Loser of the Week

Emma: The Wheel Chair Princess.  That's who was chosen this week for our Loser of the Week.  Hard work, determination and an amazing attitude have attributed to Emma's twenty pound weight loss.  If I had to sum up Emma using only one word:  INSPIRATIONAL.  I think you'll agree.

Apparently, I'm the Loser of the Week this week. That's cool and I am excited about it. But it's also kinda scary. Because I don't have a great secret or reason why I've managed to lose weight. I can't tell you do X or Y and you'll crack it. Sometimes I can hardly believe that this time I have managed to lose a substantial amount of weight and I worry that tomorrow I will wake up, brave the scales and find it's all been a dream. Particularly given the fact that I haven't banned any foods and if I really want something – I have it.

I'm not someone who was always fat; I've been fat for ten years or so and when I was young my mum did worry about me not eating enough. Possibly I have a disability – Cerebral Palsy – and it's common for young children with it to struggle to gain weight. I can't remember that ever being me; I was never a big girl until I was sixteen. Then I went to college and suddenly I could buy coke and all the chocolate I wanted when I wanted. Next I moved away from home to uni and the takeaways and unhealthy meals started. Plus of course, as a student, there was the alcohol – before uni I'd been involved in a lot of disability sports but at uni my social life revolved around partying and drinking. Less activity and a lot of extra calories - it piled on.  Unfortunately it continued to when I moved back to my home town three years ago.

I would imagine most of the people here I have lost weight and gained it time and again.  And each time I would gain a little more. I can stand and walk a few steps with a walker but can't really stand unsupported. So measuring my weight is difficult for me which has caused some of my failures previously I asked my Dr for help with this and was told they don't have facilities to weigh wheelchair users – totally unacceptable. I have my scales by a grab rail in the bathroom and with plenty of things around me to fall onto if I lose my balance. It's a bit of a hit and miss method of weighing but a substantial improvement on my methods from before. However it did lead to my getting a huge wake up call and realizing I weighed over 20lbs more than I thought I did. That combined with an incident when I was treated badly due to my weight got me to recommit in the middle of the challenge and I've now lost those 20lbs – since July 1^st

That's probably where I've made the biggest change in my journey and what is allowing me to be more at peace with weight loss and successful than I've ever been before – attitude. I do weigh and I do measure myself but mostly judge my loss by how my clothes feel and look. One of my best moments recently was when a swimming group I belong too (a social one) met again after six weeks. I put my swimsuit on and looked down. There were less bumps and it fit well – I wasn't spilling over the top any longer. No one else noticed but I did. And I was energised to be one of the more productive swimmers that week and leave the chatting until after.

For me it's mostly been about small changes. Realising that it's OK not to finish all my food – thinking whether it's actually hunger or if it's a craving. Drinking more water. Moving my body more in little ways like using my walker more in the house and trying to use my manual chair more than my powerchair when I'm out and about. I guess you could say it's the wheelchair user's equivalent of leaving the car at home. Things that have become habit and which I hardly notice any more.

But mostly it's been the fact I have recently come out of a very dark depression of several years. I've been able to accept myself more as I am and come to some realisations that have helped me. I'm taking care of myself better; trying to get in a better sleeping pattern, eating what I want but controlling portions and learning to know what hunger is as well as how to say no. But not only that, I've tried to reduce my stress and spend less time online. And somehow,  it's come together. I do think being happier helps but beyond that and the small changes I mentioned I can't explain it, it's all a little surreal.

I want to end by saying that you should never let a medical condition or disability or something someone says stop you from losing weight. About five years ago during one of my attempts at weight loss a well meaning friend told me “Nobody expects you to be thin, Emma, you use a wheelchair.” and derailed that attempt. It really was the worst thing she could have said.

My whole life I've been surrounded by people saying I can't or I won't do stuff – and I do my best to prove them wrong. Usually I succeed. I'm going to prove to my friend that she's wrong – I may be in a wheelchair but I can be thin too. I'm going to succeed.

Comments

[MamaBearJune]

You rock, Emma! I know you will succeed at this with your awesome attitude. None of us should ever let someone else's words change our goals and determination.

[Mel @ A Box of Chocolates]

Very nice to meet you Emma and thanks for sharing your story. It is absolutely wonderful that you have made weight loss work for you and have been so successful at it. Way to go!!!

[Southern Girl]

Emma, you keep right on proving people wrong about you and what you can do. I know how that is, too -- I have scoliosis and spina bifida and for years carried a LOT of weight on a very short frame. I've been in a wheelchair and on crutches, and it's a constant struggle both to keep the weight off and not to allow others' underestimation of you to become *yours*.

I'm not *skinny* and probably never will be, but I've lost 71 lbs by doing very little exercise, by an able-bodied person's standards, so it CAN be done! Keep up the good work! If you ever need a boost, just let me know. :)

[Teena in Toronto]

Great story and inspiration!

[Laura]

You totally rock, Emma - I really admire your attitude and your achievement.