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Weight Loss

I have always struggled with chronic obesity, a condition that runs in my family. I've lost over 50 pounds three times in my life, each time through different methods. The first time, I followed the Atkins diet and lost around 60 pounds, but I only kept the weight off for a year before gaining it all back. At my heaviest, I was 220 pounds, over 100 pounds overweight.

In 2013, I had gastric bypass surgery and lost 100 pounds within a year and a half, maintaining that weight loss for ten years. However, I gained 80 pounds over two years due to stopping my ADHD stimulant medication, reaching 188 pounds.

In February 2019, I started taking Ozempic, and in January 2023, I switched to semaglutide due to insurance reasons. Since then, I've lost 80 pounds and now weigh 110 pounds, wearing a size 2. I advocate for semaglutide as a tool in managing chronic obesity. It not only helps suppress appetite but also helps me control cravings, allowing me to focus less on food throughout the day. I now eat for energy, not comfort, shifting from a "live to eat" mentality to an "eat to live" one. I also incorporate regular exercise into my routine, recognizing that obesity is a chronic disease that requires a multifaceted approach to manage.

Redefining Beauty After Weight Loss

​I will be stepping on stage for a pageant in July, proudly showing off my loose skin, cellulite, and stretch marks. My body type is rarely represented in the media—one that has undergone massive weight loss. I'm committed to changing beauty standards, which often set impossible ideals. Skin removal surgery is expensive, but I've found beauty in embracing my flaws. Loose skin is something we should be proud of, not ashamed. I'm tired of only feeling confident in clothes but not in bikinis, and I know I'm not alone. Loose skin is a symbol of having undergone a major challenge and emerging stronger. I want to encourage other women to embrace their bodies and to recognize the beauty in their journeys. By going on stage, I aim to represent women who have experienced significant weight loss and to promote self-acceptance and the beauty of our transformations.

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Encouragement for Using Weight Loss Tools

I encourage using weight loss tools such as surgery, pills, and shots as a way to fight chronic obesity. Diabetes is not the only weight loss side effect from obesity; there are so many other weight-related issues. There is no shame in using tools to lose and sustain weight loss. It's hard to exercise with so much extra weight, and changing diet alone is often not enough. I encourage less judgment and for people to use the tools out there to fight obesity.

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