Overcoming Weight Struggles
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 35.7% of American adults are obese. This growing epidemic is causing an increase in the number of people who face heart attacks, strokes, certain types of cancer and type 2 diabetes. One hundred forty seven billion dollars were spent on health care related to obesity in 2008. Can you imagine the cost now?
Getting Off Track
After many years as an Emergency Room nurse, Shannon* began pursuing a pediatric nurse practitioner degree. With three kids, a full time job as an ER nurse, and a fireman husband who worked equally demanding hours, Shannon became quite the juggler. One ball she consistently dropped was taking care of herself.
* Her real name, used with permission.
Eating fast food on the way home from class and no time for exercise caused the pounds to add on quickly. Even though she didn’t fall into the body mass index range for obesity, Shannon knew she was becoming overweight. Midway through her two and a half years of graduate school, she went for a regular physical only to be told she’d need to start taking medication to reduce her high cholesterol.
Graduating with a 3.9 GPA was no easy task, but Shannon knew all of her new knowledge had come at a high cost. Weighing in at 198 pounds made her uncomfortable: in her clothes, when she was with her family and friends, and especially when she looked at herself in the mirror. Stunned by her appearance, several times she caught herself asking, “Who is that?”
Facing Her Weight Struggles
Six months after graduation, she began having heart palpitations. Because her father had experienced heart problems, Shannon knew she needed to address this serious health concern. The stress echo test revealed her palpitations were indeed caused by excessive stress.
The cardiologist told her, “You are thirty nine years old, and you weigh almost two hundred pounds. You are not managing your stress well. You’re a nurse, and you know better. You have to change your diet and start exercising. Focusing on these two things will help with your stress level and help you lose the weight.”
She knew the doctor was right, but it took her several months to admit to herself that she was the only one who could fix her weight problem. Her husband couldn’t. A magic pill wouldn’t solve the problem. It was up to her. “What it will take to get healthy is so overwhelming,” she lamented to a friend.
Overcoming Her Weight Struggles
This wise friend introduced her to a personal trainer. The thought of exposing her weight issues was intimidating, but with her husband’s encouragement, she agreed to try it. Her trainer introduced her to Cross Fit, a fitness program that offers varied functional movements at a relatively high intensity.
Looking around the gym, Shannon thought, “Everyone is looking at the fat girl.” Weeks of workouts later, she realized, “No one is looking at me. They are too busy focusing on their own goals. In fact, they cheer you on as you meet the goals on your journey.”
Shannon’s husband, Shane, began seeing her results and was inspired. Several of his firemen buddies encouraged him to train for the Tough Mudder, a ten to twelve mile obstacle course to test a person’s all around strength, stamina, mental grit and camaraderie. Weighing over 250 pounds would make this more than a tough challenge for him. He told Shannon, “I’ve got to get in shape if I’m going to do this race.”
Overcoming as a Team
Healthier and happier!
Not only did they both begin doing the Cross Fit workouts together, they also began changing the way they ate. The Paleo diet solution seemed the best option for them as it focused on eating foods in their natural forms: cutting out the white carbohydrates and sugars, while eating lots of fruits and vegetables.
Combining the exercise program and healthy eating caused both Shannon and Shane to feel better and have more energy. Working out together and eating healthy together, despite their kids’ initial complaints of the boring food, has strengthened their marriage and created lasting memories.
Shane completed that initial Tough Mudder, as well as several other challenging races since beginning his journey. To date, he has lost more than 80 pounds! Shannon has lost 40 pounds, doesn’t have to take the cholesterol medicine anymore, and knows she is finally taking care of herself! She is overcoming her struggle with her weight and has significantly improved her health.
Her advice to women who are struggling with their weight: “Don’t focus on what you can’t do. Focus on what you can do. Make yourself a priority. If you take care of yourself, you will be a better wife and mom.”
Shannon and Shane’s motto when working out is: AT LEAST I’M HERE. I’M PASSING EVERYBODY ON THE COUCH!
Speak your mind: What excuses do women use to neglect their health, their stressors and their sanity?
Way to go Shane and Shannon! I had my nutribullet this morning!
What an inspiring story. Solutions are often simple, but seldom easy. One of the most seemingly impossible things for a wife and mother to do is carve out just enough time on a regular basis to make investing in one’s self a life habit. And yet no time is more redeemable in the form of life dividends.
Shannon & Shane your story is very inspiring! My husband and I were also struggling with weight loss. We started Crossfit in October, and then the Paleo diet in January. Wow, what a difference it has made in our lives! We love this lifestyle! It thrills me to hear that you and Shane have had much success, also. I wish you both continued success. Thanks for sharing your story.
“I’m passing everybody on the couch.” I LOVE that! This was very timely for me as I’ve gained a few pounds these past few years. Time to get it off and take better care of myself!