Source: 7news.com.au
An Australian woman has opened up about how being overweight ruined her sex life – and how she lost a staggering 63kg to change her life.
Kaitlyn Gonzalez, 27, from One Mile, NSW, developed an unhealthy relationship with food as a child – often skipping breakfast and eating regular McDonald’s meals.
As an adult she tipped the scales at 145kg – a size 22 – and was often reduced to tears by her reflection.
“Being 145kg was hard, but I was in denial about it. I honestly didn’t realise how big I actually was,” Kaitlyn said.
“Whenever I saw myself on security cameras or in windows walking past shops, I felt my stomach sink. I would look at myself and cry, feeling depressed and like I wasn’t worth being treated right because I mistreated myself.”
Explaining the toll her weight took on her life, Kaitlyn said it affected her in many ways.
“I couldn’t run, I wouldn’t wear skirts as my thighs rubbed so badly they would bleed, I wouldn’t go shopping with friends, I couldn’t ride a rollercoaster and I even struggled putting on socks and shoes,” she said.
“Although it didn’t cause extreme issues in my love life I was limited to one position because other positions hurt my knees and I worried about my stomach touching them.
“When I went to a uni day I remember standing there and a guy about ten metres away pointed at me and yelled ‘oh my god, she’s so fat!’ I cried but thankfully he did apologise after. I’ve also had men tell me they would date me if I wasn’t so big,” she added.
“I was always going out with my tiny and pretty friend and all the boys wanted her, I got no attention and felt out of place. I literally woke up one morning and said I’m done with being fat and I booked an appointment with my doctor to see a surgeon.”
In May 2017 Kaitlyn chose to have vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) surgery.
But knowing it wasn’t a miracle cure, she put a large emphasis on fitness after that and worked out every day.
She also started eating more lean meats and lots of vegetables and within just one year she lost 68kg and now weighs just 77kg and wears a size eight.
Kaitlyn also struggled with excess skin and had two operations to have 3kg removed in February 2019 and a breast lift in October 2019.
Now Kaitlyn shares tips to her friends and family on how she managed to transform her body and life.
“Losing weight has changed my life because if I hadn’t have had the surgery to kick start me, I’d probably have diabetes or be close to dead now. I can walk into any clothing store, pull something off the rack and it fits me. I’m more active, people definitely respond to me better and I get more enjoyment out of every day,” Kaitlyn continued.
“I love how far I’ve come I love how much effort I’ve put in to coming this far. I do still look at myself sometimes and see the bigger girl however I now look in the mirror and be like ‘damn, skinny!’. Every day is different, but I know inside I’ve done so well.
“People are shocked when I tell them how much I’ve lost. They say ‘wow that’s a whole person’ I work in retail and get lots of regular customers who say I look amazing but that they didn’t think I was that big before.
“To those who don’t know where to start, I really suggest thinking about where you want to be. Don’t look at models but do look for people whose shape and fitness levels you like. It’s not going to be about being skinny, but it is about being fit, strong and healthy.”