Two years ago, I went from being misdiagnosed with Fibromyalgia to receiving the daunting diagnosis of MS (Multiple Sclerosis) and was functioning so badly that I was on the verge of quitting my job and filing for disability. My doctor had already approved the disability and I was devastated. Something told me not to turn the paperwork in at work. I soldiered on as best I could.

A year ago, I was told by my doctor that if I didn’t lose weight, I would likely be put on at least 5 more prescriptions within the year. Fast forward to my doctor’s appointment this week - my doctor saw me and said, “Kelley, is that you?! You’re aging in reverse! You look like a different person! You haven’t been here in a year, that’s got to be a personal record! How the hell did you lose this much weight?!”

Like anyone else, I have good days and really, really bad days. For years, I’d get frustrated that I couldn’t follow a workout schedule accurately if my life depended on it. I still can’t, thanks to my disease. So, I control what I can each day and forgive myself for my condition, but I soldier on. I try to make the best of every day.

Even just a year ago, I wouldn’t let anyone know I had MS. But then it hit me that I couldn’t hide it anymore as I started tripping, limping, losing balance while standing completely still, dropping things and shaking. In my career, I coordinate hundreds of volunteers at my non-profit each year. I also see it as my personal mission to help as many of my 250 coworkers’ as possible, by making their jobs a little easier and less hectic by matching them with the right volunteers. I became healthier not only for myself, but also to be there to remind my volunteers and coworkers every day how much they matter. My disability has made me passionate about how important it is to bring people into non-profit organizations that want to volunteer, regardless of their abilities. If they have passion, we find a way. I now share my own journey and struggles with them and help them realize we all have our own battles and limitations if they are doubting themselves. I couldn’t leave them because of my disability. That would be the dictionary definition of a HYPOCRITE.

In 2015, I dabbled with the DDPY DVDs and lost around 28 pounds. After getting the DDP YOGA NOW app in April 2016, my diet got a major overhaul. I've lost 29.5 inches on all my measurements combined, since recommitting in April 2016. I’m down from a size 24 pants and now wear size 12. I went from wearing 2X and 3x shirts to mediums and larges now.

A year after starting DDPY, I’m 50 pounds down, no longer pre-diabetic, my cholesterol has normalized, I no longer have insomnia, I’m off four prescription meds, and I’m off OTC acid reflux meds twice a day. I now rarely have to take days off work because of MS mobility issues. I manage to hobble around work most days and I still “excel” at dropping things and losing my balance during my workday. I shake almost the entire time I’m doing DDP YOGA. I do yoga on my lunch break in my office at work on the days my body allows and I control what I can, which is my diet.

I enjoy occasional treats but I completely cut gluten, as I discovered, thanks to the DDPY Nutrition Plan, that my body finds gluten toxic, to the point of vomiting (a huge revelation and lifelong battle which even caused me to lose my hair as a child, twice, due to malnutrition from vomiting - didn’t know it then but it all makes sense now - the 39 years of vomiting multiple times a week was torture). My inflammation has also greatly decreased. I’d like to think that most of my coworkers can no longer keep up with me energy-wise. They are shocked at my ability to function with NO CAFFEINE. Things are looking up. I’m at the lowest weight I’ve been in 12 years and I feel better than I ever have in my life.

Last weekend, I accidentally walked 7 miles one day, and then accidentally walked 4 miles the next day and could actually move the day after, which was a first... If even possible in the past, that would have left me sentenced to my bed for days afterward.

Every person with MS is completely different and EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU is different, too. Today is definitely different, and I can hardly move. But, you know what? I will try my DDPY session as usual and swear at Diamond Dallas Page (something tells me he won't mind my swearing like a sailor just as long as I’m trying), instead of swearing at my own stubborn body. I am up to 20-40 minutes of DDPY 3-4 times a week, if my MS doesn’t flare. If I have an MS Flareup, I always try and attempt a workout and just swear through the parts I can’t keep up with. 🤣

Don’t give up. Make it your own instead of quitting. Even TRYING and giving it your all which might only translate to 5% today, versus not trying at all is mentally gratifying. It equals forward momentum and becomes addictive. Don’t compete or compare yourself to anyone else. YOU are enough. Worry about YOU. Because to be around to help others, you’ve got to help yourself.

50 pounds down... 25 to go. Goal schedule: I’ll get there when I get there and that is good enough. Every day is better now. From here, it’s just icing on the gluten-free cake.