A True Health and Weight Loss Story

Trying to lose weight can be a frustrating process. There are so many diet and exercise programs out there . It is difficult to know which program really works. If you understand the vital role that nutrition plays in your personal health; it makes it that much more difficult to determine if the weight loss program is also good for your body. My daughter has battled with weight issues since she started birth control pills just before she married. She has a very interesting weight loss story she would like to share on my Hubpage. The two of us worked on writing the story together. As I looked at the pictures she gave me to post, I was stunned and thought "You really have come a LONG WAY baby!"

Her story is AMAZING and we hope it will be an encouragement to those who struggle with weight loss and/or recurring illnesses, Here is her story:

For at least 12 years I have been saying, I need to lose weight. It took me all of those years to actually lose the weight and reach my goal. Friend’s have been asking me, “How did you lose all that weight?” The answer is not a simple one; in fact it is hard to know where to start. I was sick a lot as a kid and I got worse, as an adult. The real success in weight loss came to me as a side benefit. In the process of learning about natural health alternatives, to build the immune system and address health issues, I also lost weight. I have finally lost the pounds and I'm at my pre-wedding; pre-birth control weight! :)

In order to begin my story of health and weight loss I’ll need to go backwards. A couple of months before I married my husband, almost 14 years ago, I was put on birth control by my Physician. As a result of the pill I gained 10 lbs. within 1 ½ month’s and had developed small blood clots in my lungs. I was immediately taken off the pill. I was disappointed when I could not lose those 10 lbs. and had to carry them with me on my wedding day.

Ten months after Dave and I were married we were blessed with beautiful baby-girl twins; and I was left with an additional 65 lbs. While I was pregnant with the twins I was hospitalized with pneumonia. A couple of months after they were born I had another health crisis. I got very sick with spinal meningitis and was once again admitted to the hospital. My mom and sister took the twins for a couple of months while my husband split his time between the hospital and the babies. I was very close to death but God spared my life. After a long recovery I struggled to get the post-pregnancy weight off. The scales showed that I was going up and down a lot. After quite a few years of dieting and exercising, I came close to losing all of the weight I had gained with the twins.

When I got pregnant with with my baby, 7 ½ years ago, I put on another 30 lbs. and my health was still very poor. A year later, my attention was pulled away from my weight loss issues and pulled toward finding answers for my baby’s health crisis. When she turned a year old, she got very sick with an ear infection and pneumonia. She was put on an antibiotic which quickly developed into a severe rash. The physicians tried three other types of antibiotics and with each one her hive-like rash worsened. She was pulled off all medication when the physician diagnosed her with Steven’s Johnson’s disease. Steven’s Johnson’s is very serious and dangerous. My little girl had huge blister’s (looked like she had been burned) all over her body from head to toe; her eyes were even swollen shut. I learned that she got Steven’s Johnson’s as a result of being allergic to antibiotics and possibly motrin. I didn’t know anyone could be allergic to antibiotics! Thank God her little body healed and the ear infection and pneumonia were gone. The scary part of this whole thing was that her physician said she did not know what they will do for her when she gets sick again.

I was frightened. If my baby girl could not take antibiotics what would happen to her the next time she got sick? How could I keep my baby healthy? The thought of her getting sick was very scary to me. These questions sent me on a mission to find information about healthy alternatives.

I’m happy to share that my little girl is now a very healthy child and when she gets sick I’ve been able to use the holistic approach to nurse her back to health.

As I wrote earlier, my health still was not good at all. I was put on all kinds of medications that never helped me. I struggled with lung issues and ended up in the hospital at least 4-6 times a year. I had severe breathing problems which resulted in pneumonia, bronchitis, pleurisy and pericarditis (fluid around the heart). My family Physician and pulmonary specialist just told me I have very bad lungs and the nurse practitioner told me I had the worst lungs she has ever seen. The physician put me on inhaled steroids and albuterol, saying I would need them for the rest of my life. Along with this good news they told me I could not go out in the cold without covering my face with a scarf; If I breathed in one breath of cold air my lungs were affected, that’s how sensitive my lungs were.

On top of the lung issues I was dealing with hormones that were out of balance. My family physician was not listening to me. I wanted alternatives and did not want to be on meds the rest of my life. I didn’t want to take meds to cover up my problems; I needed them fixed!

Four years ago I switched Doctor’s. Although my previous physician was convenient and only a mile away from me, my health was not improving. Upon a recommendation I decided to make an appointment with a Doctor who was located about an hour away. Although I was nervous to be so far away from my doctor, since I used to go to him monthly with all of my problems, I chose to drive to this doctor because he was willing to help and he really listened to me. This was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I found a physician who was not only willing to take me seriously and listen but helped me get off ALL my medications too.

He addressed my hormone imbalance first. After having my blood work/saliva tests done he found I was extremely deficient in progesterone and Vitamin D; these two imbalances alone could have been the reason I couldn’t lose the weight and contributed to my breathing problems. On top of those issues I had hair loss on the front top of my head…not cool!

The Doctor explained that all of these things were treatable and he gave me options. He put me on a natural progesterone cream and on vitamin D supplements. Doctor Stempky also diagnosed me with GERD. The GERD’s was affecting my lungs, which was one of the underlying causes for my lung issues. The medical community would have put me on acid reducing medication for the rest of my life. … As I studied on Dr. Mercola’s Website and researched I found that these pills are actually acid blockers and that people with GERD’s don’t have enough acid to begin with. The acid reducer would take care of my symptoms but it would also keep my body from absorbing the nutrients in my food. Dr. Stempky also allowed me to work with Jyl, a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, to get my GERD under control using holistic alternatives. I’m happy to say that I no longer have issues with GERDS!

This story was not easy to write, there were many steps to reaching my weight loss goals with lots of twists and turns. Turning my focus to being proactive with my health resulted in many changes in my life.

I changed the way I feed my family. I wanted to establish healthy eating habits. I made little changes, one at a time as I taught my family about the importance of a healthy diet. I started out by getting rid of all white bread/rice and white sugars. I have taken it even further, in the last 4 years, 90% of what I buy is certified organic whole foods which have not been processed and are free of chemicals, preservatives, hormones and GMO’s (genetically modified foods.) My goal is to serve my family lots of fruits and vegetables, mostly raw; we also drink lots of purified water!

There are many different decisions and life changes which pushed me toward a healthier life. After Haylie's and my health issues were addressed, I added exercise to my healthy eating habits. I began running 4 years ago. When I first attempted running, using our local track at school, I couldn’t even make it 50 yards; I was so out of shape/breath. I just stuck with it and by the end of that year I was running ½ of a lap!

I also use an air purifier which has helped me with my allergies/lung problems. About two years ago I added an HVAC probe, that cleans the air in the ducts, and have not had to go to the hospital since. My Doctor cannot believe how far I have come; he said I am in very good health! He is very happy with my progress. In the last few years I have only seen him for a physical. I have continued my running and I’m happy to say I can now run 3 to 4 miles with no lung problems. I’ve been free of lung issues for the last 2 years! Although I was told my lungs could not handle the cold air - I now RUN in the cold. Last Thursday was the first time I ran in the cold, I ran 3 miles with the outdoor temperature at 40 degrees. Sunday, I ran 3 miles with the outdoor temperature at 26 degrees.

I want to thank my husband who never made me feel bad about my weight and he never treated me any differently. He only encouraged me. There are several people and sources that helped me. I found a holistic physician online, Dr. Mercola, who helped me understand alternatives to medication. I am thankful that he shares his knowledge on his website. I use him often as a resource. Click on his name above to read about his background. Type in any health topic in the search box and you will find all of the articles written on a particular health issue. Another resource I follow is Dr. Oz, who is open to alternatives and is very up on the latest information on health. I have also found a Certified Holistic Health Practioner, Jyl, who owns a Health Food Store called Lakeshore Natural Health. Jyl, along with her daughter Rebecca, has helped our whole family with health issues ranging from nutrition to natural treatment for sun allergies, ADD, lack of focus, GERD’s, arthritis, hormonal imbalances and more.

My new goal is to firm up and tone. Hoping for a 6 pack! I follow Rob Martin on facebook. Rob is serious about health. He is a personal trainer and family friend. I also gather helpful information and tips by reading weekly newsletter.

Wow, this was way more detailed than I thought it would be - I hope it encourages you.

I have reached my health and weight loss goals by eating right and exercising for 40 minutes, at least 5 days a week. If I get off track I don’t get discouraged I get back into my routine as soon as I can. It was lots of work but well worth it! I now have tons of energy and love being active!