To say that genetics is all to blame for my obesity would be a bold face lie.  It is true that a myriad of health problems run on my dad's side of the family and that includes obesity.  I've lost all of my aunts and Grandparents on that side of the family from heart failure due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

To say that it's because of depression stemming from divorced parents or the death of my brother would also not be entirely true but these things, mixed with poor exercise habits, terrible eating habits, and just a general lack of love for myself lead to me being almost 450lbs as a 26 year old.  It was all I could do each day to walk from front door to my car or from my car to my desk in my classroom.   

One time at a faculty Holiday party I was coaxed onto the dance floor and 30 seconds into the song my legs felt like they were going to give out beneath me.  I almost had a panic attack in front of my colleagues. 

I couldn't go to the movie theatre or public performances because I couldn't fit in the seats.  Same thing with restaurants that only had booths or fixed seating.  This was not how people were supposed to live.   Everyday that I looked into the mirror I felt myself slipping deeper into self loathing and further from the happy, outgoing, confident person I had been at one time.  I knew that if I continued down this path I would never be the teacher, wife, friend, or mother that I dreamed of being.  

Many people have asked me what was the breaking point or the moment that made me decide to change.  That's difficult to answer because the reasons for change had been staring me in face for several years.  The truth is, I wanted to live.  

When my close group of friends decided that we would take a trip abroad I knew that if I didn't lose weight, I wouldn't fit on the plane and in my physical state I wouldn't enjoy walking around and sightseeing.  What would be the point of paying for all of that and then wasting it?!?

The day I committed to the trip (in the summer of 2012), I also committed to my first weight loss goal of losing 100lbs before the trip which was a year away.  

I began by giving up all sugary drinks, bread, and pasta.  I also started walking three days a week.  I could not make it around one block in our neighborhood without sitting down to rest.  I just kept thinking to myself "I'm doing the very best thing I can for my body and my life" especially in moments where I felt I was at my breaking point.  

After I lost enough weight to be able to use the equipment, I joined a gym.  Walking through the doors of a fitness center weighing 375lbs was not easy but I just kept telling myself I wasn't here for anyone but me.  Overtime, things began to get noticeably easier, walking, getting into the car...my stomach no longer rubbed the steering wheel!  I was hooked on this new lifestyle and kept up a six day a week gym routine, alternating cardio and strength training.   

In March of 2015 I reached my lowest weight as an adult of 167lbs.  A total weightloss of 283lbs. 

I did this without surgery or celebrity help. 

What I couldn't do with out surgery, though, was lose all the excess skin.  Skin may not seem like that big a deal but it's so disheartening (and mentally damaging, if I'm being completely honest) to work so hard and still not see what you hope to in the mirror.   But its not just the aesthetics of having a firm body that motivated me.  Due to the loose skin I have terrible circulation and have a difficult time controlling my body temperature.  Also, I have gotten my skin (especially from my arms and stomach) caught  on furniture with sharp edges.  I burned my arm on the stove top one time because I couldn't feel my loose skin sitting on the burner...

I have tried to get my insurance to help pay for my surgeries but they deem it solely cosmetic and therefore outside of coverage.  Thankfully, with my appeal I was able to get a panniculectomy covered but not my arms, back, or thighs.  The remaining surgeries and medical procedures, despite my efforts, are outside the realm of financial possibility for this public school teacher.

I had dreamed of writing to Ellen or Oprah to get help with the skin removal surgery but to be honest I felt like there were people with more amazing stories than mine, people who needed more help or deserved the recognition for their good deeds so I didn't pursued it.  That also why it has taken me so long to put my story here.  There are so many others in desperate situations. 

I will be humbled by any response to this call for help.  And please know I plan to pay your generosity forward to others who are traveling this path.  Any amount beyond my medical procedures will be donated on this site to others in need.

If you're still with me...

Thank you for your time and I wish you all the best.

-Megan