In 2017, I was diagnosed with cancer at 45. During chemo and radiation, my body went through significant changes. I started gaining a lot of weight. By the time my treatment ended 10 months later, I found myself standing in front of the mirror, facing an uncomfortable reality. At my heaviest, I weighed over 260 pounds.
In late 2018 or early 2019, I decided to get back to exercising. I had worked with a trainer previously, but not with the motivation of a significant weight loss and restored health. My coach tried motivating me by offering incentives, like a new pair of tennis shoes or even a free month of training if I lost 10 pounds. But external motivation only took me so far. I would lose two pounds here and there, only to regain it. I had yet to develop the mindset needed for changing and sustaining behavior.
Then, in 2022, I discovered *Eager to Motivate* (E2M), an online program that sends weekly video tutorials and guidelines on what foods to avoid—like bread, sweets, and fried foods. This provided structure and a weekly meal plan that I could focus on. For eight straight weeks, I followed the program and lost 10 pounds. Over time, I fell off track. I grew tired of restricting sweets and fried foods, my progress plateaued, and I lost some ground. I wasn’t prepared to handle setbacks.
Seeing is believing
In November 2023, I saw an acquaintance at the gym who had clearly lost several dress sizes. She had once been heavier than I was, and I couldn't help but ask what her secret was. She explained that she worked out twice daily. Could breaking exercise into shorter, more frequent sessions help me to stick healthier habits? As a schoolteacher who has summers off, I had the perfect window of opportunity to find out once the school year ended. During summer break, I began going to the gym twice daily—at 5 a.m. and then again at noon. I also reintroduced E2M into my routine, though I didn't follow it as strictly. I started doing line dancing on the weekends to get in some cardio. Line dancing is a fun and social way to stay active while giving myself time to recharge.
I also incorporated intermittent fasting—eating only between 12 and 8 PM. I drink black coffee in the mornings, which helps me through fasting until lunch. Green salad with grilled chicken is my go-to. I drink plenty of water. With my new approach, I saw the weight just coming right off. I lost 15 pounds over the summer months.
Having a community of health-conscious friends provides encouragement and a glimpse at different paths to success. Some friends have turned to weight loss medications and continue to shed pounds. I checked with my health care provider to see if this was an option for me. However, my doctor advised that you must have an underlying reason for insurance to deem these medically necessary. Fortunately, I am not pre-diabetic, and my labs all looked great. I could pay for these drugs out of pocket but chose not to go this route. So, I keep pushing forward with exercise and healthier eating habits.
Adjusting as I go
Now that school has resumed, I do not have time for two workouts a day. But that three-month wellness sprint marked a turning point for me. I feel unstoppable. Switching things up, I have added a standing date with the stair stepper every Friday morning. After a challenging 10 minutes (I am trying to get to 15 minutes), I spend 20 minutes in the sauna, which helps to cleanse my body of impurities.
I've made healthier choices a part of my daily life. I eat baby spinach or mixed greens dressed with raspberry vinaigrette with my baked or grilled chicken for lunch. My husband helps by preparing chicken on our rotisserie so it’s ready when I get home. Some Saturdays, I make protein pancakes. As a schoolteacher, I would buy my students chocolate in the past, but I changed that too. Now, I purchase hard candy because I won't eat the hard candy. Sparkling iced water with zero sugar is a treat.
Although I try to stick to my routine, I allow myself some flexibility. The plan I follow encourages a celebration meal or two, so when the weekend rolls around, I treat myself to a hearty meal. I enjoy my food, but I've learned to balance it by watching my portion sizes and staying active.
Today, I weigh 209 pounds and cannot wait to reach "Onederland"—that magical place where the scale reads under 200. My ultimate goal isn't just to lose weight but to feel fit and healthy. I don't want to grow older feeling tired and worn out; I want to stay active, energetic and engaged.
