"According to the scales and your chart, you are morbidly obese." The words bounced loudly off the walls of that small room like racquetballs, the sound penetrating my ears and soul like a pounding jackhammer.
Dizziness overwhelmed me as my world spun out of control. My chest pounded while I struggled with short, shallow breaths. "Who, me!? Morbidly obese!?" I thought to myself.
The doctor had just categorized my weight and health with a label that made me sound like a distorted monster. "Morbid" is such a gross and disturbing word to begin with.
Depression, guilt, anger, tears, disgust it all bombarded me like a plague of insects. I had been in denial to the point that I had allowed myself to become (according to a chart) "an oversized, worthless person."
During the long ride home, it took all the inner strength I could muster to keep the tears at bay. I most certainly did not want my mother to see me cry because the doctor had called me fat!
My cheerful mother, with her smiles like rays of sunshine, said, "Michele, we are changing our lifestyle to low-carb." Always quick to encourage, she proceeded, "I've been studying and it will be a healthy experience for all of us. You'll see, we'll try new recipes, and the whole family will eat this way and it will be great!"
There really wasn't any sense in arguing, and with mother already caring for me, I ate what she cooked anyway. This would technically be no different; although, it would be healthier.
Salad with tuna (no bread) and omelets piled high with veggies and cheese proved to be tasty enough. Boiled eggs became a staple in our fridge and a handful of nuts here and there. I could do this! Quickly weight began to melt off of me. I gradually began to feel more strength and with the increased energy and diminishing pounds, I soon became optimistic myself!
At the beginning of our new eating plan, I experienced occasional headaches as my body detoxed from sugar, soda pop, and bread, but overall it wasn't bad, and the benefits have definitely outweighed the mild side effects!
Although I wasn't able to exercise frequently, because of my health/back issues, the pounds still dropped once the bad carbs were out the window.
To date, I've lost 120 pounds! Yes! And, I'm not only lighter physically, but my health has improved dramatically, my blood pressure and cholesterol are much healthier, and my once non-existent self-esteem is now through the roof!
Phillipians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." And it absolutely makes us stronger in every way to be at a healthy weight. It also creates opportunities for us to be better servants to God and to others.
As much as it hurt to hear those words, "Morbidly obese," I'm glad I heard them. The message was deafeningly loud, piercing my very heart and soul ultimately prompting me to do something about it.
In the end, the truth hurts, but it also sets us free!