This is me at my heaviest in July of 2021 when I reached 232lbs on my 5'7" frame. I have struggled with my weight my whole life, but mostly these last few years. I would exercise and use apps to track calories, eat lots of protein, and managed to get down to 205lbs. But when COVID hit, I reverted back to stress eating. I work in healthcare in an Acute Care hospital. When COVID hit in March of 2020, I was alone. My team deployed to other areas while I worked with patients afflicted with COVID. I no longer had an outlet of laughter with my team, and on top of that I came home to work with my kids who were remote learning. The weight began to pile back on, and I felt like a failure and was hopeless.
I thought 2020 couldn't get worse, but in October I herniated a disc in my neck requiring surgery. While I was out on medical leave, I was determined to walk 3x a day. I was doing well until the kids were off for Christmas break and I stopped walking. I was trying to use the elliptical and get back on track in the new year and in my zeal, I bought a weighted vest. I ended up herniating a disc in my low back and had an outpatient surgery to remove the herniation that was pressing on my nerve. I was continuing to have burning, and numbness in my right hand, so after vacation when this picture was taken, I found out I had carpal tunnel and had a release August 20, 2021. So, three surgeries in less than a year, uncomfortable in and embarrassed by my body, and emotionally eating from the pain and frustration of where I was.
I had also been doing a women's bible study at the time and praying for help with my weight and my relationship with food. While I was out on leave from my carpal tunnel surgery, I decided that I had to make myself a priority because I was looking for it in other places and feeling like a victim. I knew I had to take back control of my life. So, August 29th I joined Noom. I started walking twice a day and started eating more green foods, those foods with low caloric density. By my birthday, November 3rd, I had lost 20lbs and was feeling so much better! By December 12, I had lost 30lbs!
What has made the difference? Noom! The commercials do not do it justice to explain what it does. Yes, it limits calories which is key to weight loss, but nothing is off limits. You start breaking down the "all or nothing" thinking and taking small daily steps to address the thought distortions and become more mindful. I am still a work in progress and have a long way to go, but I am so grateful I am not where I was!
So why start health coaching? I wanted to share my story to show that it is possible, and you do not have to lose hope. I thought I knew it all because I work in healthcare, but Noom's caloric-density system makes sense: eating food like fruits and vegetables helps you feel full longer because of the fiber and water content. Will it be hard? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely! My purpose with becoming a Physical Therapist was to help people. I also graduated with my MBA in March 2021. I thought God was wanting me to have an impact and climb the ladder at work, but while on my journey, I realized God wanted me to use what I was learning to help others. My goal is to improve mind, body, and spirit to reduce the impact of chronic disease such as high blood pressure by addressing weight. I wanted to name it Living Your Best Life because that is my goal for you.
I am on my way, and I want to help YOU!
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