The Weight Loss Battle
We live in a society that pushes for health—exercise, eat clean, take care of yourself. But at the same time, the healthier choices are often the most expensive. Processed, unhealthy food is cheaper, faster, and more accessible. I was also raised in a "clean your plate" household—where finishing every last bite was expected, even when the portions were far too big.
I struggled with my weight for most of my life. By the time I entered ninth grade, I was a size 16. I was bullied, and though it hurt, I learned to laugh along, pretending it didn’t bother me. At 23, I got pregnant with my son, and that was the turning point. I refused to be the mom who had to sit on the sidelines. The day I gave birth was the day I started changing my life.
Since then, I have lost—and maintained, for the most part—a 170-pound weight loss. But let’s be real: not every day is easy. Some days, I still feel like that 320-pound version of myself, struggling to move, struggling to breathe. Making healthier choices is still a daily battle. But I’ve learned balance. I still indulge (I had ice cream just yesterday!), but I’ve taught myself to eat to live, not live to eat. It’s about fueling my body without letting old habits creep back in. More on that journey another time.
Almost Losing My Leg
The second major obstacle in my life? Nearly losing my leg. A freak accident, followed by delayed care at one hospital, led to me spending a month at the Augusta Burn Center. I endured 14 surgeries and faced multiple decisions about amputation—first from the hip down, then later from the knee down.
But I couldn’t accept that. I refused to give up. Even when doctors told me I might never walk again, I fought. Every single day, I pushed to move a little more, to regain just a little more independence. And now? I walk without any issues. Unless I point it out, you wouldn’t even know there was ever a problem. Sure, some days are harder than others. Some days, I feel sharp pain, and some days, my leg goes numb. But I power through.
The Takeaway
One day, I’ll go deeper into my time in the hospital and the details of those surgeries. But for now, my message is this: your life is in your hands. Every day, you make choices that shape your future. Choose to fight. Choose to grow. Choose not to give in or give up.
You’ve got this. We all do. 💪✨
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