Introducing Stephanie
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Preface: Over the next year or two, I'll be following the weight loss journey of Stephanie, age 39, who is 200% committed to getting her health back. Her husband died recently and she’s currently raising four young children under the ages of nine, plus attending nursing school. Stephanie has courageously volunteered to share her thoughts and medical stats with DiseaseProof readers as she undertakes the journey to optimal health. Welcome Stephanie!
Why have you chosen to commit to nutritarian eating? I currently weigh 398 lbs (5’10”) and I’m tired all the time. I cry a lot and get easily irritated and aggravated. My knees hurt, I have constant headaches and acid reflux. My local doctor feels that I’m unable to lose weight on my own and is urging me to have gastric bypass surgery. I want to play at the park, ride bikes and be a fit and healthy mother for my children. Most importantly, I want to BE HERE for them.
What are some of the events in your life that have led you to this point? I’ve been overweight my entire life, but have steadily added more pounds each year; especially after having babies. Last year my husband died after a battle with congestive heart failure and a failed heart transplant. In an instant, I became a 38-year-old widowed mother of four children ages eight to three, and the stress has been overwhelming. During this past year I have been diagnosed with premature osteoarthritis in both knees, high blood pressure, ADHD, and major depression.
Describe a typical day for you: My alarm goes off at 6:45 am, but I hit the snooze button four times before I drag myself out of bed. I struggle to pull myself together and prepare the kids’ breakfasts and get them off to school. I plan my day by prioritizing how much energy and/or steps it will take to do an activity. It’s difficult to do much with my children, because I’m unable to move fast due to my size.
I feel like I’m a prisoner in my own body.
- Weight 398 lbs.
- BMI 57.1
- Blood pressure 140/100
- Waist measurement 58”
- Cholesterol 180
- Triglycerides 98
- HDL 48
- LDL 112
- Fasting blood sugar 87
- currently taking anti-depressants, amphetamines for ADHD, and medication for urinary incontinence
Stephanie’s “official” starting date is November 1, 2009, and I’ll be posting her progress updates the first week of every month. We are cheering for Stephanie and wish her all the best as she takes this courageous step to get her health and life back!
