Overcoming Adversity
“I was born with a hole in my heart, and was given medication which led to my obesity but kept me alive. My whole family is fit and thin naturally, so I knew I was eating way too much and moving way too little from the beginning. Doctors, teachers, and everyone else around me reminded me of that my whole life. “Just eat less and move more and you will get fit and thin like your beautiful sisters.”
I started doing drugs when I was 10, mainly to lose weight. It worked really well. I developed a severe substance use disorder to multiple substances but not sure how into that I would/should get here? It did start with my obesity though.
I have been on a recovery journey from substance use for almost 11 years. It was through this that I was able to begin my journey as a Health Justice Advocate for myself first, and then for others. I have advocated for my rights in the health care system as a morbidly obese woman in general, which is insanely impossible, and then as a morbidly obese woman with these specialized issues: Pregnant, With severe substance use disorder, With children, With an abusive partner, Opioid overdose risk, High STI/Hepatitis C/HIV risk, Homeless, And many other issues.
I have asked doctors to give me my health records and walked out of their offices. I have been told that all of my health issues would go away if I ate more salads and stopped sitting down so much. I have wanted to die much of my life.
It Worked
Until I met an endocrinologist who told me to read the Obesity Code. I did not read it, I listened to it. I’m starting to tear up right now because it changed my life that much. I’m so grateful. I was dying. I had gained ~100 lbs in a year after having my last child. I was eating “healthy”. I would be driving and listening to the Obesity Code, and I would have to pull over and rewind it because it would blow my mind. I would cry. I would yell. I followed his directions.
I have hit many bumps along the way because that is life. I have subscribed to the monthly membership, when I can afford it. I have met with Nadia a couple times, taken her advice, met with Brenda’s group, taken her advice, studied Megan’s Q and A’s, switched it up ONE MILLION times, plateaued at 200 lbs for A YEAR, just barely started exercising, and I have done nothing perfect. I have a spiritual practice, I’m a single mom, and I owe The Fasting Method my life. Thank you.
I went from 280 lbs to 150 lbs. size 26 to size 12. Morbidly obese to normal BMI.
I prefer to follow the rhythm of my female cycle. I fat fast during my PMS week, 72 hour fast during my period, then ADF (M/W/F) during the rest of the month. This is loose and subject to change according to my life changes LOL… but I really love the idea of aligning my fasting with my hormones, like working WITH THEM instead of fighting them. Keto / Low Carb Healthy Fat, Paleo or Ancestral, Combo of HFLC and super clean paleo… the rules I broke of both are bacon and butter hahahah. Stresssssssss!!!!! And an abusive husband that kept me eating unhealthy! I dumped him and shockingly broke that 200 lb plateau!
The advice I have for those just starting is to just start. Take it small. If I can do it, seriously anyone can. I was literally a street person LOL.
Every Journey is Unique
I wanted to mention the two points of being a single mother and really drive home the importance of a nonlinear journey.
First, being a single mother. I love this lifestyle for families, I hear about Nadia and others and how they incorporate health eating, no snacks, and many other things I do also. My children’s behavior and health have improved I’m so many ways because of these things! Also, I LOVE that when they set the table, they respectfully ask, “mom are you fasting or eating?” Without attachment to the answer. It is not an issue in my home. They know I fast so for longevity. Sometimes when they talk about food I snap at them and they apologize and change the subject and that’s okay. Sometimes they eat cold cuts and baby carrots all day and that’s okay. But guys, often, to be clear, when we feast we feast like it’s a holiday for no reason and that’s ok too! I’m a phenomenal cook hahaha and I love to cook my whole heart!!!
Okay, lastly, the path to weight loss. The past three years have been the most life changing, terrifying, wonderful, dream come true, scary nightmare of my life. The weight loss has ebbed and flowed. As I mentioned on Facebook to someone- I was stuck at 200 lbs for over a year!!! I started at 280, I am now at 249. I am 5’ 5.5”. My body lost 80 lbs and was like WHOA that was CRAZY let me balance out!!! And I was going crazy trying to keep losing weight, trying everything to re-jump start my weight loss. Looking back, I was losing skin and all kinds of other stuff but I wouldn’t just trust the process and all the stress I was causing myself led to a huge stall!
So my point is, my main job is to trust my body. I mentioned in the previous questions that my favorite fasting regimen is to fast with the rhythm of my cycle. For men, I mean my monthly period cycle. Moving into agreeance with my hormones wherever possible instead of fighting against them. This does NOT always work, but it mostly does. And when it dies, it connects me deeply to my spirit in a way that is indescribable. Dr Fung and his team gave me that gift. And for that I am forever grateful. Again, thank you for this opportunity.
Being a social worker and health justice advocate, helping people to realize how poorly the system has treated them and to stand up for themselves is so therapeutic for ME and keeps me on the righteous path of this fasting and feasting, believe it or not! I always have a few people who are actively texting and calling me to check in about their eating and fasting, asking me about how to negotiate with their doctors and other people in their lives. It keeps me motivated. Check out my Facebook post for a perfect example of this. I answer people and LOVE EVERY SECOND because I’m in the middle of a 72 reset fast and it keeps my heart open and reminds me of how important this is to my health and wellbeing. This is a way of life, not just some painful medical thing to push through.
Responses