This is a subject I’ve been avoiding blogging about, for various reasons. But it’s time. I can’t avoid the discussion anymore, and shouldn’t, perhaps. To kick it off, I want to share with you two pics.
You see that girl on the right? The one who looks swollen and clearly out of shape? If you look really closely, you can see an unhappy glint in her eye. She’s unhappy with her weight, unhappy with her life. She weighs 255.5lbs. That girl is me. Or was.
Up until recently, I was morbidly obese for about 15 years. I panted after going up stairs. My back hurt all of the time. I snored and never felt rested. I couldn’t chase after my daughter or do anything that required movement with my son. I was miserable, and completely unhealthy.
So I decided to do something about it. Something I’ve spoken about on Twitter and Facebook, but not here. Mostly because I want to make sure that I convey the right message – that you should love who you are, no matter what size you are, and that this was about health for me…not vanity.
That being said, this pic is also me.
But this is me recently, at 137.2lbs. I’m happier, healthier, don’t pant, chase my kids, and feel amazing.
I lost all that weight in a year, with some determination and common sense (and my doctor’s advice). I stayed away from carbs and cut way back on junk food, ate lots of protein and drank lots of water. And I feel better than I ever have.
Why do I bring this up? Because it’s too obvious not to talk about. Because people have asked me about it. People have asked me how I did it.
The first thing to do if you’re concerned about your weight is to discuss it with your doctor, to ask them if you’re not at a healthy BMI, and if you aren’t, exactly how you should healthily lose the excess weight. Don’t ignore your doctor’s advice. The key here is health – and if your doc says you don’t need to lose weight, then you don’t. But most importantly, love yourself at any size. As unhappy as I was at 255.5, I still loved myself. I was still the same person I am today. Still fun, quirky, geeky, and macabre. Be yourself. Love yourself.
But take care of yourself.
By the way, Minions…we’re #6 on the New York Times this week! Here’s hoping for a threepeat!!!
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the last pic is at barns and nobel AT CININNATE OHIO
wow lookin’ good! really thats amazing
I am surprised. I am now one hundred and twenty something pounds. In the last few months I have lost about forty pounds.Although, the weight never really bothered me. The reason I lost weigh was because, believe it or not i could bring myself to eat much. I dont get hungry, well I do but it never gets to an extent to where im starving, I just simply drink alot of water and run around the block til I have reached my ten mile point. I have gotten faster, gotten more compliments, and poelpe are asking for my secret. I am however very proud of you though, you seem like a very loving and care free person. Keep up the good work, the books are great. I never thought that someone like you would have ever been a totally different person on the outside. I guess that proves how wrong people’s assumptions can be.
P.s. Just finished Tenth grade with Vladimir Tod. Great Book Heather
That is, outstanding! And I’m glad you used your doctor to help you. Some girls will just stop eating all together, and that’s where the danger starts. But Heather, you were awesome and beautiful before. Just because you lost weight doesn’t change anything!
I know I’m commenting a bit late, but I can’t help it, I was just browsing through your site to check out the look for Twelfth Grade Kills.
But back to where I was, how about you try to define to me what Beauty is? Okay, don’t waste your time. You can’t. You can’t prove to me that you weren’t beautiful before.
“Everything has it’s beauty, but not everyone sees it.”-Confucius
P.S. Congratulations though! I’m glad to see you healthy!
love ur storie amzing
U LOOK AWSOME AUNTIE HEARTHER!!!AND WHERE DID U GET THAT SHIRT (WELL OF COURSE U WOULD KNOW U MADE THE BOOK)LOL
WHERE CAN I GET THEM
if there is going to be a movie i would be PERFECT for maredith! she has brown curly hair JUST like me! plus im a dedicated performer! if ANYONE has any info PLEASE contact me!
abbeylee47@aol.com
OOOOOOOOOMMMMVVVVVVVVVVVVV!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where’d you get that shirt in the 2nd pic?????!!!!!!!!!!! It’s beautiful! I want it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Not as much as I want a black hoodie with a big red vampire smiley though…)
Love the shrit but nice good on the weight
Ps love the smile thimgs
I am very proud of you.
Hell, you might have even inspired me to drop a few lbs.
Sincerely,
FANGED and FABULOUS.
P.S. That is probably the coolest shirt I have ever seen.
This makes me think, “The only reason we don’t have what we want in life is the reasons we create why we can’t have them.”