Success Stories

Living with Obesity and Diabetes

I spent most of my life eating, dieting and hating myself in the process. I used food to block out the emotional and physical pain in my life, and a lifetime of gaining and losing weight resulted in Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure and the inability to walk from my bedroom to my kitchen without stopping to catch my breath.

The Turning Point

September 11, 2001, the day that changed the rest of the world, was the day that saved my life. I weighed 550 pounds and lived less than one mile from Ground Zero. What I didn’t realize until that day was that my world had rapidly shrunk to the size of my apartment. As the first plane struck, I could hear my panicked neighbors running to the roof to watch the tragedy unfold – but I couldn’t join them. With full-blown Type 2 Diabetes and my morbid obesity, I had to struggle to get myself to the window. I couldn’t even stand up long enough to watch as black smoke engulfed the first tower.

When the emergency personnel closed the streets surrounding Ground Zero, I suddenly realized that I was immobile. I finally became aware of what everyone around me already knew: I was a prisoner of my own body. Without my car and a wheelchair, I could not get around – and on that day I made a vow that would change my life. If the world could get back on its feet, so would I. I knew it was time to stop thinking and take some action; I knew it was time for bariatric surgery and a total lifestyle change.

Motivating Others

In the seven years since my surgery, I have lost over 300 lbs, resolved my Type 2 Diabetes, and successfully made the journey from a morbidly obese woman to a healthy one. In fact, my blood tests were normal before I even left the hospital – I had resolved my Type 2 Diabetes. I am a motivational speaker, author and actress, and my goal is to become an inspiration to women and dieters around the nation. Together we can resolve our Type 2 Diabetes, have normal blood tests and lead healthier, happier lives!

In 2009, I joined the [Our Resolution] campaign as a national spokesperson so I could share my message of hope, change and health – and I am so excited to be traveling around the country, telling my story!

I also published Winning After Losing, How to Keep the Weight off Forever (Warner Books, 2007), and, one of my proudest accomplishments, I have shared my story on The Oprah Winfrey Show several times, including Oprah’s 20th Anniversary special.

*At time of interview, over 7 years post-surgery