I became a Mayo Clinic Champion because I feel that I have been through so much, I like to encourage people and let them know they are not alone and if I can do things then so can they. I think one of my biggest accomplishments has been-after living almost my entire life with obesity, In 2006 I was almost 600lbs and a patient at a care center recovering and was told that I could no longer go on any van or buses for wheelchair transportation. At first I was pretty upset, then I got mad. I decided I was going to show them, so with the approval of my RN, Doctor, and dietician, I started on a low carbohydrate/high protein diet. I lost around 200lbs in 18mo.;however, then I went through some "stuff" and gained 50lbs. So, I basically stayed around the same weight from 2006-2012. In 2012, I had gastric bypass surgery. I lost another 200lbs in the first year. Since I could not walk at this time, my exercise consisted of what I could do in my bed and in my wheelchair. I just had my 7yr surgery anniversary appointment yesterday. Eventhough I have gained about 40lbs, my doctor is extremely happy because I have still lost over 75% of my excess body weight. He is also happy with my blood work and my continual general positive progress. I just like to encourage people that are obese, that they too can do what I have done if they want to. This has not been easy even with gastric bypass. Gastric bypass is NOT the easy way out it is a tool that I can use to lose weight. However, the most important tool through this whole progress has been my head. I have had to figure out why I was eating, and TRY to change that habit. It is NOT easy. This is a day-to-day, meal-to-meal, life of choices. That is why this is NOT a DIET. This is a New life journey is a different direction. I have learned that I am not always going to make the right choices, and "life happens" with things we can't control. I just need to remember that Making a bad food choice does NOT make me a BAD person. I just need to get back "on track" making "good food choices". I do really wish I could reach as many people as I can and just let them know that if I can do this-so can they. I do know, however, that people have to be ready for their own journey, and if they are not ready, nothing I say will make a difference.

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