Shelli's Story

I joined Healthy Inspirations in late January 2005.  At the time, I weighed 293 pounds.  I had been overweight for more than fifteen years, and at this point I was seriously considering bariatric surgery because I didn’t think I could ever lose all of the excess weight on my own.  But luckily for me, when I went for a surgical evaluation the doctor told me I had to try one more time to lose weight before he would agree to operate.  A friend at work told me about the Healthy Inspirations program, and I decided to sign up.

I was at a point in my life where my deteriorating health was a big concern.  I was on the verge of becoming diabetic; my blood pressure was so high I had to take three different medications to control it; I was so obese I could hardly walk.  My knees, hips and feet ached all of the time.  I was absolutely miserable.  I was truly convinced I would die before age 65.

The program appealed to me because both the diet counseling and exercise take place in the same location.  The eating plan appeared to be a very healthy one, and the idea that I would have to sign a contract that included one year of maintenance after reaching my weight loss goal was very attractive.  I’ve lost weight before but have never been able to keep it off; this time I knew I wouldn’t be on my own once I got to my desired weight.  I also knew that the staff at the Center would not let me just give up, and would be there for moral support and to give me nutritional counseling when I hit a plateau or had difficulty sticking with the plan.

It’s now March 18, 2006 and I weigh 172 pounds.  Due to the benefits of the weight training machines, I can wear a size twelve in clothing.  I feel and look like an entirely different person.  All of the people who know me say I’m an inspiration to them to lose weight and develop a healthy lifestyle.  At age fifty-five, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life.  I still have about forty pounds to go, but I know I can do it following the Healthy Inspirations eating plan and continuing my exercise regimen.  I don’t think I’ll ever go back to eating the kinds of things and the quantity of food I used to eat.  Now I enjoy the taste of food without salt, and I no longer tolerate foods high in fat.  I feel so much better physically than I did before, it’s just amazing.  The staff at Healthy Inspirations are wonderful, and have worked with me through rough spots and have celebrated with me as I lost 122 pounds.  They feel just as good about my progress as I do.

My cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure have come down to the normal range and my doctor is thrilled.  I’m not only a normal weight (soon to be at my ideal BMI), but I can go places and do things I hadn’t done for the last fifteen years.  I’m a true believer in the Healthy Inspirations program, and have recommended it to anyone who asks me about my weight loss.  In fact, a number of people at work have joined the program after talking to me about it.  I look forward to being a healthy, active senior citizen someday, all because of Healthy Inspirations.

Shelli J.
St. Petersburg, FL

*Shelli was one of eight finalists in the "Are You Inspired" essay contest