I Lost Over 350 Pounds with a Christian Weight Loss Program

If I were writing a fairy tale, I would begin with the common phrase, “Once Upon a Time.” However, my story of losing 350 pounds and learning how to keep it off is no fairy tale. This is my true story of Christian weight loss, filled with joy, sadness, guilt, redemption, love, and hate.

Life at Over 400 Pounds

My highest weight was 488 pounds. I have always been overweight. I was around 275 pounds when I graduated from high school. I weighed over 300 pounds for most of my adult life, and at least twenty-five of those years were spent well over 400 lbs.

Life is absolutely miserable when you are this heavy.

I’ve always been the type of person who wore a smile and laughed, even when inside I was crying. I had so much denial while living morbidly obese.

The things I told myself were lies. We all know who the author of lies is. Yes, I was a Christian, but I believed every lie Satan told me. I believed my weight was not a problem; it was just who I was. I believed I was living my best life, when every day a part of me was dying.

Thankfully, like a fairy tale, my story has a happy ending.

Managing Life in a Larger Body

When I was at my heaviest, everyday life was a struggle. I had to sit in a chair to cook, do dishes, sweep, or mop. Our whole house had to accommodate me. I couldn’t even walk through my home without having to sit down in every room to rest.

I used a shower chair, and showering was a huge task that took forever and left me exhausted. Trying to dry off was even worse. I had so many rolls and crevices that would get rashes if not tended to properly.

I sat down to dry my hair, brush my teeth, and do makeup, if I wore any. I had handrails in my bathroom and an elevated toilet seat. I required oxygen and a CPAP at night.

All of my clothes were special ordered. I couldn’t wear anything that came from a regular store – even undergarments.

When I went out to grocery shop, I used the electric mobility carts or my bariatric rollator. That’s a walker with wheels and a seat. Because it had to hold my weight, it was very wide and hard to get through stores. I told myself that people’s stares didn’t bother me, but they did.

I often felt like I was sitting on the sidelines, while life marched on without me.

Sick and Tired From Obesity

As is common with most people, I’d “go on a diet” and experience varying degrees of success that never lasted. Even though I was miserable, I had not reached rock bottom and was still believing Satan’s lies.

I was sick most of the winter of 2018-2019. I had an upper respiratory infection that turned into bronchitis, which lasted about 3 weeks. I would get well for a week or so, then repeat the cycle.

Each time I got sick, I did not bounce back as well as I did before.

The Weight Loss Journey and Faith

By Spring of 2019, I stopped listening to Satan’s lies. God laid it heavy on my heart that if I didn’t lose the weight, I was not going to live much longer.

I didn’t have enough confidence in myself (or God) to believe that I could lose so much weight. I looked into bariatric surgery and was approved by my insurance company.

I never went to the consultation. I am not against bariatric surgery. That is a tool that has helped many people reach their goals.

But, God told me to try Weight Watchers one more time.

New Life in Christ

I joined Weight Watchers on June 3, 2019. I had to drive an hour one way to attend a meeting. When I went to the first workshop, they weren’t sure if the scales would even hold me. Fortunately they did, and I started a brand-new life at 50 years old.

I joined WW with the hope of getting under 400 lbs. I figured that would be better than where I was.

Before long, I weighed in the 390s. I had a tiny spark that made me wonder if I just kept on doing what I was, I might get under 350 pounds.

Around this time, I went to our local grocery store, pulled out a shopping cart, and slowly started walking through the store.

Our then 17-year-old daughter asked me to turn and look at her. When I did, she took my picture. I asked, “Why did you do that?”

Her answer filled me with pride. She said, “Mama, I’ve never seen you walk in a store before!”

Use Scripture to Replace Lies with Truth

Soon, I was flooded with thoughts of regret and guilt. Why had I not done this sooner? I recognized that those thoughts were not from God, but from the enemy.

Every time a negative thought came to me, I threw Scripture back at it.

I used Bible verses like:

• God trades ashes for beauty…Isaiah 61:3
• I did not give you a spirit of fear…2 Timothy 1:7
• I know the plans I have for you…Jeremiah 29:11
• Fight the good fight…2 Timothy 4:6-8
• In this world you will have trouble, but be of good cheer…John 16:33
• I am doing a new thing in you…Isaiah 43:19
• Perhaps you were created for a time such as this…Esther 4:14

These verses kept my focus on what God was doing in me. I reminded myself that what Satan feared most was losing his grip on me, yet because of God’s power, I am stronger.

My Mess Becomes My Message

When I was a child, I knew God called me into service for Him.

I’ve taught Sunday School off and on for years. Despite how physically hard it was, I sought to be of service to God.

Little did I know God had plans to take my mess and turn it into a message.

With Every Pound I Lost, I Gained Hope

I continued to let God lead me. This was a spiritual and mental battle at times.

The pandemic closed the WW meeting I attended. God said, “Keep on,” so I did. I weighed myself weekly at home. I following my eating plan and learning how to make better choices.

With every pound I lost, I gained hope, faith, and confidence. I told God that I wanted Him to have all the glory for my weight loss.

Weight Watchers was the tool He provided, and He gave me the strength to use it. I’ve told God that I wanted to use my story and what I’ve learned to help others defeat obesity.

When WW reopened workshops after the pandemic, I returned to my old workshop. But, I returned as a leader!

Overcoming Challenges and Staying Motivated

I have learned so much about myself, mostly through trial and error.

I discovered that I had been battling a lifelong food addiction. Like most addictions, this remains an ongoing battle. I learned to control binge eating behavior. First, I had to admit that this was a stronghold.

After reaching my goal weight, I went through a six-month period of completely derailing and gaining back some weight. Then, I participated in The Holy Mess Fall Challenge, where I underwent enormous spiritual and emotional growth.

I stay motivated by looking back. Lot’s wife looked back because she wanted to go back; I look back because I never want to return. I want to live in the present and share what I’ve learned. I’m honest about my failures because valleys are where we often find growth.

My motivation comes from looking into the eyes of my husband and children and seeing their pride.

Playing with my grandchildren on the floor brings me joy. My oldest grandchild, who is eight years old, recently saw a picture of the “old me” and didn’t recognize that person. I am blessed to be surrounded by a loving and supportive family.

Despite lingering health problems from living obese for so long, I have achieved diabetic remission. Before my weight loss, I took eight pills and two shots every day for diabetes. Today, I no longer need diabetic, blood pressure or heart medication.

I pray I’ve added years to my life, because I’ve certainly added life to my years.

How I Maintain My Weight Loss Today

Learning to love myself and understanding how to take care of me is what keeps me motivated. It’s crucial to take the time to be good to yourself and recognize that you are God’s creation. You are made in His image.

I’ve discovered that I can maintain my weight by following the same lifestyle and eating habits that helped me lose it. Weighing and measuring my food will always be a part of how I eat; otherwise, it’s too easy to lie to myself, which in the end only hurts me.

I believe God brought you to this article, to The Holy Mess, and Faithful Finish Lines for a reason. Along my journey, God led me here, and I gain spiritual nourishment from these resources.

Balance is crucial, and it’s essential not to neglect your walk with God on your journey to better health. Like me, when you start tearing down the lies and strongholds, you will need God’s strength and guidance.

Your Spiritual Battles are Worth the Fight

The battles are hard, but winning the war is worth the fight. The victory that God gives you is oh so sweet.

Every fairy tale ends with “and they lived happily ever after.” At the beginning of this article, I said this was no fairy tale; it’s an ongoing story.

When I thought my last chapter was being written and the book was about to be closed, thankfully, I finally let God take the pen. He’s writing my story now. That’s the only way to be assured that I’ll live happily ever after.

How is God speaking to you in your weight loss journey? Tell me about it in the comments below. Let’s share and grow together.

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