I know life changes can be difficult and change is not always easy. Even more, life itself can be a challenge if you’re in a constant struggle. I want to share my struggle and how it changed my life. Battling weight loss is a journey that takes dedication, willpower, and strength. When you defeat your goal, you realize you are stronger than you ever imagined. There’s nothing you can’t do! Defeating a goal allows you to face your other fears and stare them in the eyes saying, “You’re next!†I want to share how I have now lost over 230 pounds, going from a size 32 to a size 4. (Height: 5’3″). It was a long journey. I wouldn’t say it was a piece of cake because it was not. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.
Again, this was no easy fix. It took a lot of work. I did this with pure sweat, tears, and more sweat. I used absolutely NO weight loss meds, creams, powders or shakes. I just started eating better and working out. Please stay away from the fad diets because it’ll only make things worse. I had been trying for a long time to lose weight. I would always become frustrated and give up, which in turn caused me to gain more weight than before. Sadly, I often used food as a comforter when I was upset or as means of celebration for an accomplishment. How often do we reach for ice cream when we are sad, go to the greasiest, cheesiest burger joint to congratulate little Timmy for that A+, or meet with family/friends and say, “Hey! Let’s go stuff our faces together!!�? That trend had to end!
In 2009, my weight became more than just a cosmetic issue for me. I HAD to lose weight because my life depended on it. I was having cardiac issues, breathing problems, and passing out a lot. I found myself admitted to the hospital for a week or so. I was carrying so much weight for my frame size that I’d been overworking my heart and it began to give up the fight. I remember waking up with my doctor standing over me saying, “Mrs. Bridges, you HAVE to lose weight. If you want to live, you HAVE to lose weight.†Those were hard words to wake up to and I can still hear them clearly as if they were said yesterday. Those words are some of the few things I remember from that episode in the hospital because I was on some heavy drugs. That reality check hit and it hit hard.
The only way I was able to lose weight was to change my way of life and mindset. I had to change my goals (from trying to fit this/that or trying to lose weight for an event). I needed a lifestyle change, not the temp fixes that fad dieting can sometimes bring. I decided if I wanted to get better, I had to do better. I wanted more for myself and I chose life. Finding motivation and having a great support system got me through. Love and support go a long way, but you must also stay determined. After a few months of getting used to exercising 3x a week, I noticed a slight change in weight and wanted more. So, I started working out every day. I didn’t know too much about exercising, so I watched tons of YouTube videos. You can find ANYTHING on YouTube.  I also have a good friend who is a personal trainer who was able to give me some great pointers and exercises to add to my routine.
As stated before, there isn’t a quick fix, but you must stay determined and encouraged. It’s definitely worth it. Losing weight is more than physical. It affects you mentally and emotionally as well. The weight loss journey not only taught me how to be healthy, but it also taught me about my mindset and how I needed to change it. After going beyond my goal, I realized I can do so much more. I faced that fear and was ready for another. Just about all my adult life, I was contacted by different agencies wanting to represent me for modeling. I was too afraid and felt I couldn’t do it. At my biggest size, I actually could have done it. It was my own personal fears that held me back. I had to realize, it’s doesn’t matter how I thought others saw me or what I thought others would say, it’s all about how you see yourself. Lose weight to be healthy, not for acceptance. We must love ourselves and be confident in who we are.
Because of the amount of weight I was carrying, it caused many health issues that had me constantly in and out of the hospital. One day, I said to myself “With God, I conquered the weight loss, I battled the health issues, and trusted Him the whole way through….so WHY am I afraid now?!†I took a deep breath, took the leap, and never looked back. I am extremely happy that I took the leap. I started modeling and even was globally published with film deals being negotiated! I have so much more in store because I plan to never stop! I brought out this accomplishment to show there’s nothing you can’t do! If you want to lose weight, DO IT. If you want a change in life, DO IT. If you have dreams and goal you want to reach, GO FOR IT.
There’s nothing you can’t achieve.
If you can dream it and believe it, then you CAN achieve it.
Courtesy of ReRe and Alma’s Crowned Glory
prettybridgere@gmail.com
