A lot has happened since September. Since my last post, I have not only reached but far surpassed my 100 pound milestone. The emotions that I felt when I looked at the scale when I finally was down 100 pounds was a feeling I will never forget. As I finally saw the scale read 196, my eyes filled with tears. It felt like I had climbed the highest mountain after a nineteen month trek and I was almost able to see the finish line. Reaching 100 pounds was a huge accomplishment for a number of reasons- I was into triple digits (Ahhh!), finally only 49 pounds away from my final goal and let's face it 100 pounds is such a nicer number to say than 99 when someone inquires about your total weight loss.
After losing such a significant amount of weight I started to feel incredibly confident in myself and got the desire to share my story. In May, I found an inquiry on The View's website asking for viewers who lost weight naturally using no diet pills or surgery. I knew this segment was made for me. So I submitted a before and after picture of myself and within two days, I had been contacted by the producer. She couldn't believe my weight loss success and wanted to feature me on the show. She told me I had more than doubled other viewer's weight loss and that the executive producer wanted my story to be the final ta-da of the week. I was ecstatic, slightly freaked out- as the View is nationally syndicated, and incredibly honored.
My weight loss story was one I had only shared with my family and friends. Being able to share my story with millions of viewers in America was a little intimidating. But I knew I had a great story- as I'm proud of my success and I understand and could sympathize with so many people who have struggled with weight. I'd been there. I'd been fighting that exact same struggle my entire life. But I overcame my addiction to food and fear of dieting in a way that people could relate to. I knew I could inspire other people to start making healthier decisions.
The taping itself was a whirlwind. It all seemed so surreal. My family and I were put up in a beautiful hotel in the middle of Times Square the night before my show. There was a car being sent to take me to the studio. I had my own dressing room, a hair stylist and makeup artist. It was complete VIP treatment. As they escorted us to the front row in the audience, I couldn't believe this was actually happening. I was asked about the foods I ate leading up to my heaviest point and what I changed about my diet that has allowed me to have such success. They even showed a video clip of me doing Zumba! It was an experience I will never forget. And I know how lucky and fortunate I am that I could celebrate my weight loss success with such a large audience.
After my View experience, I was contacted by a local newspaper in the Lehigh Valley, the Morning Call. They had heard about my weight loss journey and The View appearance and wanted to share my story by featuring me in the newspaper--how flattering! I appreciated the newspaper story because it allowed me to share more intricate details of my weight loss and share tips of my diet that I wasn't able to discuss on "The View"- specifically my affinity for nightly ice cream. It also allowed me to use another outlet of the media in which to tell people about myself and my continuous weight loss journey. (http://www.mcall.com/entertainment/tv/mc-rebecca-riddle-weight-easton-view-20130701,0,7630885.story)
At the end of the day, I'm not updating this blog to brag. And I hope it doesn't come off that way. I am humbled by the recognition that I have received. I never expected people to care about my story. I am just a twenty-something year old woman living in a small town in Pennsylvania, who like millions of Americans, has struggled with weight issues my entire life. I know the pain and internal battle that being overweight can cause. I remember thinking to myself that I would always be overweight.
If this blog helps just one person overcome the same struggles that I faced day in and day out- then I've accomplished something. Because I know even though losing weight may seem like a hopeless battle- it's not. It can be the most rewarding journey of your life if you keep at it and don't get discouraged by obstacles that will indefinitely present themselves along the way. Personally, each pound I've lost taught me a great deal about myself. I know now that I can accomplish anything because I've discovered a sense of determination in myself that I never knew existed. When I started dieting, I felt like I was running into a brick wall. I wanted to lose half of myself- a goal that was intimidating to say the least. But I am within 22 pounds of my end goal- and that is an AMAZING feeling. You just need to start somewhere. Start small. Celebrate each milestone, and keep plugging away. Because when you reach huge milestones- like 5 pounds, 25 pounds, or 100 pounds- I promise that you will never feel so strong.
Losing weight gives you a sense of confidence in yourself both mentally and physically that was never there before. You dress differently, you carry yourself differently. You radiate with a new-found sense of confidence that didn't have the courage to present itself when you were overweight. And maybe, just maybe, if you're lucky enough- you get the confidence to share your story with the world.
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