A new lifestyle takes a lot of weight off of her shoulders.Jessica Hull is featured in both photos. In the left photo she is a 100 pounds less than she was a year ago.
She says that she uses the picture to the right as her motivation to
continue to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Courtesy photos
LANSING, MI — Looking back a year ago, Jessica Hull never thought losing weight would work for her. She tried every diet, even a medically monitored weight loss program. Then while halfway through the program her insurance changed and she had to quit.
Hull explained, “Of course I was devastated but was able to take the information I had learned and just started eating healthier and continued to exercise.”
She lost about 30 pounds and felt great until she hit a plateau and everything felt impossible to her again. Hull has always struggled with weight problems. She stated that she has been heavier her whole life so the weight felt comfortable.
“I was secure. Sadly enough it was a part of me as much as I hated my weight I also embraced it. I always tried to let my inner beauty and attitude outshine the fact that I was overweight. Sometimes I overcompensated because I was so overweight.”
In October 2011, Hull was reading an article in a newspaper about bariatric surgery and was not immediately take in by the idea of having the procedure.
“My first thought was that it scared the crap out of me but after consulting with my doctor we decided this should become an option to explore since everything else I tried hadn’t worked.”
So Hull made the phone call because she did not want her weight to control her life. She did not want to raise her
4-year-old son, Dominik, with limitations.
Hull shared, “When I looked in the mirror and felt disgusting weighing in at 365 pounds I finally said enough was enough. The first step always was admitting to myself that I had the problem.”
After attending the consultation, she made the decision to make the next life changing step and actually went to the seminar through the surgeons office which was filled with all sorts of bariatric information including different surgeries and that explained the whole process from start to finish. It was an eye-opening experience for Hull who was finally beginning to realize that she was not the only one battling with morbid obesity.
Most people do not understand that people who are obese face a life-long struggle with obesity. Weight loss surgery is a serious surgical procedure that decreases the size of the stomach, reduces food intake and enables individuals to lose a significant amount of weight. However, weight loss surgery is a permanent procedure. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle requires a lifetime commitment. Weight loss surgery not only helps you to lose weight, but can help improve your overall health, mental well-being and self-esteem.
“I had a complete health check-up, attended classes for 6 weeks and had weekly weigh ins. After deciding to make the commitment to make the changes,” said Hull.
The next step was 3 weeks of a liquid diet, 3 protein shakes and 1 protein bar a day, while also taking a class . She thought this would be the easiest part about preparing for the surgery and she was in for a wake up call.
“Boy, I was so mistaken. The first few nights I cried, and was completely emotional. I missed food and eating and drinking whatever I want when I wanted,” said Hull.
But in that 3 long weeks through the Christmas holidays, Hull stuck strictly to her diet and lost 30 pounds. The weight loss and controlling her eating habits made her feel like she could conquer anything, including her impending surgery.
On January 4, 2012, Hull had the lap band surgery and said she remembered laying on the bed with a thousand emotions running through her mind.
“I was happy, scared and nervous. I thought am I going to make it out of this okay? What if this doesn’t work, what if I fail?” questioned Hull.
Hull added, “I never knew how physical, mental, and emotional losing weight really was. My body was changing I had to cut out things in my life that were my favorite foods. I had to learn to meal plan, I had to execute my plan. When I look back on it this has been one of the best decisions I have made in my life, I no longer have to worry about diabetes, heart attack, stroke or other health problems due to being overweight.”
Now Hull’s life is filled with dedication, learning about herself and pushing herself to hit her goals. She is able to work out and feel great about herself.
Her tears of excitement and pride could not be contained as she explained, “I don’t have to worry about people pointing and saying there is the fat girl. I don’t have to worry about riding a plane or taking my son to an amusement park and be scared that I wouldn’t fit in the seat. There are just so many things that I can do. I am able to enjoy shopping and not feel limited on where I can shop.”
Since the surgery Hull has become a motivational speaker and has provided inspiration to others by sharing her weight loss journey to help educate others who were in the same position she was sitting 18 months ago.
Weight loss surgery is not for everyone and it is recommended that if anyone is thinking about losing weight regardless of the amount that it is discussed with a doctor.
Hull said that the surgery was only one of the tools that was used to help her loose weight but it takes dedication to eating healthy and being active.
She now weigh 255 pounds and exercises 3-4 times a week which includes 30-60 minutes working on cardio and strength training 2 times a week. She no longer consumes any carbonated beverages, fast food and bread. She does eat out even though it is very limited.
“I do go out to eat but I take half of whatever I order and put it in a box or I share something with someone. I only eat about a cup of food at a time 5 times a day so I try to be very careful about the foods I put in my body. I learned about portion sizes, taking small bites, cutting my food and chewing my food 100% completely. Even though I was healthy, diabetes runs in my family. I showed warning signs and never wanted to be diagnosed.
“I am committed to eating healthy and exercising so I can take care of myself. I won’t be able to take care of my son if I am struggling with my weight. I want to be able to run with him without running out of breath. Here I am one year later Iooking in that same mirror 110 pounds lost and I am still counting, still as a work in progress and holding the world in my hands like it was my own. I did it, I’m doing it and I’ll continue to keep pushing and letting the person who’s been hiding on the inside shine through to the outside,” said Hull.
Hull knew when she started the overall goal seemed large. She now sees it as a beautiful journey. She has lost 10 pants sizes and realized what a motivation she has been to other people. She tells anyone who asks that they will learn new eating and workout habits that will help maintain a healthier lifestyle. These habits may help you maintain your weight loss over time.
When asked to summarize her experience, Hull said, “It hasn’t been the easiest road to go down but It definitely feels worth it!”
This was printed in the January 13, 2013 – January 26, 2013 Edition
