My story.. Almost done! (Pic)

micheledennis78
micheledennis78 Posts: 24 Member
edited November 19 in Motivation and Support
In 2014 my health was failing, I was trying to recover from being bed bound for 4 months and I was desperately trying to gain control over managing my SLE Lupus, Fibromyalgia, Dysautonomia, a Back Injury from a dog attack, General Edema and my "new" Pre-Type 2 Diabetes symptoms NATURALLY and medication free!! It felt like I was in a constant flare with a good day here and there... So, I jucied and I went Organic and NonGmo. Although I started feeling a little better it wasn't enough and the weight I had gained really wasn't budging... So I cut refined sugar, high starch and simple carbs and finally started losing some weight slowly! I was still having issues with swelling of my limbs and face which had been an issue my whole life..., after some research I decided to cut one more thing from my diet just to see if it would help and it did! I cut out gluten and like magic my adema was gone and if I do eat gluten it does come back because I also have NCGI, so being gluten free is here to stay for me. I have maintained this lifestyle for a little over 2 years now. Even dealing with losing my Father, my Son turning 22 and my Daughter graduating high school all in a matter of weeks of each other I have maintained my weight. I did slack on logging during that time, but I stayed on track! I have lost 55lbs so far and I take zero meds to manage my diseases it is all done through what I eat and drink! Also 95% of my weight loss has been from my "diet" and mindset changes do to not being able to exercise consistently. I do try to walk daily and I'm really trying to get consistent with exercising to lose this last bit of weight. It just takes a little more patience because exercise and Fibromyalgia are not great friends. Although there is no cure for 4 of my health issues I finally feel like I'M in control!!
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Replies

  • acbraswell
    acbraswell Posts: 238 Member
    That is so amazing. I can tell how hard you work at overcoming obstacles. Keep up the great work!
  • micheledennis78
    micheledennis78 Posts: 24 Member
    acbraswell wrote: »
    That is so amazing. I can tell how hard you work at overcoming obstacles. Keep up the great work!

    Thank you, I'm still amazed at the difference! Not just how I look, but how I feel!!
  • nourhanehab7
    nourhanehab7 Posts: 125 Member
    You 're a HERO
  • micheledennis78
    micheledennis78 Posts: 24 Member
    nourhanehab7 wrote: »
    You 're a HERO

    Wow, thank you!! I just hope my story gives others with similar struggles hope and motivation to not give up!
  • Sarc_Warrior
    Sarc_Warrior Posts: 430 Member
    Great work. Inspiring.
  • Caloriesloser
    Caloriesloser Posts: 12 Member
    Wow congratulations!!
  • micheledennis78
    micheledennis78 Posts: 24 Member
    indy_cruizer wrote: »
    Great work. Inspiring.

    Thank you!!
  • micheledennis78
    micheledennis78 Posts: 24 Member
    Caloriesloser wrote: »
    Wow congratulations!!

    Thank you!!
  • RenaTX
    RenaTX Posts: 345 Member
    Wow you look like you could be around your daughter's age in that picture! Huge difference and the weight loss really took years off your face.
  • everher
    everher Posts: 909 Member
    I thought that might've been your younger brother and sister not your kids!
  • cariduttry
    cariduttry Posts: 210 Member
    you are awesome! i have the same gluten issues as you. tons of edema, joint aches & pains, mental fog. losing the gluten has been a game changer.
  • lilligraz22
    lilligraz22 Posts: 183 Member
    That is absolutely amazing! You are such an inspiration. Btw you two look like sisters in the pic. HOT MAMMA☺
  • micheledennis78
    micheledennis78 Posts: 24 Member
    RenaTX wrote: »
    Wow you look like you could be around your daughter's age in that picture! Huge difference and the weight loss really took years off your face.

    Thank you! I've heard that a lot lately :)
  • micheledennis78
    micheledennis78 Posts: 24 Member
    everher wrote: »
    I thought that might've been your younger brother and sister not your kids!

    Thank you!! Since the youngest turned 18 this year I am now the proud mamma of TWO adult children... I'm still a little in shock myself...lol :D
  • micheledennis78
    micheledennis78 Posts: 24 Member
    cariduttry wrote: »
    you are awesome! i have the same gluten issues as you. tons of edema, joint aches & pains, mental fog. losing the gluten has been a game changer.

    Losing the gluten really has been a game changer for me as well!! I'm glad you were able to figure out the cause as well! My doctors had me on water pills for years before I gave up the meds and went all natural and finally gluten free.
  • micheledennis78
    micheledennis78 Posts: 24 Member
    lilligraz22 wrote: »
    That is absolutely amazing! You are such an inspiration. Btw you two look like sisters in the pic. HOT MAMMA☺

    Thank you!! :)
  • smal48
    smal48 Posts: 102 Member
    Eesh I thought partner and then best friend!!! You look so young - before you lost the weight and after! You look fabulous now.
    Your kids must be so proud of you.
  • micheledennis78
    micheledennis78 Posts: 24 Member
    smal48 wrote: »
    Eesh I thought partner and then best friend!!! You look so young - before you lost the weight and after! You look fabulous now.
    Your kids must be so proud of you.

    Thank you!! :) I hope they are too, I strongly believe in leading by example!
  • take2spicy
    take2spicy Posts: 296 Member
    You look beautiful! Well done :)
  • micheledennis78
    micheledennis78 Posts: 24 Member
    take2spicy wrote: »
    You look beautiful! Well done :)

    Thank you :)
  • Hoshiko
    Hoshiko Posts: 179 Member
    I'm not joking, I thought that girl in the picture with you was your sister until I read your story.

    Amazing job!
  • micheledennis78
    micheledennis78 Posts: 24 Member
    Hoshiko wrote: »
    I'm not joking, I thought that girl in the picture with you was your sister until I read your story.

    Amazing job!

    Thank you!! :)
  • dragonfly_66
    dragonfly_66 Posts: 48 Member
    So fantastic! Great results!! Woo you rock!!
  • LonniJay
    LonniJay Posts: 3,740 Member
    Great job, you look beautiful and should be proud for so many reasons. I also agree with everyone else, you don't look like the mother of two adults.
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    You look younger!
  • micheledennis78
    micheledennis78 Posts: 24 Member
    dragonfly_66 wrote: »
    So fantastic! Great results!! Woo you rock!!

    Thank you! :)
  • micheledennis78
    micheledennis78 Posts: 24 Member
    LonniJay wrote: »
    Great job, you look beautiful and should be proud for so many reasons. I also agree with everyone else, you don't look like the mother of two adults.

    Thank you! :)
  • micheledennis78
    micheledennis78 Posts: 24 Member
    jenilla1 wrote: »
    You look younger!

    Thank you! :)
  • emlyfen
    emlyfen Posts: 3 Member
    Way to go!!! So proud of you!!! I know from personal experience what hard work that takes! Not being able to workout/exercise normally (or at all) makes things so much harder.
    I have a number of auto immune disorders and also have dysautonomia (and lupus as well!) So I'm sure we have many of the same illnesses!

    I read about your diet or lifestyle changes to your diet... And was wondering is that the ketogenic diet? I too also suffer from a ton of edema...mostly my kegs, feet and face. But it's everywhere. I've noticed a big drop in fluid when I cut sugars and carbs but I still suffer from a lot of fluid, just not near as much. I have Cushings syndrome from being on too high of a dosage of steroids for too long. Wonder if that and my chipmunk face will ever leave. It made me gain 100+ lbs but I'm on my way.. or trying to lose it. It's just hard being in bed most of the time (as I'm sure u can relate!) Thankfully I'm not in bed as much as I used to be.. I'll have a few good days where I can actually do a little housework. 2 years ago that wasn't even in my vocabulary!
    Anyway any advice would be truly appreciated!!

    What do u do for exercises so u don't set yourself back for days? I know u said u walk but anything else? What about when u first got out of bed rest after those 4 months?
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