Modern Flavor Magazine 1/2015 Modern Flavor Magazine 1/2015 | Page 40

demons, and that fear was enough to shelf the project. I was going to
be big and sexy, and ignore the problem, but then my father became
sick. He was losing his battle with diabetes and cancer, and watching
him deteriorate caused me to look at my health differently. I wanted to
change, and I was no longer afraid. “Fuck it, I’m Fat: My Weight Loss
Journey,” was the first step. Since publishing the book, I have lost 63
lbs, drastically changed the way I view food, and started a free
support group on facebook. I was overjoyed when Modern Flavor
reached out to me to talk about my weight loss journey. I believe that
there is a prevalent culture of overeating and inactivity in our
community, and I relish every opportunity to have an open dialogue
about obesity and weight loss.
When did you realize you needed to lose weight?
I have always been a big girl, and I’ve struggled with my weight for
over twenty years. I didn’t become serious about losing weight until
2012. As I stated earlier my father was losing his battle with diabetes
and cancer, and I started to view my health problems differently. I
didn’t want to be the cause of my death.
Was there a concern for your health?
I was diagnosed with type II Diabetes in 2005, and starting to have
adverse effects, and complications with my nerves because of the
disease. In 2011 my doctor told me that I could reverse the
neuropathy if I lose some weight. That was my first motivator.
What has been the most challenging part of the journey?
Food!!!!! lol I am an emotional eater, so I find it extremely hard not to
turn to food when I am upset or stressed. Exercising was equally hard
in the beginning of my journey, but once I became consistent in my
routines, I began to crave exercise and I usually go for a walk or
workout to avoid stress eating.
How did you use food to aid in your weight loss?
It may sound cliche, but I had to make the mental switch from living to
eat, to eating to live. I looked at food as a recreation, and reward
instead of nourishment and fuel. It was not an easy process, but I
take it one day at a time just like Narcotics Anonymous.