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Vicki Lynn Won Her Battle With Low Self-Esteem and Anxiety and Lost 107 Pounds
Posted on Jan 25th 2010 10:00AM by Melissa JoulwanFiled Under: Success Stories
Name: Vicki Lynn Collins-TheriaultAge: 39
Height: 5 feet, 6 inches
Before Weight: 217
How I Gained It: I met my first husband in 1995. The relationship was filled with abuse and alcoholism -- my self-esteem plummeted and my anxiety skyrocketed. I gained 35 pounds from emotional eating and excessive drinking, and my weight increased to 190 pounds.
I had my first child in 1998 and during the pregnancy, I developed toxemia, which made the pregnancy miserable all the way through. I also had pregnancy-induced hypoglycemia and was instructed to eat at least every hour to maintain blood sugar levels.
Although the baby was not thriving, I continued to balloon in size, gaining a total of 109 pounds. Within three months, I lost 40 pounds, but couldn't control my emotional eating and was unable to lose more weight. In 2003, separated and pregnant with my second child, I faced the same horrible pregnancy issues, this time gaining 78 pounds.
Breaking point: My lack of self-esteem and low spirits stemming from abuse had taken me to the depths of despair. Alcohol, coffee and fast food became my regular diet. After years of being "sick" with stomach ulcers and uncontrollable anxiety that prevented me from working, I knew I had to snap out of it.
At first, I maintained a functional life and focused on just being a good mother. Nothing else: just a mother. I never really knew who I was. I had completely lost myself in being married, having my children and going through the drama of my life. My boys were what I had -- they were the only way I could define myself.
Over the years, I knew that I was getting bigger. I felt heavier, and I didn't quite recognize the woman in the mirror. But I was in denial. I allowed myself to believe that I was still OK-looking, thinking, "Surely my friends and family would tell me if I looked awful."
In May 2008, I purchased the Wii Fit system, stepped up to do the body test and was shocked, horrified and appalled by the number on the screen: 217 pounds. That couldn't be right! I had been avoiding the scale but I figured at the most (worst) I might weigh 200 pounds. I cried and then screamed at myself. I forced myself to look in the mirror -- really look in the mirror -- and take a full inventory of what I looked like. I vowed to change what was staring back, that woman who was not me.
How I lost it: I had started Sparkpeople.com months earlier, but "fell off the wagon." I found the site again and put it to use this time. Daily logging, using my Wii Fit program every day, graphing, recording and monitoring myself. I started walking, then I started golfing, then I started to watch what I was eating. The weight started to drop, and each pound or fraction of a pound was encouraging.After losing 40 pounds, someone finally noticed my weight loss. That was the day I set my target goal weight. Until that point, I'd been afraid to set a goal. But that first compliment gave me confidence. When I got married, I weighed about 160, and I knew I wore a size 14 dress. I decided that was my goal. That would be me again.
In October 2008, I hit my goal. I certainly looked good! I was getting compliments and "the looks" that I hadn't seen in years. I even noticed that strangers treated me differently. I suddenly realized that for years I had been virtually invisible, but now, strangers were smiling at me and holding doors open for me. When I walked into a clothing store, suddenly I wasn't ignored. I walked taller, smiled more and felt human again. When I looked in the mirror, I recognized that woman. I remembered her; she was the person that had been trapped inside my old body.
In November 2008, I started to play the "Can I lose two more pounds?" game. I knew that I would have to keep tracking my calories and my exercise time. I started focusing on gaining strength, building muscle, getting fit and being strong.
Today, I'm weighing in at 110 pounds and wearing a size six jeans. I wore a size 11 when I started high school in 1984, a size 12 when I started college and a size 14 when I got married. I am a healthier, fitter person than ever before!
The best part of losing the weight isn't just the outside effect -- it's the inside. I became more confident. I found a passion for life, and a passion for the fitness that gave me back my life. I was so encouraged and grateful for the help and support of the staff at our YMCA that I decided I wanted to change my career and help others. I am now a CanFit Pro Certified Personal Trainer and have the continued gift of everyday helping others find themselves again.
A healthy lifestyle and healthy body is the lifetime goal. It's a daily challenge, and this time, I'm prepared mentally. I know I can do it. I did do it, and I can stay the course because if it is meant to be, it is up to me.
After Weight: 110
Vicki Lynn has maintained her weight loss for two years.
Good health is infectious! See how Charlotte is using her weight loss success to help others.
Are you inspired by our That's Fit Success Stories? Motivate others by submitting your own! Share how you've transformed your body through diet and exercise by sending us e-mail at successstories [AT] thatsfit [DOT] com.
