Jenna-Vaught-related stories
Jenna Vaught - Miss America Plus Elite 2007 Interview, Part Two
Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements
I had the opportunity to speak with Jenna Vaught, Miss America Plus Elite 2007, regarding her inspiring weight loss story. You can read the first half of the interview here. But Jenna's story doesn't start and stop with weight loss. Jenna's views on body image and what makes a woman truly beautiful are inspirational for all of us -- whether we're a size two or a size 22. It seems that you achieved not only better physical health, but better confidence through losing weight. What did the process teach you about yourself?
The process of losing weight and maintaining it has taught me that I have everything I could ever need in myself. When I was so heavy, I wanted so much for others to think I was good enough or worthy. Today, I know that I have all it takes to be a strong, successful, and beautiful woman. Literally, I found the real Jenna. Media, society, and others have no influence on the way I feel about myself externally or internally. Most days, when I am feeling great, it's because I know I am doing great things for myself and my life. There are days that really are hard, I have learned to just let that day happen and move forward. Perfect, I am far from it. Persistent, now that is a word I live by day to day!
Jenna Vaught - Meet the Inspiring Miss America Plus Elite 2007
Diet & Weight Loss, Motivation
Jenna Vaught is not your average beauty queen. She didn't grow up in a life filled with pretty dresses and perfect make-up. Instead, Jenna was an obese child and the accessories she wore were shame and self-loathing. In her young 20's, Jenna had her daughter and soon after reached her highest weight -- 427 pounds. Her mobility was affected as was her health. More importantly, Jenna realized she was caught in a vicious cycle -- her insecurities were the root cause of her weight gain and her weight gain was adding to her insecurities. Jenna went on a mission to lose the weight, rediscover herself, and reach her life goals. Jenna's weight loss is inspiring, but even more inspiring is the insight she now has regarding body image and learning how to love yourself. I had the wonderful opportunity to talk with Jenna so she could share her story with That's Fit readers. Read on for the first half of her interview.Can you describe how life was for you when you were at your highest weight?
To live, a person must feel. Since I can remember, my days were all about pushing down "feelings" with food. I have been clinically obese since the age of four. By fourth grade, I was 150 pounds. Being a teenage and 300 pounds, wow that was tough. A year after having my daughter, I was 427 pounds. That's right, I was 24 years old, and I weighed 427 pounds. Life at that time was about just existing, just barely making it through the day. The point had come where I no longer fit in pants from Lane Bryant, walking was almost impossible without pain, all I could think about was how did I get here? How can I stop killing and abusing myself with food? How can I create a new life for myself?
To live, a person must feel. Since I can remember, my days were all about pushing down "feelings" with food. I have been clinically obese since the age of four. By fourth grade, I was 150 pounds. Being a teenage and 300 pounds, wow that was tough. A year after having my daughter, I was 427 pounds. That's right, I was 24 years old, and I weighed 427 pounds. Life at that time was about just existing, just barely making it through the day. The point had come where I no longer fit in pants from Lane Bryant, walking was almost impossible without pain, all I could think about was how did I get here? How can I stop killing and abusing myself with food? How can I create a new life for myself?
