All my life, or at least since the onset of puberty, I have battled my weight. I can remember being called a “fat a$$” by a family member and even as an adult, my grandmother would just blurt out, “Tammy, you’re gettin’ fat!” (Thanks Granny. I wondered why I couldn’t button my jeans.) Of course, I look back at photos of myself all those years ago and realize that I wasn’t fat at all…at least not compared to my weight in my 40s. I’ve tried so many diets, I can’t even remember them all. Let’s see if I can remember a few….Weight Watchers (twice), Jenny Craig, L.A. Weight Loss, Atkins Diet and let’s not forget the starvation diet. And don’t ask me how much I’ve spent on gym memberships. I lost weight on all of them, but it was never for long. Like most mothers, I put on weight with each child, especially my last pregnancy. But the odd thing about getting older is you become less vain and care less about what others think of your appearance and you actually start to feel comfortable in your own skin. I thought that was a great thing, but now looking back, I think that was actually a dangerous attitude, because I stopped trying.
In March of this year, I traveled to Ft. Lauderdale with a friend to attend a Close To My Heart event. There were lots of pictures taken and I have to say, I really hated what I saw. What I hated even more was how I felt….self-conscious and now, just plain uncomfortable in my own skin. It reminded me too much of being a teenager
again. Once is enough, right? Like so many times before, I thought “I really should do something about my weight”, but alas…I continued to DO nothing about it.
again. Once is enough, right? Like so many times before, I thought “I really should do something about my weight”, but alas…I continued to DO nothing about it.
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| Me, on Ft. Lauderdale Beach, in March of 2014 |
One weekend, soon after returning home from the trip to Ft. Lauderdale, I started to feel unwell. Not really “sick” per se; I couldn’t put my finger
on it, but something was off. When I
returned to work on Monday, I asked the school nurse to take my blood
pressure. I was in for a shock. It was 174/100 and she looked straight at me and said “You’re stroke ready.”
on it, but something was off. When I
returned to work on Monday, I asked the school nurse to take my blood
pressure. I was in for a shock. It was 174/100 and she looked straight at me and said “You’re stroke ready.”
I’ve struggled with my blood pressure ever since my grandmother passed
away in 2006 and I have to be honest, I’ve never been very faithful about taking my
medication. However, this time, it was higher than I’ve ever known. For some
reason unknown to me, maybe it was what the nurse said or how she said it, but it got my
attention. I thought to myself, “What is
my problem? What am I waiting on? Am I seriously going to need to have a heart
attack or become disabled from a stroke before I take this serious? Or worse,
die? Why am I being so stupid about
this? I’m not a stupid person, but I sure am behaving like one. I need to stop TALKING about doing something
to change my situation and actually DO something about it.” That night I reached out to a friend who had transformed her body and maintained her 60lb weight loss for a couple of years. She had also become a health coach. After questions back and forth, I made
the decision to start DOING something about my situation and she became my
health coach.
away in 2006 and I have to be honest, I’ve never been very faithful about taking my
medication. However, this time, it was higher than I’ve ever known. For some
reason unknown to me, maybe it was what the nurse said or how she said it, but it got my
attention. I thought to myself, “What is
my problem? What am I waiting on? Am I seriously going to need to have a heart
attack or become disabled from a stroke before I take this serious? Or worse,
die? Why am I being so stupid about
this? I’m not a stupid person, but I sure am behaving like one. I need to stop TALKING about doing something
to change my situation and actually DO something about it.” That night I reached out to a friend who had transformed her body and maintained her 60lb weight loss for a couple of years. She had also become a health coach. After questions back and forth, I made
the decision to start DOING something about my situation and she became my
health coach.
Working with my health coach has helped me to view food differently. She checks on me often and helps me when I have questions or I’m struggling with something. She also celebrates my successes. It’s awesome to have that one-on-one personal touch. Since taking that step
back in mid-March and working with my coach, I have lost 43 lbs, dropped two pant sizes and something that
makes me even happier, my blood pressure has been in the 120/70 range
consistently and without medication!! The benefits of changing my habits and working with a health coach haven’t stopped there, though. Thanks to better eating habits, I now have more energy. So much so that I often WANT to exercise. Crazy, I know. And one of my favorite benefits? I’m sleeping really, really well.
back in mid-March and working with my coach, I have lost 43 lbs, dropped two pant sizes and something that
makes me even happier, my blood pressure has been in the 120/70 range
consistently and without medication!! The benefits of changing my habits and working with a health coach haven’t stopped there, though. Thanks to better eating habits, I now have more energy. So much so that I often WANT to exercise. Crazy, I know. And one of my favorite benefits? I’m sleeping really, really well.
I am so excited about the changes I’m experiencing. Changes in my body. Changes in my energy. Changes in my attitude. Changes in my confidence. Changes in my relationship with food. I’ve learned so much and because of my success (though I’m not done yet), I want to help others find success….whether that’s weight loss, improve blood pressure, blood sugar and/or cholesterol levels, improve eating habits, etc.
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| I found this picture on the left of me at Close To My Heart’s Annual Convention is 2013. The photo on the right was taken at this year’s convention. I’m not done yet though. I still have 17 lbs to go, but I’ve got this! |
If you can relate to my story and you’re ready to make a change and want to find how, I would love to talk to you. Just text or call me. You can also email me, but I’d prefer to speak directly to you, so please leave your phone number and I’ll get back with you. You can find my contact info HERE.
tamythascreativecottage.com 
I don't know how I didn't realize you had posted your story to your blog before….doh! I think you look beautiful in both pictures, Tamytha!
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Oh Nancy, you didn't miss it. I only recently added it my blog. Actually this past week. And thank you for the sweet compliment. I can tell you I feel much better in the second picture though. 🙂
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Hello-I just wanted to say congratulations on your weight loss and healthy lifestyle. I am fairly new to CTMH and I have enjoyed looking through your blog. You have a great eye. Keep up the great work!
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Tamytha, Congratulations on your health makeover! I understand totally how you feel. I am there myself…struggling to lose those pounds! Your story is inspiring! So is your artwork!
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Thanks so much Karen!
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Thanks Belinda! Just let me know if you want to find out more about what I've done to lose the weight. It's honestly been one of the easiest things, in terms of weight loss, that I've ever done. Either way, I wish you well in your journey. 🙂
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congrats, I was in the same place about 13 years ago. I lost over a hundred pounds, and work really hard at keeping it off Keep up the good work
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