Off the Meds! (inc lots of pics)

Today is Day 1!!!

On June 7th 2013, I was rushed to Emergency with stroke like symptoms.
My whole right side of my body unresponsive..
I agreed was a little "fat" but I was only 38, way too young for a stroke!

After MRI's and Blood tests and Physio and I dunno how many other people stopping in to get a poke at me..

Being familiar with MS (Multiple Sclerosis) as my sister had been diagnosed in the same hospital only a few months earlier I look at the Neuro and said.. "Do you think it could be MS?? - He umm'ed and ahhh'ed a bit.. looked at the tests and said " yep.. i think you are right"



So there I was.. 120kg (260lb) 38yrs old, unable to walk or feed myself properly, and a diagnosis of a debilitating illness that was only going to get worse.






I took straight to Dr Google and looked up all the alternative treatments, and read all the info on the available meds, i hit forums, and chat boards and even wikipedia!
In my crawling I discovered a website by a Local Naturopath who had been diag with MS 5 years prior, but using a natural approach had no symptoms.

http://www.naturalmstreatment.com/

With an open mind, I made an appointment with the Naturopath, and also with a Neurologist.


The appointment with the Neuro was very scripted, "You have MS... There is nothing we can do... Take this medication to slow it down... see you in 12 months"
The Neuro gave me a script for Copaxone (a common daily injection for slowing the progress of MS) which I started on in October 2013


My first appointment with the Naturopath was in August 2013 and it was positive and inspiring.. I immediately started making small changes to my diet to follow her advice.






I rejoined MFP on the 31st October 2013 and started logging my food, and sticking to a 1200Cal diet. By then I had been on the weightloss path for about 12 weeks and weighed in at 102.2kg (224lb).


Through Nov and Dec 2013, my movement had returned to my right side (with just a little bit of numbness) so i had started to do small amounts of exercise (30 min on treadmill every couple of days)

On the 20th November 2013 - I cracked the 100kg mark weighing in at 99.5kg (218lb)







At Christmas in 2013.. i snuck into Mum's room and tried on her size 16 jeans
(bonus.. they fit) - weight 96.5kg (212lb)







On the 26th Jan 2014 - Along with a friend I completed the MS Colour Dash.. a 5km walk
I was so proud.. i walk 5km and then "hung out" in the city for the rest of the day.
to think 6 months earlier.. i could not walk.




In that same week I joined an MFP challenge called Trim Taut and Terrific Aussies and set myself a goal of 89.9Kg (197lb) by 14th April (underwear pics from challenge down further)

Challenge Start Details
______________________
Height:163cm
Starting Weight:95kg
Starting Date:20.01.14
Goal Weight:>90kg (so 89.9 or better)

Starting Measurements:
Bicep:36cm
Bust: 110cm (20E)
Waist:98cm
Hips:116 cm
Thigh:65cm

_______________________________

Needless to say.. I smashed the challenge By week 5 of the Challenge I weighed 89.5(189lb) and was under the 200lb mark!!!

At the end of the Challenge at 14th April 2014

---

Today's Weight: 84.6kg
Total Weight: 10.1kg (23lb)

Today's Measurements:
Bicep: 31cm (-5cm)
Chest: 101cm (-9cm)
Waist: 87cm (-11cm )
Hips: 107cm (-9cm)
Thigh: 56cm (-9cm)

---

May 2014 (just before my 39th birthday - I needed new clothes
Hello Size 14!!
82.2kg(181lb)






23rd July 2014
77.0kg(169lb)
Size 12 clothes








Sept 2014 - its time for my 12month MRI to check the progression of my MS.
But as you can see.. i kicked its butt!!!
I never realized how bad FAT looks on an MRI till I made the compare pic










October 2014 and It was time to celebrate..
New Clothes.. (size 10 tops - 12 skinny Jeans)
and My first time in a dress for 20 years!!
73.9Kg (162.5lb)









November 2014
Holidays with the family.. and more energy than i can use!!
70.2kg(154.5lb)










Jan 2013
Another new dress, new work clother and a new me with attached FitBit!!
66.7kg(147lb)



And now we get to yesterday!!!!
Neuro: "I've never seen improvement like this in an MRI"
Me: "I've decided to bite the bullet and try going med free"

So thats it.. Today is DAY 1 without the MS Meds.. and what a ride it has been..


Here is all the details!!

Starting Details:
_________________
7th June 2013
W: 120kg (260lbs)
Body Fat: 52%
BMI: 47


Start MFP:
__________________
31 Oct 2013
W: 102.2 (224lb)
Waist: 107cm
Hips: 122cm
Thigh: 73cm
Bust: 118cm
Body Fat: 40.1%
BMI: 38.5


Current Details:
__________________
24 Feb 2014
W: 66.5kg (144lb)
Waist: 73cm
Hips: 88cm
Thigh: 48cm
Bust: 87cm
Body Fat: 28.8%
BMI: 24.7


Changes:
_________________
19months
-53.5kg(-117lb)
Waist: -34cm
Hips: -34cm
Thigh: -25cm
Bust: -31cm
Body Fat: -23%
BMI: -22.3 (Obese Class 2 to Normal)


I better not forget to mention the following:

Mobility issues and numbness - gone!
Fatigue - gone!
Fibromyalgia - gone!
Heat Sensitivity - gone! (its Summer here in Aust and I'm finally loving it)
Brain Fog - gone!
Brain Lesions on MRI - Small ones gone! Big Ones 1/2 the size!