Last week during a very uneventful evening, I took a stroll through some older Facebook pictures of friends and came across pictures from a wedding I was in two years ago. The wedding, the bride, and the day were beautiful, but I was astounded by what I had looked like. I knew I was heavier then, but hadn’t really put it into perspective until now.
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| Left: 204lbs, size 14, unhealthy and unhappy Right: Size 4, healthy, and happy |
A little background on me. I am 28 years old and have struggled with my weight my whole life. I was never athletic or naturally thin or health conscience. I always ate a little too much and stayed inside reading a little too much.
I can remember as early as kindergarten being teased for my weight. I can vividly recall times of being called too fat, gross, and my favorite catcall of ‘whale’ as I stepped up to the diving board at a swimming pool.
I can remember as early as kindergarten hating the way I looked. Wanting to destroy pictures I was in, unable to look at myself in the mirror, or being filled with shame when I needed to ask my mom to buy a bigger jean size were every day struggles.
By the time I reached high school I was 6 feet tall and over 220 pounds. I can’t remember the exact number; I’m sure I’ve blocked it out by now. With impending college life and prom just around the corner, I knew I needed a change. The only problem was that I was uneducated on nutrition. For the next 8 years I tried every diet and diet food out. I lost 40 lbs, gained 15 back. I lost 55 pounds, gained 25 back. It was a vicious cycle and ended up with me being back at 204 pounds on the eve of 2012. I was in bed, sick, and depressed. I knew there had to be a better way so I began to research proper nutrition and not just believe what every girl is taught – eat less, get skinny, be happy.
Two years and a ton of nutritional information later, I have lost 65 pounds and have kept it off for a year now. Thanks to clean eating, I am not starving or binging or having my weight yoyo. I eat clean and find new ways to challenge myself physically. I am happy and healthy and only regret just how long it took to get me to this point.
Do you have a transformation story you would like featured on MyBestBadi? Email me at lauren.rabadi@gmail.com with your progress pictures and story!!