For as long as I can remember, I was always overweight. I would say that I was a normal sized child in elementary school, but as grade 7 approached I steadily started gaining a little weight year after year. When I finally reached high school, I was very conscious of how I looked and how others looked at me. I was always teased by my family about my weight and how I needed to reduce.
Unfortunately my weight issues seemed to be everyone’s issue in my family. No one would miss a chance to tell me I was “gaining weight” (as if I didn’t notice) and it happens even to this very day!
This same scenario continued on through my adult life until I met my husband. David loved me for who I was as a person no matter how big I was. I found it amazing to have finally found someone who understands. Over the last 15 years we’ve been together, we grew closer, and unfortunately wider! I always ate carelessly and didn’t give much regard to my health because I settled with my weight. Why not? I had a loving husband who didn’t seem to have a problem with our lifestyle because in the end we were happy with each other and that’s all that mattered. As the years flew by and in between yo-yo dieting (soup diet, cabbage diet etc…you name it!) and blaming it on “bad genes” I began accepting the weight as something unchangeable, but also began to feel miserable on the inside. I put myself down by believing any effort will surely be useless and I wasn’t prepared to work for it anymore.
That all changed in January 2012. My husband and I finally went to have our physical exams done. We were both feeling sluggish and knew it was time to get a check up, considering I neglected to see my doctor for over 15 years. Boy, did he have a lot to tell us! He painted a very scary picture for me and I had no choice anymore. I was pre-diabetic, had extremely high blood pressure and my cholesterol was in his words, “through the roof”. A summary of my blood test showed a severe risk of heart disease if I continued treading in this direction. With fear setting in, I had no choice but to lose some weight to save my life.
Our family doctor referred us to see Dr. Pat Poon at the metabolic clinic. I knew that it was a successful program personally for a few of my friends. It was a lifestyle change that I would have to embrace or else it would never work, so I had to do my research. Once and for all, I decided to make the change. I didn’t tell many family or friends about the program, in case I had to add this to my failed diet attempts, but I am so thankful I joined Dr. Poon’s program. I lost a total of 60 pounds between 2012 and 2013 and I’ll never look back. I really didn’t think I’d make it but I did! To make myself accountable I created a Tumblr account to document my changes and blog about my story. Reaching out through social media helped me connect with others and motivate others who were like me – scared and full of excuses.
In between the program I found the Low Carb Grocery Store and was ecstatic! Being a low-carbie as I call myself, I’m so happy I found the store! I love all their products because it helps me keep the weight off and hold cravings at bay. My husband and I visit the Markham location on a weekly basis and I am always, without fail, greeted with a friendly smile, especially from Maureen – What a sweetheart!
One decision is all it takes to get started, all you have to do is ask yourself, “Are the carbs really worth my future?”
-Christina C.