Losing 100lbs+ : being healthy outweighs vanity

Many of you know my story. Made the decision to lose weight, went for it, and succeeded. Not only did I lose weight, but I lost what could have been another person (my 10 year old weighs 100lbs). I won't lie, the perks of losing weight is amazing! My favorite one? Shopping! But with massive weight loss comes things some may consider a downside.

 

You'd be amazed how often I receive questions from women wondering what I'm going to do about my stretch marks and if I have loose skin. Those questions are usually followed by them saying that's what they fear most about losing weight... The aftermath so to speak.

I'll be honest, I'm always baffled by those questions. Sometimes I don't even respond because I feel like there is no way they could actually mean to ask them. Have we become so fixated on what society thinks of us, that we would risk being unhealthy for the sake of being "flab" free? And maybe I'm missing something because when I was 280lbs, I was flabby and had stretch marks.

My stretch marks on my stomach always grabs the attention of women on my Facebook page. I share these pictures on purpose. I could easily share others of me covered up or go as far as to ask my photog to edit them out, but how would that help you? In addition to that not helping you, it would not be my truth. My reality so to speak. I'm a woman. I'm a mother of 3. I'm a person that once weighed nearly 300lbs and decided to take charge of my health. This is my aftermath. The proof of what my body was capable of doing.

I don't know about you, but I see it as something to be proud of. The result of being human. There is nothing to hide or to be ashamed of. Don't let vanity stand in the way of your greatness.

xo,

Lakeitha

 

All images by Kaye McCoy