Barbara lost 73 pounds

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Barbara lost 73 pounds.  This proud mom of 4 shared with us her years long journey to reach her weight loss goals.  She put in the work, had faith and got the results she was looking for.  Her is what she shared with us..

My weight loss journey has taken me 30 years. I’m 5’ 5” tall and my heaviest weight was 247 lbs in 1996. I was not always heavy and obesity was not a part of my family life. My weight increased immediately during pregnancy with the first of my four children starting in 1984. I was a young bride and mother doing my best to run my home efficiently. As an Air Force family, my then husband travelled quite a bit, and much of the responsibilities fell on my shoulders. I cooked meals three times a day, most from scratch. With the day to day, I was not a priority. Unfortunately on March 3, 1986 I paid the price for years of poor eating habits and worrying by having gallbladder surgery which kept me laid up in the hospital for two weeks. I bear the abdominal scares that is an eternal reminder.  I changed the way I prepared meals, cooking 3 meals a day from scratch, but the fat didn’t go away. I adopted the vegetarian lifestyle in the early 1990’s which my body did NOT reflect. What I did was for my family, not me.

An uncle told me, “You are going to be as big as Grandma.” I hated that statement with a passion. Around 2004, I started walking and I was out of breath and in pain. God told me that my toxic thinking had to stop…literally. The Holy Spirit revealed that I had to let go of anger, toxic people, and cease from pleasing people. Words cannot express my happiness when I did. I couldn’t stop walking! Increasing my water intake and stopped eating after 7 or 8pm. This helped me to lose 20 lbs., down to 227 pounds. I maintained that weight until 2011. At the end of a 27 year marriage, I went from homelessness to making a new home for my remaining two children and I lost another 12 lbs. An on the job back injury caused painfully horrible inflammation, sciatic nerve damage, and my weight climbed to 229 in a matter of days. Rest, learning about inflammation and watching “Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead” (documentary on juicing) was my road to recovery.

I have been fearfully and wonderfully made. I dedicate my body to the Lord God because He expects that from me. It is my reasonable service for his glory. Currently I am 174 pounds and I love it. I hadn’t been this size since high school and occasionally see myself in my mind at a size 227, but purchasing clothes in a smaller size helps me to see reality. I get emotional about my new body.

Meals: When a recipe calls for white flour I use oat flour. I prepare my meals, but when I’m on the go (currently a full time non-traditional student) or studying I eat very simple. I drink green smoothies twice a day. I pay attention to food combinations, e.g. I do not mix proteins with starches. If I want fried anything or something sweet that is a treat eaten maybe twice a month. Unfortunately, potato chips is my weakness. I don’t allow it in the house or I will have no regrets afterwards. I view Youtube cooking videos very often. My current focus is consuming fiber, specifically insoluble; keep the intestine clear. I body brush regularly and liver cleanse, because it is a powerful organ.

Rest: Even as a college student I do not stay up late and there is no studying after 8pm. Ten pm is my target to end the night and 10:30 pm is lights out. My health is a priority.

Exercise: I work out hard. After two months of working out I will rest for about two weeks. If I go for three months, usually during the spring into the summer I will rest for a month around August, and the weight continues to fall! I exercise with YouTube vids: Ftiness Blender, Tiffany Rothe, Popsugar, HASfit, Steady Health and occasionally watch weight trainers videos for techniques. I also enjoy biking, 11 to 16 miles two days a week spring/summer and walking (some light jogging). Weight resistance is the bonus.

My advice to readers is to study your body, it will let you know when you are deficient, but don’t allow yourself to get to that point. Be gentle with yourself and shower yourself with needed attention. Change up your workout routines. When challenged tell yourself “I can do it,” or “tomorrow, it’s on.” Most of all, enjoy the “ride.”

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