"I learned the truth at...fourteen." - My teen weight loss story

by Breanna
(USA)

My name is Breanna. My teen weight loss story began when I was fourteen, in my freshman year of high school. For me, obesity has an issue for my whole family; everyone is either overweight or obese, but with the occasional skinny person in the family. I had always thought of myself as "bigger" or "big-boned" and had always dealt with insecurity issues, but it wasn't until I went to the doctor with my mom that I realized how "big" I was.

I remember it like it was yesterday, I was standing on the scale in the clinic and I just stood there for a minute kind of shocked at the number. I went to the patient room with my mom and I sat on the bed and just sat there quietly with my mom. I knew my mom loved me and cared about me. She was and is a very real, down-to-earth, godly woman. But she looked at me and said, "I knew you were big, but I didn't know you weighed 263lbs." I just said, "I know." I didn't feel too embarrassed at the time, but it slowly set in. My mom, God love her, told me and still tells me that she never saw me as "fat" or "obese," a mother thing I guess.

After that doctor visit, we found out that I had PCOS and went to a gynecologist and he said that I was "morbidly obese." Now, why would a person say that to a fourteen year-old girl so cold and callously? I don't know. So after that, I cried and my family comforted me and I tried to shift my thoughts toward the home-school prom that was coming up. I found a beautiful dress, just like Cinderella's, but it was a little too tight. So I thought I'd lose a few pounds to fit into the dress.

So from January to April, I tried to eat less and walk one or two times a day and to my amazement, the weight came off quickly. On the day of the prom, the dress was still a little snug, but it fit nicely. So I had a good time with my friends at the prom and made many good memories, but something happened to me. I was no longer content to just have a pity party and stay "morbidly obese."

So I continued my diet. I experimented and learned what worked and what didn't work for my body. As I lost weight, I discovered that the bottom line to lose weight is to burn more than you take in. I didn't use and special diet plan, no weight-watchers, no Jenny Craig; just me and what I wanted to do for my body.

I walked, ran, biked, and did work out videos; whatever I could do to get in some exercise. I didn't buy a home gym, or gym membership, I just used what God had given me; a pair of two good legs. Now, I know it's different for other people in other circumstances, but i believe that anyone can lose weight if they put their mind to it.

So after four years of losing weight slow and easy and in my own way, I am proud to say that I have lost 50 pounds! I'm still not where I want to be, but I have changed my life and I intend to never go back to where I was.

Also, not only did I change my appearance, but God changed my heart. These four years of high school have been the most wonderful growing experiences for me in my Christian faith. My focus now, is on the heart. God changed me and was gracious with me and showed me that I have a true desire to help women with the same difficulties.

To all those out there who are trying to lose weight: First off, it's not impossible, difficult sometimes, yes, but never impossible; Second, unless your doctor tells you that you need to use a special plan, you don't have to spend a ton of money to lose weight, if you have a sack of potatoes, use two potatoes and go for a walk; Third, research online and find out what works for you, do what you want to do for yourself, you don't have drink tons of water a day, or eat however many vegetables to be "healthy," you can do it by just making good choices. My two motto's are: "Never give up, one bad day won't undo your hard work" & "Every decision counts, every choice counts."

You can do it. "Through God all things are possible." Amen!