Growing up in Florida I’ve always enjoyed going with my friends to theme parks, traveling, and of course attending sporting events! I’ve always been the thicker friend who has struggled with weight most of her life but that was never something that stopped me from having fun. I had something happen in life that caused me to lose all self-esteem in myself and I became an emotional eater which led me to finding my happiness in food. Anytime I had a bad day I’d eat, if I had a good day I’d eat, if I wasn’t hungry I’d eat. It was something that during that moment made me feel better even though I’d regret it later. The more I ate the more weight I would put on and the more my self-esteem would drop so I’d eat more. All of the sudden I’m realizing I can’t do the things I used to be able to do anymore. I realized I didn’t fit on theme park attractions anymore, I’d visit new sporting arenas and would barely fit in the seat, or I’d travel somewhere on a plane and be terrified someone would complain about sitting by me. Suddenly I went from this fun loving person who did all these great things, to someone who lost herself and just kept sinking further and further into somewhere I didn’t want to be.

 

I went on a Family Vacation this year to Tennessee and then continued on to Aruba to meet up with friends. My family is amazing and I love them very much, but sometimes it’s hard to be around them being the only single one and the only one who is severely overweight. It’s hard seeing them run and play and do things that are physically hard for me to do. Then when in Aruba I’d make my friends take taxis instead of walking everywhere because it was too exhausting for me to get places. I got home from vacation on Saturday and on Tuesday I started DDP Yoga. I didn’t want to let my weight decide my life anymore, what I could or couldn’t do, and how I was going to feel about myself. It was time for a change!

 

My first week was absolutely exhausting! I’m not a very physically active person at all. I’m on my feet all day at work but I made sure every night I’d do DDPY no matter how tired I was! I ended up losing ten pounds my first week! I started crying I was so happy and at that point I knew I could do this. So far I’ve lost 32 pounds doing DDPY. I’m nowhere near where I need to be, but I’m heading in the right direction and that’s what matters. My goal is to be healthy, flexible, and be able to do the things I love again. I know it’s going to be a long process, but the journey I’m on makes me feel amazing and feeling like me again!