One of the things that keeps me motivated and keeps me inspired to continue my journey is seeing the success of others. You met my friend Keisha last week as she shared her revelation about body image and acceptance. Her story caused many of us to change the way we think about our bodies. This week I want to introduce you to my friend Vera. Vera and I met two years ago at the Lupus Loop 5K race. Vera holds a special place in my heart because she is the reason I gave my sweetie a second look. One day I’ll share the story, but for now I’ve asked Vera to share her journey, in hopes that it will inspire others. I know for sure it has inspired me…
Stacey, first I would like to thank you for thinking about me and asking me to share my story, which for me is bittersweet. In the beginning I started out asking my family and friends which way should I go? You see, my struggle with my weight has been a life-long battle. As a child I was overweight, and living as an overweight adult has not been easy!! There are many things that my close friends and family didn’t know I endured, but I thank God everyday for my life!!!!!!!!! So I’m going to try and do this and tell my story!!!
At an early age I struggled with my weight. At age 8 I didn’t understand obesity or what healthy eating was!! The more people tried to teach me, the more I didn’t care. How do you teach a child about healthy eating back in 1970’s? I came from a family of five. I was taken from my family because of my obesity and I lived in a group home for children. I remember the building well. It used to be a hospital called Children’s Heart Hospital and it stood where what is now Sharon Baptist Church.
While living there they tried to introduce me to healthy eating. They gave me all of my meals. However, because it was never explained to me, I never understood how to count calories, how to measure my intake, or what eating proper proportions should look like. I was there for a year and lost weight. When I came back home everyone said, “you look good”, and “you lost all that weight!!” But as a child, on the inside, I didn’t care about my weight. I just wanted to come home to be with my family!!!
As time went on, I gained all of the weight back. I was in and out of group homes for my obesity for about two years. No matter what I did to lose the weight, I always gained it back. I went to two more places and each time I was always the youngest child in those group homes AND the most sane! They used to ask me “why are you here?” and I would say “because of my weight”
While I was away, I went to different therapists for them to try to figure out what was affecting me and causing my poor eating habits, which contributed to my obesity. They would ask me different questions like, “what is your favorite thing?” I’d answered, “my bed!!” They took this as me being lazy and never dug deeper. That of course wasn’t the case at all. I wasn’t lazy! What they didn’t know was that the reason for that answer was I used to stay up at night because my older brother suffered from mental illness. I thought he was going to hurt our family, so I never really slept well.
Some things you just never forget and at my age you just learn to figure life out as you get older!! The turning point for my weight loss was my daughter Zoey!! I had to make some changes so I could be here to see her grow and have her own family. Me and many of my doctors are close. I’ve been going to my primary doctor for over 18 years. We talked about weight loss surgery for about 10 years. She got me on board with a gastro bypass surgeon named Dr. Gary Korus. Let me tell you, weight loss surgery is not an easy way out. It’s a tool to help you with weight loss, but it is not easy by any stretch of the imagination!
Before I got my surgery Dr. Korus made me stop smoking, change my eating habits, AND stop drinking soda. I used to have a diet Pepsi in the morning for breakfast EVERYDAY! He said to me, “I will not do this surgery unless you stop these things!” Til this day, I so respect him for that! Smoking was one of the hardest things to stop, but I did it! I have not had a cigarette or soda in four years!
My surgery was 4 years ago. Back then, when I got on the scale my weight was 428 pounds! My journey has not been easy! Working out was new to me. I started out walking, going to the YMCA, swimming, zumba, and lifting weights. I was doing these things for a while, but I needed more. I needed to push myself! So one day I came out to the “Rock the Vote” walk/run with Black Girls Run!
Let me tell you I planned on walking not running. When I saw all of those ladies take off I was like “wow”, let me try to keep up lol!! On my way back there was someone in my ear saying “they’re waiting for you!” I looked at her and said “ok”. She said “Run!” So I started running. She said “you can cuss me out if you’d like!” “Oh no”, I said, “I am not that type of person!!” She pushed me to the finish line, which was at the Art Museum steps in Philadelphia.
There were ladies from “Black Girls Run” who cheered for me. That was my start to running. Thank you Leslie Marant and Lee Scottlorde! Since that time, I’ve ran about twenty 5K runs, two of which were out of state and I am striving to do some 10K runs next!!
In April 2014 I suffered from a blood clot on my lungs due to my recent surgery. I was in ICU for over a week and the doctors told me running saved my life!! They said, the way I was breathing most people would have panicked and died, but because of my running I was used to and able to maintain my breathing! So running will ALWAYS be apart of my routine!
I’m still recovering from my blood clot. It has set me back a little but I still have my goals! It’s hard when you are recovering and you have to fight harder not to put on weight. I try to find a different way to exercise while being careful of what I put in my mouth! For breakfast I do a protein smoothie and have small portioned meals throughout the day. My daughter and my love for life motivate me to continue on with my weight loss journey!
I’m so looking forward to running the Broad Street run, doing a spin class and trying new things! My advice to those who are struggling with weight loss is to make time for you and love yourself for you are worthy. Stay focused , and depend on YOURSELF to get to that gym. Push! Push! And Push some more! People might look at you differently because you are doing this, but there will be many people who’ll want to know what you are doing to lose your weight. See who you can help along the way!
…I so admire Vera for her strength, zeal for life and her courage to share her story. We all have a story and you never know what’s been a persons journey until you take a moment to look into their heart. Vera, thank you for opening your heart to us. I know other’s will be blessed and inspired by it. It has definitely inspired me to push a little harder and go a little farther. Keep up the awesome work…you have a bunch of people in your corner
Taleetha says
Wow Vera!!! Your story is amazizng and inspiring to us all. Keep Pressing on Girl!!!!
Vera says
Thank you for sharing my journey with me and all your support Taleetha! You will do that spin class!!! Love you Love you
Keisha Broomes says
What a powerful testimony! Thank you for sharing your story, Vera! God bless you and keep on pushing on and being awesome.
Keisha Broomes recently posted…The Best You That You Can Be
Vera says
Thank you Keisha for sharing your story!!! Continue on loving yourself and God Bless!!
Stacey Strickler says
Wasn’t that a powerful testimony? And she is a beautiful person!
Kim says
I am so proud of you and all that you have accomplished. Continue to push on! I will take that spin class with you!
Vera says
Cousin Kim let me tell you I am so proud of you! You must teach me that pole thing and can’t wait to do that spin class let me know when!! Love You!!
kira carter says
VERA!!!!!! Amazing story and So proud of you!!!!!!I see you working and admire your strength!!!!!! You are awesome! Stay blessed and stay encouraged!!!
Vera says
Kira when I saw you on the drive I was so happy for you!!! Keep pushing! Thank you!
Crystal Whitney says
Vera I so proud of you and what you achieved you had a long journey but you made it keep up the good work love always your cousin Crystal !!!!!
Vera says
Cousin Crystal my journey is not over yet!! Hope and pray that God will let me reach my goals!! Love you Crystal
Becky says
First Zoey wants to say mommy good job losing the weight and helping me to lose weight with you. I’m very proud that you are my mom and I love you!!
Vera when I met you I didn’t know what you had went thru with you weight, your weight didn’t matter to me. I have been here for you thru your process and I must say that I am mighty proud of you!! You did that shit! I’m happy for you and and very happy that it didn’t change who you are. I love you forever!! Keep up the good work!!
love from Zoey and Becky
Vera says
Zoey Mommy luv you!! You know we must push and never give up and that you always do!! Thank you for walking, running, Zumba and volunteering! You are awesome!! BECKY BECKY what can I say!!!!!!! Girl Girl my partner my friend my Love.You have been my support system I don’t know what I do with out you!
You didn’t understand what I was doing at the time. You were so nervous for me. You tried not to show it but I saw! You know I had to do this for love of me and are Family!! Let me tell you I am so proud of you for changing you eating habits and not smoking Queen and Joyce are smiling down on you! Love You And Thank You !!
Vera says
Zoey Mommy luv you!! You know we must push and never give up and that you always do!! Thank you for walking, running, Zumba and volunteering! You are awesome!! BECKY BECKY what can I say!!!!!!! Girl Girl my partner my friend my Love.You have been my support system I don’t know what I do with out you!
You didn’t understand what I was doing at the time. You were so nervous for me. You tried not to show it but I saw! You know I had to do this for love of me and are Family!! Let me tell you I am so proud of you for changing you eating habits and not smoking Queen and Joyce are smiling down on you! Love You And Thank You !!
Collin Lynch says
This is an amazing testimony
by Vera.You are blessed and highly favored.I will continue to encourage you in your running and walking
Keep it up.
Vera says
Thank you Collin for your encouragement! Hope to run a race with you one day! !
Aisha says
Amazing!!!!!!! Do that, Vera!!!!! Keep up the good work.
Vera says
Thank you Aisha I will keep on doing that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Marlene Downing says
Vera that story has me in tears. I never knew you went through any of that. Vera you have always had the best spirit I have ever seen. Your weight was not over shadowing the beautiful person I’ve always known you to be. Your recent journey has me observing you like a cheerleader on the sidelines. You have overcome so much and you do it with a smile. You are SUPER AWESOME. Romans 8:28
Vera says
Marlene it had me in tears!! We all have a story its just up to us to tell it.Keep cheering me on from the sidelines thank you thank you!!
Gina says
Vera I am so proud of you for sharing your story. Your dedication to continue your weight loss journey and healthy life style is inspiring to many. Keep pushing through you are fabulous!! Love you sis! Gina
Vera says
Thank You Gina!!! I am so proud of you,my strong sister!! Its not easy but you do it well!! Enjoy life love you SIS!!
Sharonda says
Vera you are so AWESOME, I love your commitment to a healthy lifestyle. I so very thankful to be able to run, power walk, and hang out with you. You inspire me to continue on this running journey even if I can’t run for the whole time, I’m still moving my body so thank you for telling me that, and I’ll see you on the asphalt really soon.
Vera says
LOL how did I let you talk me doing my first 10K !! See Iam doing Trenton’s 10K the week after too wow!! Girl my first 5K run was with you and Fredrina I never forget!! You both told me when you see a camera make sure you smile!!! I thank you for meeting me that day!!! We are going to knock out these 10k’S run walk power walk we got this!! See you soon!!!!!
Cheryl Greene Sellers says
Vera I am so inspired and motivated by your story , keep pushing and doing what you need to do for yourself and your health You are awesome !!!!
Vera says
Thank You Ms.Cheryl hope to see you soon!!
Genie McCaskill says
Vera, my sister you are awesome, you are an inspiration, and you are a motivation to those around you that have watched you go thru this journey. I consider it a privilege to know you and to walk/run with you you…love you girl!!!
Vera says
Ms.Genie you and Ms.Gloria are the bomb!!! This is a marvelous journey that we are on!!! My sisters you both are amazing!! God is so good!! Hope you are feeling better hope to see you soon!
Tammy says
Vera, you are such an amazing person!! Thank you for sharing your story!! Keep on pushing towards your goals and making them happen. Love you lady!
Vera says
Tammy thank you!! I will keep pushing!!! Love you!
Squeaks says
Great job auntie!!! You inspire me to rekindle my love of running… Thanks for being a positive healthy role model for our family. Keep up the good work!!! Love ya love ya.
Vera says
Squeaks where you at? Where you at? You said you was going to be there for me! You came sometimes late but you came for me thank you!!! This is last time I am going to bring this up when are we going to registered for that run???? LOVE YOU
Tracey Mack says
Vera, what an amazing story! Keep up the good work. You got this!
Vera says
Thank you Tracey!!! We got this!!! Keep on pushing!!
Ja'Net says
Way to go , Vera!
Vera says
Thank You Ja’Net!!!!!
Michelle says
Vera, you already know…..
Keep pressing…
love you!
Vera says
Can I say God Is GOOD!!! Just got a call from my Doctor to tell me that my heart is repaired, its back to its normal state!!! See when my blood clot went to my lungs it did some damage to my heart! I came home with oxygen! They told me that this may be permanent!! The doctor said to me Miss. Epps we don’t see this often all I could do was cry. Thank God!! It has been an awesome week for me!
Octavia Tokley says
Vera, your story is amazing! God is soooo good! I love the stories that the doctors can’t believe the miracles! Our God is a healer. Keep up the good work….now let me get to moving!!!
Blessings