I Weighed 285 Pounds. My Family Feared for My Life

In 2019, my younger brother told me he was concerned about my weight and tried to get me to take walks with him, as we did when we were younger. At that point, I weighed 250 pounds and everything was painful. Standing, walking and even sleeping were painful.

Every time he’d want to go for a walk, I declined and went back to bed, tired and in constant pain. My dad was a family practitioner, and he voiced his concerns too. I was prediabetic and had a fatty liver and fatty pancreas disease. I was extremely depressed and ashamed that I never left the house.

My brother died later that year, as did my father seven days later. I was hopeless. I was lost. I stayed in bed for months, I turned to food for comfort, and I weighed 285 pounds.

One morning, my husband turned to me and said, “Honey, I’m afraid you’re going to die because of your weight, and I don’t want to live this life without you.” The three most important people in my life had told me they were worried about my health, physically and mentally. It was time to make a change.

I had gastric sleeve surgery, where my stomach was flattened by the sleeve. Normal food would not pass through my stomach for over six months. It was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do, but I wouldn’t go back and change any of it. I’m 5 foot 2—my frame wasn’t meant to carry 285 pounds. My ideal weight is 110 pounds.

I was at my heaviest weight after the surgery, but I lost 20 pounds in the two weeks afterward. My diet changed forever that day. I started with protein shots every 15 minutes all day long, then graduated to protein shakes, then to clear soups, then to regular soups. I then transferred to soft proteins like fish and tofu.

Carbs are not your friend after the surgery. I have sacrificed so many wonderful foods to change my lifestyle. It’s protein, protein, protein for every meal. I have to get over 60 ounces of protein into my diet daily and over 60 ounces of water. It’s hard when you don’t really have a stomach, but it is totally worth it.

Even after my surgery, I was in constant pain. I couldn’t see my feet. I couldn’t do anything with weight restrictions, like go down water slides or ride rides at amusement parks. I even broke stools trying to stand on them. I couldn’t go on walks. I had zero desire to do anything.

That’s when my mom took me to sign up for a gym membership, but not just any gym. It was Life Time Fitness. I cried to my personal trainer, Sarah Winchester, saying, “I can’t do this, it’s impossible. I’ll never lose this weight.”

She looked at me and said, “You can and you will do this!” She gave me something that day that I hadn’t had in a long time—hope. It has been a hard road with many failures and discouraging thoughts. I have fallen off my path so many times, and each time I have picked myself up and headed back to the gym.

One of the trainers at Life Time encouraged me to try out its GTX group training class and modify everything. So I did. I go to class one hour a day, Monday through Friday. The fitness class consists of 30 minutes of weight training and 30 minutes of cardio.

I started out slow, with no weights, just trying to get my form correct, and I graduated slowly from there. I can lift heavy now. I can do several types of push-ups and planks, squats, lunges and burpees.

I saw a difference in my weight immediately. I lost 20 pounds in the two weeks after surgery. I kept dropping weight every time I went to the gym. I would plateau here and there, but that’s when I would take a week off from working out and drop 5 pounds. Then I would get back to the gym and my normal routine.

I weighed 135 pounds at my lowest, but I’ve put on 15 pounds of muscle, which weighs more than fat. I am back to size 4 jeans, and I’m very happy. I get compliments all the time on my hard work and dedication, which brought me to where I am today.

I can tie my shoes now, and I can fit into my shower. I can sleep without pain and suffering. I have reversed my prediabetes, my fatty pancreas disease and my fatty liver disease. I don’t fear having a stroke or heart attack at any minute and leaving my husband a widow. I can wear clothes I haven’t worn in 15 years!

When I was at my heaviest, I realized that I finally loved myself on the inside. I know I have a good heart, and I’m a kind, loving person. I just didn’t love myself on the outside. I wanted the two to match. I can ride a horse again and go parasailing, which both had weight restrictions. I’m also training now to hike the Grand Canyon, and I surfed in Maui.

I never thought I’d be healthy enough to do these things. I have built so much muscle around my knees that they don’t pop anymore. I can do 250 squats with 60 pounds on my shoulders. I can do a Bosu plank and so much more.

My husband is amazed at my transformation. My doctors are all completely shocked every time I come in. They tell other patients about my success story, and they tell me that I am inspiring. My friends don’t recognize me anymore. No one does, not even me. Every time I look in the mirror, I am happy. For the first time in my life, I’m truly grateful and happy.

I believe that we can take so many things for granted, especially when it comes to our mental and physical health. I’m thankful that I made a change before it was too late. I’m not dead from heart disease or a stroke, and my heart is healthy. My body has been completely transformed, and my lifestyle has drastically changed.

Rebecca Poehlmann, 44, uses her platform to share her wellness journey in hopes of inspiring and educating readers. All views expressed in this article are the author’s own.

Do you have a unique experience or personal story to share? Email the My Turn team at [email protected].