vacation to Orlando where we were able to spend a lot of time with Toni and her family, I decided to ask for help. I needed accountability. I needed someone to kick me in the pants.
She looked at me skeptically. “Are you sure? My Dad doesn’t call me ‘Sunshine’ without reason.” Yes, I had heard the stories of Toni cracking the whip over her family as they worked through a huge renovation, and that whipping is exactly what I needed.
So, when Toni launched her #FitforGood Challenge on January 5th, I was the first in line.
I weighed in at just over 260 pounds. My BMI placed me in the category of being “morbidly obese.”
My Thin Story
This is not going to be easy to maintain. As my life has shown, weight can be a rollercoaster full of twists and turns that we cannot anticipate. However, I am assuming this new lifestyle with a new motivation… my family. I need them to see what life is all about. That exercise can be fun. That food is NOT a friend. I need to give them the tools they can use to live long healthy lives… and I need to use those tools in my own life so that I can be there to see when they start turning gray.
So this is not the end, but the beginning… welcome to My Thin Story.
Tabitha, I wish you the best in this endeavor. I know how difficult Hashimoto’s is for energy and weight loss. I’ve been able to keep off the weight I lost a couple of years ago, but it was because I made a lifestyle change, not because of a temporary diet. I think it’s really important with both food and exercise to find what works for your body. I find that intense exercise wipes me out. I don’t just mean I get tired while I’m exercising, I mean that it affects my whole day. Walking and yoga have done a lot to help with my metabolism as well as develop strength and tone my body. While it’s not easy, it’s energizing rather than draining. Going grain free and focusing my diet on vegetables and quality protein made a big difference with losing weight. Just keep in mind that if something doesn’t seem to be working (not just that it’s difficult), then don’t give up but instead consider trying something a little different. I’m so glad you asked Toni to help you. I know she’ll be great at encouraging you and holding you accountable!
Thanks so much, Linda. I have decided to be gluten-free and sugar-free, focusing on lean proteins and vegetables. The energy level has been noticeably different. I no longer need a nap in the middle of the day. But, I have noticed that long periods of activity (like running errands all day today) will wear me out. I’m having a hard time keeping my eyes open even as I type this and it is only 6:30 PM!
Good for you!! Get some good cardio exercises in and get that heart pumping! You’re on the right track and God is going to bless you for it. Thanks for your willingness to share your story.
So exciting. This is my favorite part of anyone’s story. Enough is enough! Not, maybe later or next week … But right now. This moment! I’m ready – nothing is gonna hold me back fire!!
Cheering, praying, believing the best for you!!
Thank you, Stef. I put it off for long enough. I appreciate your support so much!
Oh, Tabitha. Thank you for this series and for your transparency. I’m embarking on my Thin Story as well. My Fat Story has gotten old and I’m tired of reading it.
This new lifestyle is a struggle. But there are all kinds of struggles. And every good thing is worth the struggle.
So again, thank you. And know that I’m right here with you, rooting you on.
Thanks for the encouraging words, Molly. I agree that the struggle is necessary. If I woke up suddenly thin, I would miss the lessons along the way and return back to My Fat Story. Many well-wishes for a healthy (and thinner) future!
I certainly agree. Lessons are the fabric of our lives. It makes us who we are — good, bad or indifferent! Thanks again for this post. It has motivated me to blog about my own “fat story”. Here it is in case you’re interested: http://wp.me/p2Xnc5-j5
Here’s to a fabulous 2015 and beyond!
Hello Penny. I read your story and would highly recommend THE COCOKETOGENIC DIET by Bruce Pfife. It will change EVERYTHING.