Fitness Friday: Never in My Life, Another Real-Life Success Story

A Guest Post by Michelle Costano

"Never in my life would I let myself get that fat."

"Never is my life did I think I would be this fat."

I overheard the statements above recently in two different social settings. Although the comments were made by two completely different people, both were said with the same amount of disdain. It got me to thinking about how my thoughts have changed as my lifestyle has changed.

I have compiled two short lists comparing my Then VS Now thoughts.

*Side Note*

My purpose for writing this is not to make you feel guilty for eating the caloric equivalent of a KFC Family Meal Deal yesterday. My hope is that you will feel my hope!

OK, cue the Wayne's World Dream Sequence...

THEN

Never in my life did I think I would tip the scales at 270.2 lbs. Seriously?! Almost 300 lbs? How in the world did I let it get that bad? How did I not notice it was getting that bad? Why didn't someone tell me?

OK, OK, if someone would have told me I was getting too fat I probably would have turned into Sheneneh Jenkins, but MAN! Seriously?! SERIOUSLY?! 270.2 Lbs?!





Never in my life did I think I would be a hardcore food addict. I had a (severe) genetic predisposition to becoming an addict of something. Of all the things one could be addicted to, how did I end up with food? Which leads so nicely into my next one...

Never in my life did I think I would order two meals for myself at a drive-thru or resort to hiding fast food wrappers before throwing them in the garbage. Yes, I am serious. It was much easier (read: less humiliating) to pretend that I was picking up lunch for me and a friend than ordering a value meal and a few extra things. And I became a master at hiding the evidence: stopping at a gas station before I got home to throw away the proof, wrapping the bag in another bag before putting it in the garbage to hide the proof. I am chuckling now as I write this but it was a serious addiction at the time. The problem was that I couldn't hide the proof that was growing on my own rear end!

Never in my life did I think I wouldn't be able to play. My daughter was a toddler when I was at my heaviest. Talk about energy. She was all over the place and constantly wanted me to be all over the place with her. Physically, I just couldn't do it. Sadder still is the fact that I didn't even have the desire to do it. It is amazing how much the things we put into our bodies effect every aspect of our lives.

Never in my life did I think I would be embarrassed to just be in public. I had always been on the "thick" side, but never to this degree. People looking at you funny, snickering when you walk by, moving waaaaaaaaay over. And that's just the people who don't know you. Heaven forbid you run into someone from your "thinner days." The shock, followed by an attempt to cover up the shock, followed by pity. Very uncomfortable for all involved.


NOW

Never in my life did I think I could say that I have lost 80 lbs! I still can't believe it some days. That's more than both my kids put together. I just went over and picked them both up. How in the world was I carrying that around all day every day?

Never in my life did I think I would consistently exercise! When I first decided enough was enough I was overwhelmed at the thought of it all. Instead of doing a complete overhaul, I decided I had to choose between fighting my food habits or fighting my exercise habits. Since I am somewhat athletic I chose the latter. Once I saw results, it was easier to make better choices when it came to food. And although I would be the first to roll my eyes when someone would say "You'll feel so much better if you exercise" I am now a believer!


Never in my life did I think I could run a 5K in 25 minutes or complete a half marathon! I didn't start out running miles at a time but seconds at a time. I went from 20 seconds running/five minutes walking to being able to continuously run a mile, then two miles, etc.




Never in my life did I think I would commit to being McCelibate! I coined the term on January 28, 2008, three days before my youngest was born, when I had my last Big Mac, Super-size Fry, Super-size coke and four sweet and sour sauces. While I am not a fan of fad diets that cut out certain food groups completely, I knew that for me it was all or nothing as far as McD's goes. For real y'all. There is something in those fries.




Never in my life did I think feeling bloated would make me smile. The thing is, I never WASN'T bloated before. Now I can tell when I am. Silly as it sounds, it is a BIG deal!


Never in my life did I think I would look like this



after looking like that!




Some stats to go along with the pics :)

Weight August 2005 - 270.2 lbs
Weight November 2009 - 189.0 lbs!

BMI August 2005 - 46.4
BMI November 2009 - 32.4 (So close to being "Overweight" instead of "Obese"!)

Pant size August 2005 - 22/24
Pant size August 2008 - 12/14!

Waist August 2005 - 50.5 inches
Waist November 2009 - 39.5 inches!

Real Age Test August 2005 - 33.6 (actual age 24)
Real Age Test November 2009 - 24.9! (actual age 28)

As my 1500 Words of Fame comes to an end, I would just like to solicit some prayer from Sandy's Awesome Followers. I often pray the Lord would use my weight battle to further His Kingdom. I have "street cred" with the overweight crowd. I have both the passion and the compassion.

I get it.

I was it.

So, if you could, please pray that I would recognize the divine appointments I am certain My Father has set up for me with those around me. I love encouraging others to take the first steps to getting healthy. It is one of the many beautiful things My Father created me to do.

Gracias!

Michelle
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This is Fitness Friday Girl talking...I just want you all to know how much I love this girl. We met in a class at church one night, bonded over a phone call and the rest is history. I never knew Michelle "THEN," so I was shocked, amazed and in total and complete awe when I first saw her "THEN" pics. I knew she had to come and talk to you, because she could motivate and inspire you in a way I can't. I cannot tell you how much I respect and admire her for getting in there and doing the hard work. Please, please pray for her and her growing ministry to reach and inspire others for the glory of God.

Oh, and I just have to say for the record, it is my humble opinion that McDonald's cannot be considered a food group. Most of it is not even food. I, too, am McCelibate, as is my entire family. I just had to interject that...

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